South Padre Sunset

Back at South Padre Island, making more memories. The sun that scorched us today is now fading behind the palms. This is the first time we’ve been back since our wedding nearly a year ago – crazy! Good times.

Decoupage Spiritual Bouquet

I’ve worked across many mediums in my artistic escapades, but I don’t know how or why Decoupage has eluded me.  Well, now I can cross it off the “attempted” list, but definitely not off the mastered! Our dear friends are moving North, and as they have given so much to us and our Church, it required a special gift.  I wanted to present them with a Spiritual Bouquet. For those unfamiliar what a Spiritual Bouquet is, a brief explanation would be:

The Spiritual Bouquet is basically a gift of prayer from a group of people.  It is comprised of gathering whatever form of prayers or offerings each person wishes to make for the recipient. For example, someone might offer 2 Rosaries and a Holy Communion.  Another person might offer a two acts of charity and a Morning Prayer. Or one might enroll them at a Shrine or with a Religious order for Masses to be offered daily over a certain period of time.  It all varies, as it depends on whatever spiritual offerings the gift-givers desire to make.  These would then be compiled somehow, such as in a card, and then presented as a Spiritual Bouquet to someone.

I searched online for ideas to create a grownup Spiritual Bouquet.  Nothing totally grabbed me, but some ideas did start forming.  I emailed our retreat team and asked for them to respond with their offerings for our friends. Then I created a personalized template, printed out the offering cards, and wrote down each person’s offerings.  I’m going to attempt my first FREE downloadable PDF file of this template for those interested (I took out the family’s name, so it’s a generic form).  Hold your applause, please.  Click this Link:  Spritual Bouquet Cards

I also printed & cut extra to bring to the going-away party for others interested in adding to the bouquet.

Lastly, I decoupaged a small pine box to not only personalize the gift, but give them a spiritual keepsake — also easy to move across the country.

I found on Pinterest how to make my own “Modge Podge” with water and Elmer’s Glue.  I dumped the whole bottle of glue in my fancy pickle jar and then filled it back up 2/3′s with water,  and then shook up.  It worked OK, but I’ve never used Modge Podge, so I can’t do a fair comparison honestly.

Pinterest suggestion to make your own “Modge Podge” with water + glue in a jar

This Divine Mercy card was from the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Krakow, Poland, where St. Faustina lived and died as a religious sister.

Our team logo and a fitting scripture

This St. Therese the Little Flower prayer card was from Lisieux, France, where this Doctor of the Church lived and died.

The Decoupage Pine Box with the Spiritual Bouquet cards

Note: After I glued the items on the wood box, I let it dry for a bit, and then sprayed it with Krylon’s “Low Odor Clear Finish”.  That gave it a protective and glossy finish.

That’s the quick version, friends.  In the end, this makes a nice personalized gift from the heart, full of prayers, and a thoughtful keepsake!

Spring, Getting Down to Business, and BIRDS!

Another Friday at "The Office"

Ahhh, April in Dallas!  The wild Blue Bonnets cascading across the fields, the trees flaunting their new emerald plumes, the wild Spring wind whipping around, and Birds fluttering both IN and OUTside of the home.

I’ve got nothing against birds, really.  My Grandmother raised me to be very conscious of their wellbeing, actually. She was always gathering up bits of food for either my Grandpa or to feed the birds.  To this day, loaf of bread “butts” are considered bird food.  And just last weekend, my husband and I rented, The Big Year, the recent Birding movie featuring Jack Black, Steve Martin, and Owen Wilson — and I enjoyed it!

See, I am a bird advocate — when they are outside of my house.  Let’s be honest, I doubt that they are all too fond of my stuffy, small attic or our dark, spooky chimney either.

So the Property Manager sent out her Maintenence “guy”, (I really love when people have A GUY) this morning to scope out our Bird Invasion situation and take action.  Gosh, I hope it works.

As is the Sanchez family norm, there is a long saga that is much funnier shared in person with waving arms, silly sound effects, and a nemesis.  In this case, it was a guy named George from a local Extermination company. Albeit friendly, George proceeded to chatter on for more then an hour of my hubby’s time walking around the exterior of our condo, theorizing about the “infiltration”.  He discussed, in great depth, all the possibilities of what could be in our attic and all the ways it could have gotten there.  This was all done without ever actually getting up in the attic to SEE.  Things got worse from there, but I digress.

Today I prefer to join the birds outdoors, on this lovely Spring afternoon. A city girl has got to take advantage of the mid 80 degree weather when possible, yes?  Not a bad office space either. It’s time for me to write. I’m doing my weekly warm up here.   Friday, I love you.  OK, going to get down to business.  Or at least try  Just getting the writing juices flowing…

UPDATE: Back inside the house. Unhappy bird is STILL in the Chimney. UGH! Dick van Dyke & Mary Poppins, where are you when I need you??

“Chim chiminey
Chim chiminey
Chim chim cher-ee!
A sweep is as lucky
As lucky can be”

Best Books on Writing

I have been on the lookout for good books to guide me in the writing process as of late. As a member of Informed Ideas for Writers, a LinkedIn group, I started a discussion asking for recommendations from other writers. There has been a wonderful response from the group (thanks, fellow IIFWs!), so I thought I would compile their responses into one very helpful list and post it here to share. It also helps me to break it down and have an easy reference point to return to, as this is not a light summer reading list, but an inspiring list to tackle over the writing years ahead!

I have hyperlinked the book titles to GOOD READS when possible so that you may read further reviews and gather more information on these great finds.

I’ll try to keep the list update it as more suggestions roll in…

HERE WAS MY POSTED QUESTION:
What is your favorite book on writing?

I’m wondering what are writers’ favorite books about writing? I’m particularly interested in books that discuss writing from life. I know that there are all kinds of blogs, magazines, etc. too, but nothing like a good ol’ concise book that you can keep pulling out, highlight, etc.

RESPONSES FROM IIFW GROUP MEMBERS:

TOP 2 SUGGESTED BOOKS ON WRITING:

Currently a tie between these top two picks

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

On Writing by Stephen King

What did writers have to say about Lamott’s BIRD BY BIRD? I compiled a few of their comments:

“It’s simple, practical and the focus is on progress rather than shoulds.”

“I, too, like Bird by Bird. The only thing better was hearing Ann L. discuss writing in person.”

“Bird by Bird definitely” and “it’s the best!”

What did writers have to say about King’s ON WRITING? I compiled a few of their comments:

“Part biography, part How to. Some really informative techniques. I found it a refreshing change.” –Ian R.

“I recommend On Writing by Stephen King to all beginning authors. He gives great advice, not just on writing but on the business of writing.”

“Stephen King’s On Writing is excellent. Since it’s been 10 years since I read it, I probably ought to pick up a copy and re-read it.”

Story by Robert McKee was recommended by a couple of different writers as well.

Other suggested books, in random order:

On Writing Well by William Zinsser

Writing with Precision by Jefferson D. Bates

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Finding What You Didn’t Lose by John Fox

This Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley

Act Natural: How to Speak to Any Audience by Ken Howard

The Weekend Novelist a Writer’s Digest book (I couldn’t find this book)

Reference Books:

Fowler’s Modern English Usage (I linked to the NEW Edition)

Screenwriting books:

2000+ stage Hero’s Journey And Transformation Through A New World / State by Kal Bashir
Screenplay by Syd Field
Aristotle’s Poetics for Screenwriters
Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler
Save The Cat by Blake Snyder
Anatomy of a Story by John Truby

For Fiction Writing:

Writing Basics for Beginners by Jeanne Marie Leach

Reflecting on Good Friday

We see crosses everywhere — a charm on a necklace, printed on a T-shirt, on the Altar, hanging on a wall…etc. Such a commonplace “item” today, it all too often has lost the impact of what Christ really bore for our sins. However today presents a beautiful opportunity. To remember, to meditate, to mourn, to be grateful. For this is the day, this is the day when Christ laid down his life for ours.

May we too enter into the Lord’s passion, so that we can experience the glory of His Resurrection. I pray that these gathered reflections will bring you deeper into the mystery of Good Friday and the knowledge of the ransom paid for our sins. (Word of Caution: Some of this material is intensely descriptive of the violent acts Christ endured. Not for the faint of heart.)

His Sufferings

By this point in time, our Lord has already been betrayed by his friend, arrested, deserted by all his followers, examined by the Roman Governor, wrongly condemned to death on a Cross, and denied by Peter. The first part of His suffering, the agony, was extreme mental suffering. Archbishop Fulton Sheen said that we cannot compare how we experience suffering to that of Christ, since in addition to having human intelligence, He also had Divine intelligence. Also, His “physical organism” was as perfect as any could be, so “it was much more sensitive to pain than our human nature, which has been calloused by crude emotions and evil experiences.” Now we come to the second part of His suffering – the torture of both His body and soul, which ended with His death. Combined, these sufferings constituted the “baptism wherewith I am to be baptized” (Lk 12:50).

The Scourging

Flagrum, like what was used during the Scourging

“Pilate, then, took Jesus and had him scourged.” – Jn 19:1 The gruesome details of the scourging were left out in John’s Gospel. Another physician, Dr. Pierre Barbet, also a devout Catholic, wrote a riveting book called A Doctor at Calvary. In it, he “relied heavily on his close analysis of the Holy Shroud of Turin to recreate every stage of the Passion with heart-rending precision and detail.” On the scourging, this is what the Dr. Barbet relays: Jesus was bound to a column, probably with his hands above his head. They used a crude instrument, the flagrum, which was comprised of a short handle with several long, thick thongs attached. Near the end of each thong, ‘tali’ were inserted, which were balls of lead or small sheep bones. This tortuous device was designed to not only cut the skin with the thongs, but also dig deep wounds with the tali. Not one, but two executioners – one on each side – carried out the scourging. On the Shroud of Turin, there are more then 100, perhaps 120, marks from the shoulders to the lower parts of the legs. If there were two thongs, this means that Jesus received about 60 strokes apart from those which have no mark.

The Crowning of Thorns

St. Alphonsus de Liguori wrote The Passion of Jesus Christ. In it, he described the sufferings derived from the crown of thorns placed upon Jesus’ head. The Shroud of Turin shows evidence that it covered the whole head, shaped as a helmet rather then a wreath. This would have been driven against His head by blows with a stick. Considering the head is the most sensitive part of the body – with all the nerves and sensations of the body diverging from it – our Lord suffered extreme pain in this torture that lasted up until his death. What else of the Crown of Thorns has been revealed to other Saints?

• To St. Lawrence Giustiniani & St. Peter Damian, that the thorns were so long that they penetrated even to the brain.
• To Blessed Agatha of the Cross, “He very often closed His eyes, and uttered piercing sighs, like those of a person about to die.”
• To St. Bridget, “So many streams of blood rushed down over His face and filled His hair and eyes and beard that he seemed to be nothing but one mass of blood.”
• To St. Vincent of Lerins, the affirmation that Our Lord’s head received 70 wounds

Carrying of the Cross

When presented with the Cross, what reaction did Our Lord have? St. Thomas of Villanova said:

But Jesus did not wait for the executioner to place the cross on his shoulders. Of his own accord he stretched out his hands and eagerly laid hold of it and placed it on his wounded shoulders. Come, he says, come, beloved cross! It is now 33 years that I have been sighing and searching for you. I embrace you, I clasp you to my heart, for you are the altar on which I shall sacrifice my life out of love for my flock.

Dr. Barbet filled in what it meant when “Jesus carried his cross.” He carried the horizontal part of the cross, the patibulum, which weighed approximately 125 lbs for 600 yards from the Pretorium to Golgotha. It was carried against the nape of the neck, with arms stretched out and bound to it so that He could give no resistance. The marks on the Shroud can only be explained by the scraping of the beam against the back, which was more poignant during each of His falls.

Nailing to the Cross

The cloth Jesus had worn was stripped away, also tearing open the wounds that had firmly been stuck to it. Although the Scripture’s literal translation were that his hands were nailed to the cross, the dragging of the body would have probably torn the skin. So the 1/3″ thick, long, square yet pointed nails were likely driven in the middle of each wrist. There was only one hole from the nail wound in the feet. It must have been driven in through the back of the feet, a much easier passage.

Words from the Cross

Our Lord spoke only seven times from the Cross, so they are appropriately called His Seven Last Words. The one that had caused me to be perplexed was what he cried out in the 9th hour. “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” – Mt. 27:46, Mk. 15:34. I used to wonder, “How could the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, have felt abandoned by His Father?” It was more then just repeating the Psalm of David, written a thousand years before, prophetically referring to Him (Psalm 21:13-19). Archbishop Sheen explained:

Sin has spiritual effects such as a sense of abandonment, separation from God, loneliness. This particular moment He willed to take upon Himself that principle effect of sin which was abandonment. It was not that His human nature was separated from His Divine nature; that was impossible…in taking upon Himself the sins of the world He willed a kind of withdrawal of His Father’s face and all Divine consolation. …the moment when leaning on nails He stood at the brink of hell in the name of all sinners. Christ’s cry was of abandonment which He felt in standing in a sinner’s place, but it was not of despair. The soul that despairs never cries to God…The greatest mental agony in the world, and the cause of many psychic disorders, is that minds and hearts are without God. Such emptiness would never have a consolation, if He had not felt all of this as His own. There is hope (the end of that Psalm is one of victory).

Piercing of the Side

“But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.” – Jn 19:34. “The blow of the lance which was given to the right side reached the right auricle of the heart, perforating the pericardium – it was therefore not just a wound to the side, but one in his heart,” Dr. Barbet described. The blood came from the heart, the what appeared as water was the pericardial fluid.

Death on the Cross

The specific cause of Christ’s death was asphyxia, or suffocation. The positioning of the body on the cross made it hardly possible to breathe: The whole weight of the body dragged on his hands above him, and with his arms raised, it created a relative immobility of the sides which greatly hindered exhaling. Dr. Barbet likened what happened within His body — the contracting of the muscles to rigidity and the lungs filling with air which could not escape — to strangulation. The only way He could have escaped for a few moments from the battle for air was to try and lift His body upwards, using His feet for support.

In God’s mercy, the story does not end here. “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” – Is 53:5. As we await the celebration of His Resurrection still, I will leave you to continue to meditate on the price He paid for you. A blessed Good Friday to you, friend.

The Sea of Sunset

Some moments demand to be captured.  Tonight’s sunset was one of them.

And what words could seek to rival God’s painted sky?  Dickinson’s poem “The Sea of Sunset”, of course.  Her verse moves me from my rooftop view all the way to the salty sea!

THE SEA OF SUNSET

This is the land the sunset washes,
These are the banks of the Yellow Sea;
Where it rose, or whither it rushes,
These are the western mystery!

Night after night her purple traffic
Strews the landing with opal bales;
Merchantmen poise upon horizons,
Dip, and vanish with fairy sails.

- Emily Dickinson

Totties for Two

It’s that time of year when something is always “going around”.  Not feeling well either?  Perhaps you should try a Hot Tottie!  It’s soothing, natural, and doesn’t taste too bad either.

Totties for Two

My Grandma is so big into home remedies, and since I’m supposed to be playing guitar and singing at a retreat tomorrow, I figured that last night was the opportune time to try “Totties for Two”.  I adapted a couple recipes I found to what we had on hand/prefer – so feel free to leave comments with your feedback.  Honestly, I’ve neither tasted nor made a Tottie myself – so I can’t tell you how it measures up.  I have left some tips below.  But I will tell you that after tipping a Tottie last night, I slept more soundly then I have all week.  And when I awoke, I was skipping around like a wee sprite, the junk in my chest had loosened up a bit more and my throat wasn’t sore as it has been the other 4 mornings this week.  What does this mean?  I am a Tottie advocate at this point – yes, Pro Tottie and unashamed.  Your tired eyes and wheezing chest are likely skimming these lines for something of value now, so I will now just provide the recipe…

Hot Totties

Servings: 2 large servings

1 1/2 cup water

1 cup Lemon Juice (fresh or bottled)

1 1/2 cup Whiskey (we used Jack Daniels)

1 cup Honey

3 Cinnamon Sticks  (4 cloves were also recommended)

2 slices fresh Lemon (optional)

Directions:

1. First put the water, lemon juice and Whiskey into a medium saucepan.
2. Be sure that the mixture has heated up before you add the honey. It can be at a gentle boil, but be sure to turn the heat down as you gradually add the honey – so a little at a time. Stir constantly during this step, or your pot will boil over!
3. Next, add the whole cinnamon sticks (or cloves) into the mixture, and bring to a boil again. Again, be sure to stir!
4. Reduce heat and allow the mixture to simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Add a lemon slice in each mug and serve.

Natural, soothing remedy for Cold + Flu

Now it’s ready!  Enjoy and feel better
I adapted my remedy from this recipe that came from the UK — you can read more here: http://www.food.com/recipe/dr-pats-hot-toddy-cold-remedy-234344#ixzz1pFUou6Lj.  I prefer my Americanized spelling of Tottie though, as you can see.

TIPS

This is my modified version of a couple recipes I found online.  I tried it last night with different measurements, and we ended up adding a bit more water after it was done:  I had used only 1 cup of water and 1 cup of honey, and it had a strong and boldly sweet taste, followed by slightly tart lemon and “spicy” cinnamon aftertaste.  So in the recipe I listed here,  I have added more water and less honey to cut some of that sweetness.  Even so – make it according to your individual taste - add more honey, Whiskey, or water. You can start with the suggested recipe and then modify it as you wish.   My original recipe filled about 2 ½ large mugs for my hubby and I, using only 1 cup of water.

You can juice fresh lemons if you have them, but I used the lemon juice in the bottle for this – as the 4 small lemons we had weren’t going to cut it.  We just added the fresh lemon wedges.

If you make this for a little one, of course omit the Whiskey from the recipe. My husband makes fabulous fresh Cinnamon Tea, just with mainly those ingredients – very yummy and soothing!

There are versions you can find online where they do this quickly in the microwave.  We mainly utilize the stovetop at home, and liked the idea of all these ingredients really activating and blending as they simmered.

May you find comfort in this “Totties for Two” recipe AND combat those pesky cold and flu symptoms at the same time!  Please excuse any typos — I need another Tottie!

Bless my Ride!

What a beating this month has brought upon our two cars!  Still, in each instance, it could have been so much worse.  I am grateful that God is looking after us, amidst it all.

Here’s the quick rundown:

#1  A little less then a month ago, a drunk driver backed into Ruby, our less-then-a-year old Mariner, in a parking garage.  I am thankful that no one was hurt (but Ruby), the insurance ended up picking up the tab, and someone unfit for driving on a Sunday afternoon was no longer behind the wheel.

Ruby got a lift to the shop

#2  Then, the week after we got Ruby back from the repair shop, she wouldn’t start 2 mornings in a row.  We found out that the starter had gone out.  Grateful that the car is still under warranty, they came out and towed her to the dealership & fixed her up right.  Again no out of pocket cost to us, and she’s been running like a champ once again.

#3  Our little ol’ Corolla was broken into last night.  This morning, my neighbor found our car with doors and trunk wide open, and all our stuff combed over.  Thank God I had cleaned it out about 2 weeks ago!  When I went down to check it out, I could scarcely believe that nothing seems to have been taken.  Even though they went through the glovebox, the Garmin GPS and Radar Detector were still in the car!  Did they get caught in the act and run off?  Did my Rosary, WWJD pillow, prayer card, and Our Lady of the Highways visor clip give them a complex?  Was there really just nothing that they found valuable in it?  I don’t know.  But the car and its contents all seem to be OK, thankfully.

So we’ve now had our three incidents, and I’m hoping that we are square. Definitely feels like now is a good time as any to get some more protection on the cars, and I’m not talking insurance if you know what I mean.  I always have said prayers in my car, but I don’t know if I’ve said a blessing over my car.  I found one at www.catholic.org, and since I know I’m not the only one who needs it – here it is.  May our rides be blessed, my friends!

Blessing of an Automobile

We need this Priest to come out to our complex!

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who has made heaven and earth.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.

Let us pray.

Lend a willing ear, Lord God, to our prayers, and bless this vehicle with Your holy right hand. Direct Your holy angels to accompany it, that they may free those who ride in it from all dangers, and always guard them. And just as by Your deacon Philip You gave faith and grace to the man of Ethiopia as he sat in his chariot reading the Sacred Word, so, point out to Your servants the way of salvation. Grant that, aided by Your grace, and with their hearts set on good works, they may, after all the joys and sorrows of this journey through life, merit to receive eternal joys, through Christ our Lord.

5 Things That Make Life Easier

I love Fridays.  It is my day out of the office, intended for me to pursue my own endeavors – especially writing.  I’m using my neglected Blog to warm up the ol’ writing juices.

We’re all just too busy.  So any effort to simplify life is a welcome one, right? Here are 5 random things that make my life easier, in no particular order.

1) My Grocery IQ Phone App

Grocery IQ Screen Shots

Gone are the days of keeping a pad of paper on the kitchen counter to jot down something we’ve just run out of, or ingredients needed for something we’re going to cook.  No need for my husband and I to text back and forth Grocery List items either.  Grocery IQ is an app that allows us to keep and share one central grocery and/or shopping list.  If I just ran out of milk, I can either scan the barcode with my phone, manually type in “milk”, or pull it up on my favorites list if I have previously saved it there.  I like that it automatically breaks the list down into categories like “Dairy, Eggs, and Cheese” or “Spices and Baking”, so your list is already organized like the store set-up, to help you get through your shopping faster.  It is really convenient that we can both add or delete things to the same list from both our phones.  It also features coupons & savings card deals.  Grocery IQ definitely streamlines something that we do every week.

Mr Clean Magic Reach

2) My Mr. Clean Magic Reach

I used to use a scrub brush and a sponge to clean the tub and shower.  Ugh. Then I upgraded to some type of Dollar General extending pole shower cleaner thingy.  That extending pole gradually no longer wanted to lock, and would slide back.  Uncool.  My hubby then introduced me to Mr. Clean and his Magic Reach bathroom cleaning tool.  We have a good thing going now. The pole extends and the latch really makes it lock, instead of just twisting and untwisting a part of the pole that all too easily loosens itself as you scrub. The head is in the shape of a football, has some give to it, and swivels, so its not a square or rectangle that can’t reach clean the corners.  Just slip a cleansing pad or rag over it (disposable = easy), and it even has a place to tuck that in, and clean away.  A part of the handle even extends to create a latch that you can use to hang it.  It’s a smart design, and makes cleaning the shower easier, especially considering that I no longer need to woefully stand in the tub to clean the tiles.

The Cuisinart Grind and Brew is a Champ

3.  My Grind & Brew Coffee Maker

I’m not going to deny that we are coffee snobs.  It’s hard to go back to pre-ground coffee after enjoying a freshly ground cup o’ Joe. But to go through the grinding and coffee prep every morning before work, yeah right! So one of our favorite wedding gifts and kitchen appliances is the coffee maker that we registered for – The Cuisinart Grind and Brew Coffee Maker.  Yes friends, it automatically grinds the coffee then brews it! It can be programmed or just produce a lovely caffeinated beverage on demand.  No need for a paper coffee filter either, since it has a permanent filter basket.  And with the built-in charcoal water filter, you are able to obtain good water for brewing. All impurities are removed thanks to this machine.  It also has an automatic shut-off feature, so no coming home to a burned off pot of mess.  It’s not cheap, averaging around $99, but with a limited 3-year warranty and good quality, its great for coffee lovers! (*We don’t own the one with the thermal pot as pictured here – but that’d be even sweeter!)

RL Classic Sample Screen

4.  My RL Classic Phone App

I’ve limited myself to sharing only one more App, so that its not all about my iPhone  If you’re like me, shopping feels more like a contest on scoring the best prices and deals. It is so irritating to overpay unnecessarily for something.  This handy app on your phone helps prevent that.  By scanning the barcode of an item or typing it into the search box, it instantly brings up price comparisons for that product, both online and in local stores. It also shows product reviews.  For smart shoppers, it is a life-saver!

Downy Wrinkle Releaser = No Ironing

5.  My Downy Wrinkle Releaser

Some people like to iron everything.  I am not one of those people.  If you are like me, then welcome to the world of “spray, tug, and smooth” any time you need to quickly get wrinkles out. That’s right – no iron needed! Downy Wrinkle Releaser is a spray that smoothes your wrinkly clothes out in seconds by relaxing the fibers to help release wrinkles. It doesn’t have an overly perfumey smell either.  This is awesome for when you travel too!  It will take several minutes for your clothes to dry after you spray, so give it a bit of time to do so before you need to get dressed, FYI.

Hopefully you may have discovered a new trick to make your life easier, or you have one to share with me – please do!  I don’t get paid to plug any products, so these are all things I’ve discovered and use in everyday life that really do help.  So feel free to use, repeat, and enjoy!

Nummy Low-fat Strawberry Shake

So the nutritional info on the average 10-oz. Strawberry Shake comes in at about 320 calories & 7.9 grams of fat.

I say, people, we can do better then that, while not compromising on the yum factor with a few smarter substitutions!  So I found a popular Strawberry Shake recipe on allrecipes.com and tweaked it to accomplish just that.  I prefer using Frozen Strawberries – instead of ice cubes and fresh hulled Strawberries – but either will work.

Nummy Lowfat Strawberry Milkshake

Nummy Low-fat Strawberry Milkshake      Yields: 6 cups   Prep time: 5 min

2 cups frozen strawberries

3 cups of Low-fat Milk (I prefer 1% Organic)

2 cups of Fat Free Vanilla Frozen Yogurt, i.e. Dreyers

1.5 – 2 teaspoons of Sweetener (Agave Nectar = natural and tasty)

Add all ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth.  Drink. Enjoy. Repeat, as 1/2 c of Fat Free Yogurt is only 90 calories!

1 Review by Mikaelam4:

4 out of 5 stars.  ”Strawberry-licious.  I wouldn’t change a thing.”