Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Where do we go to Eat?
But besides the fish... we do have a few places in the Upper & Middle Keys for organic/vegan eating choices, although some are far & few between. One great place in Key Largo is Eco Eats. They create really delicious wraps full of chicken, fish, veggies that are large but not overly filling. I enjoy going to this small restaurant whenever I'm up in that area. I believe they're opening another (smaller) location at Froggy's, the local gym, in Tavernier.
On Big Pine Key, there's the Good Food Conspiracy! Wish we had one of these up in the Upper Keys! They combine health & organic food, organic products, good-for-you products, and a snack bar with awesome smoothies and cookies made by Deer Run (a Green Lodging B&B nearby-link is to the right). This is a definite stop on your way to Key West, and be sure to make time to visit The Crystal Loft next door for beautiful crystal gifts for yourself! :-D
There's a new health food store in Marathon, Food for Thought... I'll touch on this at a later date (after I've had a chance to visit & sample)! Sure wish a health food store w/organic snack bar would open in Islamorada! It would make eating so much easier & healthful!! :-D
If you're looking for a location somewhere else in the U.S., a great online source of vegan/organic restaurants is Happy Cow. I've tried some of the restaurants recommended while travelling and it's been an enjoyable eating experience!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Some *new* soap...
She's also made some new guest & bar soaps for the Christmas holidays... I decided to try the guest soaps. My order is sitting at the post office presently... I'll pick it up tomorrow, and let you know how wonderful the *new* scents are!! '-D
I forgot that she also has a new Chocolate soap available also. I can't imagine using a "chocolate" soap, but if you love chocolate... you'll probably love this soap too!
See: Handcrafted by Jackie Turbot
Note: The Pomegranate Mango is absolutely delightfully sparkling! :-D It gives a wonderful lift to your morning shower! The Christmas Memories soap is also very nice... I'm looking forward to receiving the larger bars for the holidays this month!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
What a GREAT Weekend!!
I don't think we stopped again until we got to our B&B, Courtney's Place, in KW. What a wonderful B&B... GREAT breakfasts -- in fact, I think they had the most incredibly large continental breakfast I've ever seen! All kinds of wonderful & spoiling danish (time to go back on my diet!), cereals-hot & cold, french toast/waffles, bagels/rolls/bread, h-b eggs, yogurt... Wow! I LOVE breakfasts... as if you couldn't tell! '-D LOL
The room we were in was fabulous... two queen size beds side by side (hard to find in KW)... and VERY VERY thick!! I know we both slept deeply on those beds! They also had bikes to rent at 1/2 the price of the rental bike companies. On Saturday, we biked & saw as much as we could on those bicycles... and they didn't have any gears either, so you can bet that all the walking up the stairs I've been doing (to/from my new apt.) has helped my legs be in shape for THAT bike!! :-D LOL
On Friday night we decided to do the Ghost Tour! I've been wanting to do this for a long time, and finally got the chance! I haven't checked my phone camera yet to see if there are any ghost sitings on the pics. On Saturday, we started out at the Hemingway House, then... Lighthouse Museum, Southernmost Point (got a pic of Jeanne during a major downpour that lasted a good 20 min!), lunch at Camille's on Simonton St. (we were definitely very WET rats when we got there! LOL) which was really very delicious, West Martello Fort which is now the Key West Garden Club, Higgs Beach, Butterfly & Nature Conservatory... THEN we went back to the room thinking we were going for a swim before we went to see the cloudy sunset @ Mallory's dock (I wonder who Mallory was... do you know?). No swim... no time! Showers and new clothes then back on the bikes to Mallory's dock... as I mentioned it was quite cloudy, so we didn't get to see a good sunset. Oh well... then on to Turtle Kraals at the Seaport for dinner. They have THE MOST WONDERFUL Pork platter dinner! If you LOVE Pork as I do, you'll love eating it there... with a choice of 5 different sauces! YUM!
We rode our bikes back up Duval... it was wonderful, I had a dress on... it was so much fun to ride a bike with a dress on! :-D I felt so happy & free!! LOL Anyway, I wanted to buy a few things at Fresh Produce but they appeared to be closed early, rather unusual for a Saturday night we thought. But had to stop at Mattheson's for a choc. chip cookie & an oatmeal cookie, treating Jeanne to a choc. chip macadamia cookie as well! This is a tradition for me (buying the 2 cookies). :-) Then back on our bicycles to the B&B... it was so nice & cool & windy after the rain storms in the afternoon. Our cold front finally arrived... it lasted only about 2 days. Hope it's a preview of what's to come in January! :-D
As I mentioned... we slept VERY WELL with all the activities we participated in on Friday & Saturday! We left early (about 9:30a) on Sunday... I had to work that afternoon. It took us longer than I anticipated... almost 2 hours to get back home; there wasn't much traffic, so I don't know why it took so long! But of course we had to stop on Big Pine Key again and get some Key Lime Pie on a Stick... EVIL, EVIL, EVIL!! :-D And then I drove down Long Beach Road to see some more Key Deer... mostly females.
What a wonderful weekend it was with her!! We're already planning to go away together on our 55th birthdays... maybe Europe, maybe So. America! :-D
See: Keys Fisheries, Key Deer, Courtney's Place B&B, Ghost Tour, Hemingway House, Lighthouse Museum, Southernmost Point, Camille's, West Martello/Key West Garden Club, Butterfly & Nature Conservancy, Mallory's Dock, Turtle Kraals, Matheson's.
Monday, October 12, 2009
It's Time...
We're planning to spend the weekend in Key West... snorkeling, discovering, museuming, eating, walking, catching up, celebrating (that should really be first!), etc.! She's visited me just about everywhere I lived (except for Atlanta), and she's never been down here to the Keys, time to show it off! :-D
We're staying in a B&B I've never stayed at, but then again there's A LOT of B&B's I haven't stayed at in KW yet! I would have liked to stay near the Seaport, but it wasn't meant to be. This time we'll be in the vicinity of Hemingway's House. Something different... '-) There's a wonderful restaurant on that side of town called "7 Fish"!! It has WONDERFUL food! The last meal I had there was absolutely exquisite... and it's not fancy nor crowded. It's small & intimate. I definitely recommend it! '-D
Well, wish us LOTS of Fun this weekend!! :-D
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Litter Pick-up...
Then I was thinking that with all the beer cans that are purchased & emptied there, we could fill a huge can (if not more) with all these wonderful recyclable items! I have to work on this with the boss! '-)
So many places could be clean & green if we would all pitch in & pick up the garbage!! :-D
I don't have much to report about any new products... I'm still using Shakleen cleaning products as well as the Green Works line (by Clorox) for other cleaning; I like these two product lines the best. :-D
Saturday, September 26, 2009
On the Move & Cleaning Up...
Recently, while taking a break from packing (it seems like that's all I do lately is pack & work, work & pack)... I took my usual bike ride down to the park, stopped on the jetty for a 1/2 hour to enjoy the sun, listen to the wonderful sound of the water rolling up onto the rocky shore, do a chakra clearing... then continue my bike ride down the path. A few WEEKS ago the water was so high and coming onto the land past the barriers they installed (moreso to keep people off the coral I think than to prevent the water from coming onto land :-D), and of course, LOTS & LOTS of trash rolled in as well. Do you know that that trash stayed there for several weeks... people would just bicycle/run/walk/picnic by it but nobody would stop and pick it up!! I guess you can tell this is a "pet peeve" for me. I can honestly say that there are 3 other neighbors who make an effort at cleaning up this park. Three neighbors out of possibly over 200 houses in this development! :-/
So as I rode my bicycle past, I noticed there was a blue fishing bucket that was sitting there amongst the trash. How convenient that this bucket was here ... for me/us to collect the trash in this bucket to put in the trash can. I got off my bike and started to pick up the trash... I filled 1-1/2 trash cans full of ocean trash and there was still more!! But I felt like I did my share of taking care of God's land... he gave us this land and waters to take care of. It felt good to clean it up... I wonder if anybody helped to clean up the rest of it. The most interesting find this time? A ping pong ball! :-D LOL
So how is it that a person who is busy moving out of the development has time to stop and clean up the park so that everyone else can enjoy it? So many other people need to take time to notice their surroundings more and not think that "somebody else" is going to always do it. We're all in this together. I have considered writing a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper about this... but I don't have time... I'm moving!! '-) And I'd rather pick up the trash! :-) It makes ME feel good about it... and that's what counts. '-) Hope you do the same!
I guess I have to add here also that I volunteered to clean up the small stretch of beach at the resort I work at. I talked with the timeshare manager and he said they had to cut back on personnel who would normally do it and "what comes in with the ocean, can roll back out with the ocean". I did my :-/ face and said I would clean the beach... in my spare time. I can only imagine what kind of a message is sent to the resort visitors when they stroll amongst the seaweed & garbage (as well as a LARGE tarp). A little volunteering can make it a nice, enjoyable place for everyone! '-)
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Cleaning Up...
It was explained to me that the county is understaffed to pick up the garbage that rolls in from the ocean... so neighborhood volunteers pick up the trash. Yesterday my bike developed a flat while at the park, and lately there's a lot of foreigners (outside of Miami) visiting the Keys (this is the time for them... Sept./Oct. must be REALLY RAINY over there now!). So I just felt the trash was rather unsightly and I started picking it up and putting it all into a pile. A young visiting boy said hello to me while I was doing it. Hopefully it stuck in his mind to do this himself at some point in time! '-D I read something somewhere about "courtesy", and if you see something that fell on the ground, don't walk around it... pick it up!! It makes me feel good to give back to the county and to the visitors who visit our chain of islands, AND to the neighbors (like myself) to enjoy our beautiful park! :-D I also noticed that there are specific "groups" (noted on a sign) that are supposed to be helping to keep the park clean... I don't know that they exist anymore. It would be great if some local groups adopted it since it IS such a big park!
I've always wanted to be involved with ocean clean-ups, i.e., when dives are scheduled to specifically clean up under the water. There can be a lot of junk while diving underwater like glass bottles (there they are!), rope/line, fishing line, hooks, weights... all kinds of harmful stuff! A few years ago while diving in the Bay, I found a crab with a lot of fishing line wrapped all around it. I felt like I was performing surgery on the poor thing, cutting all of it off, freeing him to move around more easily... it made me feel SO GOOD to send him on his way free of all that line! '-D
Tonight I went for another walk, this time down the end of my street (the first time earlier was to the park - remember I have a flat tire). My street seems to go a bit farther down than the other streets, or so it seems. Anyway, down at the end is a place to put a kayak in and paddle around a small lake, Dove Lake I think. Kids/couples go down there for "other" things as well! People fish there too... and I heard recently that there's a salt water crocodile resting in there -- so you won't find ME there!! :-O Anyway... as you can well imagine, people like to leave their their trash: beer bottles, fast food containers, etc. and there's no garbage can. Some day when I have nothing better to do (like when?) I'll go down and clean it up and LEAVE a trash can there! I'm surprised the county doesn't leave a can there... but I guess we can only expect so much!
So-o-o... what have YOU done lately to decrease the amount of litter in your area? :-)
Monday, August 10, 2009
Angels' Kisses...
There are several interesting links so far, and there's also a *free* Angel reading you can do for yourself, guidance from the Angels... it's rather accurate.
I have some angellic items to offer in the future... so as soon as I figure out HOW to post them on the blog, it will be done! :-)
I've also moved a few links over to that blog since they pertain more to Love and the Angels, and less to the "Green" life. :-)
I hope you enjoy reading my new blog... feel free to post comments on either.
Growin' Some Herbs...
What did I buy? Mint -- which has been doing rather well, believe it or not; I'll make some mint tea soon with those leaves. Another plant which is a cross between Parsley and Celery, but smells like Celery. I was fortunate to have some of this in my chicken salad one day... but that one has (just recently) unfortunately bit the dust. :-/ I thought it was "Borage", but I guess I got the name mixed up with another, 'cause borage tastes more like cucumber.
I also have some mini carrots -- they have to be the SWEETEST little carrots I have EVER tasted!! It's too bad their so tiny!! Perfect for a tiny person the size of an ant!! :-D LOL She said they should be potted in a deep pot so that they'd grow deep & long, but that hasn't happened. Maybe I'm supposed to do something else, I don't know. Maybe you know? :-)
...and English Lavender... she said this one was especially difficult to grow because of the Summer heat, but so far so good! It smells SO NICE when I run my hands through it! And believe it or not, it's holding up rather well!! I'm looking forward to drying & using in sachets maybe, or in my bath... or maybe in my food! '-D The woman who hosted the class made some sugar cookies with lavender sprinkled on top... how simple and how fun! :-D When I lived in IL back in the 90's, I had a HUGE garden full of lavender, right out in front of the house! It was wonderful... did I do anything with it, not then... just enjoyed the flowers and the scent mostly. NOW, I wish I had a garden full of lavender since I use it so much.
So, I've made it through a good part of this hot Summer with most of the plants! I'll take a picture to show... so you have a better idea! Coming real soon... '-)
Somebody recently gave me some pole bean seeds... but I'm not a bean person, so some lucky person may be receiving those from me. If you're interested, let me know! '-D
Friday, August 7, 2009
Electrical INfrequencies...
Besides the computer... it seems like I also have to replace the batteries in my digital camera a little too often as well. I just about put them in, and I have to change them again! Guess my camera isn't used to taking so many pictures... I'll share when I get them uploaded. '-)
AND my cell phone battery has decided to "bulge"... as I was told by the Verizon guy, it's not very good when your battery does this... it's from "overcharging"... it can explode if you don't replace it soon. EXPLODE?!?!? That's all I'd need... So if you can't get in touch with me, you'll know why. It's either the computer or the cellphone!
So what else is new besides the electrical issues? Not a whole lot... Guess I should be writing about "green" things... just wanted to gripe about something else! I guess it all has to do with "change"... something we're all in the midst of presently.
Have a GREAT evening!
Note: The cellphone issue has been fixed... with a new battery! :-D
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Morning Glories...
Apparently it has some medicinal properties (China) as well as hallucinogenic properties (Mexico)... but I enjoy it for it's pure beauty!
I was reminded of these beautiful flowers while on break this morning. In back of the gallery in which I work there's a fence with the morning glories' vine trailing along the top. I just noticed today also that the inside of the flower sports a "star"... sort of like a sea star! It's nice & warming to see this flower of my youth... :-)
What's your favorite flower, and why? :-)
Monday, July 6, 2009
A HOT Show...
Anyway... it was BLOODY HOT, as I like to say!! It was a trial show for the resort, they offered it *free* to Keys' artists, whoever wanted to come out and BRAVE the HOT Marina area for the whole weekend. Keys' artists don't generally do Summer shows here because it's just too hot all around; that's why many travel up to New England or the Midwest & do those shows -- it's A LOT cooler! '-D I don't know... maybe they do down in Key West, but they may be on the waterfront where it might be cooler. I believe 7 artists showed up on Saturday, and only one came back on Sunday (Gyotoku - fish prints). We did the show on Sunday... so there were only 3 of us there. We did well... made a few customers, Veronica gained a new student (thanks to me), and a possible commission (also thanks to me, I think!). I'm hoping that when I step on the scale tomorrow, it'll tell me that I lost a few pounds due to all the sweating I did that day! LOL
It was FUN to do the show... I haven't done one for several years and that was when I did the jewelry shows. I enjoy seeing customers, but I really don't enjoy all the set-up and breakdown and sweating it out. But this wasn't a bad one considering there were only 3 of us there... the odds were with us! '-)
These ring colors are popular these days:
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Fruit & Greens...
I'm a total believer that fruit & veggies are good for everyone's bodies and souls. The MORE you eat of them, the better you and your body feel in the long run. I can't say I'm a total Vegan... I DO still enjoy pork, chicken, and fish... no, correct that: I LOVE pork (couldn't NOT have it for any length of time!), but most of the time I do prefer to eat fruits & veggies, and have tried numerous times to eliminate processed foods -- it's difficult, but I limit them. Harry & David's Moose Munch isn't organic or vegan... but it sure as heck tastes great!! LOL
Anyway... Annie has her Buying Club in a variety of cities around FL, not just in the Keys. I've tried the small share initially, but found it wasn't enough fruit for me, but good on the veggies. Now I get the large share every 2 weeks (believe it or not, for one person!!), and there's plenty of fruit, but now there's TOO many veggies... but I deal with it. It's good for me and I need to eat more green veggies, so that's how I rationalize it! LOL
Annie includes lots of recipies for the veggies you receive, like kale, spinach, beets, chard. But I just found a website that has some additional recipies that are less complicated and more to my liking -- Earthbound Farm. They not only give recipies for a variety of veggies, but pictures, where it comes from, colors, etc. You'll probably learn more than you ever thought you would about kale!! :-D LOL I've never been a fan of Spinach, wondered about I guess because Popeye ate the whole can! But I just saw a really scrumptious looking recipe I can't wait to try: Spinach & Tuna Linguine -- YUM!! Check out this pic @ right. I also just printed out Orange-Glazed Beets; my Mom always used to tell me how her grandmother made her eat Beet Soup, which really never sounded good to me... so I'll try this recipe instead. '-)
I'm gettin' back into cooking again, which I really enjoy! Cooking "good for ya" stuff! So... if you want to eat more fruits & veggies... give Annie's Buying Club a try. For what you get and the price you pay... it's a STEAL!! Then visit Earthbound Farm for some awesome recipies (they also sell organic food).
Visit: Annie's Buying Club, Earthbound Farms
Monday, June 8, 2009
Natural Sunscreen for Kids...
Sometimes the higher the SPF goes, it seems like the product doesn't have enough coverage. So maybe changing our diets can/will eliminate sunscreen all together! '-)
Visit: Organic & Thrifty
Don't know if you've heard...
I've been fusing daily... and producing some rather interesting creations! Fused glass plates, sushi plates, and of course, more rings & pendants, and Glass-cast dolphins. In fact, I have a drawing this month for a "Free custom glass dolphin - winner's choice [valued up to $65]" -- read about it in the Blog on the website!
As soon as I have the pics downloaded, I'll post one or two here!
Stay tuned...
Visit: Starry Night Creations, David Mellor
Monday, May 11, 2009
Bicycling, bicycling...
Have you ever seen the two guys who bicycle up and down the highway between Key Largo & Islamorada? One guy must ride in 1st or 2nd gear (the lowest gear, greatest workout), and he always shirtless and has a basket with a box that he hunches over on. I think he rides down to Islamorada somewhere & back up north -- EVERY DAY. So that's about 40 miles per day, at least! Note: Believe it or not, I've just learned who this guy is... "Box Man" is a retired special ed. teacher who rode with a box on his bicycle (usually of fruit he purchased @ MM103)... for 25 years he's been riding his bike like this -- definitely an eccentric! ONLY in the Keys!! Then there's the other guy who was featured in the paper a little while back... he wears a blue baseball helmet. He used to ride his bike from Key Largo to Plantation Key Convalescent center where his wife used to be, but after she passed away... I think he just rides to the Tavernier Post Office now. He says "hi" to everyone he sees, and just wears that distinctive blue helmet. He's a harmless sort of fellow... but here's another guy who does about 40 miles every day ... in the HEAT no less!!
I just rode around Old Town in Key West today... 20 miles believe it or not!! And I did it in the middle of the day just like those guys do! Gosh, if I did 40 miles/day every day... I would be pretty SVELTE!! :-D LOL But then I might have to be living under the bridge or somewhere similar since I wouldn't have a job. Come to think of it, maybe some advertising company should put a sign on either one of those guys' backs as they ride up and down the highway!! LOL
I had a really enjoyable day riding in and out & up and down the streets of Old Town. My favorite streets are Elizabeth and William Streets... I just LOVE LOVE LOVE the architecture of Key West! Since it didn't seem to work out to live there several months ago, I still enjoy going there and riding around... and dreaming of living there some day. :-) I must have lived in a similar house (gingerbread or Victorian) in a past life... because I really love staying in similar type B&B's whenever I'm away.
I was interested in eating at an Organic or Vegan restaurant for lunch. Not that I'm totally Vegan, but I do eat Organic food & feel so much better when I eat healthy like that. Happy Cow pointed me to (3) different places... but twice I seemed to end up at the same place, so I decided to eat there -- Help Yourself on the corner of Fleming & Margaret Streets. Everybody seemed to be enjoying the Smoothies... but since I was riding, I felt I needed something more substantial. So I ordered a chicken salad wrap... it was GREAT -- it has bits of apples with the chicken, sort of like a Waldorf Salad wrap. There's a great place in Key Largo that makes a great one of these... Eco Eats... they're in the Office Depot shopping plaza. I learned about Healthy Cow, which is a great reference site for Vegans/Organics, through a Green Lodging B&B on Big Pine Key... Deer Run B&B. They're great - Jen & Harry! They make the most wonderful Vegan/Organic breakfasts and it's truly a relaxing paradise... along with visiting Key Deer! Great place for couples and singles who need a break from the world.
Besides doing the East side of Old Town, I went over to the West side... found myself at the courthouse then wandered beyond that to the Truman Annex -- BORING!! I went a little further south and decided that area wasn't worth pursuing since I seemed to be riding through some run down areas. Not a good area for someone like me on a bicycle, so back over I went to the other side of Truman Ave. I must have circled the Cemetary at least 4 or 5x today... and I still got confused as to which direction I was going! Thank goodness for maps!!
A nice HOT Bath is looking really good tonight! LOL So... be sure to check out bicycling Key West! There's so much MORE to see than Duval Street! So many more options of places to eat and new people to meet! '-D
General Synopsis: The next time I decide to go to Key West and do that much bicycling, I'll stay overnight! I was SO EXHAUSTED making that drive home! A-a-a-CK! Thank goodness for a stop in Marathon & a high protein smoothie... only that got me back home!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Spring Cleaning...
But before I get to the Shaklee products... I'd like to comment on Clorox Green Works. I've been using this cleaner around the house, on the walls, in the tub, and toilet. I like how effective it is... green as well as cleans (well), it's affordable, and has a nice scent too! (I've used the Original scent plus Tangerine.) It appears that other users, like the Sierra Club are also "pro" for this product, which is really a plus+. Their A-P (all purpose) Cleaner is a MAJOR PLUS in my book -- it cleans everything! The stove, the countertops, the walls... just about everywhere! A pet peeve I have about some of these "green" products is they don't list the ingredients on the label. But Green Works does! I like that; I want to know what's in something I'm using whether it be a cleanser for the home or my body (especially my body!)!
A lot of people want to "go green" but a lot of people feel that it's expensive to "go green"... and I feel Clorox Green Works is a nice, affordable way to achieve those green goals for many people. I hope they decide to come out with a Laundry Soap... '-)
Above I mentioned Shaklee's Get Clean products. They are a little pricier, but buying one bottle of Basic H2 (an A-P cleaner) and using a few DROPS mixed with a spray bottle of water to clean your house (a little more for windows), just goes to show you how LONG you will have that one bottle. I bought a bottle of it last year and I STILL haven't bought another bottle since! And the Laundry soap... I purchased the largest box which if you measure it out equally for each wash, you should get about 84 washings out of it... that box lasted 7 MONTHS!! I don't have any laundry soap that has EVER lasted 7 MONTHS! Have you?? They also have this wonderful little compound, Scour Off Heavy Duty Paste (made from pitted cherries I think)... I've cleaned boats with this product! It's SUPER on fiberglass... gets all kinds of stains out, especially rust, and it's o.k. for the water ... and works wonderfully on the tub & tile as well! If you'd like to try Shaklee products, contact me. Their products work GREAT for the home as well as the body!
Of course, if you're not into any of the store-bought green cleaners, you can always mix vinegar or baking soda with warm water and still have just as good a cleanser! This way is rather economical and eliminates all those various bottles under the sink!
So... DO Tell what your favorite cleaning product is! These products I've described are available here. Maybe there are others available that I'm not aware of! Please share with us your experiences!
Feel Free to Visit: Seventh Generation, Green Works, Shaklee
Monday, April 20, 2009
Trying some *New* Things...
A wonderful shop we stopped into was Strawberry Jam... the owners have been running this beautiful little shop in the same location for 35 years! It seemed like a quaint shop with lots of exotic cards, glass, vintage jewelry, and bath products (my kind of store!). Most of the bath products weren't organic or handmade, but they sure did smell good! They featured a soap from Portugal -- HUGE bars with very colorful wrappings and wonderful scents... but a little on the pricey side. One product from Stonewall Kitchen in Maine was Lavender Mint soap... had to bring a bar of this home to try. I just checked out their website... and they have SO MUCH MORE than just soap! :-D Lots of yummy looking pancake & waffle mixes (m-m-m-m-m!)... seems like they have lots of cooking/specialty foods, things for the kitchen/home, and I finally found the soap... under "Fine Home Keeping"... that's a New one (shown at right)! Lots of all natural products and essential oils in this soap plus Shea butter. They also have a nice selection of gifts for Mother's Day, which is right around the corner!
Another shop we stopped into called Heart of the Home had a lot of pottery from various U.S. artists, unique handmade purses w/rather exotic pictures, soap & body products (another +++ for me!), handmade jackets, 2 garden rooms with outdoor treasures, two floors of perusing -- I LOVED IT!! LOL My original reason for going into this shop was for a handmade mug I saw in another store (being used by the owner). Although I was interested in possibly purchasing this handmade mug, it was a little out of my budget. Instead of a handmade mug... I found this collection of organic soap that I found on the internet a few weeks prior called "Fraiche" (pronounced "fresh"). A little on the pricey side, but I figured this was my (only) opportunity to try it -- bite the bullet & buy it!! As soon as I do try it, I'll fill you in. But the Set of 3 soaps I purchased (similar to that shown above right): bare naked/lavender fields/soothe me smell really awesome, and are all finished off naturally on the top portion of the soap (Bare Naked bar at left). You'll see more when you visit the website! These are definitely organic soaps, and they promise "an unforgettable bathing experience"! I'll let you know... :-D LOL Another product I found that I did purchase for my Mom was a Lotion Bar made entirely of Shea butter from Footbridge. What a WONDERFUL bar this is (shown at right)! Just rub it right on to your dry skin and the shea butter sinks right in! She loved it and I can't wait to get one for myself! '-D LOVE the Dragonfly!! LOL
I perused a few of the shops on my own after my friend left to go back to the Philadelphia area. I lingered as long as possible, enjoying the cool air and the warmth of being in an area of which many past fond memories were created... always wanted to live there, one never knows what the future holds! '-) But I hope it doesn't take me 20 years to get back there again! LOL
Conclusion(s): The Fraiche soap: Bare Naked. Very nice soap, no grittiness, nice scent... great on my dry skin. If the cost of it doesn't kill you, try it! Actually, the best way to try it is to buy the "Trilogy". Then you get (3) 1/2 bars and you pay roughly $6.25/bar. Each bar lasts approx. 5 days on the average person. :-)
Note: I also found the Fraiche soap at The Gallery at Morada Bay in Islamorada.
Visit: Strawberry Jam, Stonewall Kitchen, Fraiche, Footbridge, and Heart of the Home
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Show & Tell...
Monday, April 6, 2009
New Creative Directions...
There's certainly some experimenting of all to be done '-D ... but above is something I created entirely out of glass which combines the craft of mosaic and the art of fused glass, in addition to a textural highlight or two! This is entitled "Lighthouse Shore". It's certainly more beneficial to view this in person, especially the "water" that the sailboat is sailing on. I had a lot of fun designing & creating this... but it was certainly quite a bit of work at the same time... my fingers can attest to that! LOL
The artist who taught the above project (Christine Stewart) was actually a fused glass dichroic jewelry creator also, then she moved into glass mosaics. I'd LOVE to show you her beautiful work but unfortunately she doesn't have a website. But she HAS authored 5 books relating to the subject!! I hope to create things myself in such a powerful yet subtle way that allows the Universe to introduce many more exciting possibilities!
Stay tuned for more *new* creations...
Visit: Starry Night Creations
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Think & Live GREEN...
There were so many exhibitors with great ways to save energy in our homes and all around us, free workshops with all kinds of great tips (eating & living well, recycling, creating a healthy home/office, solar energy in living, etc.), the food court featured organic food and I especially loved the farmer's market with all kinds of delicious organic fruits and vegetables (some home grown or community garden grown)! I LOVE organic pink grapefruit... and made several of them mine! LOL Then there were also a few artists with recycled art, and... oh! I LOVED the electric scooters! I could see myself riding around on one of those! Or how about the little truck with 3 wheels! :-D One wheel in front and two in the back, in bright colors... how cute! LOL I've always loved electric vehicles. I also contributed to the local Upper Keys Girl Scouts by buying a recycled bracelet! '-)
It was a fun day... definitely worth doing if you're into Living Green (whether you live in the Keys or anywhere else) and eating & using organic products; happens once a year. It's by far the most healthiest way to go.
Visit: FL Keys GLEE
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Get Happier!!
Let's face it... being positive brings a lot more GOOD into our lives than being negative! Get Happier!!
Check it Out: Get Happier.com
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Changing the Routine...
Recently I decided to take the advice of a daily newsletter I receive from "First 30 Days - Everyday Change"... and break up my routine! I decided to change my morning routine a little. After having breakfast & cleaning up, I take a walk down to the Oceanside park, several blocks from my home, rather than going to my computer and checking my mail & etc..
Instead of putting the tea in a favorite mug, it goes into the travel mug. The walk (instead of bicycling) can be quite nice and quiet, in & out of the warm sun, breeze or wind blowing, birds chattering... It's amazing what *new* sounds can be heard. My favorite place is to sit on a large jetty with picnic tables, and just LISTEN... listen to the water rolling up against the rocks... it sounds so soothing; just like those CDs we listen to for relaxation! Everything is calm & quiet or if the wind is kicking, white caps on the waves! I enjoy sitting here for a short while taking in all the new sites and sounds around me... and enjoy my morning tea! '-D
Changing my schedule doesn't seem like such a bad idea after all! New sounds, new ways to relax/meditate, possibly new people to meet... Change can be a very positive experience! EMBRACE IT!! :-D
Visit: First 30 Days
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Organic Liquid Hand Soap...
Terressential's products are hand made in Maryland. They're very particular about their products being as organic as possible, so much to the point that they refuse any shop that's not strictly health food or organic-related to sell their products. They also give you a list of the ingredients in each bottle -- what they DO put in and what they DON'T put in!
Nonetheless, they're products are authentic and great! They ARE worth it!
Check it out: Terressentials
Friday, February 13, 2009
Creamy Chocolate...
Dove Chocolate was created by a Greek-American gentleman named Leo Stefanos in the late 1930's with a candy shop in Chicago. In the 1950's, after his son went racing down the street after an ice cream truck, DoveBars were born. He created the bars out of blocks of vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate, and for safety of his children. In the late 1970's, over 1 million DoveBars were sold by street vendors! What a hit!! Of course, we all know that the DoveBar is probably the most delectable ice cream bar on the planet! LOL
Other good organic chocolate I've tried are the Art Bars, made by Ithaca (NY) Fine Chocolates... fair trade certified Swiss chocolate bars that include a collectible card of art inside the wrapper!
All this chocolate reminds me of the computer game, Chocolatier. If you LOVE Chocolate and love buying chocolate, you'll probably enjoy this game! Have fun! ...and feel free to share your favorite Chocolate!
Visit: Dove Chocolate, Art Bars
Lots of Kisses...
I've also tried the Lip Balm, I think it was peach, nice fruity flavor w/SPF of 15. They have other tropical flavors including Coconut Pineapple, Ginger Mango, and more! The SPF 30 Sunscreen and After Sun Aloe Soother I found to be great suncare products. I've tried a lot of natural sunscreen products, but liked this product the most. Some natural products have too much TD (titanium dioxide) and it leaves your skin white while sunning, how attractive right? This product is very moisturizing, water resistant, and paraben free! Maybe they'll come out with an SPF 50 one of these days!
There's lots more products to try with Kiss My Face, oh! I don't want to forget about the "Kisses on Trial" Gift Collection you can purchase to try out their most popular products in trial sizes... that's my next stop! And right now... the website has 15% off storewide!
Go there: Kiss My Face
Essential Oils for Your Laundry...
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Daily Om...
Something I learned from a recent Daily Om has to do with "Opening our Hearts"...
To open our hearts to another person’s suffering is a revolutionary act that has energetic implications. Many experiments with meditation have proven that we can reach far beyond the boundaries of ourselves and heal others when our hearts are open.
After reading your Daily Om, other interesting things to check out are the Online courses available for a reasonable cost.
Visit: Daily Om…
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Some new things coming..
I'll be trying some new products this year, and I look forward to sharing them with you!
Stay tuned for an update...
Other Memorable Body Products...
Jennifer of Alchemille's Garden has also evolved into a Master Herbalist with her exquisite selection of artisan & healing handblended teas, skin/body products, incense & candles, and readings & healings. She hails from France and has been studying Herbalism for 15 years. In her own words: MY PRODUCTS ARE INSPIRED AND INFLUENCED BY TRADITIONAL FOLK MEDICINE AS WELL AS THE WISE WOMAN TRADITION WHICH FOCUSES ON NOURISHMENT, HEALING AND INTERCONNECTEDNESS WITH NATURE & THE SPIRITUAL REALMS.
Her website gives a description of all her products with ingredients, however, if you'd like to order anything... you'll need to become a member of Etsy. There's a link to her Etsy shop on her website. I am a devoted fan of her teas. I did sell a variety of her teas in the boutique, most notable were the "Teeny Bits" Samplers.
Links to the above & most mentioned sites & products in this blog can be found on the right side of this blog.
Wonderful Body Products...
Some of my favorite scents include: Cranberry Kumquat, Sweet Pea, Green Tea & Summer Cuke, Sea Salt & Dead Sea Mud, Oatmeal Milk & Honey, Coconut Orange, Anise...
Try her soap & body products for yourself! Visit her website and place your own order... you'll get it lickety split via Priority Mail! Handmade by Jackie Turbot
Chock full O....?
And the Coffee is still going strong 75 years after it's birth... now offering a *new* selection made with Organic coffee beans!
Something New to Share...
This Blog has developed over a desire to share my acquired wisdom with you if you're looking for something new to try on your body or delightful teas to tickle your palate or maybe even a place to learn more about things you always wondered about (surprise!). And maybe it's a place to gather old friends, and make new ones with the variety of topics available! '-)
Feel free to post *clean* comments... '-) ... and WELCOME!