Can a paper bag keeps wasps away?

For so many years now I have seen the paper bag trick that is supposed to keep wasps away. With the weather already well into the upper 80s, the wasps are very active, and they are always hovering near my front door entrance. It is believed that you can place a paper bag resembling a nest in areas where you want to keep them away. Wasps are territorial and tend to avoid areas where they think other colonies are established. The paper bag tricks them into thinking there's already a nest there, so they'll be less likely to build their own nearby.

I don't know what took my so long to test it out to see if it does actually work. I took a paper bag that I got from the liquor store and light stuffed it with plastic grocery bags to make it just poofy enough to resemble a wasps nest. I tied it with some twine and hung it on my deck rail that is closest to my front door. 

Did it work?

I have had it up for a little over a week and have not seen a single wasp on my front porch. I am so shocked because we all literally stay prepared when we get ready to open the front door since they are always out there waiting for us. It has been so nice to be able to feel a little safer to sit out front and not fear a wasp possibly attacking us. I am allergic to the sting, so I am extra worried when I am outside. 

So now my plan is to make another one for my back deck. Actually I might make two since it's more than triple the size of my front deck. Don't get me wrong, I will still have my handy bug zapper racket nearby just is case. One more thing I almost forgot to mention-- the fake wasp nest is also keeping the carpenter bees away as well! Although they are mostly harmless to people, they really can mess up anything that is made of wood by making deep holes in it. They are also a nuisance because of how they fly right up to you like they want to spar or something. Ha! No thanks!

So if you have been wondering if the paper bag trick works, I am here to tell you, YES! I am so happy I did it and will continue to do so forever. Have you tried it before? Thank you so much for stopping by today. 😊

Sensitive stomach? Give Gourmend a try!

So many people worldwide deal with stomach problems, from minor issues to more serious conditions, affecting around 20% to 30% of the population. Some people are especially sensitive to certain foods like garlic and onion bulbs, experiencing discomfort, bloating, and other digestive woes after eating them. This sensitivity can happen for different reasons, like certain enzymes or compounds in garlic and onions that don't agree with everyone's stomachs. So, for those folks, picking what to eat can be a bit of a balancing act to keep their stomachs happy.

If you're one of these people who have a sensitivity to ingesting onion and garlic bulbs, this post is for you. I have a dear friend whose husband is going through cancer treatments, and ended up developing major stomach issues to where he has become very limited on what he can eat. His wife had to find as many low FODMAP recipes as she could to be able to cook nutritious meals that actually taste good. 

Good thing there are seasoning options from Gourmend foods. Gourmend offers seasonings and broths that are low FODMAP-friendly, and are made from natural ingredients. All of their products contain zero fillers, additives and preservatives. They contain no gluten, sugar, dairy, onion bulbs, or garlic bulbs. Another bonus is that they contain limited salt so that you can add salt to suit your taste or dietary needs. 

But, how do they taste? 

Wow, wow, let me tell you-- they taste incredible! I am already coming up with ideas in my head on how I plan to use all of the seasonings. That Garlic Scape Powder is so dang tasty. It has a sort of sweet taste, and then the deep garlic flavor creeps in. The taco seasoning has a good kick and is super flavorful. I love that you can add salt as needed, and really you wouldn't need to add much else when you're cooking your protein for your next Taco Tuesday. I know what I will be using to season my shrimp and chicken this upcoming Cinco de Mayo! 

The Garlic Chive Salt tastes like something I would want sprinkled all over freshy air-fried chicken wings or potato wedges. I need to make that happen! The Green Onion Powder is perfect for everyday seasoning for basically anything you want an onion flavor added. I still have to try out the broths, but I have a feeling they will not disappoint. I'm envisioning a soup with shrimp, baby bok choy, mushrooms and bean sprouts. I will report back when I do give 'em a try. 

Here's some helpful info on Gourmend products 

🐮 Bone Broth 🐔

Our bone broths (beef and chicken) are simmered for 16 hours with free range bones for savory richness. They feature several gut-friendly vegetables and leek and scallion tops replace garlic and onion for that gentle allium deliciousness.

 🌱 Gut-friendly Powders 🌿 

Our 3 original powders: Garlic Scape Powder, Garlic Chive Powder, and Green Onion Powder. Even if you're sensitive to onion and garlic, you can bring those flavors back into your cooking. All of the tastiness, none of the digestive issues.

 🌮 Taco Seasoning 🌮 

Our taco seasoning is a gently delicious blend of single origin ingredients that ramp up any taco night. It features our Garlic Scape and Green Onion Powders as well as several other ingredients that we carefully source from other brands we know and love.

 🥕 Vegetable Broth 🍄 

We worked for 2 years to get our recipe just right for this one. With so few quality vegetable broths on the market, we wanted to make sure this tasted amazing while being easy on digestion. This broth features oyster mushrooms for umami flavor and a host of other fun vegetables.

💚 Salt Blends 🧂 

These salts are made using our unique Garlic Chive and Green Onion Powder along with Californian sea salt.

**As always, none of our products have any fillers or preservatives.

Find out more about Gourmend

Want to try Gourmend products out for yourself? Go to their website, and use code: MOMFILES15 for 15% off your first purchase. 

Disclosure: Gourmend provided product samples for my family to test out, and all opinions are our own. Please note that there are affiliate links in this post. 

Check out the Wellness Collection from Herbaly

Wellness is all about feeling good in every part of your life, from your body to your mind and even your spirit. It's like giving yourself a big ol' hug from the inside out. Whether it's eating yummy, nourishing food, getting some fresh air, or taking time to relax and chill, wellness is just about treating yourself right and finding that balance that makes you feel like a million bucks. 

It's important to include supplements to enhance your overall health and wellness. We do as much as we can to keep our mind and bodies as healthy as possible. No matter how much we consume healthy food and partake in regular exercise, we can still lack certain things. This is where herbal supplements come in to help.

We recently tried out some products from Herbaly including their Wellness Functional Tea, Wellness Iced Tea, Derma Hair, Skin & Nails Complete Plus Biotin Capsules, Organic Stevia Leaf Sweetener, and Wildcrafted Oregano Oil Capsules. 

First up is the Herbaly Wellness Functional Tea. This tea is made from up to 8 carefully selected ingredients and is lightly caffeinated. It's perfect in the afternoon when you need a little pick-me-up. I love the pyramid bags which are compostable. I steep it for about 6-8  minutes since I prefer a stronger tea. It has a nice aroma and tastes light and delicious. 

I brewed up some of the Herbaly Wellness Iced Tea Pitcher Size for my hubby since he is a big iced tea fan. I think the herbs and roots in the tea bag are so pretty. I did the hot water method and really love the color. I brewed the tea bag in a quart of hot water for 10 minutes, then I added another quart of cold water. All you have to do is pour it over ice. There is no need for sweetener since it already has stevia leaf. If you do need it a little sweeter, you can add some Herbaly Organic Stevia Leaf Sweetener to your taste. This sweetener has zero calories and is non-glycemic. 

My husband has been wanting to try out an oregano supplement for some time now since he suffers from chronic pain. Herbaly Wellness Wildcrafted Oregano Oil Capsules is rich in antioxidants, nutrient dense and so convenient for him to take daily. We are hoping this will help ease some of his hip and knee pain. The capsules are not huge, so they are not hard to swallow. He says he does not get any aftertaste or indigestion from them. 

The last item that I tried is the Herbaly Derma Hair, Skin & Nails Complete Plus Biotin Capsules. Now that I am in the 50 club, I have to do what I can to keep my skin, hair and nails healthy. I have noticed after close to two weeks that my nails have improved a whole lot. That in itself is a win for me. I am going to keep taking them daily to hopefully get all of the great benefits over time. 

I am definitely looking forward to eventually trying the Herbaly Heart Turmeric Complete Plus CoQ10 Capsules since I have heart disease in my family. I do have elevated cholesterol levels and would prefer to try an herbal alternative over going on prescribed medication. 

About Herbaly: 

Herbaly is a brand that offers a range of Functional Teas, each carefully crafted to provide a transformative experience and promote well-being.

The Wellness Functional Tea features a balanced blend of natural ingredients such as turmeric root, ginger root, sencha, and dandelion root, each carefully selected for their health benefits. Crafted with 100% natural ingredients, our teas are thoughtfully curated to ensure that you can easily identify and appreciate each component.

With each tea bag generously filled with 2.5 grams of premium ingredients, we're excited to announce that we'll soon be increasing the quantity to 3 grams per bag by this summer. This enhancement will further elevate the extraction of beneficial properties, providing you with an even more rewarding tea experience. Our tea bags are environmentally friendly and compostable, featuring a unique pyramid shape designed to optimize taste and maximize benefits without any added glue.

In addition to our Wellness Functional Tea, we're dedicated to supporting various aspects of wellness, from cardiovascular health to blood sugar levels. Our specialized blends incorporate ingredients like hibiscus, hawthorn, Gymnema, and lavender, known for their potential to promote cardiovascular health by supporting healthy blood pressure and circulation.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links. Many thanks to our brand partner, Herbaly, for providing us with product samples. Thank you so much for stopping by today. 

Atlanta Fashion Week Presents Exclusive Onalaja Trunk Show: A Fusion of African Heritage and Modern Design

Atlanta Fashion Week (ATLFW) is excited to unveil an exclusive fashion trunk show, presenting Onalaja, the renowned contemporary women's wear brand by Kanyinsola Onalaja, creative director and founder. This prestigious event will take place from May 1st to May 5th at Bloomingdale's Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta, GA. The trunk show will span five (5) days, featuring an exclusive preview in a made-to-order format. This trunk show offers attendees a unique chance to be among the first to access and secure distinctive pieces from Onalaja's latest collection, exclusively available at Bloomingdale's Lenox. Moreover, the event promises a grand re-presentation of Onalaja's celebrated maximalist designs, which have captivated fashion lovers, celebrities, and major retailers worldwide.

The event promises an array of brand activations, including:

May 1, 2024 - Private Meet and Greet with Kanyinsola Onalaja, Creative Director and Founder of Onalaja

May 2, 2024 - Runway Fashion Presentation

May 3 - 5, 2024 - Trunk Show at Bloomingdale's Lenox Square

Renowned for its meticulously crafted demi-couture pieces that empower women, Onalaja seamlessly merges her Nigerian heritage with modern design, celebrating femininity and individuality while transcending cultural boundaries. Committed to inclusivity and accessible luxury, Onalaja offers a diverse size range from XXS to XXXXL, ensuring every woman can indulge in its exquisite designs.

Designer Kanyinsola Onalaja, the creative force behind the brand, brings a rich background born in Nigeria and educated in London. She earned her BA in Fashion Design at Istituto Marangoni, and won student of the year. Her accolades earned her a scholarship to pursue a master's degree in womenswear design, which she completed in July 2017.

Since the debut of Onalaja in the US, the brand has garnered recognition from NYFW's Black in Fashion Council, and has been featured in Essence Magazine, Vogue, Business of Fashion and many more. Additionally, Onalaja's stunning designs have adorned Chloe Bailey, Kandi, Porsha Williams, and others at various red carpet events. Onalaja's collections are currently available on leading fashion platforms worldwide, including REVOLVE, Saks Fifth Avenue, Jendaya, Zalando, Frtwn, Cult Mia, The Lotte, FarFetch, and Industrie Africa.

“We are thrilled to bring Onalaja's unique blend of African heritage and modern design to Atlanta,” said Kanyinsola Onalaja, Founder and Creative Director of Onalaja. “Our debut trunk-show at Bloomingdale's Lenox Square Mall is an exciting opportunity to connect with a new audience and share our vision of inclusive and accessible luxury.”

“Atlanta Fashion Week (ATLFW) embodies more than just a fashion showcase; it's a vibrant celebration of diversity, innovation, and creativity,” remarked Angela Watts, founder of Atlanta Fashion Week. “Our partnership with Bloomingdale's underscores our shared ethos of championing myriad perspectives and artistic expressions. This commitment to inclusivity resonates powerfully in today's global market, fostering a vital connection between brands and a diverse audience, ensuring relevance and engagement.”

Don't miss the chance to experience the allure of Onalaja's exquisite collections at Bloomingdale's Lenox Square Mall from May 1st to May 5th, 2024. For more information, visit www.onalaja.com.

A little update on our family dog

It has been so long since I posted on the blog about our beloved chihuahua, Rocco. Rocco is 10 year-old now and has been going through some health changes in his older age. A couple years ago he was diagnosed with some heart issues which are very common in his breed. His heart is too big for his little bitty body, so he has to take daily medications for life. It upsets us all knowing he doesn't have many years left, but we try to make him happy as best we can. 

Getting Rocco to take his medication was super easy in the beginning. Just put it in a pill pocket or pill wrap and he woud gobble it down like a treat. One day he got hip to what was going on and started eating the outer wrap around the pill, and would leave the pill behind. We moved on to using cheese, cream cheese and peanut butter. It went well initially, then he figured it out once again. We asked at his vet's office what we can do and they basically said do whatever it takes. 

Last year I was cooking Rocco's food every week for many months because it got to where he lost interest in eating his kibble. One of the vet techs told me to stop cooking and just add some carrots to his food. She looked at it as I was wasting my time. The thing is, I have a lot more time than most people, so it was not a problem for me to do each week. 

I took time on Pinterest and Google to search for dog-safe foods and spices. I do a few variations that include things like brown rice, quinoa, lean ground chicken or turkey, chicken breast, select vegetables, herbs and spices. Too bad salt, pepper, onion and garlic are all toxic, because Rocco would have been pretty excited to eat each day. 

 

This week I made him some quinoa with lean ground white meat chicken cooked in a tiny bit of coconut oil. It is seasoned with turmeric, and fresh herbs from my garden including sage, basil and dill. I also chopped and boiled a small sweet potato and added in a handful of frozen peas and carrots. I have a tiny mortar and pestle that I used just for his med to grind it down. I add it to his food and he eats it all with no problems. We do slip in some kibble here and there. He also gets his daily probitoc chew which helps with itching and excessive paw licking. 

It's funny when you think about what you feed your pets. It's frowned upon to give table food, but when you purchase clean and organic dog-safe foods, your pet should be just fine. Think about stray dogs and even country dogs. They eat literally anything and everything and some live for many years. We have a family-friend who fed her family's dogs hot dogs every single day. These dogs lived until they were 15! 

It all comes down to doing what is best for your pet's needs. We want to make sure Rocco eats and takes his medications on time each day. We are trying our best. Have you ever cooked homemade food for your dogs?