Sing, Sing a Song Saturday

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday is all about me discovering something that is different. I don't want to post things that you and I have more than likely heard before. I want to find something different. It could be from another country, someone singing from the streets of NY, and more.

One of my facebook friends posted someone I was not familiar with. Grant Stinnett is this star's name. He's a bass guitar player. His style is engaging and unique. He mixes the technical with musical creativity. I have to admit that I usually like a voice to follow instruments, but he is quite different - especially in the 2nd song featured.

Grant picked up the bass for the first time at age 14. Soon after he picked up the bass he was performing in places like Berklee College or Music Performance Center. 

Grant has continued to play and perform, and also educates others on how to play. He has toured internationally as a solo musician. 
 

Source

It's soon Christmas time, so I'm loosely sticking with the theme of Christmas. The first song is Run of the Angles. When you listen close your eyes, and picture angles. Tell me what kind of angles you think of: Snow Angles, Angles on a Christmas tree, Ghostly Angles, or perhaps something different.

Primal is more experimental than Run of the Angles. I enjoy it a bit more.

 

Fallen Heroes is pretty cool to!

Visit Grant Stinnett's Website. 
Check out Grant Stinnett on Facebook.
Follow Grant Stinnett on Twitter.
Follow Grant Stinnett's YouTube Channel.

Random Tid Bits

1. Every year I bring a huge plate of cookies and goodies for my co-workers, Dad's co-workers. I send a tin to Grandma and Grandpa Apel, take a plate for Christmas Eve, and another plate for Christmas Day.

This year I brought in my plate to work. All of my co-workers were thankful - except the 2 that eat the most. One said in the break room not thinking I was listening, "It's about time." Just remember to be thankful. I certainly didn't make the cookies for me. I try my best to not eat, while I bake and decorate. On the flip side, I was super touched by another co-worker that left me a message just to thank me. Do you make Christmas goodies each year?


2. Last Friday I headed over to my parent's house to decorate my cookies with my mom, sisters and niece. They make fun of me for getting out my pill cutter to cut M&M's for my snowmen's noses. I don't mind. I know it's ridiculous, but 1/2 a small orange M&M makes a wonderful snowman's nose.





3. My mom is the Wrapping Nazi. She used to get mad at me for not wrapping presents right. The tape couldn't show. As a kid I would say, "But Mom the tape is clear." If the seam of the paper was cut bad she freaked out. I reminded her of this on the day we decorated cookies. She said, "I'm not like that anymore." :) Maybe my picky decorating with cookies was the result of her being a Wrapping Nazi. 


4.  I'm thinking of letting Mica set the Santa gifts out under the tree this year. I don't want Christmas to be a disappointment now that he knows about the man with the beard. It's like a rite of passage. I still have to talk this over with Dad. He never cared for the whole Santa thing at all. It was more my thing.  


5. Earlier I was wrapping packages. I was trying to get as much done as possible in one night like usual this time of year. Dad comes from being out and says, "How can I help you?" I tell him what to wrap. He does. I said, "Honey that DVD comes from Santa not Mom and Dad. You'll have to re-wrap it using the other paper." He got huffy and puffy. This folks is why you have to sometimes do things yourself. I was in a good mood before he started helping.

Socks for Christmas

Last year I won this book called Socks for Christmas. It was on New York Times best seller list.

Mica's always been the kid that wants this, or that. I love this book because it addresses a family that doesn't have a lot of money to get presents. A child learns that the socks he once threw to the side as being a gift he didn't want was all the sudden the best gift one could ask for.

Brita our Elf on the Shelf left the book for the boys. 

Disclaimer: I'm won this product. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Oh Peanuts!

Source

Isaak came home a week ago and said:
 
 "Mom something really bad happened at school today!"

I said:

"What's that Isaak?"

He said:

"A new kid Donald is allergic to peanuts. Maddie brought treats that had peanuts in them. Donald ran out of the classroom saying, 'I don't want a shot. I don't want to go to the hospital!' Maddie said she didn't know peanuts were in the treats, but she knows that our room is peanut free. Donald had to spend the rest of the day in the nurses office; even though it was closed."

I said,

"Isaak I'm sure Maddie didn't know peanuts were in the treats. She's not the type of kid that would want anything bad to happen to anyone. It is a valuable lesson for the whole class. All parents should read the ingredients to know. To be honest I didn't know you had a kid in your class allergic to peanuts. Maybe Maddie's Mom didn't know either. You can't have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches anymore for cold lunch. You'll have to ask Donald if he's allergic to almonds."

The whole school isn't nut free. Just certain classrooms. 

I told Dad the same story. Travis said, "Oh well. It's not for you to worry about. No wonder why Isaak gets concerned about things. He gets it from you." 

My husband is black and white, and hardly feels for people.  

Then there's me. I think about things as if that poor kid were my own.

Readers:

Do you think that all schools should be nut free? I'm not allergic to peanuts, but I know what can happen to people that are. It's not pretty. Some kids have died just being around peanuts. 

I asked the same question above on facebook.

One of my friends said that she would take them away in a heartbeat to save the lives of kids that have issues with them. I would to.

Another friend has a son and daughter that are allergic to them (only if ingested) and said that she doesn't want them taken away. They may start taking away more and more things. Soon enough all kids will be able to do is drink water at school. Good point.

Isaak's little friend isn't allergic to almonds. I made homemade almond butter. Of course many places don't sell almond butter right now with the Salmonella scare that happened in the fall. Isaak didn't like his sandwich as much as his usual peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but it is what it is.

Organic Ceremonial Grade Green Tea Matcha Review

I got Organic Ceremonial Grade Green Tea Matcha to review. I just love this stuff! This tea is new. It comes from Japan.

This tea can be drank with just water. That's usually how I drink it.

It comes sealed up with a lid, a metal tab on the inside, and it's in a sealed bag. It's ultra fresh. You can buy their 1 ounce container on Amazon for $28. For each serving you only need 1/2 a teaspoon.

Directions:

• I heat up water in a jar
• Add 1/2 a teaspoon of KissMe Organics - Organic Matcha
• Whisk it until the Matcha mixes in, or put a lid on the jar and shake it
• If you don't drink it right away you'll have to mix it up again

 

When you purchase KissMe Organic Matcha they have a Free Recipe E-Book. 

I drink matcha mainly with water. I do have a smoothie almost every morning. I decided to try it in a smoothie.

Their Soothing Green Smoothie is tasty.

Ingredients:

2 tsp. Matcha
½ cup spinach (steam and cool)
¼ avocado
½ cup banana slices
¼ cup coconut water
¼ cup orange juice
1 tsp. honey (optional)

Blend it all together, serve, and drink.

About Organic Matcha:

There are a lot of Matcha powders in the market. What makes this one different? 

• They are recognized by the United Nations as being one of the top tea-producers in Shizuoka region of Japan. This is to the United Nations is globally important.

• There is over 100 years of organic farming experience. They are certified organic family-owned Japanese tea farm that has been operating since 1915. They are run by the same family for over 3 generations.

• There is up to 137x the antioxidants of brewed green tea. Matcha is a fine powderd form of a shade grown green tea leaves. When you drink it, you consume the entire leaf. This provides your body and mind with a maximum concentration of Polyphenols and EGCG.

• They are 100% first harvest tea leaves, known as Sae Midori cultivar.

Health Boost

• If you ever feel like your energy is lacking, Matcha gives you a mild steady energy flow. It acts both as a relaxant and a stimulant. This is ideal for focusing on whatever the day throws your way. This time of year many people need a boost of energy. Winter is coming, and many people are getting ready for Christmas.

• Consuming matcha green tea increases thermogenesis (the body's own rate of burning calories) from a normal 8%-10% of daily energy expenditure, to between 35% and 43% of daily energy expenditure. This boosts the metabolism.

• Scientists have discovered that Matcha Green Tea helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays, while improving blood flow and oxygen levels improving the overall quality of the skin.

• Antioxidants are important as you age. They help boost your body's natural defenses against oxidation. Researchers have found that a high level of dietary antioxidants can prevent many age-related diseases. In this matcha tea there is up to 137x the antioxidants of brewed green tea.

Have you ever tried Matcha Tea? Give it a whirl it's healthy and good!

Disclaimer: I'm writing this in connection to Tomoson. I got this Matcha Tea free for review. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Super Lowes

Isaak wears his Lowes Clinic apron backwards. He likes wearing it as a cape more than an apron. 

I have to be careful; he'd go in the car that way. 

Major choking hazard if we got in a wreck.

I said, "Isaak it's time to go bud."

Isaak said, "Don't call me Isaak. I'm Super Lowes." 

The boys made light up Christmas Trains at Lowes Clinic. They've almost filled up their 2nd apron with badges.

WW: Ugly Sweater Day {Linky}

My work had an ugly sweater day. I don't have an ugly sweater, but got an ugly sweater t-shirt. I also wore a light up snowman pin that my kids happen to love. Then I topped that off with a Cabbage Patch Kid wig for part of the time, and a Santa hat for another part of the time. 

My husband looked at me when I was wearing the Cabbage Patch Kid wig and said, "That doesn't work."

I said, "Really? I think it's perfect for ugly sweater day. Sweaters are made of yarn, and it's ugly/funny."

He said, "No!"

I brought the wig to work anyhow.

I started out with the Santa hat: 

My co-teacher got to work, and didn't have a hat to go with his ugly sweater. I let him borrow mine. I wore the Cabbage Patch Kid wig. My students and co-workers seemed to love it. 

Here I am with my students, and a few co-workers. I'm in the middle, towards the back, and my student is holding his hands up like I have antlers.

It was a fun day.

Do you own an ugly sweater?

Work Out!

I have been going on power walks. I try and go during my lunch break and on the weekends. If it's cold do the stairs.

Usually this time of year the ground is frozen in spots, so I have to be careful. Not this year. It got up to 50 degrees this weekend. It was grey, but it was warm. It will get cold though. Tonight rain is supposed to turn into sleet. Ekkk!

Mica and I busted out our Suddora Sport Head Band, and Wristbands to wear, and went for a walk.

I think their sweatbands are super comfortable! They are durable, 80% cotton, 12% spandex, and 8% nylon. The headband is 2x7" and the wristbands are 3 1/2x4".

Colors:

I'm confused on how many colors this set comes in. The site shows 18, but in the description it says it comes in 10, then in another spots it says 9 colors: Black, White, Blue, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Red, Green, Grey, and Purple. I'm leaning towards 18 colors, because I can see all the colors pop up, and there is a way to order all those different colors.

I chose the color red. I just love that color. 

Cost:

Each set is $6.99

Above 25 they are $5.99

Above 50 they are $4.99

Above 100 they are $3.99

That works great for ordering in bulk for sports teams, gifts, or a marathon.

I happen to think that anyone that is active would love these. They remind me of the 80s, which was a fun time in my book.

Discount Codes for you, my readers: "GetFit10" Expires Jan 31, 2015.

Like Suddora on Facebook and Twitter to catch their deals. 

Disclaimer: I'm writing this in connection to Tomoson. I got this Suddora Sport Bands free for review. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

100% Plant Based Konjac Sponge Infused with French Green Clay Review

I've never really used a sponge to clean my face, or body. In the past I've always used a washcloth, or a loofah. 

I've only used sponges on art projects. To make texture.

When I got a 100% Plant Based Konjac Sponge Infused with French Green Clay to review I was interested to see how it would feel.

 

Before the sponge was wet it was hard. I couldn't even imagine what it would do to my skin. Boy did it change when it got wet. It felt wonderful!

It exfoliates, cleanses, and is naturally pH balanced.

I'd feel comfortable using this on my kid's skin. It's soft, and it cleans and exfoliates at the same time. 

Features:

• It's 100% Natural
• Eco-Friendly
• Biodegradeable
• Free of Chemicals
• Free of Pollution
• Free of Irritants
• Lasts Longer Than Other Songes
• Has NO Added Dyes or Colorants 
• Hydrates Quickly 
• Can be Used Daily
• Fights Blackheads and Breakouts
• Has a String to Hang it in the Shower
• Has a Special Tear Drop Shape to Clean in Small to Big Spots
• Fits in the Palm of Your Hand
• 100% Biodegradable and Sustainable (You can even plant it in your flowerbed or compost when you want to retire it
• Not Tested on Animals
• Vegan Friendly

Ingredients:

Pure Konjac Powder, Water, and French Green Clay.

Konjac fiber is grown on the pristine volcanic plains of Jeju Island in South Korea.   

They also sell French Red Clay Infused, Bamboo Charcoal Infused, and Original Pure White.

Directions:

• Rinse in warm water. Allow the sponge to absorb the water.

• Cleanse your face. No added cleansers are required. It does work with non-foaming cleansers if needed. 

• Press the water out with your hands, and air dry. It dries fairly quickly. I imagine no mold build up unlike using something else to clean with.

Connect with Oleavine Beauty:  On facebook. Buy the same sponge I got for review on Amazon for $24.95, on sale for $10.
 

Disclaimer: I'm writing this in connection to Tomoson. I got this Konjac Sponge free for review. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.