Vegan Cinnamon Sugar Muffins Recipe

Looking for a healthier option for breakfast or snacks? We have hit back-to-school season, and many of us are time-crunched. Having grab-and-go items is a must for those busy mornings, as well as after school lets out. I've always liked having a variety of snacks available ranging from fruit, cheese, crackers, and baked goods. You definitely have to try out this recipe for vegan cinnamon sugar muffins. I promise you won't know they are vegan! 

Ingredients
For the muffins:

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 spelt flour (or you can use what you have)
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
8 ounces applesauce (unsweetened)
1/2 cup organic almond milk
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 tablespoons maple syrup

For the topping:
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 390 (F). Grease or line muffin tray and set aside.

In a large bowl stir together all dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together applesauce, almond milk, oil, and maple syrup. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry, stirring until combined.

Fill the muffin cups 2/3 of the way full, sprinkle each with a little cinnamon sugar, and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Each family member tried a muffin and the reaction was all the same. They all said it tasted like any regular homemade muffin and they would never have guessed it was vegan. The dozen I made seemed to have disappeared in one day. I was lucky to get one! They had the same texture and flavor of a regular muffin using dairy or egg. This recipe is a keeper!

Check out these other recipes:
Best Banana Bread
Blueberry Lemon Bread
Glazed Meyer Lemon Pound Cake

Perfect Greek Pasta Salad Recipe

We are in the heart of the summer weather here in South Carolina. The scorching sun and humidity do not push me to want to be in the kitchen for very long. I have been utilizing my air fryer a lot to avoid going outside in the heat to grill or to have to turn on the oven. It seems to take forever for my house to cool down once the oven is on. I have been making a variety of lighter dishes, as well as salads. I came across a recipe for Greek pasta salad from Skinnytaste and decided to try it out. I did make a few adjustments because I felt like some of the fruit and vegetable quantities were way too much.

One thing that I love about pasta salad or potato salad is that you can make enough for leftovers for the next day or two. When I made this pasta salad, I was afraid it was too much for my family. It turned out to be so delicious, that it all got devoured over the course of a few days. The recipe is super simple and is definitely one you will want to hang on to. It makes a great side dish for family meals and cookouts.

Greek Pasta Salad

Ingredients: 

one 16-ounce box of pasta (Bow ties or rotini work well)

2 cups of diced English cucumber (skin on)

1 small orange bell pepper, diced

1 small red bell pepper, diced

1/2 of a small red onion finely chopped

1/2 pint of either cherry or grape tomatoes sliced in half

4 ounces crumbled or cubed Feta cheese

1/2 cup of kalamata olives sliced in half

dressing:

1/3 cup olive oil

3 tbsp red wine vinegar

2 tbsp kalamata olive brine

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp Kosher salt

cracked black pepper (optional)

How to make it: 

• Boil pasta in well-salted water according to package instructions. Test for desired doneness and drain. Rinse with cold water, and let it cool at least 10 minutes. 
• Whisk together all of the dressing ingredients.
• In an extra-large bowl, toss pasta, chopped fruit/veggies, and dressing together.
• Add feta at the end. 

Refrigerate and enjoy! Be sure to Pin this recipe for later. 

You might also enjoy these recipes:

• Southern Caviar
• The Perfect Potato Salad to take to a cookout
• Best Deviled Eggs Recipe

Thank you for stopping by today!
Shelly

Bao and Broth Now Open In Optimist Hall, Charlotte NC #LiveNoodsWarmBuns #WeDontCutCorners

After its announcement in 2018, the long-awaited Bao and Broth officially began serving customers at the opening of Charlotte’s new Optimist Hall on Thursday, August 1, 2019.

The ramen and steamed bun shop has long been in the back of Executive Chef Larry Schreiber’s mind. Since 2014, Schreiber served as Executive Chef at and helped open Moffett Restaurant Group’s Good Food on Montford, where his steamed bun was a hit. Now, Larry’s thrilled to be opening his own restaurant purely dedicated to the food concept that has earned him recognition across the Charlotte food scene. This time, he’s added ramen and other Asian delectables that will have Optimist Hall perusers stop in their tracks when they smell his chef-d'oeuvres.

Even the pickiest of eaters will be able to find something at the highly customizable eatery. For $12, those longing for a hot bowl of ramen can choose from a variety of broths, proteins, and toppings to satisfy their craving. There are also vegetarian options, such as the Unctuous onion broth. Ramen not your thing? Check out the listing of baos offered. Despite the title referencing pork belly buns, Bao and Broth ensures that all eaters can enjoy their menu, with additional bun options including schnitzel, chicken, bulgogi, and falafel. If you still can’t get enough, side items, dessert, and the house specialty – rice cakes and pork belly kimchi – are also available.

“I’ve been a part of a few restaurants before but creating these recipes [for Bao and Broth] and testing them has been one of my favorite experiences,” said Schreiber. “Back at Good Food on Montford, we only served one option – the pork bun. Now with this restaurant, we have the capability to expand on it, and it’s been so fun putting together all sorts of flavors to see what mixes well. I think the schnitzel bun has to be my favorite, but I’m excited to see which items our guests like the most.”

The opening of Bao and Broth is part of the first of three restaurant opening phases at Optimist Hall, with the other two set to occur in the early fall. The stall is order-at-the-counter style, and guests can devour their meals either indoors or outdoors at the community seating hall, or at one of the few seats alongside the ramen bar. Schreiber also mentioned there are plans to include online ordering once the stall gets up and running, which will make it even easier to get this delicious food in your mouth as fast as possible.

Bao and Broth’s hours will be 11AM to 9PM Sunday – Thursday, and 11AM to 10PM Friday – Saturday.

Photo credit: Stefanie Haviv
About Bao and Broth:
Open August 1, the ramen and steamed bun shop is owned and operated by head Chef Larry Schreiber. Bao and Broth offers a full menu consisting of traditional Asian bao’s and broths with sides and desserts in accompaniment. Located in Optimist Hall in Suite 5. Head to BaoandBroth.com to learn more.

Beautiful Flowering Trees That Would Enhance Any Garden

If you like flowers as well as trees, why not plant a couple of flowering trees? That way you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

There are hundreds of different types of flowering trees for you to choose between. So, I thought I would do a little bit of research and share the details of some of my favorites to help you to narrow down your choices.

Flowering fruit trees

I am going to start by speaking about flowering fruit trees, which actually covers quite a big group of trees. These days, it is easy to find ornamental cherry, plum, pear and crab apple trees. They are all hybrids of trees that produce blossoms, which then turns into fruit.

The way they have been bred means that they produce an enormous amount of blossoms. Far more than a natural fruit tree would. They do go on to produce fruit, but people rarely eat that as if you bought them from a farmer's market. You may have some success with making juice, jellies, and jams using them.

Photo by Henry & Co. on Unsplash

Of course, if you think you would like to eat what you grow you could always just buy a traditional cherry, apple, pear or plum tree. You will still get some nice blossoms, in the spring. Just nowhere near as much as you would if you were to plant ornamental varieties.
If you want to enjoy double the color for your money, take a look at purple-leaved plums. As the name suggests, once the blossoms have gone, you will still be able to enjoy the rich purple leaves.

Crape myrtles

These trees produce long-lasting, brightly colored flowers throughout the summer. You can buy both evergreen and deciduous varieties. There are about 50 varieties available, most of which can be trained to grow as a bush or a tree. Their versatility is part of the reason this family of plants is so popular. We have these all over South Carolina.

Magnolias

A lot of people assume that magnolias are bushes. This is because most of the ones they see have been kept short or have not enjoyed the growing conditions they need to grow into full-blown trees.

If you can, let yours grow it into a tree. It really is worth doing. They are stunning looking trees even when they are not in full bloom. So, if you have enough space and the right conditions, a magnolia tree would be a great addition to your yard.

image credit

Mimosas

Another nice option is mimosas. These flowering trees have interesting leaves and produce a riot of complex flowers during very hot conditions. Keep a special eye out for varieties like the Chocolate Mimosa Silk Tree. These elegant trees feature stunning looking purple-colored leaves. They are not yet widely available. So, if you want to stand out, search out and buy one of these.

Redbuds

If you only have a small garden, take a look at redbuds. These compact trees bloom through the spring at the same time their distinctive glossy heart-shaped leaves grow in. They are nice and hardy, so you can plant them in most warm temperate climates.

Hopefully, one of the five suggestions above will appeal to you and suit your needs. If not, don’t worry, you can easily buy some nice flowering shrubs instead and let them grow rather than keep them trimmed back. Many varieties will reach 20ft, or more, once mature. This slide share style article tells you about 23 of the tallest ones.

Trying To Adjust To Seeing Things Differently

For as long as I can remember, I have had excellent vision. I was the type of person to find the tiniest details in photos, artwork, or in any real-life scenery. People would always be amazed and say things like, "How on earth are you able to see that?" Fast forward to my middle 40s. Things aren't quite as crystal clear as they used to be. I have experienced more stress, anxiety, and depression in the last few years than I felt like I could handle. It was as if I cried and stressed the days away for 3 years straight. It was affecting my life in many ways.

One thing I noticed was that I had trouble seeing clearly when I was on the computer, phone or reading a magazine. I could barely see the menu when we were dining out in a restaurant. I spoke with my doctor and she suggested that I get some reading glasses. I bought some from my pharmacy and saw instant results. I could see clearly again! Reading glasses did the trick, and I could put them on and take them off as needed. This seemed easy enough. I did this for a little over a year and things changed again. I started getting headaches out of the blue and felt so much tension in my neck and shoulders.

I knew something wasn't right, and finally made an appointment for an eye exam. As soon as I walked into the building, I was overwhelmed. The friendly staff member directed me over to fill out the paperwork and select frames for eyeglasses. This was so different for me since it was the first time knowing that I was going to need glasses. The appointment itself was eye-opening. I had no idea how my vision declined as much as it did over the past couple of years. When the doctor switched different lenses to see if I was able to see clearly, it hit me-- my vision was terrible. It turned out that I had been compensating for what I wasn't seeing clearly or seeing at all.

The doctor then casually tells me, "I'm going to get you squared away so I'm writing you a prescription for bifocals." I was gut-punched because I really didn't know it was that bad. I took some deep breaths and sat with the specialist to get measurements done and make the selections that would be most beneficial to me. I was gut-punched once more when I got the final bill. YIKES! My husband was with me and calmed me down by telling me that I take care of everyone else, and it was time for me to take care of myself. I was told that my glasses would take approximately 2 weeks to be made and delivered.

For the next two weeks, I ended in so much pain from eye strain that led to neck and shoulder tension. I was a mess! I felt like I had to take 3 naps a day which is so not me. I'm thankful for my family who pitches in when I am down. They helped me a whole lot, especially the little one since he is with me all day long. I was super nervous when the call came in that my glasses were ready to be picked up. I sat at the counter with the salesperson and tried my glasses and sunglasses on. As soon as I placed the glasses on my face I felt really weird. I was like wait, I can't see properly. They told me because they are progressive lenses and I will have to get used to them.

As I left the building, I placed my pricey prescription sunglasses on and was hit with vibrant views. Everything around me was extra bright and colorful. I was seeing as clearly as I could when I was a teenager. I almost cried because I didn't realize how much I have been missing out on seeing. The eyeglasses have been more difficult to adjust to since I have to wear them all day long. I can't quite figure out how to tilt my head to be able to see up close. Even being on the computer has been difficult. I am still feeling a bit of fatigue, dizziness, and headaches, but they are supposed to clear up in the next week or so. I almost wanted to simply not wear them at all.

For now, I am thankful to be able to see details, vibrant colors, and having overall clarity. It will take time to adjust to wearing glasses, especially with different strengths for distance and close-up vision. I am going to be patient and know that I will be feeling like myself again soon enough. I'm sharing this post today for anyone who might be struggling with their vision and might not even know they are. Do not put off getting an eye exam! We aren't getting any younger.

If you have any advice for me, I'm open to it. Thank you so much for stopping by today.

How To Take Your Life Back From Crohn's Disease

Does it feel as though your Crohn’s disease is taking over your life? Here’s a medical food that could help you take back control.

Crohn's disease is something that affects an estimated 780,000 adults in the United States as of 2015. It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which triggers chronic inflammation in a person's digestive tract. It not only results in discomfort at home and going about your daily life, but it can also lead to hospital visits and stays if the symptoms get out of control.

Photo by Anh Nguyen on Unsplash

If you are living with a Crohn’s diagnosis, whether it be a new one or you’ve been living with it for years now, and you feel as though your disease is dictating your life, it may be time to take back control. A product by the name of UltrainflamX Plus 360 could be the perfect item to add to your treatment routine, helping you to get a better handle on your symptoms and reduce the pain and inflammation you are currently suffering from. This medical food offers all kinds of benefits, as we will examine.

What is Crohn’s Disease?

Before we look at the benefits of UltrainflamX Plus 360 it’s important to understand what Crohn’s disease is and how it affects you. As mentioned it is an IBD that can result in severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, fatigue, malnutrition, and weight loss. These can all be extremely uncomfortable symptoms and can prevent a person from going about their regular daily activities and enjoying the foods they love.

While anyone can develop the disease, it is most commonly diagnosed in people between 15-35 years of age. Statistics show that it is more common in females than in males. As for risk factors, those who are smokers are twice as likely to develop it, but family history also plays a part.

How UltrainflamX Plus 360 Can Help

UltraInflamX Plus 360 is a really unique product from Metagenics that is classified as a medical food. It has been specially formulated to offer nutritional support. Its rice protein make-up makes it very easy to digest, which is vital to those with Crohn's disease.

It is ideal for those with IBD, including those with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, as it targets pain and inflammation making the symptoms much less. It also supports healthy cytokine and eicosanoid metabolism thanks to ingredients such as ginger and rosemary. There are even antioxidant benefits, which again anyone can benefit from. Doctors have even recommended the product to patients to deal with various gut and inflammation-related issues.

UltraInflamX Plus 360 is available in a powder form, which can be mixed with your choice of juice or chilled water. Simply add two scoops of the powder to 8ozs of fluid and then shake it/mix it well, until the powder is dissolved. For best results, it is recommended that you have two servings per day.

Start to Get the Relief You Deserve

While there are a number of treatments that a person can use in order to get relief from Crohn’s and get it under control, typically it’s best to use a few in conjunction with each other for maximum results. Adding UltraInflamX Plus 360 to your regime can certainly help to speed those results along.

Birthday Gift Ideas For Kids 10 And Under That Aren't Toys

Struggling with birthday gift ideas for kids under 10? We’ve got you covered!

You’d think with having the whole world at our fingertips that finding the perfect birthday gift for our little ones would be a piece of cake. With so many user-friendly apps and online stores with an abundance of toys and gifts to choose from, it’s almost as if you don’t have to put any thought into your shopping at all.

But isn’t that the problem? For consumers, everything is always well within reach or suggested to us via clever marketing. But what about a gift that really means something? A gift that won’t end up at the bottom of the toy box with all the other plastic toys that they own but don’t even play with…? Well, here you’ll find 5 of the most popular gifts for children under 10 years old and none of them are toys.

An Investment In Their Future

Sure, your kids can’t play with a savings accounts – not until they’re older anyway – but investing in their futures and putting something away for them to utilize when they’re older is a wonderful commitment and gesture of love. Check out Golden Eagle Coin for investment pieces as well as somewhere to buy silver bars, gold coins and other items, you can also get the latest information on items that will increase in value over time. Alternatively, speak to your local bank about an IRA or a savings account.

Lessons

Do you have a budding Picasso at home? Or even a mini Serena Williams? If your child has a passion or a hobby, why not help them take it a step further with some lessons in their favorite interest? Not only will it give them more confidence, but it could even take them down a career path when they’re older. In addition, joining things like dance schools, theatre groups or sports teams allows them to experience things like competitions or exhibitions, the value of teamwork, or focusing on tapping into their own creativity. It’s character-building, to say the least.

A Dress-up Box

All children enjoy dressing up as their favorite princess or superhero, but what about something more realistic? Simply go through your wardrobe at home and see if you have any items you can donate. Hats, scarves, trousers, shoes, bags, costume jewelry, dresses, gloves, etc. Or visit your local thrift shop and see what you can find. Let their imagination run wild!

A Charitable Donation

The gift of giving is a wonderful thing, especially to those less fortunate than ourselves. So, incorporating a donation as a gift will teach your children about charity, kindness and it will make them feel good. This could be sponsoring a child in a foreign country, helping to plant more trees, sponsoring an endangered animal or even adopting an animal at a local rescue center.

Time

They say the greatest gift you can give any child is your time. So, take a weekend and dedicate it to some quality time. Let your child decide where they want to go, what they want to do, and make sure you take plenty of photographs to document that time spent together. You can have a photo book made so your child can look back on those fun memories.

Do you have any other gift ideas to add to this list?

Southern Caviar aka Black Eyed Pea Salad Recipe

Over the years, I have been to several events where a special dish called "Southern Caviar" was on the buffet table. I have tried it a few times and loved it so much. If you've never tried it before, it's a flavorful and fresh dip/salsa/salad that you eat with tortilla chips. I recently got to thinking about making it myself and did a Pinterest search for recipes. I was overwhelmed by the number of recipes that popped up. I think I gave up after viewing so many and finally decided on a few that really looked delicious. 

I ended up using those recipes as a guide to making my own version. When I made it, I was afraid because it was A LOT. Trust me, we didn't have a whole lot left over once the family tried it. It is so good that you can't stop eating it. The best part is that it's easy to make with no cooking required, which is perfect during the hotter months. Check out the recipe below. 

Ingredients:
2 cans of black eyed peas (drained and rinsed)
1/2 can of black beans (drained and rinsed)
1/2 bag of thawed frozen sweet corn
1/2 cup of finely diced cucumber
1/2 of a medium red onion finely minced
1 jalapeno seeded and finely minced
1 rib of celery finely diced
3 Roma tomatoes chopped
chopped cilantro to your taste, about 3 tbsp

Dressing:
Kosher salt and cracked pepper to taste
5 tbsp olive oil
5 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 tsp of sugar

Place all ingredients into a large bowl. Mix dressing ingredients in a small bowl or measuring cup. Toss everything together and serve with your favorite tortilla chips. Easy, huh?

You are supposed to let it sit in the fridge for a couple hours, but some of us could not wait. It is so good with the scoopable variety of tortilla chips or even corn chips. This would be perfect on top of Jasmine rice and then topped with chopped avocado as a vegetarian bowl. Yum!

Check out these other delcious recipes:
The Perfect Potato Salad To Take To A Cookout
Perfect Margarita Recipe
4 Ingredient Greek Pasta Salad

If you try this recipe, let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by!

Display Your Special Memories With Canvas Factory (Giveaway)

Something that I believe many of us have in common is the outrageous amount of photos we have on our phone camera rolls, memory cards and on our computers. I think of all of the vacations, birthdays, graduations, celebrations, and everyday moments we have captured digitally. Our younger daughter graduated last month from the University of South Carolina, and I immediately knew I wanted our family picture with our graduate on a canvas.

I was recently introduced to Canvas Factory. They offer an easy way to upload your photos, even from your social media accounts, and turn them into a beautiful canvas. Your canvas will arrive ready-to-hang on your wall because the canvas is stretched and wrapped around a wooden frame. It's a nice way to display your memories to enjoy for the years to come.

The process of ordering your canvas couldn't be easier. It took me around 7 minutes from start to finish. Thankfully I had already chosen my photo ahead of time, so that helped to speed up the process. You have the choices of canvas size/shape, how you want the "wrap" (the edges that get wrapped around the sides of canvas), and if you want to add any type of color effect. You can check out as a guest or sign up for an account. It's just so easy! Also, they offer amazing sale prices all the time, so make sure you sign up for their email list.

This is what we had made. Isn't it beautiful? The quality is top notch, and the color is rich and vibrant. We are excited to add it to a wall of canvas prints in our living room. I have the biggest smile when I glance over and see this print.

Now that you've seen how easy it is to use Canvas Factory for your canvas prints, it's time to try them out for yourself. One lucky reader will win a code good for a FREE 20"x16" Canvas (40x50cm) or 18x12inch (45x30cm). Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open to Canada & U.S. Residents only and ends on July 15, 2019. Must follow rules in Rafflecopter. One winner will be chosen randomly. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

How to Create the Perfect Accessorized Look in a Unique Way

Accessories can make or break an outfit, yet people often put on those things they are most comfortable or familiar with rather than truly using these items to enhance their outfit. Don’t make this mistake. With the right accessories, you can create a look that is truly your own and one that makes you look and feel great everywhere you go. Following are some guidelines to help you achieve this goal.

Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash

Choose All Accessories Carefully

Every item in an outfit is of importance. This includes the accessories one chooses to put on each day. For example, men and women often wear the same pair of glasses every day, never stopping to consider that their glasses should coordinate with their entire look. Check out the Zig eyewear selection to see how changing up your glasses can transform your look and enhance your style in no time at all. With many styles to select from, finding multiple pairs you love will be easy.

Go Bold

Don’t hesitate to go bold when it comes to choosing accessories. For instance, pair an outfit in neutral colors with a bright handbag and shoes. Not only does this add interest to the outfit, but it also helps to break up the monotony of the neutral tones. A person will find by making this simple change he or she can take a boring outfit and turn it into one that makes a fashion statement in a matter of seconds.

Scale the Accessories

Outfits with a big and bold pattern pair well with simple accessories. In contrast, a solid color outfit can easily be dressed up with some oversized, statement pieces. Keep this in mind when choosing accessories for an outfit to create a look that is truly your own. The size of the wearer should also be taken into consideration. A woman who is very petite should not choose accessories that are oversized, as they may leave her looking as if she is playing dress up with her mother’s items.

Skin Tone

Humans either have warm or cool skin tones, and this should be kept in mind when choosing accessories. For instance, a person with cool skin tones tends to look better in silver jewelry. In contrast, those with a warm skin tone find their appearance is enhanced when they choose pieces in gold. Anyone who is unsure of which category they fall into should obtain this information before choosing new accessories to ensure they pick those items that truly add to their appearance and help them look and feel their best.

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

Communicate a Message

The clothing a person chooses communicates a message whether they want it to or not. For example, a person in a business suit tends to look professional. However, when the business suit is paired with athletic shoes, others may get a different impression. For this reason, all parts of the outfit should project the same image. This helps other people to get a clearer sense of the person and what he or she is trying to convey with their clothing choices.

Don’t overlook accessories when putting together an outfit. By taking the time to add one or more items that truly complete the look, a person can transform their appearance in no time at all. Furthermore, the accessories help the individual create a look that is truly unique even when someone else in the room is wearing the exact same items. Small details do make a difference, so remember this when dressing every day for great results.

Thanks for stopping by today!

The Perfect Potato Salad To Take To A Cookout

I don't know about you, but I think the side dishes at a cookout are the best part of the meal. I admit I will often pass up the grilled meats for a plate of just sides. One of my all-time favorites is potato salad. That is one dish that not everyone can make well. The food snob in me judges other people's potato salad mighty hard. HA! Seriously though, I make an excellent one that everyone raves about. Today I am sharing my recipe with you all.

Ingredients: 

Red potatoes (about 6-7 medium size)
2 whole large eggs
Finely chopped red bell pepper, green bell pepper, red onion, and Italian parsley
1/2 cup frozen sweet peas, thawed
Dressing ingredients:
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp yellow mustard
2 tbsp pickle relish
1 tsp white sugar
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
a few splashes of hot sauce (optional)

How to make it: 

Slice potatoes in even pieces, about 1/4 inch thick. I like to leave most of the skin on mine for added color and texture. Rinse and place them in a large pot of cold water. Salt generously! Place the 2 whole eggs on top of potatoes so they can cook at the same time. Boil until potatoes are fork tender about 10 minutes. Do not overcook! Scoop eggs out and place in ice water (this makes for easier peeling). Drain potatoes and place on a large plate or dish to cool down.

While potatoes cool, combine your dressing ingredients so that the sugar dissolves. Peel and chop the boiled eggs. Once the potatoes are mostly cool, you gently toss together all of your ingredients. Add salt, pepper, and hot sauce to taste. Be careful with adding salt since your potatoes should already be salty and the dressing ingredients have salt in them. Chill in refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. Enjoy!

Quick tips:
If you do not care for mayo, you can substitute it with fat-free sour cream or Greek yogurt.
You can customize your vegetables or add-ins by using celery, carrots, bacon, or whatever you fancy.

This potato salad recipe took me a few years of tweaking and perfecting and is what I have been using for years. I'm often asked to bring it to a cookout or party. I love that you can make it ahead of time so there is no stress on the day you need it. I hope you try my recipe. Thanks for stopping by today!

You may also like:
Best Deviled Eggs Recipe
The Perfect Margarita Recipe
Shelly's Easy & Moist Meatloaf

A Healthy Diet: 3 Health Benefits of Non Alcoholic Red Wine

There is a lot of evidence that points to the many health benefits of drinking a glass of red wine. It contains antioxidants, it helps with heart health and it can lower cholesterol. These are just a few of the noted health benefits.

If you prefer not to drink alcohol, no worries. You can drink non alcoholic red wine and still enjoy some of the same benefits. In fact, some studies suggest that non-alcoholic wine might actually have stronger health benefits. Let’s take a closer look at some of those benefits.

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1. Lowering blood pressure

Both red wine and non-alcoholic red wine contain antioxidants called polyphenols. This antioxidant helps to boost levels of the body’s nitric oxide, which helps to lower blood pressure. This happens when the nitric oxide helps the blood vessels to relax, and it allows more blood to reach the heart and other organs.

Studies have also found that polyphenols are good for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This can be helpful for those who are combating Type 2 diabetes, as well as being beneficial for heart health.

Interestingly, some studies show that the alcoholic version does not help as much as non-alcoholic wine. The theory is that the addition of alcohol somehow diminishes the health properties of the antioxidants.

2. Fewer Calories

Many people spend a good deal of time at the gym and trying to eat a healthy diet. This may be because you want to lose some weight or you are just trying to live a healthy lifestyle. With all the health benefits of red wine, is it possible to fit in a glass with your diet? Yes!

In fact, non alcoholic red wine has 3 times fewer calories than their alcoholic versions. This is a win for those looking to add glass in for the antioxidant benefits. It is absolutely possible to enjoy a nightly glass of non-alcoholic red wine, and you can easily fit those few calories into your daily diet and exercise plan.

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3. More natural ingredients

Not only are non alcoholic red wines full of heart-healthy benefits and fewer calories, but they also contain better ingredients. When alcohol is added to wine, usually sugar, artificial colors, and dyes are added as well. The non-alcoholic red wine is not likely to contain these ingredients. This can be beneficial to those who are sensitive to artificial colors and dyes.

Drinking a non alcoholic red wine allows you to enjoy the taste of wine, benefit from the antioxidants and not fill up on sugar or empty calories. Some people also feel that their sensitivity to artificial dyes and colors are what contributes to their headaches when drinking wine. So, people with these sensitivities can continue to enjoy a glass of non-alcoholic wine without fearing a headache.

Conclusion:
Non alcoholic red wine is a great alternative to an alcoholic version. You will still reap the same health benefits, consume 3 times fewer calories, and will not be bothered by artificial dyes or colors.

Seasonal Skincare: Transitioning from Spring to Summer

As spring turns into summer, we all prepare for the warmer temperatures. Pants change to shorts and women often wear dresses to beat the heat. There are many ways in which the season changes affect our daily lives, including skin care. When the temperatures begin to get warmer, it is important to consider seasonal changes to your skin care. An example of this would be the hydration that Squalane oil can provide. As the temperatures may dry out your skin, you can benefit from additional skin care therapies. 

Photo by Vitória Santos from Pexels

Products To Try

Every individual is different, so while one person may have dry skin during the summer, another may have oily skin. It is important to take note as to how your skin reacts during each season and add products accordingly. During the summer, Matrixyl and hyaluronic acid work well on the skin. Finding the Best hyaluronic acid serum and matrixyl products can assist in your skin care regimen. 

With matrixyl, you have a product that helps to reduce the signs of aging. The product contains Matrikines which is an anti-wrinkle complex. The skin is taught to behave differently, with the restricting of the papillary dermis network taking place. 

With hyaluronic acid serum, you have a product that provides much-needed moisture and hydration. Apply the serum in the morning and at night to see the best results. 

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Creating Habits

Once new products have been purchased and a skin care regimen created, stick with it. Wash your face morning and night and take time to treat the skin. Over time, you will see quality results and want to continue to have glowing and beautiful skin. 

Set timers for yourself or try to clean your face at the same times each day. This will help you to create a habit that works so you can see long-lasting results! 

An Untapped Goldmine: 5 Items You May Find Lying Around Your House That Are Worth a Small Fortune

When you’re looking to make fast money or just to do a little bit of decluttering, you might be surprised to learn that you may have an untapped goldmine in your home. That’s right, you probably have a few items lying around the house that can fetch you more than a pretty penny. Check out this list of five things you just might have that can give your income a light boost.

1. Toys
Whether you are a parent or not, there is a good chance that you have a few toys around the house. Most people who have children in their lives undoubtedly have some playthings somewhere, and if you’re lucky, you just might be able to sell them for some extra money. For instance, selling Transformers toys can be more lucrative than you think. Other options include popular movie franchise toys, vintage toys, and even happy meal toys.

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2. Clothes and Shoes
You may be surprised at just how much you can make by putting gently used clothing and shoes on consignment. There are many types of consignment shops. Growing in popularity are online based shops that sell authenticated high-end merchandise, including accessories like purses and belts. Millennials are known for being frugal, so there is quite a large demand for quality second-hand things. Vintage never really goes out of style, which means your clothes from the 1960s and 1970s can be just as popular and sought after as something more modern or high-end name brand.

3. Electronics
Electronics, old and new can prove to be very valuable. Things like calculators, cathode ray monitors, PC laptops, game consoles, cameras, VHS tapes, and VCRs can be sold for more than you think. Although many of these things may seem obsolete, there are people who break them down for parts and metals. Other people are collectors and are looking for nostalgic electronics from yesteryear. Some folk have taken excellent care of their record players, CD players, game consoles and other items and are looking for games, records or tapes to use.

4. Precious Metals
Almost everyone has jewelry that is either damaged or unwanted. You can turn your useless jewelry into cash. To make the maximum profit off of your unwanted rings, watches, necklaces and more it helps to know the current value of the precious metals you have.

5. Old Music
They say that music is a universal language. And in many respects it certainly is, which is why you can make a small or a not so small fortune on your old vinyl records, CDs, cassette tapes and 8-track tapes. With the emergence of digital music and the ability to digitally store your music, it makes a lot of sense to upload your hard copy music and sell it. This is an especially good idea if you’ve got some special editions, signed covers or otherwise notable albums.

You’ve heard the saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Well, this is certainly true when it comes to some of the things you may have sitting around the house. Extra money can come in many different shapes and sizes, so when you’re combing the house for things you can offload for a profit, be sure to keep an open mind. You may be surprised at what’s right under your nose and just how much someone will be willing to pay you for it.

When To Call An Emergency Dentist

One of the most painful and scary times in a person's life can be with a dental issue. There are many people who look at some situations with tooth pain to be not important and something that would just go away, however, some of the situations actually signify a dental emergency. Therefore, it is better to be seen faster when the issue arises rather than wait till later, a can mean the health of your life.

Some Signs Of Emergency Dental Situations

Mouth pain and toothaches can occur in a variety and degree of pain level for each individual. Understanding and acknowledging why it is an emergency and what is not can help you not only save money but help you avoid the pain more effectively. WebMD voices, any dental emergency like an injury to the teeth or gums can be potentially serious and should not be ignored. Ignoring a dental problem can increase the risk of permanent damage as well as the need for more extensive and expensive treatment later on. The signs mentioned below are some diagnoses that you could use an emergency dentist as soon as possible.

• Loose Or Movable Teeth: There are only certain times that having a loose tooth in your life where it is acceptable, usually this starts at an early age when your adult teeth are growing in. However, as an adult, if you have a loose tooth, it could indicate there may be a tooth entry and it could cause severe pain and you should see a dentist immediately.

Some people come to assume that if their teeth appear to be in the proper condition they may not need a dentist. However, loose teeth can cause life-altering problems if not properly cared for. For example, it can cause you to stop eating or speaking and could impair the nerves that are within your jaw and over time the tooth damage will get worse. According to Forbes, the ADA study also found that: More than 30% of young adults have untreated tooth decay (the highest of any age group), 35% have trouble biting and chewing, Some 38% of this age group find life in general "less satisfying" due to teeth and mouth problems. Having this unbearable toothache resulting from decay will warrant a visit to an emergency dentist, as stated by Val Daniyar, a cosmetic dentist from Naples, FL.

• Signs Of Infection: This is also a good indicator that you have tooth damage and infection will act as a loose tooth. If you get the treatment done as soon as possible you can potentially avoid having the teeth extracted out of your mouth and avoid the infection from spreading. American Dental Association shares, the mouth is a gateway into your body's overall health.

• Bleeding Gums And Toothache: Almost every dentist requires you to floss your teeth after you brush, however, most people are not used to doing this on a daily basis. If you go to brush your teeth and your gums are bleeding, it could be an indicator of gum disease.

Almost everyone who gets gum disease, if left untreated could leave their teeth the inability to be restored properly. Gum disease can increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes, and among pregnant women, it is correlated with lower birth weights for their babies. On another note, if you have any signs of any toothache seen a dentist is essential because there could be various indicators and other causes behind each tooth week.

• Abscess And Swollen Jaw: For people who have an abscessed tooth may not understand the severity that a can do to your well-being and health. If you have an abscessed tooth seeing a dentist right away is vital to your life.

For example, abscessed teeth are connected close to your nerve endings which are found at the roots in your teeth, which are directly connected to your brain. In addition to fevers, swollen jaws, mouth pus and more problems that can lead to life-altering habits, getting an infection drain from a dental abscess requires a treatment plan, as well as draining the entire blockage to get rid of any bacteria that is starting to grow in the mouth.

• Recurring Headaches: Headaches have been known to be caused by lifestyles and other causes, however, if you have chronic headaches it could mean that your mouth and teeth are the underlying problems that are causing the chronic headaches. Seeing a dentist can keep you the appropriate amount of treatment such as a mouth guard to help prevent grinding and constant jaw tension, which is a chronic headache cause.

In addition, if you also notice you are becoming more tired or if your mouth has a metal-like taste, this could indicate signs of infection or if one of your teeth becomes cracked. These are also indicators that can cause headaches to continue and become problematic for those who are experiencing them. Seeing a dentist right away can give you the treatment that has proven to fix these problems instantly.

When Is The Right Time To Call The Emergency Dentist?

There are many indicators to understand when the right time to call a dentist. Any of the signs mentioned above, calling a dentist this is possible can help eliminate the underlying issue sooner rather than later. Other examples are if any over-the-counter pain relievers do not help relieve any tooth pain, calling the dentist could potentially help you save your teeth and your health. If you have knocked out a tooth, for another example, a dentist has the ability to re-plant teeth into sockets professionally, avoiding futuristic problems that could occur. It is important to understand to not touch any damage to or avoid eating when a tooth is knocked out as it could damage the roots or cause the tooth to not be held be put back into the socket.

Final Thoughts:
In conclusion, if there are any signs, such as tooth pain, knocked out teeth, infections, or bleeding gums, it could mean that there are underlying issues that are the cause of the problem. Seeing an emergency dentist right away could help you save on money, time, and future problems that could affect your health and lifestyle.

10 Things Not to Miss at WonderWorks Myrtle Beach

As the summer temperatures heat up, many families will be looking for ways to keep cool. They will also want to entertain, make memories and keep their kids active. One good way to do that is to visit WonderWorks Myrtle Beach, where parents can find four levels of indoor nonstop fun, offering plenty of opportunities for people of all ages.

“Most people are familiar with the outside of our building, but they are not familiar with what goes on inside it,” says Robert Stinnett, regional manager at WonderWorks. “The neat thing is that what we offer on the inside is every bit as interesting and unique. We are here for all ages to experience laughter, fun, and joy by diving into history, science and releasing energy with our interactive exhibits!”

Here are 10 things not to miss at WonderWorks Myrtle Beach:

1. Climb. Hit up the ropes course, where guests can test their endurance and locomotor skills as they climb over 28 different obstacles and physical activities in this 3-story indoor course.
2. Throw. Take your chance at virtual sports, where you can find out what it’s like to pitch to a Major League Baseball player or throw a touchdown pass 50 yards to an NFL player. Virtual Sports allows you to test your athletic skills on a baseball, football, and soccer field.
3. Ride. Take a seat within the virtual coaster with the ability to turn 360° in every direction. Hold on to your seats, while experiencing virtual physics! You can also feel the sensation of weightlessness like in outer space on the Astronaut Training Gyro Challenge.
4. Play. Hit up the sandbox and bubble lab! Explore the depths of the ocean, a Jurassic landscape, and a wildlife safari in an interactive sandbox. Interact with various creatures with your hands and mold the sand by building mountains, volcanoes and much more! You can also create bubbles the size of basketballs, and even make a bubble big enough for you to fit inside.
5. Learn. Test your knowledge about our world’s natural disasters. Show what you know and more from such categories as wild weather, quakes and blazes, manmade catastrophes and extreme disasters.
6. Imagine. Enter a new dimension of reality and explore the unknown. Visit the Dr. Seuss Taxidermy, where the famous author’s creations come to life. Discover how perception and perspective are used in over 35 exhibits located throughout the Far Out Art Gallery where the unexplainable will come to life and the unusual will be the norm. 
7. Thrill. Enjoy the 12-seat theater that takes guests on an amazing adventure that transcends times, space, and imagination by combining the 3D film with special effects and full motion. Now playing 5 different movies: Cosmic Coaster-Mild, Wild Wild West- Moderate, Great Wall of China-Moderate, Dino Safari- Wild or Canyon Coaster-Wild.
8. Adrenaline. Take the zipline challenge, where you will soar 50 feet above water and 1,000 feet between towers. This features a constant tension system, which ensures participants a smooth “zip” with intense fun.
9. Extreme. Check out 360 Bikes, where you will buckle into your bike and start pedaling. You will try to generate enough power to spin a complete 360-degree revolution right back to where you started.
10. Interact. Get interactive with laser tag! This family fun game combines innovative technology to provide you with a one-of-a-kind interactive experience. The object is to outplay, outlast and outshoot the other players.

“WonderWorks is happy to support energy in motion – we want our guests to feel like each time they come to us, not only are they having a blast, they are using their mind to learn and interact physically with our many hands-on exhibits,” added Stinnett. “Make some fun family memories right here at WonderWorks Myrtle Beach.”

WonderWorks in Myrtle Beach offers 50,000 square feet of “edu-tainment” opportunities, showcasing itself as an amusement park for the mind. They offer over 100 hands-on exhibits covering natural disasters, space discovery, an imagination lab, a physical challenge zone, a far out art gallery, and a light and sound zone. WonderWorks is open daily from 10 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. For more information, log onto its site: https://www.wonderworksonline.com/myrtle-beach/.

Exploring Your Potential Reverse Mortgage Candidacy

Retiring is not always fun. It can be stressful when you have worries about your income. However, if you own your own home, you may have an easy way to increase that income, at least temporarily. It is called a reverse mortgage. It is a non-traditional home loan designed solely to help retirees or people of retirement age stay in their homes while having money to spend in their golden years. Here is what you need to know about reverse mortgages and how to determine your candidacy for them.

You Must Meet Basic Reverse Mortgage Requirements

There are some basic requirements for getting a reverse mortgage. The biggest is that you must be retired or at the age of retirement. That minimum age is 62. The reason for that requirement is a reverse mortgage is a specific type of mortgage designed to allow retirement comfort without the hassles associated with traditional home loans. Reverse mortgage lenders do not offer reverse mortgages to younger homeowners.

Another requirement is you must own and live in the home. You cannot apply for a mortgage on a building you own while residing elsewhere. That means vacation homes are ineligible for reverse mortgage assistance. If you do own your own home, you must also prove your ability to continue to maintain it, such as by making tax payments. That is because you still own the home throughout the reverse mortgage process.

Your Home Must Have Enough Value to Get a Reverse Mortgage

Another issue affecting your reverse mortgage candidacy is you must own a home with enough value for the loan to work. A reverse mortgage does not allow you to access your full home equity.

A calculator for reverse mortgages determines the portion available to you. The tool is necessary because there are federal restrictions in place governing reverse mortgages. The calculation tool can also help you simplify the process of figuring out the total value of your home. That process involves assessing factors such as its age, size and geographic location of the structure.

You Need to be Prepared to Pay Reverse Mortgage Fees and Interest

A good assessment doesn't guarantee a reverse mortgage is right for you. The amount the reverse mortgage calculator authorizes you to borrow is not the amount you must pay back. You need to understand there are closing costs and fees to be paid. Those are deducted up front before any money is issued to you. More importantly, your reverse mortgage will also accumulate long-term interest. With each passing year, you will owe more back than when you started. Therefore, you must consider your ability to pay the interest back when deciding whether to sign the initial loan agreement.

You Cannot Maintain Two Mortgages at Once

Another thing you need to know before you get a reverse mortgage is you can get one while you have a traditional mortgage. However, you cannot maintain both for a long period. Shortly after signing a reverse mortgage agreement, funds must be removed from the total you are allowed to borrow. Those funds are used to pay off the traditional loan right away. The remaining funds are available to you to make your retirement more financially comfortable.

If the amount you can borrow and the amount needed to pay off the first loan are similar, you may not want a reverse mortgage. The best scenario is using the reverse mortgage to pay the first loan and still have enough left over to spend for other purposes. That can allow you to get out from under your ongoing mortgage bills and get some actual financial relief.