CELTA Review at IH in Chiang Mai Thailand

I did the CELTA at IH Chiang Mai this past(2015) January.  I really enjoyed it and got a lot out of the classes and evaluations.   I do have a couple items that I would like to mention for people looking to take the course there.

• The grounds and housing are separated away from the city.  You are a bit secluded.  I found this great for being able to study and focus.
• You will get informational packets the first Sunday.  READ THOSE MATERIALS.  THis will help you with getting information for the coming weeks.
• Talk to the students before and between classes.  Even if you want to throw up before a teaching lesson day.  The investment is worth it in terms of student interaction and for assignments.
  The students are fantastic!  Moreover they WANT you to succeed.  The intermediate students have been coming for a while and pretty much know the CELTA teaching way so they will get up and move around and follow your instructions without any gripe or unwillingness.
• The instructors that I had were very good at teaching the classes.  If you have learned something in a class(a proctoring technique, a drilling prompt, whatever) you  are expected to use that technique!
  Not everyone who pays and takes the course passes.  We had a few people drop out and not return, a person drop the proctored portion but still take the course(just no certificate at the end) and a person was asked to leave halfway through as he was not going to pass the course.  
• If you need to fix one of your papers-Find the evaluator who graded the paper and FIND OUT WHAT HE WANTS TO SEE.  This will help you with corrections.  Do this as soon as you get your paper back.  
• The food at the center is AMAZING!  The chef is wonderful and really the food is a good variety of Thai and western food.  
• I can only speak for IH Chiang Mai - Copy Machine - you only get 400 copies with your copy code.  You will go over and then have to pay per sheet used.  *Pat the Bunny tip* The people who have dropped the course(there will always be a couple) still have their copies allotment and copy code in their file.  Get that code and you can use those pages.  I had to pay just 10 baht while others had to pay several hundred baht. 
• Remember that they are teaching their CELTA technique.  You may not agree with everything they instruct.  It is best to file away the disagreements in your head and not try to push issues with instructors.  If they say 'don't drill from the board' well...don't do that.  

I would recommend prep-wise the books:  LEARNING TEACHING Jim Scrivener (Macmillan), PRACTICAL ENGLISH USAGE, Michael Swan (OUP), SOUND FOUNDATIONS, Adrian Underhill, (Macmillan) they have copies at the school as well.


I got a lot out of the course, especially the proctored teaching.  I had previously finished the TeacherReady course and had my license.  The whole first week I was wondering why I had chosen this stressful course and not a month in Bali.  I am now a teacher at an international school teaching Literature and Writing to middle schoolers.  I'm happy with my time in Korea, but much happier now. 

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I have not received any additional boxes, nor have I gotten any real communication from this company.  I would not recommend this box at this time. 

Ellada Lane is a new subscription box about all things Greek!  I am so excited about this box as I have been a lover Greece for as long as I remember and have been fortunate to spend two summers working and traveling in Greece.

#elladalane

Well it took a little while for this subscription box to arrive but let me tell you that it is well  worth it! I am overseas at the moment and different countries have different customs regulations.  As it turns out Ukraine requires you to pay the customs fee at a bank before the package will leave the entry city.  Guess the customs people over here do not trust that the fee will be paid upon delivery or even mailed to a local location.  Well after figuring that out I was already back in the US...  So when I finally got this box and it had obviously been opened and rifled through and all of the customs paperwork and invoices were removed...  I am assuming that this is not an issue for the boxes arriving in the US.  I get things shipped to the US from overseas a lot and I have never had an issue.  Oh, the joys of living in Eastern Europe...

Hopping Through Life

moving on


Upon opening the box though, I was so happy that everything had arrived intact and undamaged.  As this is the inaugural box the company decided to ship the parcel in a decorative wooden trunk!  It is something new and fantastic that I have not seen in another box.  It is the style of decorative item that you may find at a World Market or Kirklands type shop.  It is very thin wood but perfect as a display piece.  It is currently holding my old seasonal decorations for my home.  It's about 15"x9"x6" in size.

There is a full sized magazine that let me discover more about the locations and details of each of the items.  The magazine also lists fun short articles and secrets about the islands as well as local recipes to try out.  This is the most comprehensive informational I have ever received from a subscription box.  Yes there were some grammatical mistakes, but I am a writing & literature teacher so I immediately hone in on errors, however they are not distracting and most people will never notice them.  I enjoyed reading through this magazine as I uncovered each item.

My first finds were two items from the company Fish & Olive from the island of Naxos.  I have not visited that island so it was fun to see artisans that I have not yet come across.  I received a lovely mortar & pestle set and a citrus reamer.  Both items are carved out of olive wood and are both useful as well as being beautiful for display.  The magazine discusses the items as well as how to care for the wood pieces so that I can make sure to keep these beautiful for a lifetime.

Ellada Lane Krinaki Jewelry

The next packages I received were this beautiful Krinaki bracelet and soft aqua blue silk scarf.  The bracelet is gold over sterling silver and delicate while having nice structure.  I would show it on, but am still puffy from international travel.  I think this will be a summer staple when going out.  The silk scarf is delicate and just simply beautiful.  The type of scarf you take for a wedding wrap or evening outing knowing you will be constantly complimented.  Honestly it is the type of scarf I am drawn to but rarely ever pull the trigger on after seeing the price tag.


In the package I also received a lovely gold swirled bookmark with designs.  I am not sure exactly where it comes from, but I will enjoy it as I love to read actual paper books as well as on my Kindle.

The next set of items came from Atlantis Books.  If you are a traveler you know how difficult it is to find a good English section in a foreign country that is not only the same three popular authors...  Well this bookstore is something special and a must visit for anyone on Santorini.  This tiny bookstore has a wide selection of foreign and rare books in English as well as about a dozen other languages.  It is amazing how much can be crammed into that little store.  There is also a lovely balcony overlooking the caldera that you can read and relax to your hearts content.  The bookstore doesn't carry multiple copies of books and I seriously doubted a subscription box would toss in a 1st edition of Alice in Wonderland so I was curious what would be enclosed.  The box included a couple postcards and a hand drawn map of the island.  Perfect for both memories and ideas.

The last item I pulled from the Ellada Lane box was this heavy lavender honey box.  I mean I got a wooden box with a large jar of The Family Beez organic wildflower honey!  The wooden box is a miniature  example of the honeybee boxes that farmers use to cultivate the honeycombs.  I saw pickup trucks transporting full sized boxes when I was in Crete this fall.  I will probably reuse this cute box for office supply storage.  I love being able to store things in things so I am basically in heaven with this 1st box.
The honey is over a pound of sweet wildflower honey.  The company sells two types of honey and the other is Thyme honey.  I am glad I got this type as I have a good amount of thyme honey from my recent fall travels.

Overall I am very happy with this box.  Each item is unique and useful.  This is not simply a box of souvenirs and trinkets mass produced for the tourists and export.  I hope that the high standards remain for future boxes!  This is the priciest subscription box I have ever purchased, at around $160 bi-monthly, but I love getting lovely home decor and I wanted to treat myself.  Plus they ship Everywhere!

to find out more about this subscription box visit www.elladalane.com or on their facebook page


I have had several interactions with Stavros the 'voice' behind Ellada Lane.  He has been courteous and usually prompt with my answers.  Ellada Lane ships around the world and I did not have to pay any additional fee for shipping to Ukraine.

Ellada Lane

Visit Ellada Lane and find out more!

Peridot & Freshwater Pearl Necklace Review

*I received this at a discount in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. This post contains affiliate links.* 

This necklace is Gorgeous! I really think that I have found my staple necklace for spring and summer. That is if spring ever gets here... I love the variety of natural freshwater pearl intermixed with the peridot.  I think it looks fresh and fun and can be used with dresses, work, or simply with a clean white scoopneck top and tan.  

 I like the length of this necklace as it lends a wide variety of shirt collar styles. I also like that the necklace is a bit adjustable and I do not have it sitting too low into my cleavage. Overall I am very happy with this necklace. I do think that I will need to wear my hair up when wearing this necklace because my long hair tends to get caught up in most necklaces and I would think this might get even more so. I received this at a discount in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

I am also excited that it arrived with a certificate stating that it has been made under the Fair Trade guidelines.  

• An original NOVICA fair trade product in association with National Geographic.
• Includes an official NOVICA Story Card certifying quality & authenticity.
• NOVICA works with Nareerat (Thailand) to craft this item.
• Includes an original NOVICA jewelry pouch to keep for yourself or give as a gift.
• A keepsake treasure designed to be loved for years to come

Go Sport-it Fitness Pilates Ring /w Workout Guide Review

*I received this product in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.  This post contains affiliate links.*

I used to take pilates group classes at a studio.  We would use these Pilates rings in a lot of our exercises.  I have a real love/hate relationship with this piece of equipment.  I now do workouts at home online.  I love how this ring can get muscle groups really focused and a great workout.You can really add to a Pilates floor routine with this ring.

 I like that this ring comes with an exercise guide to remind me of different moves that I can do with this ring. I tries out the exercises on the workout guide and I can always feel them the next day.   I also like that the ring is not too soft and not a hard inflexible ring like some can be.  This pilates ring is well made and durable.  The cushions on the inside and outside of the ring allow for a holding place for your legs or hands.


I recommend this pilates ring to beginners and advanced users alike.

• Proven Results - Boost Health & Energy, Tone Muscles, Increase Flexibility, Improve Posture, Shed Calories, Gain Stamina, Burn Fat -- Sport-it Fitness Pilates Bar and Workout Guide --
• Full Body Conditioning - Easy to Use Athletic Gear for any Exercise Routine Targeting both the Upper and Lower body. Effective Shaping and Strengthening for Arms (Biceps + Triceps), Shoulders, Chest, Core, Back, Inner and Outer Thighs (Abductors), Hips and Butt for Women + Men.
• Environmentally Friendly - Manufactured using Ecological Materials and Processes. Designed for Comfort and Built to last with Sturdy Foam-padded handles, a Durable Rubber Seal & Strong yet Flexible 14 Inch Ring to keep Shape and Safety intact.
• On the Go - Take your Portable Training Tool with you, where you ever you go! It's Lightweight, Slimming Design and Flat Profile make it the perfect Travel Accessory. Bring it to the Gym, the Park, the Studio, or store it Home!
• Order NOW - Includes Bonus Pilates Ring Workout Guide ( Sent to your email ) + 1 Year Warranty + Sport-it Guarantee --- %100 Satisfaction or Your Money Back! -

Thank you for reading and have a great day!

Oasis Portable Humidifier for Home Review

*I received this product at a discount in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.  This post contains affiliate links.*

I have been looking for a small humidifier for a while.  where I live now is quite a bit dryer than I am used to and I firmly believe that dried out skin is just so dull and aging.  I was happy to quickly receive this portable humidifier.  What you get is a base, charging cord, and two linkers for your regular water bottle.  The instructions are pretty easy to follow and really you just simply put together the bottle, connector, and base.  There is a nice rubber seal so that the water does not leak.  I have tilted the bottle a couple time and have not seen any issues.  The humidifier does say that you need to use distilled water.  This is very easy to find cheap gallon jugs of for the humidifier.  You are supposed to use distilled water for your iron so you can use the gallon for both.


I do like how quiet this humidifier is.  You get a soft gentle micromist that emits from the base.  There is aso a soft blue glow that shows your humidifier is on and an on//off button.  I do think that this is too small an output for a room.  This portible humidifier is meant to be used on a desktop at work/office or else next to your bedside table.  Theoutput is a soft cool mist that is not overpowering but gives a lovely cooling effect on your skin.

Well thank you for reading and have a great day

Mandy

• Suffering from dry, dull skin in the winter? The Air-N-Mist mini travel humidifier creates a PORTABLE OASIS of NATURAL HYDRATION that is guaranteed to replenish aging, dry skin and leave your skin looking HEALTHY, VIBRANT with a YOUTHFUL GLOW!
• INDUSTRY LEADING LIGHT-WEIGHT COMPACT DESIGN provides an all-natural anti-aging environment that deeply nourishes your skin. If you are looking to hydrate "on-the-go" then this small and versatile humidifier will leave your skin hydrated and radiant
• This convenient and quiet air humidifier also ALLEVIATES COLD, FLU and ALLERGY SYMPTOMS and IMPROVES SLEEP in the home, bedroom, hotel room, office cubicle, flight, buses or on trains. Easily fits into pockets, backpacks, purses, and luggage while the whisper-silent operation will never disturb you
• Hassle-free and simple to use tank-less design. Simply screw onto a standard sized plastic water bottle such as Dasani, Aquafina, Smartwater, Fiji or Evian, plug into a USB power and never worry about leaving your AC adapter behind.
• Satisfaction guarantee. Includes travel pouch and 2 FREE bottleneck adapters for Global use.
• 
  

Ellada Lane Subscription Box Review. Volume 1 Dreaming of Santorini and the Cyclades

Ellada Lane is a new subscription box about all things Greek!  I am so excited about this box as I have been a lover Greece for as long as I remember and have been fortunate to spend two summers working and traveling in Greece.

#elladalane

Well it took a little while for this subscription box to arrive but let me tell you that it is well  worth it! I am overseas at the moment and different countries have different customs regulations.  As it turns out Ukraine requires you to pay the customs fee at a bank before the package will leave the entry city.  Guess the customs people over here do not trust that the fee will be paid upon delivery or even mailed to a local location.  Well after figuring that out I was already back in the US...  So when I finally got this box and it had obviously been opened and rifled through and all of the customs paperwork and invoices were removed...  I am assuming that this is not an issue for the boxes arriving in the US.  I get things shipped to the US from overseas a lot and I have never had an issue.  Oh, the joys of living in Eastern Europe...

Hopping Through Life

moving on


Upon opening the box though, I was so happy that everything had arrived intact and undamaged.  As this is the inaugural box the company decided to ship the parcel in a decorative wooden trunk!  It is something new and fantastic that I have not seen in another box.  It is the style of decorative item that you may find at a World Market or Kirklands type shop.  It is very thin wood but perfect as a display piece.  It is currently holding my old seasonal decorations for my home.  It's about 15"x9"x6" in size.

There is a full sized magazine that let me discover more about the locations and details of each of the items.  The magazine also lists fun short articles and secrets about the islands as well as local recipes to try out.  This is the most comprehensive informational I have ever received from a subscription box.  Yes there were some grammatical mistakes, but I am a writing & literature teacher so I immediately hone in on errors, however they are not distracting and most people will never notice them.  I enjoyed reading through this magazine as I uncovered each item.

My first finds were two items from the company Fish & Olive from the island of Naxos.  I have not visited that island so it was fun to see artisans that I have not yet come across.  I received a lovely mortar & pestle set and a citrus reamer.  Both items are carved out of olive wood and are both useful as well as being beautiful for display.  The magazine discusses the items as well as how to care for the wood pieces so that I can make sure to keep these beautiful for a lifetime.

Ellada Lane Krinaki Jewelry

The next packages I received were this beautiful Krinaki bracelet and soft aqua blue silk scarf.  The bracelet is gold over sterling silver and delicate while having nice structure.  I would show it on, but am still puffy from international travel.  I think this will be a summer staple when going out.  The silk scarf is delicate and just simply beautiful.  The type of scarf you take for a wedding wrap or evening outing knowing you will be constantly complimented.  Honestly it is the type of scarf I am drawn to but rarely ever pull the trigger on after seeing the price tag.


In the package I also received a lovely gold swirled bookmark with designs.  I am not sure exactly where it comes from, but I will enjoy it as I love to read actual paper books as well as on my Kindle.

The next set of items came from Atlantis Books.  If you are a traveler you know how difficult it is to find a good English section in a foreign country that is not only the same three popular authors...  Well this bookstore is something special and a must visit for anyone on Santorini.  This tiny bookstore has a wide selection of foreign and rare books in English as well as about a dozen other languages.  It is amazing how much can be crammed into that little store.  There is also a lovely balcony overlooking the caldera that you can read and relax to your hearts content.  The bookstore doesn't carry multiple copies of books and I seriously doubted a subscription box would toss in a 1st edition of Alice in Wonderland so I was curious what would be enclosed.  The box included a couple postcards and a hand drawn map of the island.  Perfect for both memories and ideas.

The last item I pulled from the Ellada Lane box was this heavy lavender honey box.  I mean I got a wooden box with a large jar of The Family Beez organic wildflower honey!  The wooden box is a miniature  example of the honeybee boxes that farmers use to cultivate the honeycombs.  I saw pickup trucks transporting full sized boxes when I was in Crete this fall.  I will probably reuse this cute box for office supply storage.  I love being able to store things in things so I am basically in heaven with this 1st box.
The honey is over a pound of sweet wildflower honey.  The company sells two types of honey and the other is Thyme honey.  I am glad I got this type as I have a good amount of thyme honey from my recent fall travels.

Overall I am very happy with this box.  Each item is unique and useful.  This is not simply a box of souvenirs and trinkets mass produced for the tourists and export.  I hope that the high standards remain for future boxes!  This is the priciest subscription box I have ever purchased, at around $160 bi-monthly, but I love getting lovely home decor and I wanted to treat myself.  Plus they ship Everywhere!

to find out more about this subscription box visit www.elladalane.com or on their facebook page


I have had several interactions with Stavros the 'voice' behind Ellada Lane.  He has been courteous and usually prompt with my answers.  Ellada Lane ships around the world and I did not have to pay any additional fee for shipping to Ukraine.

Ellada Lane

Visit Ellada Lane and find out more!

BzzAgent Winter Roundup

I am on a BzzAgent review roll this winter!  BzzAgent is a product review site that allows brands to get the word of mouth bzz spread throughout social media and organically at home.  I have been a member for about two years and have been very happy being able to try out new offerings and treats.
I usually have one or two BzzAgent activities going on, but I have been getting quite a few products to try and share with my fellow friends and family.   I am just going to go down the list.  There is no cost to joining Bzzagent.com and of course I always let my readers and social media know that I #GotitFree

 Nestlé® Pure Life® Splash

My first product is the Nestle Pure Life Splash water.  Now, I know that these have been around for a while but, to be honest, I had forgotten about them.  They have updated some of their flavors and now have a great strawberry melon and Acai Grape flavors along with Lemon, Berry, and Mandarin Orange.  The greatest thing to me is the flavor and that it is clear so you do not have to worry about staining your teeth like some water add-ins.  I think it is even more hard for me to drink enough fluids in the cold months so I love that I can remember to drink this tasty water on the go!  These are great to keep on hand at work, in the car, and at home.  They are not super sweet and are Zero calories.

The next item that I have been fortunate to try out was the hemisFares Gelato from Kroger and have been happy with the flavor but not blown away.  I thought the packaging was nice and in line with the other packaged Gelatos out now in the frozen section.   I tried the Nocciola con Praline(Hazelnut) flavor and was happy, but not blown away.  I thought the flavor was creamy and good but the texture was not quite what I was expecting.  The gelato was definitely whipped up and had the airy texture but seemed a little bit crystallized.  I thought the sweetness was correct and not cloying.  I am not sure if I will purchase this again.  I may try the lemon flavor as the flavor may better match the texture that I noticed.

Did you know that Silk made Nog!?!  I am so happy that I got to try this out.  The texture is creamy and rich without killing you on the calories.  A perfect drink to have on hand throughout the holiday season.

Evian & Longchamp Giveaway

#Longchamp #EvianSpray #Giveaway

As I have written before I just love love love Evian sprays!  They are so versatile and refreshing with a variety of uses.  You will want to keep a bottle on hand all the time.  Well I want to let you know about a fabulous giveaway that The Wilkes Group is hosting.

The Wilkes Group is giving away a Longchamp "Le Pliage" backpack, in stylish, durable, water-resistant nylon topped with a textured leather handle and logo-embossed flap, which retails at $125. It is filled with one 10 oz., one 5 oz., and a trio of travel-size evian® sprays (over $175.00 total value)

Plus, three runners-up will receive a Longchamp pochette toiletries case, with embossed leather trim in durable, water-resistant nylon, accented with goldtone hardware, which retails at $50, and filled with a trio of travel size evian sprays (over $70.00 total value) 

Enter Below Today!

Catching up with Crowdtap

I have been getting a few Crowdtap samplings and sample & shares and wanted to do another roundup of my findings.

Neutrogena Wipes

Neutrogena® Naturals Makeup Remover Wipes and to participate in the #WipeforWater challenge and help make a difference.

Clean your face without using water, and instead exclusively clean with Neutrogena Naturals MUR Wipes

I was excited to try this product.  I have a bad habit of not taking off my makeup even though I know how important that is for good, clear skin. I have found that Konjac sponges have been a lifesaver in this respect but they require a bit of water and the idea behind these Neutrogena Naturals Wipes is that you don;t need to waste water to remove your makeup.  I tried these for a week to see how they would work.  I loved that you did not need any water so I could keep these in a gym bag or for travel.  I found the wipe to be too abrasive for my skin.  No matter how lightly I used these wipes on my skin I found them to be irritating and therefore not able to get my makeup fully removed.  I also noticed that after wiping, when I applied my moisturizer afterwards that my skin burned for a while.  It was a few days that I realized it was due to these wipes. Even my eye area would burn when I applied serum and moisturizer and I barely used the wipe on my eye area.   I hope they work for others but unfortunately I had to discontinue them and all moisturizers for 10 days to let my skin calm down.  I slowly reintroduced my normal moisturisers and have not have any problems since.  I received these free in exchange for my review in the #WipeforWater challenge and to help make a difference.

I also recently got to try a sample and share of O.B. PRO COMFORT tampons.  I have used O.B. before and have been happy with them.  But they have not been my go-to brand.  o.b.® PRO COMFORT® Regular tampons with Fluid-Lock® grooves for leak protection. The only one with a SilkTouch™ cover for ultimate comfort and protection. 
I enjoyed trying them out and really love how comfortable they are.  I also believe in discretion and these little guys are perfect for storing at work or in your purse.  You can simply hide them in the palm of your hand while walking to the restroom too.  I received these in exchange for my review from Crowdtap.  

CushionCare Memory Foam Seat Cushion Review

* I received this product in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.  This post contains affiliate links.*

I had the chance to try out this memory foam cushion.  I have broken my tailbone not once, but twice and have issues when sitting for a long period of time on hard surfaces or driving for hours at a time.  I was excited to try out this cushion specifically for this issue as it provides cushioning for my rear while there is space so that my coccyx(tailbone) is not getting pressured.

I found this pillow to be great for hard wooden surfaces for about 30 minutes at a time.  Longer and I found the cushion to feel just as firm as the chair.  I do also have this issue with other pillows so I do not know that this cushion is any better than others.


I do love how soft this pillow cover is and that you receive an additional cover for free with this pillow.  I think the handle for carrying is a great addition and it is just the right size for carrying.

I did notice after over a month of use that the cushion has flattened a bit.  This cushion does have a lifetime guarantee so if you come across the same issue you can return it.

Well thank you for your time and have a great day.

From the Company

• REDUCES PRESSURE EXTENSIVELY to your back by allowing a full support and relief to the spine, tailbone and hip bones.
• PERFECTLY CONFORMS TO THE BODY - This cushion is a rare blend of not too firm and not too collapsible foam. It allows you to enjoy extended and comfortable sitting each and every day.
• WILL NOT GO FLAT OVER TIME - Made of 100% real foam, this memory foam will never flatten; no matter how many times you sit on it or how long you use it for. Great for both men and women, young and old and for weights up to 220 lbs.
• BEST FIT FOR Car Seats, Office Chairs, Flights, Trains, Buses, Wheelchairs, Indoors, Outdoors, Travels, and Long Drives.
• LIFETIME GUARANTEE - Guaranteed to last a lifetime, and if it doesn't, you get 100% of your money back without any questions asked. Stop wasting time looking for other cushions. Buy With Full Confidence!

Berry Sleepy Sleep Aid Review

*I received this in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.  This post contains affiliate links.*

I have been trying to find something to help get me to sleep for months.  I have tried various forms of Melatonin and have tried to set a routine and turn off electronics.  Nothing has worked for me.

I was offered to try out Berry Sleepy sleep aid and I though , heck, what have I to lose.  It's not like I will stay awake tossing and turning even longer.  I took one packet, which is two capsules, of Berry Sleepy with a short glass of water about 20-30 minutes before bedtime.  I have not had any bad tastes in my mouth either before or after falling asleep from these capsules.  Basically when I started the night time wind down routine before bed.  I actually wanted to fall asleep by the time I went to bed.  I thought that this might be a fluke but I have had great success in falling asleep every time I have taken this Berry Sleepy sleep aid.  I like that I am not at all groggy in the morning.  I an take this at about 11 pm and still be able to wake up at 5 for my morning workout.

#berrysleepy

The only side affect I have noticed is that I seem to remember my dreams for a bit longer than before.  Apparently I need to cut down on my formula crime drama because I keep having dreams similar to Castle or CSI Miami.  Not really the gory crime nightmare part; just the discovery and tv cop banter.  Odd, I do not blame Berry Sleepy for this.  I do realize that I need to cut down on my tv at night...

Well I have been very happy with Berry Sleepy sleep aid made from berries and hope that you find sleeping success with it as well. I plan on taking these with me when I travel to help with jet lag as well as nightly sleeplessness.  Thank you for reading and have a great day.

From the Company

• Fall Asleep Fast and Worry-Free with Fruit. Wake Refreshed without any grogginess or "sleep aid hangover" whatsoever! Whether you suffer from insomnia, sleep deprivation, or simply need a little help to get better sleep - Berry Sleepy, the 100% natural sleep aid will give you the most satisfying sleep with none of the harmful side effects of regular sleeping pills.
• The Only 100% Fruit Sleep Aid - No unnatural chemicals - Contains naturally occurring vitamins, minerals & antioxidants, including naturally occurring melatonin. Our natural sleeping aids are made up of a proprietary bland of three super fruits that are proven to induce sleep, resulting in best sleep possible! It's no wonder these sleep tablets are better than just 1mg, 5mg, 10mg Melatonin pills or generic over-the-counter sleep aids for adults.
• Doctor Recommended, Drug Free & Non-Addictive - If you want to fall asleep fast & stay asleep all night, than Berry Sleepy is for YOU! Our natural sleep remedy aid had been featured in NUMEROUS magazines and news affiliates - because it works!
• Berry Sleepy is 100% Natural, so expect feeling energized - no grogginess or sleep 'hangover'. Vegan Certified, No Gluten, Dairy, Soy, or Sugar.
• Passion Fruit contains Serotonin, a Mild Sedative perfect for helping you gently drift off. Goji Berries have a blend of Magnesium and Thiamin, ideal for high-quality rest. Tart Cherries contain Optimal levels of Melatonin to help you stay asleep.

Chef Cristiane's Brazilian "I'm Hot" Sauce Review

*I received this sauce in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.  This post contains affiliate links.*

#imhotsauce

I love cooking with a variety of flavors.  So when I was offered the chance to try out this I'm Hot hot sauce I was all on board.  This hot sauce is hand bottled from the restaurant kitchen of the Taste of Brazil Cafe in Chicago.  I like to try sauces that are not just heat but really add flavor and complexity to my food.

Well this Brazilian sauce definitely has the complexity of a multilevel sauce.  I found it to be best as a finishing and serving sauce.  There is a good amount of heat contained in this bottle.  It is not for the weak of heart(or tastebuds).  But it is not Only heat.  There is the taste of different vinegars at play along with tomatoes, onions, and the Malagueta pepper.  This to me tastes a lot like a steak sauce that has spent a lot of time in South America.  I tried this with chicken fajitas and was pretty happy with the result.  I also think this sauce would go well with a kickin Brazilian burger or Denver omelette.

I found that I like this the best with some large hand breaded onion rings.  Try for yourself Chef Cristiane's 'I'm Hot' hot sauce and discover your Brazilian sauciness.


From the Company

• This is a unique homemade hot sauce made from an old family recipe. Each bottle is made from a small kitchen by Chef Cristiane Pereira of Taste of Brazil Cafe in Chicago.
• Medium Hotness with a fresh tomato taste just like they serve in Brazil with a perfect balance of flavor and hotness. This is not extreme hotness, but rather a more mild or medium hotness that allows you to enjoy the delicious flavors of the peppers.
• Made with Malagueta Peppers from Brazil. Tastes great on chips, Mexican Food, sandwiches, eggs, meat, potato, pasta, etc.
• Made with all natural ingredients - no artificial colors, no artificial flavors, no artificial preservatives, and no artificial ingredients
• Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, onions, water, extra virgin olive oil, carrots, malagueta peppers, cane sugar, salt, garlic, and spices.

Knork Flatware Review *Spoiler Alert* I Love Them!

* received these in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.*

Knorks are awesome!

• #knorkflatware

I just want to tell Everyone about this great set of silverware.  I have actually known about this for almost a decade.  I do not know how the Knork is not a household name yet.  It is simply the best daily flatware I have ever used!  I came across the Knork many years ago at a Catering convention in Vegas.  I was walking down the convention aisles filling my belly and bag with some of the most amazing food(you have to eat smart at these things, not eat everything) when I came across the Knork booth.  The reps were super nice and friendly.  They gave me quite a few samples of the silverware and their disposable Knorks line.  I got a 5 piece place setting and I had apparently given my info to the sales rep because he sent me a couple additional place settings in the mail a week or so later.  I was not able to use them for work as we had our items sourced by contract; but I put the three settings in my drawer at home and used them as my main silverware for years.  I just laid them on top of my regular silverware.  I loved them and when I had just one or two guests for a meal I would use them and they always commented on how nice they looked and how perfectly weighty they were.  Not to mention how well the smooth fork could cut like a knife.  Unfortunately I misplaced them in an international move and have missed them up until today.


Well, how are these Knorks so amazing? You ask.

This silverware is just the nicest most balanced silverware.  Holding the silverware is great for large and smaller hands(not sure about kiddie sized hands).    They  come in a matte finish like I have, a polished look, or a combination of both.  The silverware is heavy yet sits easily in your hand.  The dinner and salad forks have a nice rounded tines.  The tines(pokey parts) are able to stab and grip your food.  Some oversized silverware has a real problem with this.  The knife is non serrated and not sharp, so it is safe at the family table but it does a great job of cutting.  The spoons are also good sizes for soup and cereal.  The spoon face is deeper so it is more comfortable for eating.  Trust me, if you try these you will understand immediately.  The spoons are even strong enough because of the design to scoop out the hardest ice cream from the container to your bowl(or belly).

The best aspect of the Knork is well  the Knork itself.  It is a fork that doubles as a knife.  But the edge is so soft and rounded that you can not tell that it is powerful when you handle it or when putting it into your mouth.

Light lunch at home?  All you need is a Knork

I used my 3 sets for more than 6 years almost everyday and they held up great; until the day I lost them...  I believe from the website that there are two metal styles.  18/0 & 18/10 Stainless Steel and blend.  Do make sure to clean your Knork silverware as normal but make sure to not use a citrus scented detergent when cleaning.  If you do you may get a stain spot or little rust type spot.  If you do just wash it with soap and rub off any marks.  Also make sure that you dry your Knork silverware after you clean it.

• #knorkflatware

Knorks also come in an assortment of disposables for picnics, catering, and to go cutlery.  The disposables come in different strengths also but I remember that all the Knorks I tried out years ago were sturdy and stylish.  On the website I see that there is an even greater variety and they now carry steak knives and serving pieces too so you can have a complete set for home.  This would make a great set if you are in the market for an upgrade or are starting your first apartment.  Gone are the days of having to use a knife and fork to eat your pizza. A Knork is all you need.

Well thank you for reading and have a great day!

http://www.knork.net