Last year at this time I posted that I would be slip-sliding away and trying to place less emphasis on the merry-go-round of social media. I jumped-ship from some of the groups and communities that I had joined where everyone was trying to one-up the other with shit-chat chit-chat (oops, typo) of conferences attended, ambassadorships and review opps snagged. I found a different group where the members were more than willing to share helpful blogging tips, and the competitiveness wasn’t there. Not surprisingly, these were the very mom bloggers I’ve known and traveled in circles with since I started blogging in 2007.

I also was determined that I was going to try to enjoy life, relax more, get back to some of my favorite hobbies such as cooking and crafts that I enjoy such as crocheting. Pinterest has become a huge inspiration for me and a gentle reminder to enjoy life to it’s fullest. I found tons of craft and DIY ideas for kids and grandkids. We made snow globes together during the Christmas season. I’ve set up boards and have many inspiring pins for winter, spring, summer and fall craft ideas as well as for the holidays – Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving projects.

I was reminded to laugh more. There’s so many funny quips, quotes and sayings I’ve pinned to my “Words to Make You Giggle” Pinterest board.

What would it be like to go around in a serious state of mind all the time? You’ve got to laugh sometime. Laughter is good medicine for you and you should prescribe it to yourself as much as possible. This is definitely stress buster material.

Best Stress Relief

Check out some ways that you can laugh and release stress at the same time:

• First, you must realize that having laughter in your life can increase your energy and take away any negative vibes that you may be feeling. When you laugh, you release the pent-up anger and frustration that has been bottled up inside you from being stressed. You can find some good comedy shows on television that are really funny.

• Think of some situations where the outcome ended up being pretty humorous. You can think on those and get a kick out of them. Let go of the complaining and murmuring.

•  Go take in a comedy club. Check out the up and coming comedians at local venues in your area.

This past week we got together with my daughters, charming son-in-law and nephew and all went to see Jeff Dunham, one of our favorite comedians. Jeff Dunham – Controlled Chaos along with his friends Walter, Peanut and Achmed were at the Hartford XL Center.

Earlier this year the hubby and I got out to see and enjoy Orange County Choppers at MGM Grand Foxwoods Resort.  We also visited Madam Tussaud’s Wax Museum in NYC and were delightfully entertained by the Broadway show, Wicked.  In January I’ll again be taking my grandchildren to enjoy Disney on Ice.  (If you’re local, be sure to check out my post for Discount Promo Codes for the upcoming show.)

• Smile more often. If you’re not used to doing this, then start now. Did you know that smiling can be contagious?

Learn to spread your laughter and joy to others who need it.  Not only will it help them, it’ll also help you.

What about you?  Do you have any special ways to live a healthier lifestyle and de-stress in 2012?

Happy New Year everyone!

© 2011 Moomettes Magnificents

Photo Credit: EduLeite

A New You in a New Year | Best Stress Relief | Laughter and Health | is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. How and Why to Not Let Retirement Stress You Out
2. Laughter Medicine Can Improve Family And Personal Relationships
3. Fun in the Snow the New England Way Lyman Orchards – Winterfest Connecticut

We are out of gas for the generator. Lost all our food in refrigerator and freezer. It was a choice if heat or food. Open gas stations are few and far between in Central Connecticut. Why the companies are not making deliveries to those that are open is beyond me. Something about backups at the ports in New Haven or Bridgeport. I think it’s just spin.

It’ Not Nice to Fool Mother Nature

Camping Inside My House During a Bizzare Power Outage

The electric company has projection reports up of 7 to 10 days before we get power back. We need extra out-of-state crews. Where is the National Guard to make the roads passible?

One CVS was only allowing one customer in at a time fir Rx, cash only.

Some gas stations I heard are only accepting cash.

This is insane, especially after Irene

It isn’t even winter yet.

What’s super annoying is the Power Restoration Projection charts shows towns along the shoreline being 99 percent restored and they received rain! What a way for the companies to pat themselves on the back!

How do you prepare for emergencies?

Cindi – Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A New You in a New Year | Best Stress Relief | Laughter and Health | is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. How and Why to Not Let Retirement Stress You Out
2. Laughter Medicine Can Improve Family And Personal Relationships
3. Fun in the Snow the New England Way Lyman Orchards – Winterfest Connecticut

If you’re not familiar with how a Blog Party works, you can read about it HERE.

Come join the party, meet some new Work-at-Home Moms, Baby Boomer Grams, SAHMs, Craft Bloggers, Coupon & Frugal bloggers  & also have a chance to Win some sweet swag as well.  

Welcome!

I’m Cindi, a Baby-Boomer wife, mom of 2 grown daughters, 2 grandchildren & hail from New England.

Want to know more about me? Read my 101 Random Things About Me post where I spill all the sordid details on the cranky curmudgeon Baby Boomer Grandmom behind this blog!

I offer Product Reviews from the perspective of a “Baby Boomer Grandmom Who’s Been Around the Block.” Don’t forget to check the tabs up above, and my sidebar where I have my favorite articles, along with Blogging Tips, Social Media posts and Work-At-Home posts – all in one easy-to-find spot!

Subscribe to my newsletter or in a reader if you like what you see!

You can connect with me at:

Twitter: @Moomettes

Facebook: Moomette’s Magnificents


I invite you to be a virtual tourist and Visit Connecticut to check out some of our lovely scenery!

One last Goodie before you go!

What’s a party without food? Back by popular demand, as promised, I said I’d have the buffet, wine and libations set out and waiting for you!

Layered Spinach Salad

This is one of my favorites from when I belonged to the Junior Woman’s Club, where I was a board member Recording Secretary. As a fundraiser, we put together a cookbook, and this recipe was very popular. It’s a great healthy salad that’s quick and easy to prepare. Make it ahead of time, and let set-up in the refrigerator overnight. The flavors just meld together and it’s always a big hit at all those summer picnics, pool parties and Memorial Day gatherings!

Ingredients:

1 lb spinach, stemmed and torn
1/2 lb bacon, crumbled
6 hard cooked eggs, crumbled
1 iceburg lettuce head, torn
1 box frozen peas, thawed but uncooked
dash salt, pepper and sugar
1 Bermuda onion (medium), sliced thin

Dressing Mix:
2 c. mayonnaise
1 c. sour cream
1 Good Seasons Italian Dressing envelope

Preparation:

Layer in this order: spinach salt pepper bacon eggs iceburg lettuce peas sugar salt pepper onion

Frosting:
mayonnaise sour cream dressing mix. Garnish with
strips of swiss cheese. (optional)

Cover and refrigerate OVERNIGHT. This is a must. This looks so pretty served in a glass bowl.

For more great recipes visit me at the Frugal New England Kitchen.

Be sure to check out my Giveaway! $100 Spring in Small Spaces Challenge Entertaining Gift Pack

I’m so happy you stopped by ~ Whether you’re a regular reader or visiting for the first time, introduce yourself and be sure  to leave me a comment so I’ll return the visit & get to know you! Leave your Twitter name in the fill-in box and I’ll be sure to give you a shout-out for visiting!

Don’t forget to sign the Linky so I can stop by!

A New You in a New Year | Best Stress Relief | Laughter and Health | is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. How and Why to Not Let Retirement Stress You Out
2. Laughter Medicine Can Improve Family And Personal Relationships
3. Fun in the Snow the New England Way Lyman Orchards – Winterfest Connecticut

Whether you’re a serious gourmet cook or a mom preparing family meals on a budget, or simply want the best deal for the price, if you’re considering purchasing new cookware you’ll want to be practical in making your decision. You probably are wondering how to buy cookware that’s sensibly priced for a long-term investment and still get all the pieces and features you need.

ManPans are formed using a proprietary process and exceptional grade metals, resistant to warping, denting and scratching even under the toughest conditions. We are confident that our pans are the most durable products available, proven by restaurant kitchens across the US.

Deciding on pots and pans is a significant task. Pots and pans come into contact with the food that you and your family eat daily, and that you serve your guests, so it’s imperative that they be constructed of high caliber materials.

I became engaged to be married back in the early 1970s.  As any newly engaged bride-to-be, I was excited with the prospect of setting out and furnishing my nest.  Back then, many gals such as myself went directly from living at home with our parents, to living with our new husbands.  Very few young gals, with the exception of say, Marlo Thomas from “That Girl” or Mary Tyler Moore or Rhoda, had apartments or condos of our own before we got married.  We had dreams and took our hope chests with us on move-in day.

The internet hadn’t been invented yet, so to find out about the latest small kitchen appliances or cookware, we attended house-party demonstrations that our friends hosted.  My future husband and I (now my husband of 30+ years) attended a cookware house party where the hostess, along with the demonstrator, prepared a full-course meal using the multi-functional cookware.  I purchased the entire set, and it lasted a good 25 years, which is a quarter of a century and a fairly long time!  Since then, I’ve been replacing those pieces on an as-needed basis with Calphalon or All-Clad cookware which I had kept adding to my Amazon Wish List.

While home party businesses are still fun and a great way to become familiar with new products and get together with friends , modern technology of today enables you to see instructional videos of cookware being demonstrated on media such as You-Tube.

Hard Anodized Cookware

Recently I had the opportunity to review the 4 quart capacity 12 Inch Saute Pan by ManPans.  I made a skillet vegetable bean side dish to accompany our dinner.

The Saute pan is a perfect chef’s pan whether cooking for your family or entertaining a crowd:

• Pans have a wide bottom area for maximum heat conduction
• Straight sides help contain food and expose all sides to heat
• Patent Pending Cool Grip Handle
• Hard Anondized .080 Aluminum
• Exceptional Durability
• PTFE Free, Water-Based Release Coating: Gem-X2
• Fast Cooking, Easy Clean Up
• Heat Safe to 700 Degrees Fahrenheit

Nothing stuck to the pan, and clean-up was a breeze – all I used was Dawn dish detergent and a soft sponge!

An optional accessory is a 12 Inch Glass Lid that fits all 12″ pans.  A feature of the glass lid that I liked is the air vent, so I don’t have to tilt the lid on the pan to let steam escape, thus eliminating boil-overs and spills.

As you can see from the photos, the steamer insert also can double as a splatter guard when inverted!

The unique CoolGrip handle design truly is cool to the touch!

Quality Cookware

By choosing pots and pans individually, you avoid buying pieces you won’t use, therefore saving money to invest in pieces you will use over and over again.  Whether you’re adding to your own collection, or giving as gifts, quality cookware by ManPans is available individually and also as cookware sets:

• Stir Fry Woks

• Sauce Pans

• Saute Pans

• Fry Pans

• Cookware Accessories

• Cookware Sets

ManPans carry a Lifetime Warranty, plus there’s Free Shipping on Orders over $200

For more information visit: ManPans

Follow ManPans on Facebook

Follow on Twitter: @ManPans

Moomette’s Magnificents is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of 12 inch Saute pan from ManPans, MSRP $89.99

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail link and leave your name in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit ManPans and leave a comment about another fact that wasn’t mentioned in this post.

~ One Extra Entry: Subscribe to my blog via RSS feed and leave your name in a separate comment

~ One Extra Entry: Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect (sidebar)

~ One Extra Entry: Become a Moomette’s Magnificents Facebook Fan and leave a comment on our wall with your thoughts on this giveaway.

~ One Extra Entry: Click the “Like” button on this post (top or bottom) and leave and leave your name in a separate comment

~ One Extra Entry: Follow and Rank Moomette’s Magnificents on Networked Blogs and leave your name in a separate comment.

~ One Extra Entry: Visit my 101 Random Things About Me page (under About) and leave a comment here – something About Me

~ One Extra Entry: Leave a comment on THIS  non-giveaway post, and come back here and let me know you did (may ALSO  leave multiple comments on multiple non-giveaway posts, but leave a separate comment entry for here to count )

~ One Extra Entry: Review Moomettes Magnificents on Alexa.  Writing a review will help our rating and be enable us to offer more magnificent giveaways to you!

~One Extra Entry: Follow @Moomettes and @ManPans and Tweet this giveaway and post the link in your comment- (one time only) (50 Followers minimum to qualify for extra entry)

copy and paste to tweet

This contest will run until January 2, 2011 at 11:00 pm. EST

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

A New You in a New Year | Best Stress Relief | Laughter and Health | is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. How and Why to Not Let Retirement Stress You Out
2. Laughter Medicine Can Improve Family And Personal Relationships
3. Fun in the Snow the New England Way Lyman Orchards – Winterfest Connecticut

Easy to use multifunction home scale – Perfect for cooks, dieters and families.

EatSmart Precision Pro – Multifunction Digital Kitchen Scale & Extra Large LCD

• Easy to use multifunction home scale – Perfect for cooks, dieters and families
• Max weight 11lbs; Displays ounces/lbs/grams/kgs; Graduation .05 oz / 1 gram
• Includes FREE EatSmart Calorie Factors guide – Portion control and calorie counting made easy!
• Tare feature eliminates the weight of a plate; 3 Minute Auto-Shutoff lets you prepare ingredients while maintaining battery life
• 2 AAA batteries included; 100% EatSmart Guaranteed Satisfaction
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 1.8 x 6 inches ; 13 ounces

Food Scale

The EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale is a versatile multifunction home appliance. Designed to be highly accurate and aesthetically pleasing, the Precision Pro is manufactured to the highest quality specifications. Weigh items up to 11 lbs quickly and accurately, with results displayed in four different units: grams / ounces / pounds / kilograms.

For cooks – Weigh food items directly on the scale platform or utilize the scale’s tare (zero) function, which eliminates the weight of a plate or bowl and makes cleanup a snap. The high resolution screen provides easy viewing angles on any kitchen counter and the five rubber feet eliminate sliding. Additionally the three minute auto-turnoff feature ensures that you will never again lose your measurement in the middle of your recipe prep!

For Weight Loss Goals / Disease Management – The Precision Pro is ultra accurate, precise to .05 ounce / 1 gram increments and perfect for calorie or carbohydrate counting. The scale now includes a FREE EatSmart Calorie Factors book for easy calorie counting (simply multiply the grams of food by the calorie factor in the book)! Stop guessing about portion sizes and start living a healthier lifestyle today.

Best of all, the Precision Pro’s economical price makes it a phenomenal value as well.

Available on Amazon

Moomette’s Magnificents is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of an EatSmart Weight Loss Package of an EatSmart™ Precision Digital Bathroom Scale w/ Extra Large Backlit 3.5
and EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale.

To Enter Visit: EatSmart Weight Loss Package Scale Set Giveaway

Contents Ends: November 14, 2010

A New You in a New Year | Best Stress Relief | Laughter and Health | is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. How and Why to Not Let Retirement Stress You Out
2. Laughter Medicine Can Improve Family And Personal Relationships
3. Fun in the Snow the New England Way Lyman Orchards – Winterfest Connecticut

Come join the blog hop where you’ll meet some wonderful bloggers from New England.  You’ll find groups of Work-at-Home Moms, Baby Boomers, SAHM, Grams, Review, Giveaway, Crafting and Jewelry designers, Coupon & Frugal writers who are as diverse as the states comprised of the 6 original Colonies known as “New England.”

Welcome to New England and Connecticut, Land of Steady Habits

You Know You’re From New England When:

• You’ve worn shorts and a parka at the same time

• You’ve been to Cape Cod

• You consider 65 degree ocean water “warm”

• You have switched from “heat” to “A/C” in the same day and back again

• There are 25 Dunkin’ Donuts within 20 minutes of your house

• You have ever missed school due to “Mud”

• You get mad when people assume New York is part of New England

• Sox-Yankees games are a life and death matter

It’s all true …

I’d like to thank Thoughts from an Evil Overload for hosting this blog hop. When I first came across Elizabeth’s blog I was over-joyed to realize that there were so many diverse bloggers in New England!

I have a special GIVEAWAY here just for Visiting My Blog today, so be sure to read to the end!

Today I’ll be introducing you to other New England bloggers – we’re such friendly folk! Make sure to visit the Linky!

On my journey visiting the extensive list, my eye was immediately drawn to The Cape Cod Rambling Rose.

Over the years our family has spent a tremendous amount of time on the Cape, and it’s probably one of my most favorite places to visit.  We even considered for awhile buying a second home in the Eastham – Wellfleet area.

Louise, the author of Cape Cod Rambling Rose,  considers herself a “washashore,” but her husband’s family has been on the Cape since 1623! When she isn’t busy tending to her 4 young school-age children, Louise shares her daily routine on the Cape through beautiful photographic images. She also enjoys volunteering, beach walks and offering magnificent beach~inspired jewelry, vintage embellished journals and albums, as well as romantic homegoods for her Etsy shop, Cape Cod Cupboard. When you visit her, please be sure to let her know that Cindi sent you from the New England Bloggers Blog Hop!

Visit at: Cape Cod Rambling Rose

I’m Cindi, a Baby-Boomer wife, mom of 2 grown daughters, 2 grandchildren & hail from New England.

Now do you want to know more about me? Read my 101 Random Things About Me post where I spill all the sordid details on the Baby Boomer Grandmom behind this blog!

You’ll see from my Featured Content Gallery on my home page that I’m a big cheerleader for our neck of the woods on the East Coast – in my Meme section I like to feature scenic photography shots from some of my family road trips.

I’ve posted so many, but these are among my favorites:

• Salt Marsh at the mouth of the Connecticut River

• Fall Splender on Main Street

• Connecticut Scarecrows at Halloween

• Shade Tobacco Farm Barns

• Family Fun at Local County Fairs

Be sure to visit and don’t miss my posts on  leaf-peeping season in Ogunquit, Maine and Vermont Mountains in winter, if only for the photography!

I offer Product Reviews from the perspective of a “Baby Boomer Grandmom Who’s Been Around the Block.” Don’t forget to check the tabs up above, and my sidebar where I have my favorite Best of 2009 articles, along with Blogging Tips, Social Media posts and Work-At-Home posts – all in one easy-to-find spot!

I’m also the author of Frugal New England Kitchen, for old-fashioned comfort food recipes, coupons, kitchen tips, reviews and giveaways.

At Great Finds and Giveaways, which I just launched last week, you can enter for a chance to win a Keurig B60 Special Edition System Brewing System!  Who can’t use a good cuppa Joe on a cold New England winter’s night?

You’ll also be able to add and promote your Giveaway Linky to my Master List!

Subscribe to my newsletter or in a reader if you like what you see!

You can connect with me at:

Twitter: @Moomettes
Facebook: Moomette’s Magnificents

Visit my New England lenses:

Where to Shop for New England Comfort Food

Old-Fashion New England Yankee Recipes and Cooking

I’m so happy you stopped by ~ Whether you’re a regular reader or visiting for the first time, introduce yourself and be sure to leave me a comment so I’ll return the visit & get to know you! Leave your Twitter name in the fill-in box and I’ll be sure to give you a shout-out for visiting!

One last Goodie before you go!

Moomette’s Magnificents is hosting my own Giveaway Contest for more party fun! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a Simple Pleasures Coconut & Sugar Cane travel set.

You’ll be getting:

1) Hand Lotion-2 fl.oz.
2) Shower Gel-2 fl.oz.
3) Body Mist-2 fl.oz.
4) Body Lotion-2 fl.oz.

All 4 of these products come in it’s own mesh zippered bag. Fits perfectly into any small space in your suitcase and they’re all just the right size for travel or a weekend getaway!

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information is necessary in order to send your prize.

Main Rule: (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Leave a comment on a non-giveaway post on my blog! (please leave the title of the post in a separate comment)

*Open to USA and Canada Only

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

This contest will run until July 1, 2010  at 11:00 pm. EDT

Thanks for visiting and please stop by again and Visit my New England friends on this Blog Hop!!

A New You in a New Year | Best Stress Relief | Laughter and Health | is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. How and Why to Not Let Retirement Stress You Out
2. Laughter Medicine Can Improve Family And Personal Relationships
3. Fun in the Snow the New England Way Lyman Orchards – Winterfest Connecticut

Recipes for a Happy (If Disorderly) Life

I was recently offered the opportunity to read Suzanne Beecher’s Muffins and Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy – if Disorderly – Life (Touchstone).  This delightful book makes it debut this June 2010.

If you’re a regular reader, you know that I always wanted to be a librarian.  One of my favorite things to do is visit independently owned bookstores and poke through the stacks.  My favorite place to get to several times a year is The Book Barn, in Niantic, CT.

Over the years I’ve had to clean out several homes of family relatives – and was always drawn to the handwritten recipes tucked away in cardboard boxes and such.  I’m finding that I take comfort in trying to relive memories of favorite childhood recipes by trying to replicate comfort food for myself. For that reason, the chapter “I Miss My Mother” perhaps affected me the most.

The author has owned a restaurant, founded and published a business magazine, established a non-profit program to feed the homeless, and home-schooled her youngest son.  This busy lady also writes a daily column for DearReader.com.

Muffins and Mayhem was inspired by a reader who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and was wondering how to leave a legacy to her children.  Suzanne suggested a recipe box filled with memories and family stories.  Helping this reader turned out to be a gift to Suzanne as well, and she decided to share the stories and recipes that help keep her grounded in today’s unpredictable world.

Put this thought-provoking book on your summer reading list!

Then bake up some of Suzanne’s blueberry muffins, pour a tall glass of iced tea or sweet tea and take some time to savor the days when all food was slow food and people came together to enrich the quality of eachother’s lives.

Suzanne has also launched a site in conjunction with the release of this new book.  Visitors can create their very own Cookbook of Memories and also sign up to receive a free, personalized and autographed bookplate from the author.

Available on: Amazon

• Hardcover: 233 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone (June 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439112878
• ISBN-13: 978-1439112878
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches

For More Information Visit: Muffins and Mayhem

Moomette’s Magnificents is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a copy of Muffins and Mayhem, along with an apron!

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Muffins and Mayhem and leave a comment about another fact that wasn’t mentioned in this post.

~ One Extra Entry: Become a Moomette’s Magnificents Facebook Fan and leave a comment on our wall with your thoughts on this giveaway.

~ One Extra Entry: Click the “Like” button on this post and leave your name in a separate comment

~ One Extra Entry: Follow and Rank Moomette’s Magnificents on Networked Blogs (right sidebar) and leave your name in a separate comment.

~ One Extra Entry: Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect (sidebar)

~One Extra Entry: Tweet this giveaway and post the link in your comment- (may do this daily) 1 extra/day (50 Followers minimum to qualify for extra entry)

copy and paste to tweet

This contest will run until June 17, 2010 at 11:00 pm. EDT

For Additional Entries & info check out my Contest Entry Rules.

A New You in a New Year | Best Stress Relief | Laughter and Health | is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. How and Why to Not Let Retirement Stress You Out
2. Laughter Medicine Can Improve Family And Personal Relationships
3. Fun in the Snow the New England Way Lyman Orchards – Winterfest Connecticut

If you’re not familiar with how a Blog Party works, you can read about it in my post HERE.

Come join the party, meet some new Work-at-Home Moms, Baby Boomer Grams, SAHMs, Craft Bloggers, Coupon & Frugal bloggers  & also have a chance to Win some great swag as well.   Make sure to check out my Giveaway Prize on 5M4M, and also the Giveaway I have here just for Visiting My Blog today!

Welcome!

I’m Cindi, a Baby-Boomer wife, mom of 2 grown daughters, 2 grandchildren & hail from New England.

Want to know more about me? Read my 101 Random Things About Me post where I spill all the sordid details on the Baby Boomer Grandmom behind this blog!

I offer Product Reviews from the perspective of a “Baby Boomer Grandmom Who’s Been Around the Block.” Don’t forget to check the tabs up above, and my sidebar where I have my favorite Best of 2009 articles, along with Blogging Tips, Social Media posts and Work-At-Home posts – all in one easy-to-find spot!

Subscribe to my newsletter or in a reader if you like what you see!

You can connect with me at:

Twitter: @Moomettes
Facebook: Moomette’s Magnificents

I’ve joined the party and will be donating a Magnificent new cookbook – How to Roast a Lamb: New Greek Classic Cooking (Hachette Publishing) by Michael Psilakis (who’s been referred to as the “Greek-American Mario Batali.“

There are so many cool prizes to be won at this year’s Ultimate Blog Party, but my top three picks would be:

• A $100 gift eCertificate to Restaurant.com

• Provided by: Ernest Parenting

• Full-Size Authentic Scentsy Warmer and 3 wax scents!

• Provided by: Mrs. Marine

• $100 gift certificate to Kay Jewelers

• Provided by:An Unpink Life

And if my top three picks are already chosen, I’d love any of the following (in order of preference): US#1, US#3, US#19, or USC#15, USC#39, USC#95, USC#97, or any prizes that would be appropriate for a 4 year old girl and 2 year old boy (my grandkids!) or moi, for a change!

I’m so happy you stopped by ~ Whether you’re a regular reader or visiting for the first time, introduce yourself and be sure  to leave me a comment so I’ll return the visit & get to know you! Leave your Twitter name in the fill-in box and I’ll be sure to give you a shout-out for visiting!

Want to have more fun?  Click the banner button at the bottom of this post for a Random Article!

What’s a party without food? As promised, I said I’d have the buffet and libations set out and waiting for you!

Layered Spinach Salad

This is one of my favorites from when I belonged to the Junior Woman’s Club, where I was a board member Recording Secretary.  As a fundraiser, we put together a cookbook, and this recipe was very popular.  It’s a great healthy salad that’s quick and easy to prepare. Make it ahead of time, and let set-up in the refrigerator overnight.  The flavors just meld together and it’s always a big hit  at all those summer picnics, pool parties and Memorial Day gatherings!

Ingredients:

1 lb     spinach, stemmed and torn
1/2 lb  bacon, crumbled
6        hard cooked eggs, crumbled
1   iceburg lettuce head, torn
1        box frozen peas, thawed but uncooked
dash   salt, pepper and sugar
1 Bermuda onion (medium), sliced thin

Dressing Mix:
2 c.   mayonnaise
1 c.  sour cream
1      Good Seasons Italian Dressing envelope

Preparation:

Layer in this order: spinach salt pepper bacon eggs iceburg lettuce peas sugar salt pepper onion

Frosting:
mayonnaise sour cream dressing mix. Garnish with
strips of swiss cheese. (optional)

Cover and refrigerate OVERNIGHT.  This is a must.  This looks so pretty served in a glass bowl.

For more great recipes visit me at the Frugal New England Kitchen.

One last Goodie before you go!

Moomette’s Magnificents is hosting my own  Giveaway Contest for more party fun!   For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a children’s cookbook – Bean Appetit: Hip and Healthy Ways to Have Fun with Food

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information is necessary in order to send your prize.

Main Rule: (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Leave a comment on a non-giveaway post on my blog! (please leave the title of the post in a separate comment)

*Open to USA and Canada Only

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

This contest will run until April 16, 2010 at 11:00 pm. EDT

Thanks for visiting and please stop by again!

A New You in a New Year | Best Stress Relief | Laughter and Health | is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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2. Laughter Medicine Can Improve Family And Personal Relationships
3. Fun in the Snow the New England Way Lyman Orchards – Winterfest Connecticut

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!  Will be enjoying corned beef and cabbage for dinner with the family at night, along with my homemade famous Irish Soda Bread!

There’s a dear little plant that grows in our isle,

‘Twas St. Patrick himself, sure, that sets it;

And the sun of his labor with pleasure did smile,

And with dew from his eye often wet it.

It grows through the bog, through the brake, through the mireland,

And they call it the dear little Shamrock of Ireland.

Don’t forget to sign the Linky!

A New You in a New Year | Best Stress Relief | Laughter and Health | is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. How and Why to Not Let Retirement Stress You Out
2. Laughter Medicine Can Improve Family And Personal Relationships
3. Fun in the Snow the New England Way Lyman Orchards – Winterfest Connecticut

Moomettesgram’s Favorite Recipes is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be two (2) winners of two (2) bottles of Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce!

Enter HERE at Moomettesgram’s Favorite Recipes ,  Mar 2010

A New You in a New Year | Best Stress Relief | Laughter and Health | is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. How and Why to Not Let Retirement Stress You Out
2. Laughter Medicine Can Improve Family And Personal Relationships
3. Fun in the Snow the New England Way Lyman Orchards – Winterfest Connecticut