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

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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

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

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1. How and Why to Not Let Retirement Stress You Out
2. Laughter Medicine Can Improve Family And Personal Relationships
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Fairs In September

For the last several weekends in a row, my family has visited quite a few local fairs.  We’ve been to the Farm Day Festival, Haddam Neck Fair and The Big E in Massachusetts,  (Eastern States Exposition.)

Owned and operated by the Durham Agricultural Fair Association, Inc., the Durham Fair is the largest fair in North America managed entirely by unpaid volunteers.

My Hubby and I have been going to the Durham Fair since even before my own kids were born, and now it’s an annual event with the whole family, especially the grandchildren!

It was an extremely hot day today, especially humid for this time of year in Connecticut.  You would think it was Mud Season in Vermont because it had been raining for the last several days, and many of the fields that normally allow parking just ripe for muddin’ !

Despite the heat, we enjoyed the live entertainment, rides and games on the Carnival Midway.  There were first-class animal competitions and discovery events on the Corn Stalk Stage, along with my favorites, the crafts, exhibits, shopping and fun food. Yummy!  We always try to eat at civic organization booths, and ate at the Lions Club booth.  We sat under a tent for shade with plenty of picnic tables, and a live guitarist playing Folk Music.  The cheeseburgers were huge and tasty, along with the foot-long hotdogs, and fresh apple cider from Lyman Orchards.  We decided that next year, we’re going to try one of the chicken barbeque dinners that several of the church groups put on.

We walked through the permanent buildings housing the displays of award-winning baked goods, gingerbread houses, canned vegetables, jams and jellies.  There were also floral arrangements, and vintage agricultural antique farm machinery.

Slugger and his sister enjoyed climbing on the John Deere tractors!

If you choose to leave the fairgrounds early, you can return by getting your hand stamped as the live entertainment on the main stage for the weekend included KC and the Sunshine Band; Blues Traveler and Steel Magnolia.

The first fair in 1916 was held entirely on the Durham Town Green but now is spread over 45 adjacent acres of farmland, and there are many permanent structures.  What was once a local event now has turned into the largest of its kind in Connecticut.

For the kids who live in the Durham area, Opening Day is like a major holiday, and they get a half-day off from school!  The first fair drew about 2,000 people mainly from Durham and the surrounding towns but now, if the weather is good the fair may draw over 200,000 people from all over Connecticut and surrounding states.

The Durham Fair remains 100% volunteer run and a true agricultural fair, contributing academic scholarships and charitable donations totaling over $50,000 through the work of the Durham Fair Foundation.

Scenes from the Durham Fair

[Show as slideshow]

Put the Durham Fair on your list of things to do in Connecticut if you’re looking for good old-fashioned family fun!

For More Information visit:  www.durhamfair.com

Do you have a family and kid-friendly attraction, lodging, restaurant or event that you would like me to visit, write about and feature? To forward information and passes please Contact me.

© 2011 Moomettes Magnificents

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

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1. How and Why to Not Let Retirement Stress You Out
2. Laughter Medicine Can Improve Family And Personal Relationships
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During the Summer and Fall seasons here in New England it’s always a treat to shop at the local family-owned vegetable farm produce stands.

Fresh sweet corn season won’t be around too much longer!

To keep the economy going I like to support homegrown businesses in my area.

Many of the stands even have printouts of their favorite recipes for you to take home to try!

This is the Eddy Family farm stand in Newington, CT.

If you also have a Wordless Wednesday, please sign the Linky!

© 2011 Moomettes Magnificents

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

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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

With the first signs of spring evident in the budding trees, longer days, and warmer air, many of us begin planning summer vacations, trips to the beach, and looking forward to spending time outdoors.  These signs call to mind the start of bathing suit season, which can be daunting after a long, cold winter indoors, indulging in heavy foods and drink.

New England Lobster Canapes

Here’s one of my favorite appetizer ideas for lobster canape recipes made with Old London melba toast that we like to serve in New England.  Whether served on the terrace, Great Gatsby style, or poolside on your deck or patio, it’s magnificent in the summer, but can be served all year long too!

Lobster Canape

3 Tbl. butter
1/2 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg yolk
3 Tbl. dry sherry
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1-1/2 c. cooked lobster meat or crab meat, finely chopped
48 1-1/2 inch to 2 in. rounds toasted bread, or Old London Melba Toast

1.  Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2.  Cream the butter and cheese together.  Stir in the egg yolk, sherry, cayenne and Worcestershire.  Add the lobster and mix well.
3.  Place a spoonful of the lobster mixture on each toast round.  Place on a baking sheet and bake 5 minutes.

Yield:  4 dozen

Adapted from The New York Times New England Heritage Cookbook

Visit: Old London Foods on Facebook

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Old London and received product samples and a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

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

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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

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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

Maple Sugaring Weekends Event

Rochester Museum & Science Center

                         
Title: 33^rd Annual Maple Sugaring Weekends Event at the Rochester Museum & Science Center Cumming Nature Center Approaches

Location: 6472 Gulick Road, Naples, NY 14512

Phone: (585)374-6160 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (585)374-6160      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Dates/Times: 9am-3pm, March 19-20 and 26-27

Admission/Costs: Various (see below)

Detailed Information: www.rmsc.org; Facebook; Twitter (@rocRMSC)

33^rd Annual Maple Sugaring Weekends Event at the Rochester Museum & Science Center Cumming Nature Center Approaches

Rochester, N.Y. —Maple Sugaring Weekends, a springtime tradition for many Western New York families, returns for a 33^rd season the last two weekends in March at the Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) Cumming Nature Center (CNC). A volunteer driven event, Maple Sugaring helps maintain CNC operations.

“Maple Sugaring has been a complete volunteer effort the past several years, and a huge contributor to the success of the Cumming Nature Center,” said Dave Gotham, Director, CNC. “We’re happy to help community members create, or further, a tradition that involves family, friends, all-natural food and fresh air.”

Volunteers handle everything from parking logistics to pancake meal preparation. It’s truly a team effort for the nature center’s major annual fundraising event.

Saturday and Sunday, March 19-20 and 26-27 are this year’s event dates. Program details include:

• Sugaring demonstrations, which take place from 10am-3pm.
• Pancake meals, which are served from 9am-2pm. All meals include pure maple syrup and a choice of beverage.

Pancake Meal Cost (includes nature center admission):

• Adult meal (5 pancakes + 2 sausages): $10; RMSC members $9
• Child meal (3 pancakes + 1 sausage): $8; RMSC members $7

Program admission without the pancake meal is $3 per person (maximum $10 per family).

Dave Gotham serves as the sugar maker (the person who turns the sap into pure maple syrup), and has been since the Cumming Nature Center’s sugaring program began in March of 1979. Sugaring processes are demonstrated through tactics used by the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), 1790s pioneers, as well as modern sugaring operations.

For the past several years, students from local colleges and high schools as well as adult volunteers have acted as program interpreters along the trail to the sugarhouse. To prepare, they spend a day at the CNC learning maple sugaring lore, from how a tree makes sap to the different processing techniques of Native Americans, early pioneers, and today’s modern sugar bush managers. Over the course of two weekends, 25–30 volunteers can explain such things as what part of the tree contains sap, how to tap a tree, and how much sap (40 gallons!) is required to produce one gallon of syrup. From 10am-3pm on Sunday, March 20, The Western New York Maple Princess, Emily Piazza, will help with demonstrations.  Emily is an 8^th grader from Wayne County and represents 17 counties.

NYS Senator Dale M. Volker provides funding for maintenance of Cumming Nature Center’s five thematic trails.

Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) receives major funding from Monroe County. RMSC includes a planetarium, nature center and science/regional history museum. The Rochester Museum & Science Center stimulates broad community interest and understanding of science and technology, and their impact—past, present, future—on our lives. For more information about RMSC, visit www.rmsc.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@rocRMSC).

###

657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY   14607-2177

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Issued February 14, 2011

Marketing/Community Affairs: (585)697-1944

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

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Hormel Compleats are meal solutions that allow modern moms to have a satisfying lunchtime meal with quality meats and vegetables, in minutes. Quality single serve meals that don’t need to be frozen or refrigerated, Hormel  Compleats go from a working mom’s desk drawer to delicious in 90 seconds. Since Hormel Compleats never need to be refrigerated, she can slip an entire delicious roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy lunch into her purse for the car ride (or subway!) to work.

The “contemporary modern mom” has always been overstretched in a multitude of different directions. She’s been coping with that since the feminist movement of the 60’s.

I should know – I was part of that generation and still am a 9 to 5 working girl today. I’ve worn many hats – young wife; young mom; caregiver to an elderly grandmom who lived to be 101; mom of adult children and now, grandmother.

But in the wired world of today, the sandwich generation mom has many ways of balancing extended family, her career, and her own needs for personal fulfillment. She’s a maven of social media, a multimedia siren, and a warrior of the workforce. She’s an accomplished woman. She gets gratification from her from her influence, her friends and supporters, and her own individual pursuits. And she takes pride in attending to her family. When they’re happy, she’s blissful. She knows that meals are a large part of assuring that her family content, but she doesn’t always have the time to cook something fancy. This modern multitasking marvel can’t allow meals be a source of tension and stress.

She knows where to find the proper recipe from the internet, how to snag the right ingredients on the way home, and how to put together a nutritious, choice meal while texting and recording her favorite show for her allotted leisure time. And when it concerns grabbing lunch at the office or home office, she holds herself to the same high standards for nutrition and quality.

.

Hormel Compleats

Right now Hormel is having a Life Better Served contest promoting Hormel Compleats. In general, there are 3 ways to win :

1) Submit a video, have your video chosen by Hormel as one of the best

2) Submit a video, get the greatest amount of votes from the Zooppa community

3) Share a contest video, or share the contest brief (by clicking “share” in the toolbar on the Zooppa site) with at least 5 people, and you’re eligible for a $3,000 sweepstakes drawing.

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

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TABASCO® Original Red isn’t just about heat for heat’s sake. It’s virtually what heat does to the seasoning of food. The ultimate combination of salt, red pepper, and vinegar are honed in a 3-year aging process that creates a hot sauce with the uncanny power to bring the best out of your food. Other hot sauces add their own particular flavor to food, while TABASCO® Original Red merely enhances the flavor of food.

First ushered in by the McIlhenny family back in 1868, Original Red remains to be their most popular sauce of 6 total sauces.

Original Red can be used on a multitude of foods.  Try it and see how it enhances the flavor of pizza, fritattas, salad dressing, mac and cheese, or good old-fashion eggs and hash! The possibilities are endless!

A popular recipe of ours is crockpot South of the Border Chicken Corn Tortillas.  Since it’s football season and the Super Bowl is right around the corner, make a double batch in the crockpot and use TABASCO® Original Red to also make homemade Chicken Pizza which will become a game day tradition!

TABASCO® Original Red is “So Much More Than Hot.”  TABASCO® Original Red unlocks or enhances the flavor of food so you can get the best of every bite.

Super Bowl Party Food

TABASCO® Original Red is “So Much More Than Hot.”  TABASCO® Original Red unlocks or enhances the flavor of food so you can get the best of every bite.

South of the Border Chicken Corn Tortillas

What You Need:

3 T canola oil
4 lg. chicken breast
1 (19 oz) can of enchilada sauce
2 (11 oz) cans cream of chicken soup
1 (4.25 oz) can black olives, sliced
2 dozen corn tortillas
1 lg. onion, chopped
1 (8 oz) pkg. taco style cheese
2 T TABASCO® Original Red

How to Make It:

Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the oil.
Once the oil is heated add the chicken.
Cook about 5 minutes per side.
Remove and allow to cool.
Once the chicken has cooled it can be shredded.
Cut the tortillas into 8 wedges per tortilla.
In a large mixing bowl combine the soup, olives and onions.
Begin layering in the crock pot with the enchilada sauce on the bottom.
Then add the tortillas, soup, chicken and the cheese in that order.
Continue layering in that order to the top being sure to end with the cheese.
Cover and cook on low temperature 7 hours.

Tip: This is best served in a bowl and topped with sour cream or guacamole.

Be sure to check out the Game-Day Party Menu for some simple ideas & recipes for food everyone loves!

For more Super Bowl Party Pizza ideas visit the Pizza Perfected TABASCO® Original Red page.

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

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1. How and Why to Not Let Retirement Stress You Out
2. Laughter Medicine Can Improve Family And Personal Relationships
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Healthy After-School Snack Recipes

Pick up some recipe ideas for Super Bowl Sunday!  Even if you don’t really follow football that closely or even at all – almost everyone celebrates the Superbowl. There’s fun for everyone, like new and silly commercials, over the top pre-game and half time entertainment shows, and of course, the excuse to have a party, eat, drink and be merry.

Be creative and submit your own healthy party food and after-school snack recipes!

You can find out more at Frugal New England Kitchen. I’ll be entering the contest by submitting my own recipes for snacks and party foods that my family enjoys and so be sure to visit so you won’t miss out on a chance to Win a Walmart Gift Gard from the Salsa Sensations “What’s Your Craving” contest.

© 2011 C. Matthews

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