Category Archives: Original Content

The San Diego Chargers .. Should Stay or Should They Go?

The San Diego Chargers, The Bolts, The Super Chargers, powder blue uniforms and tailgating, all San Diegan’s have a memory or two from either Jack Murphy or Qualcomm Stadiums of the Chargers playing. I know that I was always a fan because I am homegrown San DIegan and I believe in supporting the home team but only within the past 6-7 years have I learned about the Chargers. My husband Jason was born a Charger fan, his family had tickets on the 50 yard line and Charger season is looked forward to by every family member. Through Jason I have learned why they run, hike the ball or just go down on bended knee.

I always thought that once a city had a team, they had a team, meaning that they could not and would not let that team be lost or moved. I have heard for years that the Chargers did not exercise the option of leaving and kinda thought nothing really of it, I mean why would San Diego NOT have a team. Well the time has come when what I thought could not happen might happen – the Chargers ceasing to play here.

There are many reasons why they maybe should leave, but there are equally, if not more. reasons to stay. I, for one, can not imagine San Diego without our team, it seems like we will be loosing a bit of our home and what comforts that home provides. I am still undecided if I will continue to be a fan if they do leave – the thing I love about them is that they are San Diego, my home town!

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Is a Pizza Without Toppings Still a Pizza?

Is a pizza without toppings still a pizza or is it more of a bread? I bring up this all important question up because tonight Jason and I bought what we thought was a pizza but really a topped bread.

In an effort to make things a little easier tonight we bought a Freschetta Brick Oven style pizza at the local grocery store. It was a Chicken Club Pizza and the toppings sounded like they would have been perfect and included spinach, tomatoes, chicken and bacon. We went into this easier meal option with a potentially filled tummy.

To say I was disappointed with the contents of the box would be a drastic understatement.

The box vs reality were VERY different. I saw so little ingredients I was compelled to want to count each one:

2 Spinach pieces
10 tomatoes
14 Chicken Chunks
approx. 1/2 tablespoon of bacon crumbs

This is not the first time this has happened to us. A couple of months ago we purchased a tub of butter that advertised the fact is was 40% larger, the problem was that is was about 30% lower than a normal tub on the inside with butter.

I understand the need for cost cutting and streamlining but please do not sell me one thing on the outside of the box and then give me something different in the box.

Jason and I wanted to see if the situation improved after we cooked the pizza and if possible it looked sadder after baking than prior to baking.

The bright side of this rather ingredient-less pizza was that the pizza was so good! The bread was perfect thickness and the bites that did include toppings were really tasty!

Have you had this happen to you? Share your story with me, I would love to hear your stories!

Canyon Bakehouse Product Review and Giveaway!

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of Canyon Bakehouse. This in no way will influence the review to follow and all opinions are my own.

Canyon Bakehouse Product Review and Giveaway!

Confession time again! There is something about a slice of bread before bed that is oddly comforting, I have been known to knock out loaves of bread on my own and am even trying my hand at making my own breads. I LOVE bread, therefore when I had opportunity to try 4 Gluten Free varieties from Canyon Bakehouse I was excited and more then willing.

I received a loaf each of 7 Grain Bread, Mountain White Bread, Cinnamon Raisin Bread and a loaf of Rosemary and Thyme Focaccia Bread.

7 Grain Bread: The first thing that I noticed about this bread was the wonderful color! The best way to describe the color is a nice dark caramel on the outside and the lighter caramel color on the inside – baked perfectly. The 7 Grain bread did not have a grainy after taste, but beware once toasted it can be a little crumbier then other breads.

Mountain White Bread: Similar to the 7 Grain Bread this bread had the perfect color on the top and a nice creamy white color on the inside. Again, the downside is that once toasted the bread seemed to become a crumbly version of itself.

Rosemary and Thyme Focaccia Bread: My experience with Focaccia bread had been somewhat limited so I saw this as an opportunity to not only try Focaccia but a gluten-free version. This bread was firm but not “brick” dense, and the texture allows for many different applications from dipping bread to cutting it down for a Panini. My personal recommendation is to cut a portion that you will be consuming for that meal and freeze the remainder. I found that the loaf was large enough for 2 meals.

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Modern Manners: Tools to Take You to the Top Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of BloggingforBooks. This in no way will influence the review to follow and all opinions are my own.

Modern Manners: Tools to Take You to the Top Review

I am a traditional girl in the modern world: I believe in men opening car doors for women, I believe in proper firm handshakes and proper table manners and I believe in the simplicity and beauty of a handwritten thank you card. I think that as we progress into a more modern digital age, these simple simplicities of life will disappear and we will have forgotten the etiquette of days gone by.

This new book by the founder of ‘The Protocol School of Washington’s’ Dorothea Johnson and actress Liv Tyler give you the simple etiquette tips that are missing in society today. This book covers everything from how to host dinner parties, to having a professional and personal online presence and how to handle when the personal and professional intersect in life.

Some of the other topics covered are:

The importance of standing up when meeting somebody and presenting a firm handshake
Tipping in every situation including your Wine Steward and food deliveries vs pizza deliveries.
How to eat various foods including artichokes to sushi and sashimi.
Place settings for 3 course and 5 course meals
The proper etiquette on a elevator
Information sharing on social media
and much much more!!

Throughout the book Dorothea Johnson gives you practical advice, do’s and do not’s, and includes insightful commentary from her Granddaughter Liv Tyler. The book is slim enough, at a mere 170 pages, to carry with you as a quick reference.

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InstaNaturals Lemon and Peppermint Essential Oils Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge in consideration of a review. This in no way will influence the review to follow & all opinions are my own.

InstaNaturals Lemon and Peppermint Essential Oil Review

I have heard a lot about Essential Oils the past couple months. I have friends and family who sell the oils, and who espouse the benefits to all that will listen. I, on the other hand, am a very skeptical person and typically do not buy into the latest purchasing fads. I had the opportunity come across my screen to review InstaNaturals Lemon and Peppermint Essential Oils and despite my aforementioned skepticism I figured I would step outside my typical comfort zone and try this newest craze overtaking my social media feeds.

I received 4oz bottles each of InstaNatural’s Lemon and Peppermint Essential Oils. The Peppermint has a fresh mint scent and the Lemon smells fresh and sweet. These are concentrated high quality oils, therefore a little goes a long way.

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Delightibles Cat Treats Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge. This in no way will influence the review to follow and all opinions are my own.

Delightibles Salmon Cat Treats Review

I like to know, or at least have a basic understanding of the ingredients and processes of production of the treats that I give my cats. My husband and I believe that Murfee and Maggee deserve the best treats available, so we were excited when we got a bag of Delightibles Cat Treats – Salmon flavor in the mail for review.

While reviewing the package the first thing I noticed was the absence of BHT and BHA which is added to foods to preserve the fats. The treats are wheat and soy free, and are made in the United States. I noticed upon the opening of the package the absence of the typical odor of cat treats, they still smelled like treats without that cornmeal smell. The packaging re-seals to keep freshness, and stores easily.

We like to reward our cats for just about anything – being cute to listening to directions. I really like the hard/soft combination, as this can help reduce plaque and tartar build up on their teeth.

Upon opening the bag I had both felines attention. Murfee was skeptical, and in his typical picky eater fashion tried the treats and ate 4 of them until he decided that they in fact were not that good as he initially thought. Maggee loved them, she could not get enough of them and almost had a frown when we put the bag away and now runs when she hears the shaking of the treats.

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Amara Organics Vitamin C Review

Amara Organics Vitamin C Review

Throughout my life I have been told by people young and old that I have the most beautiful and flawless skin. I am constantly told that I look years younger than I am really am, not that i am trying to upset you before you have a chance to hear what I have to say.

I have always been a skeptical person when it comes to any kind of serum’s or items that claim to take “years” off my face. When I was given the opportunity to review Amara Organic’s Vitamin C Serum I approached it with my typical apprehension to items in this genre of products.

The ingredient list is simple and includes such items as: deionized water, aloe-vera extract, vitamin-c, witch hazel, kosher vegetable glycerin, jojoba oil and vitamin-e. Amara Organics makes this 98% natural/72% organic serum here in the United States. The vitamin c serum is not tested on animals and has 20% vitamin-c in the serum.

I have been using the serum, twice a day for the past week and the one thing I have noticed right off the bat is that my skin is softer and feels tighter. I love that the serum is thick and therefore a little can go a long way, and there is a pleasant odor and it absorbs quickly. I would recommend this serum to anyone interested in getting a tighter more toned skin while using a natural product.

If you would like more information about Amara Organics Vitamin C Serum, click here: http://amaraorganics.com/products/vitamin-c-serum

Bill Griffith from Channel 10 News Retires Today!!!

I know this is not the traditional review we do, but being a watcher of 10 News and native San Diegan’s, I could not let this day go by without saying something!

For those who do not live here in San Diego or watch 10 News, Bill Griffith has been on the air and at the same station for 39 years (39 years and 18 days to be exact) and this morning was his last broadcast. Bill Griffith is special to San Diego for many reasons, his warm approachable nature to his bravery fighting male breast cancer will not be soon forgotten!

Bill Griffith has done every job at 10 News from Sports Director, Talk Show Host, and most recently since 1996 he has been the anchor of the 5:00AM, 6:00AM and 11:00AM news casts. Bill is perhaps best known in San Diego for his courageous fight with the extremely rare and often fatal male breast cancer. Bill took viewers through diagnosis, surgery, chemo and recovery. This brave fight won him the coveted Drew Silvern Award from the San Diego Press Club in 2004, and won him the hearts of every San Diegan!

Often times we watch the news to find comfort in an otherwise tumultuous time – being Wildfires to the sudden death of a beloved San Diego Charger (Junior Seau’s sudden suicide). Bill Griffith says that he hopes he is leaving San Diego better than he found it, and anyone who spent the mornings with him would say yes, San Diego is a better place because of his constant reporting in a inconsistent time.

We bid you farewell Bill, thank you for your 39 years reporting on the town we all love so much! We hope you have a relaxing, sleeping past 7:00am, and a tie free retirement!

The UT did a great article on Bill Griffith that you can find here

What is your favorite Bill Griffith memory? Share below!

Off The Beaten Deals: Our Oscar Predictions!!!

Anyone who knows Jason and I know he loves movies and I love entertainment news! I am in for a long night; the Oscars, then the after show with Jimmy Kimmel (we love Kimmel) and then our local news!

Tonight is a BIG night in the Movie world: THE OSCARS (or as Michael Keaton said on the red carpet that is is like the final game in sports – the big one!). I am excited to see how Neil Patrick Harris is as host – I have seen him live once before and it was ahhhmmazing (As Mark in Rent at the La Jolla Playhouse).

I thought it would be fun to guess who I and Jason think will win and see how accurate we am:

Best Picture – Birdman

Boyhood -Jennifer and American Sniper – Jason

Best Actor – Eddie Redmayne for Theory of Everything

Michael Keaton – Jennifer and Benedict Cumberbatch – Jason

Best Actress – Julianne Moore for Still Alice

Jennifer and Jason – Reese Witherspoon

Supporting Role Actor – J.K, Simmons for Whiplash

Jennifer – Edward Norton and Jason – J.K. Simmons

Supporting Role Actress – Patricia Arquette for Boyhood

Jennifer and Jason – Patricia Arquette

Animated Feature Film – Big Hero 6

Jennifer and Jason – Big Hero 6

Music Original Song – “Glory” from Selma – Common and John Legend

Jennifer and Jason “Glory” from Selma – Common and John Legend

Writing Original Screenplay – Birdman

Jennifer and Jason – Grand Budapest Hotel

Original Director – Alejandro G. Inarritu

Jennifer and Jason – Boyhood Linklater

Adapted Screenplay – Imitation Game

Jason and Jennifer – American Sniper

Are we right or wrong? We will update throughout the night.

Also a small shout out, In Memoriam to Stewart Stern – writer of Rebel without a Cause and Sybil – we will never forget your huge contribution to the movie world!

Who do you think will win! Post here and talk to us!

This Is What You Just Put In Your Mouth? Book Review

This Is What You Just Put In Your Mouth? From Eggnog to Beef Jerky, the Surprising Secrets Book Review

I have always loved “behind the label” type of articles, stories and books. I recently had the opportunity to read and review Patrick Di Justo’s new book, This Is What You Just Put In Your Mouth? From Eggnog to Beef Jerky, the Surprising Secrets. I enjoy books that answer the questions that many people are otherwise scared to ask: What is in my food? This book delves into that question and with the assistance of scientists, bio-chemists, CEO’s and Google archives is able to break-down the answer in simple easy to understand bites.

The book is divided into 2 sections: the first section covers the items that go into your mouth, which range from Hostess Lemon Fruit Pie’s to Southern Comfort Egg Nog. The second section of the book covers what you do NOT put in your mouth, with topics ranging from FIx-A-Flat to Triple Paste Diaper Cream. Each topic has the ingredients included with an explanation of their need in the product and a back story to the writing of the products. For a book with words such as Poloxamer 407 and Beta-Propiolactone this book is surprisingly not technical and is an easy fun read. Most people who were approached for the book were excited to participate, but as they began their own research on Di Justo’s previous columns many wondered what they got their companies and themselves into. The first section includes a bonus for readers, Alton Brown imparts his words of wisdom and his possible theories why the items may have been used in the product.

Patrick Di Justo, a monthly column writer for Wired Magazine, has had columns in almost every issue dating from October 2006 until October 2013. It is with the same curiosity and passion of research that makes this book an easy fun read, which I recommend to everyone!