Look into Lutein

I received my Jarrow Formulas Lutein from the Amazon Vine Program. I spend the better part of a day staring at a computer screen topped off with reading in the evening. Recently I noticed that when I looked up, I wasn't able to see clearly. Also, I found that reading small type was impossible with out assistance. It was as though my field of vision was pixelating. I wear glasses as I have astigmatism in both eyes, but even my glasses were of no help.

 When I saw Jarrow Formulas Lutein, I wanted to give it a try. The soft gels are football shaped and go down easily. There is no unpleasant after taste. With 60 softgels a bottle, I feel it's a good value. At first I didn't notice any change at all.

In the meantime, I shifted to less computer time. After only a few weeks, my eyes do not fatigue as easily, and I can read the small type on this bottles label without much effort. If you suffer from eyestrain you may want to check into this product. I certainly appreciate the difference it made for me.

The Godfather's Daughter

THE GODFATHER'S DAUGHTER by Rita Gigante with Natasha Stoynoff is not another mobster tale. Interestingly, this story picks up where I left off reading The Valachi Papers in the Genovese family, just as Vincent "The Chin" Gigante rises through the ranks to become the Godfather. One of his youngest children, Rita, tells what life was like as a child in the home of one of the most powerful men in New York City.
Her engaging tale is not at all what I would have expected, and seems to be a life filled with heart-sickening surprises. Among her earliest questions was, "What does my dad do for a living?" A question that went largely unasked and unanswered until she was well into her teens. Her own personal evolution was of interest to me as I watched how she went from not being able to speak in truth about the reality of her world to anyone, sometimes because she didn't know, or because of the" unspoken rule" don't ask questions.

I found the family dynamic interesting because, while my family was not connected, they were Catholic as was Gigante's family and there were other parallels I could appreciate. The judgmental attitude of the Catholic church, and living a lifestyle that goes against the grain. I Think it is commendable that Rita Gigante was strong and brave enough not only to pursue her own truth despite brutal beatings, family denials and threats, but that she found her own healing as a result. Although the author and I are far apart on many of her beliefs and ideas, it took a lot of guts to stand up for what she believes, right wrong or otherwise.

 I really don't know what to think of this book. It went in directions that seemed completely unreal to me. I am not comfortable recommending this to anyone. There are f-bombs and other profanities, and toward the end, the author moves into rather sensitive areas about her own sexual identity. I'll give it four stars for just being gutsy. The book on the whole was a relatively quick read for me, and if you are interested in Mafia tales, you might enjoy this unusual one.

 This book was given to me by the Amazon Vine Program in exchange for my opinion.

Primula French Press

I had originally ordered this press at Christmas time and it arrived in less than optimal condition (see original review link below)
Amazon pulled the review, as they should have, because the review mainly covered the shopping aspect and not the product.
I contacted the company directly and pleaded with them to please consider sending me a new unit. They promptly did so, not requiring the original damaged unit to be returned.
Then I dropped the ball. I enjoyed it a few times, put it on a shelf and failed to review it at all.

This week, when our morning coffee was too thin, I said I had a solution. I pulled out the Primula French press and added a few heaping tablespoons of coffee, and poured our still hot pot of weak coffee over the grounds.
I let it steep for about 4 minutes, letting the plunger rest above the floating grounds. At the end of that time,  I depressed the plunger and poured morning coffee. It took less time than re-brewing another pot from scratch. After I woke up, it occurred to me that I hadn't posted the review!

The Primula French Press is easy to use. As with any French Press, you will find some fine grounds in the bottom of your cup. The sturdy construction and thick glass carafe means you will enjoy this product for many years. The stainless steel filter and parts are easy to clean. The handle is large enough for a man's hands for easy pouring. The attractive black plastic frame fits with our decor and the lid has an easy pouring side and to keep the coffee hot a little longer, you can turn the lid to prevent heat loss.

I don't mind leaving it on the table. It makes six cups of coffee or tea. We like the Lady Grey loose leaf and couldn't be happier with the results. I give this item five stars and applaud the customer service department for their fast response.

Expand Your Gardening Season with Cobra

Spring is just around the corner in my neck of the woods and I've already begun dreaming of crisp lettuce, fresh herbs and juicy tomatoes. I got CobraCo Window Planter13 Expandable Window Planter to begin my seedlings long before the last frost. It fits in the standard 4 inch deep window sill and expands up to 24 inches long. The weathered wooden boxes are about 2 and a half inches deep and lined with plastic inserts to keep water from ruining the wood, or dripping on your sill. I'm planning an indoor lettuce garden this year where I can keep a close eye on it. (Take that, you bad rabbits!) And I can also start my tomatoes in it at the same time. CobraCo Window Planter13 Expandable Window Planter is perfect for indoor gardeners and seed starters!

Bellar Bellowing on Eighteen Weeks?

I like music that is a little different, minor keys, dreamy, scary, industrial, warbling experimental. I don't even mind if it sounds a little like its crashing off key. I was fine with it until the last 18 seconds give or take where a male voice begins to yell, in a truly disturbing tone. "Listen, listen listen!" A little too jarring an ending for me. This song goes into my listen only occasionally list. The cover art is great, I would love the poster!

Light up Your Piano Music Collection with PASSIONS

PASSIONS is the newest addition to an amazing collection of truly beautiful music. I've been a fan of George Skaroulis ever since I stumbled upon him at a Greek Festival some years back. If you love great relaxing piano music along the lines of George Winston or Jim Brickman, you are in for a real treat. I have never been disappointed in this artist's offerings. Listen to the tracks and find out for yourself, what you've been missing. And then get PASSIONS!

TP-LINK Hooks You Up!

My husband and I are not TV people. This drives our local cable company nuts. We have a mobile device we use to hook up to the internet because we like to write from various location and you can't take cable service on the road with you. However, this left me with an old desktop that occasionally needed to get online.

The TP-LINK Dual Band Wireless Adapter was the answer!

The box contains a mini set up disc with quick set up guide, the TP-LINK TL-WDN3200 Dual Band Wireless N600 USB adapter and should you need it, a 3 foot extension cable. I followed the instructions and in less than 5 minutes, I was online. This adapter works with XP, Vista and Windows 7. If it works on our old desktop, I think it would work on most laptops. It was easy to set up and use and works great!

Numi Cardamom Pu'erh Tea

My friend A.J. and I go way back. We met over food and she was the first person to tell me about cardamom, a wonderfully aromatic and exotic spice originally from South India, now grown in Guatemala, is a little citrusy, a bit spicy with hints of nutmeg. I add it to my french toast (don't tell anyone!). I couldn't wait to try the tea from Amazon Vine program.
Of all the teas I have drunk in my life, Numi Cardamom Pu'erh Tea is a deep rich chocolatey brown. If the tea bag is out, you might mistake it for coffee, except for the amazing aroma! I sweetened mine with a little raw agave syrup and it was glorious! It packs a little kick too. So if you find yourself in the middle of an after noon slump, Numi Cardamom Pu'erh might be a great tea for you! One box contains 16 individually wrapped tea bags. Opening one of them releases a fragrance that's like going on a mini vacation to some far away place.
I'm having a cup right now in honor of my friend A.J. Numi Cardamom Pu'erh Tea is a tasty treat for ones who are looking for coffee or power drink alternatives.

Schroder

Schroeder opens with a young man making a change for the better, at least in his mind. I couldn't wait to start the book, wondering what anyone is thinking when they begin to change identities. My questions are how long did they do it and get away with it? They are of course answered in this highly entertaining tale by Amity Gauge. At times I laughed out loud, marvel at the way the character went full bore forward with his idealistic plan. With summer just around the corner (even though March has barely stepped through the door) you will definitely want to put this one on your summer reading list. It's serious with out being heavy, light-hearted, self-deprecating and droll, with flashes of grandiosity, but Gauge pulls it off in elegant style. I'm already looking for what else she's written.


I was given this book for free from the Amazon Vine Program in exchange for my honest opinion .

Nature's Bounty Vanilla Protein Shake Mix

Nature’s Bounty Protein Shake  Vanilla is loaded with vitamins, prebiotics and probiotics and is sweetened with Stevia. It does also contain some milk and soy ingredients, and is suitable for vegetarians. 

I've mixed it with water and soy milk with great results. It could easily be used with almond or rice milk. When mixed with water, it is a little lighter, and still tasty if you are watching calories. 

I feel great taking Nature’s Bounty Protein Shake knowing I am doing something positive for myself. It supports digestive health, hair, nails and skin health and immune health. 

Having used this is a meal replacement some mornings and most often as a midday boost, I'll tell you it makes me feel energized and focused as I go through my day. It also helps with establishing a fitness regimen as I do not feel drained or exhausted at the end of the day like I used to. 

When my schedule turns hectic, I mix Nature’s Bounty Protein Shake in a shaker and take it with me and enjoy it as I have opportunity. 

The vanilla flavor is rich and tasty when mixed with soy milk, even the plain. I recommend this to health conscious women on the go as well as anyone wanting to make positive changes in their lifestyle.

Sensa Chews Fabulous Chocolate Fudge

I used to carry protein bars as midday snacks in my purse and have, at various times,stuck these 220 calorie meal replacements in my desk drawers and glove box. Over time, these little meals throughout the day had blossomed into endless bouts of eating. Sitting at a desk all day was taking its toll: my waist had become the muffin top. I wanted to make changes. If I left the snacks at home, I felt ravenously hungry and only thought of the candy machine in the next office.
SENSA CHEWS appealed to me because each one of them is the size of a wrapped piece of candy, and looks like one and they come in Chocolate Fudge. I eat one with an 8 ounce cup of hot tea and I genuinely feel full; this tides me over as long as two hours. With one piece of fruit as my midday snack I can last up to three hours. I have taken two of the chews in a day with no side effects (maltitol sometimes causes excessive bathroom usage…)  and the SENSA CHEWS CHOCOLATE FUDGE flavor is satisfying enough that I don’t find myself tearing my desk apart looking for some long forgotten crumb or quarters for the vending machine. You can’t go wrong with only a 15 calorie investment.
My belly has been reigned in and I feel better about having some control over my diet. I usually eat a light breakfast and a healthy meal at dinner and I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything. I recommend this to anyone who is serious about changing their eating habits.

I COULD HAVE HAD A V-8 Energy Shot

 V8 Energy Shot contains 50 calories, caffeine equal to a cup of coffee and nine fruit and vegetable juices that makes this  a delicious blend of powerful energy. The 2.5 oz bottle is packed with flavor and it gave me a lift that served me through a cloudy, mid-week slump. They pack easily in brief case or purse and need no refrigeration. They’re a tasty alternative to coffee, soda or sugary energy drinks. If you're asking for a boost without the crash this might be the delicious answer. 

Natures Bounty Protein Powder Chocolate

Like you, after the first of the year, I re-evaluated my life and determined to make some changes. I wanted first to get healthier and get out of the habit of all day snacking. I work at a 925 for a 6 hour stretch and get one 15 minute break. Nature's Bounty Protein Shake Mix is enough to get me through the last leg of my day. I used one scoop with water and it's light but still very tasty. I made it with soy milk and it tasted like chocolate pudding! I am not even a big fan of chocolate and I loved it! Two scoops it 120 calories and with soy milk, I could use it to replace a midday meal.

Nature's Bounty Protein Shake Mix is packed with vitamins and minerals and is the perfect blend for female vegans and vegetarians.   makes me feel great all day. I've been eating less, just not feeling the need to constantly eat. I never feel that blazing hunger that makes me lose all perspective. When I start to feel hungry, I have already planned for my light snack, or meal.

I recommend this to anyone who loves chocolate drinks, wants to feel great and is trying to improve their health.

Mookeys: In a City Near You?

MOOKEYS by MORGAN R. BRAMLET is a walk down the what-if? path. Have you ever wondered what might happen if we could purchase genetically engineered pets? How perfect would they be, if they had all the best features anyone could ever ask for and could talk? Imagine that. Talking pets. Would you be the first among your friends to own one?

Engage with Morgan R. Bramlet as he explores this line of thought through his fictional novel, Mookeys. I found the book fascinating with a little science that was not over my head, a little too believable, and placed in 21st century United States, with an amazingly real scenario: a journalist receives one to take home to his family.

I fell under the spell of the story and let it unfold. I intended to read a few pages a day over the Christmas holidays. But the hook of this story embedded itself in my backbone, on which I lay for hours, too curious about the next event to put the book down.
 When I reached nearly the last plot twist of the book, the turn was so unexpected I had to take a moment to consider what I had just read. I almost put the book down. After careful thought, I decided to see where it would go. Glad I did. I commend the author on how he left the door ajar for future stories. Not sure if there’s anywhere left to go, but this author’s imagination challenges predictability. Check into it if you like sci-fi.

Just an FYI I recently acquired Bramlet’s book: Gargoyles. Stay tuned for that review by month’s end!