A nod to old landscaping
Created 31 years ago;
Removed beautiful courtyard waterfalls
Made space for grass lawn weddings.

Old habits die hard. I eat too fast. I don’t chew enough. Neither helps my diet or my digestion. Still I am trying to turn things around.

Obese for most of my adult life, I decided enough was enough and started to take control two years ago. It was not for previous lack of effort – diets, meal plans, rx’s just weren’t enough. They never staved my constant hunger. Since all else had failed, I opted for bariatric surgery creating an egg-sized food pouch instead of a huge cavernous opening . The lap band was a success, and the weight came off.

BUT…no bread, no rice, no pasta (they swell) coupled with problems digesting any fried food, most meats, gassy vegetables, and acidic fruits limit nutritional choices. Thank goodness for protein shakes. They help build muscle as fat shrinks away. Love the inch loss that comes with the disappearing pounds.

What do I eat? Soups, all kinds of potatoes, tuna, chicken, applesauce, bananas (chopped, mashed, pureed) are friendly; however, most restaurant menus aren’t. So when dining out my entree of choice is salad cobb style, chopped fine with moderate dressing. I could eat them daily except I hate cutting and prepping.

My kitchen has lots of small electrical appliances–huge blender with a lifetime guarantee still not fixed since I called a year ago, counter mixer with loads of attachments, coffee mill, fountain machine, frozen drink machine, food processor, and mini chopper – all impractical and awkward to use in making my special foods.

Enter the Baby Bullet – I like it so much that I am keeping it for myself. I planned to pass it to middle son who is having a baby; correct that to middle son’s love of his life. (I’ll get back to that later.) Power base, milling blade, baby blend blade, batchbowl, short cups, spatula, resealable lids, batch tray, date-dial storage cups, storage tray, and pocket nutritionist and user manual/cookbook make for quick prep, easy cleanup, Plus, they are the perfect size for the entrees and sides I prepare for myself. I can make a whole batch then refrigerator or freeze it instead of doing the same old, same old daily tiring of wasting what I have made, seeing it spoil, throwing it away.

Take my roast chicken leftovers, for example. What a tasty creamy soup the fine pureed batch will become when mixed with fresh veggies! What a yummy salad the chunkier batch will become when mixed with celery, onion, pepper, and mayo.

Back to the upcoming blessed event. I am ecstatic that the couple has chosen to invite hubby and me to share the upcoming blessed event with them. Early bonding sets the stage for a lifetime of relationships.

Things were tight for me economically when I had my babies. I remember making most of my own baby food the way my mother did for me. So I figured that Baby Bullet would be a perfect gift that would carry through the early years. I think natural is best. What could be better than pure fresh fruit and veggies without fillers and chemical additives?

Making baby food from scratch has to be better than the stuff on the shelves in the stores. It is certainly more economical than bottles and jars. It’s what moms and dads fed their kids before baby food was invented. It is also a perfect use for last night’s leftovers, too little for meal or snack. Consider the foods you regularly keep in your kitchen, produce like sweet potatoes, peas, apples, bananas. Have it your way from smooth thin puree to chunky finger like pieces. Cut the sugars; cut the salt. Do it fresh, organic, nutritious, non-toxic, BPA free.

The Baby Bullet Pocket Nutritionist, Your Grocery Store Companion, Hi Risk Allergy Foods, Low Risk Allergy Foods, Safest First Foods, Choosing the Best Foods (by vegetable, benefit, and selection process) as well as the food chart and feeding schedule for year one are great reading musts for all parents especially ones expecting their first.

So…since I am keeping MY BB, I guess it is time for me go to on a shopping trip. Available online and in retailers like Kohls, Target, Walmart, Bed, Bath and Beyond. the Baby Bullet lists for $79.99 and carries a one year limited warranty.

Here are some simple recipes, courtesy of Baby Bullet.

Apple Walnut Puree

• 2 Apples, cored & peeled (Pink Lady, Fuji or Gala are all good choices)
• 1/4 Cup Walnuts, shelled & halved
• 1/8 Tsp Cinnamon

Place apples and walnuts in the Turbo Steamer.
Cook until apples are fork tender.
Place apples, walnuts, cinnamon and 3 tbsp of the water to The Baby Bullet and puree until smooth.
Cool and serve.

One Pot Dinner- Feast for your little king

8 months+

• 1 cup of cubed Turkey – uncooked (using cooked is fine as well)
• 1/2 cup peeled and cubed winter squash
• 1/2 cup peeled and cubed white potato
• 1/2 cup peeled and cubed sweet potato
• 1/2 cup peas or green beans
• 1 small handful of fresh or frozen cranberries

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a medium sized sauce pan
Add 2 cups of water
Bring to a gentle boil and then turn heat to low
Simmer on low for 20 minutes or until turkey is no longer pink and veggies may be easily pierced with a fork.
Transfer the cooked One Pot Christmas Dinner to the Baby Bullet and puree until you achieve the desired consistency.
Viola!

Yummy Sweet Potato Pie – Delicious and nutritious

• 2 ounces of sweet potato cubed.
• 4 tbsp oat meal or rice cereal
• 2 tbsp water
• Yogurt (optional)

Directions:

Steam sweet potato in the Turbo Steamer.
Combine oat meal or rice cereal and water in the Baby Bullet and Puree until you achieve your desired consistency.
Mix in yogurt for babies over 8 months.
Enjoy!

The Baby Bullet is on Facebook and on Twitter.

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Rumors have it that Real Steal II, a story about the fallout of fortune and fame with major players continuing their roles, is currently in development. Knowing that Spielberg and Dreamworks are involved in the project, I bet it will be a great sequel, but for now Real Steel will do. My readers know just how much I enjoyed Real Steel’s (see 8/24-12/12/2011 blogs) run in theaters.

This science-fiction action film has everything: John Gatins’ script (developed from a Matheson Twilight Zone story), a compelling plot about the relationships of a declining boxer and his abandoned/estranged son, and director Shawn Levy. Its stars Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, and Dakota Gojo make viewers see its portrayal of athletics and competitors as what may happen as sporting events become more brutal and maiming.

Solid acting, old fashioned Americana settings, 26.5 live action robots, animatronics, and motion capture make Real Steel what it is – a thrilling, exciting well-made cinema delight. Its nomination for an Oscar for Best Visual Effects against movies like Harry Potter, Hugo, Planet of the Apes, and Transformers is a sure tell.

This movie released January 24, 2012, to DVD looks fantastic on my own big screen. The actual feature has a running time of 127 minutes and doesn’t end there. Bonus features like Disney Second Screen, deleted and extended scenes, bloopers, and the profile of consultant real-life pugilist Sugar Ray Leonard add to the magic of sets and characters.

The Real Steel 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (1 Blu-ray Disc + 1 DVD) includes:
Disc 1 * Blu-ray Feature Film + Bonus
Deleted “Butterfly” storyline and Extended “Meet Ambush” scenes with introductions by Shawn Levy
Countdown to the Fight—The Charlie Kenton Story
Reel Steel Second Screen: Ringside with Director Shawn Levy
Sugar Ray Leonard: Cornerman’s Champ
Plus all DVD bonus features

Disc 2 * DVD Feature Film + Bonus
Bloopers
Making of Metal Valley
Building the Bots
Audio commentary with Director Shawn Levy

The actual feature running time is 127 minutes and the suggested retail is $39.99.

Real Steel online:

• “Like” the Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/RealSteelMovie
• Follow us on Twitter at @realsteelmovie
• Visit the website at www.steelgetsreal.com
• View videos at www.YouTube.com/RealSteelMovie
• Connect with Facebook and Twitter via Real Steel Second Screen

What do you think? Can high-tech sci-fi Real Steel become reality in the not-so-distant future?

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Here are the winners of this week’s giveaways. To select the winner of these giveaways I used the “And The Winner Is” plugin, and made sure the comment was eligible.

Treasure Buddies winner – Amanda

NYC OEM Emergency Preparedness Kit winner – Andrea V

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Find Your Happiness winner – Amanda

Thanks to all who entered the giveaways! Please consider subscribing to my feed so you don’t miss out on the latest posts, reviews and giveaways.

Average rainfall for February, the wettest month, is 3.18 inches.
Average high for August, the warmest month, is 89 degrees.
Average high for December, the coldest month, is 70 degrees.
Just remember it is the desert so nights are much cooler year round.

The old Disneyland parking lot
Transformed to shops, food, entertainment.
When the kiddies are safely tucked away,
What after dark fun!

I am extremely prone to URI’s. Years ago after extensive testing, the doctors had an ah-ha moment. They decided both rapid and or sudden changes in temperature and exposure to strong fumes precipitated my illnesses. Nowadays I avoid deserts and arctic regions and avoid sprays and aerosols as much as I can.

Next week both will be impossible. I am leaving the North’s frigid, freezing temps and traveling to warm, sunny LA by route of Fort Lauderdale (another story). Safe bet is that it will result in inevitable pain from an irritated throat and sore mouth. Airport and airplane time is 14.5 hours total between stops. Ouch!

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Therefore, I am packing a special medicine bag – all my regular prescriptions and over-the-counters plus Chloraseptic Warming Sore Throat for me. I do not need anyone to recommend it to me. Its oral anesthetic/analgesic benzocaine gives me fast acting pain relief. I learned long ago that it is #1 pharmacist recommended lozenge.

My airline no longer gives complimentary anything – not even water for those taking medicine. I will be bringing on board each leg of my journey two water bottles filled at the cooler after ALL security checks (I have done this many times. Rest assured it is 100% legal.) I will carry single serve packets if I desire any flavoring. Frugal me resents any non-alcoholic charge to keep passengers hydrated. Give me a break at least coffee, tea, and water should be complimentary not $2 per paper cup…. Which brings me back to sore throat.

The Chloraseptic Green Tea with Honey variety’s SMRP is $3.99 for 18 lozenges. ONE will last longer and taste better than what the steward or stewardess has. ONE will be approximately 90% cheaper than that cup of tea. BONUS: No service required – important when you are flying economy.

I have already inside my one checked bag (I refuse to take a carry on since my airline charges for that too), a box of ten individually wrapped medicated KIDS Chloraseptic Sore Throat Lollipops (assorted flavors of grape, strawberry, and orange). I plan to have them for my grandbaby. She had some throat and ear problems earlier in the year so I wanted to be prepared and let nothing spoil our time together just in case….

Having tried them myself already, I can assure you that designed for children three +, that they do really do work to temporarily relieve and numb pain. Available over the counter with a $3.99 SMRP, they are not candy and should not be used as such.

I am tucking a bag of Ludens Orange Supplement Drops into my personal carryon (no pocketbook; just my computer case). Just one drop gives 100% the daily value of Vitamin C, something many believe helps stop the common cold. Made with real orange juice, it tastes good and helps to relieve dry throat symptoms. With a suggested retail of $1.79 for 25 drops, I can afford to keep them stocked in my medicine cabinet.

(See also 7/11/2010, 7/30/2011, 8/12/2011, and 11/8/2011 previous reviews.)

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.