Food Feature Friday #27: Tortoise Edition.

It's no secret that I have an obsession with turtles and tortoises. There is something so uniquely divine about watching the majestic creatures venture through the world at a leisurely pace. Even as a child we owned Red-Eared Sliders and I would love watching them swim around after getting home from a long day of school.

Tortoises are also fascinating to me, because they resemble a silent, slow dog with a hard shell. I love how big they can get and how long their lifespans tend to be - if cared for properly. The thing about tortoises that vastly differs between them and turtles - besides their obvious environment differences - is their diet.

A tortoises diet purely depends on their natural location from where they originated. For example, you wouldn't feed a Sulcata what you'd feed a Red-Footed tortoise, as it would not only process wrong within their bellies, but it wouldn't provide the necessary nutrients for them. 

While there are similarities in their eating habits, there a few key things that you should know about feeding your tortoise. Also, I've come to learn a few things that are extremely important when caring for your tortoise. For today's post I'll be focusing on Red-Footed tortoises (some things can be applied to other forest tortoises), but I'll also be including some facts about dessert tortoises as well.

First off let's discuss the main diet of Yoda (our Red-Footed tortoise, see him HERE). He absolutely loves his fresh leafy greens along with the occasional fruit and veggie. The biggest thing to keep in mind though, is that fruit should be limited to about 1 or 2 times a week. The reason is because the tortoises don't need that much fruit (kind of like how we as humans should limit the amount of sweets we eat) and they can literally throw "fits" if their other meals don't include a piece of fruit. 

When using leafy greens, don't try to buy bulk and freeze it. There are a few fellow tortoise owners who say it's fine, but I'm here to tell you that it turns into mush once it's defrosted and if you wouldn't eat a mushy salad, why should your shell baby? To each their own, but I thought I'd give you the warning, in case you were thinking about it. 

Another big thing I learned is that while you can feed a forest tortoise food for a desert tortoise, you can't feed a desert tortoise food for a forest tortoise. Doesn't mean your forest tortoise will eat the desert tortoise food, but it's considered "safe". I found this out because after purchasing Yoda (see that post HERE) and receiving dry food that Yoda refused to eat, I looked into it and found out that he needed FOREST tortoise food. I was a bit agitated, but now that we've switched it I've seen a dramatic improvement in his diet.

Greens are great and forest tortoise food is awesome, but that's not all Yoda devours. In fact, his favorite dry food is a product called "Mazuri", which I couldn't find in any pet store. I ended up purchasing it through Amazon - which delivered it in 2 days. 

Mazuri tortoise food is by far Yoda's FAVORITE, along with his greens and Tomatoes. It's renowned for being a love to tortoises, which I found out about on Instagram from fellow tortoise enthusiasts. 

Something a lot of tortoise owners don't know - myself included - is that they do need a source of protein roughly about once a month. The reason they need is so little, is because it takes them longer to digest a protein source. 

For Yoda, I purchased a frozen batch of guts - mostly used for monitors - from my local reptile pet store, LLL Reptile. I made mini meatballs out of the batch, individually wrapped each meatball, and placed them in the freezer for future doses. Another source of protein that tortoises tend to like are: caterpillars, earth worms, and snails. You can literally buy snails and caterpillars in a can at pet shops. Earth worms - as far as I've noticed - are sold in those typical Styrofoam cups. 

Overall it's important to feed your tortoise what their natural habitat would find and to give them their correct portions. If you need to add calcium or vitamins, you can also buy a powder to sprinkle on top of their dishes - without or without vitamin D - to help them maintain a strong healthy life. After all, you are what you eat. 

Kung-Fu, Temper-Tantrums, And [Possible] Field Trip Planning.

Today was filled with errands and mommy duties, I'm exhausted.

First I had to make breakfast and clean up afterwards, then we went to meet with a Kung-Fu dojo to check out it's potential for future classes (for my padawan), came home to make lunch and clean up after that, fed Yoda, then came time for winding down.

Boy did that go over badly. 

My little guy has been having a hard time with the whole "pick up after yourself" concept. It's been a consistent issue for the last year or so, without fail, but I've done my best to keep a straight approach of "you need to pick up your toys".

You see, he loves to play and throw his toys all around his room, making it extremely difficult to walk around. It also frustrates me, because more often than not he will accidentally step on a breakable toy, crushing it and creating a fit out of that. 

I know it's not his fault and he truly just wants to play, but I also know how important it is to be consistent with the rules. If I bend them or give in, the tantrums will become even worse, setting me back months. 

Tonight [unfortunately] was another night of fit throwing when I asked him to clean up his room. It's literally been a battle for over an hour and once he finally finished, he had no left over time to play. Even bigger fit.

Now that I've finally gotten him into bed, washed the dishes, cleaned up the house, taken a shower, ate something for myself, and laid down, I've come to the conclusion that this mother is absolutely exhausted. I also remembered [a few moments ago] that we have a field trip early tomorrow morning, that requires about an hour drive. Yay.

What I'm struggling with is knowing that his fit's shouldn't be rewarded, but this was a class field trip that's been scheduled for weeks. I'm almost positive we will be going, but nothing is set in stone. 

All I know is that right now, I'm just not able to post anything significant other than this mini-tangent about how tired I am. I know, so thrilling, but when you've been awake since 6 am and ended the night with a tiresome tantrum, you really don't have a lot of energy.

So I bid you all farewell ti'll tomorrow. Hopefully it will be a fantastic Friday for all you Jedi's! Much love.

Meme found on Pinterest.

Men's vs Women's Razors.

It's no big secret that men's "beauty supplies" is notoriously known to be cheaper than women's products due to the popular "women's tax". The common question is, is there really a difference between the products besides the price. 

I have spoken briefly in the past about shaving products and what I personally use to minimize razor burn and bumps. One thing I haven't exactly shared, is that for the past few weeks I've been testing out two different razors: a Gillette razor for men and an off-brand Venus razor for women. 

The Gillette razor came to about $14, while the Venus off-brand came out to about $15 (the original Venus was $17). While both came additional blade replacements, I immediately noticed that the quality seemed slightly different. 

The Venus wannabe only had 3 blades, while Gillette had 5 and the moisture strips were blatantly different. After using both for a few days on my legs, I've come to the conclusion that the Gillette's moisture strip not only holds up better, but the actual blades themselves rust FAR less than quickly than Venus off-brand. 

Granted the women's razor isn't a top of the line brand, but from what I've experienced in the past I can confidently say that this particular off brand is identical to the original Venus brand.

Once a week had past, I noticed a few very important details with my skin: My skin was smoother with the Gillette razor, I have far less razor bumps [even after shaving every day], and my hair's weren't growing as quickly (yes I know, TMI). 

Even with shaving gel and using Aloe Vera, on my "Venus off-brand" leg, Gillette still gave me the closest smooth with far much more ease than the women's razor. Seeing as how Gillette is also the cheaper in price, AND it lasted longer (rust built up rather quickly on the Venus off-brand), I definitely will be making the switch to Gillette for my shaving needs. 

The Lot In Liberty Station: A Movie Theater For Royalty Review.

Today I bring to you all a very special review that I think will personally entice all movie goers, specifically in San Diego!

I love viewing movies on a big screen TV with a bowl of popcorn and some candy, the only thing I don't like is the [often] minimal comfort, squashed seating, overpriced food, and the hefty ticket price that comes with it all. Granted my mother and step-dad brought me onto a really neat theater that put it hard for any others to beat. They had excellent prices, a neat little selection of goodies, and seats far more comfortable than the average theater. Well today I experienced next level. 

I may not be a movie theater connoisseur, but I can tell you this right now. The movie theater I ventured into tonight, stepped up the bar to a level I didn't know was possible. I'm talking about "The Lot" located in Liberty Station.

This movie theater is "dinner and a movie" wrapped into one, with service delivered directly to your lightly lighted lazy boy recliner. You simply purchase your tickets at the front desk in a building that closely resembles an upscale condo building. The outside is a dining area and a bar, again upscale, with tango lessons going on at the time I left. 

Walking down the "celebrity home like" hallway, I walked into a theater only to find that perhaps 40 seats were all that you could seat, perfectly spaced with plentiful of room for each guest. 

Your seats are paired into groups of two and each seat is a recliner with the cold material you're used to with leather seats. With the AC going I was a little on the chilly side, but that's something I've grown used to. You also have a tiny reading style light on your side, giving you just enough light to eat/order food, without disturbing the movie experience for others - or yourself. 

Your leg room is also spacious beyond belief, because the servers need to get by even with seats fully reclined, making this the optimal movie option for those who require more leg room. 

Service for food is prompt and friendly, allowing you to have a server at your beck and call by simply clicking a discreet button that alerts them they're needed. Food and drinks are decently priced to their portions, but I will say that after tasting a few of their items, not everything is "worth it". 

I had the opportunity to try the fish tacos, some chips and guacamole, a kids pizza, and some buffalo chicken tenders. Of course I also got some popcorn and candy, but that's neither here nor there. 

The fish tacos were seasoned well, but the fish inside was a bit too big for the tiny tortillas. This made for extra battered fish without any shell to devour it with. The chips were seasoned with a "Tajin" style seasoning, making them extra salty, but the guac was decently prepared. The kids pizza was a little too "rubbery", surely not sufficing under my padawan's standards, but it wasn't bad either. A step up from kids pizza, but I'd take a personal pan Pizza Hut pizza from Target any day over this one. The chicken tenders were the worst of the bunch, having a bit too much vinegar in the buffalo sauce and having a "drenched" breading underneath, giving the chicken tenders a "soggy" taste.

I will say however, that the soda, popcorn, and candy were up to par with regular movie theaters, just slightly better since they were directly delivered to me. 

While I thoroughly enjoyed laying back and relaxing in a spacious recliner with so much room around me, I didn't necessarily enjoy the food. Service was impeccable, but again it's only as good as the product itself. 

Overall the experience was something of unique respectability. I do wish to sit down and enjoy a meal here, as the view and scene was beyond mesmerizing, but as far as eating while watching a movie here again...I'll be honest, I'm probably going to pack my own snacks. I know, I know, it's quite frowned upon, but I'm not spending extra.

As far as the ticket price vs the experience, I'm undecided. Close to $20 a ticket for a reclining seat and leg room may be a bit stretch if you don't actually enjoy the food, but perhaps it's worth it with the fact that whatever you'd like will be delivered to you, making your trips to the concession stand mute. 

I do think I'll be returning during the daytime to enjoy Liberty Station fully after a flick here with my padawan (perhaps a pajama day), but I'm not sure if it will be a replacement for my current movie theater love. It's an upscale movie goer experience and plenty of options for dining, so perhaps you will truly find something amazing. I would HIGHLY recommend heading to "The Lot" for yourself, because in general it's an experience of a simple lifetime. 

Earth Day 2k17!

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you've all had a splendid weekend filled with adventures. I know we did.

Over the weekend we celebrated the classic Earth Day, which is basically a day to give thanks to the Earth and to realize how precious she really is. This should be a conscientious thought all of us have throughout the rest of the year (reduce, reuse, recycle people), but I do understand that it's not always in the front of our minds. While we can do our part daily with small changes - less showers, less trash, ect. - we might not always know how to help make a bigger difference, even if it's slightly. 

Well on Sunday Balboa Park (here in San Diego) brought together numerous vendors to help spread the word of respecting the Earth in a wide variety of ways. From showing unique ways on how to better grow with less chemicals to bettering our planet overall, Balboa Park was FILLED with people willing to help improve your way in all things living. 

I for one love taking my padawan to this event, teaching him how to recreate things out of common items and showing him the importance of minimizing our waste to help preserve what we have left. I also (of course) love going for the food, but mostly the lemonade. I tend to save my adventurous food taste buds for the Del Mar Fair (June can't come soon enough!!!).

At the Earth festival this year, we got to see an artistic "protest", to the deportation and segregation of immigrants that fill the US nation. I for one thought that this was an excellent representation of how the overall Earth day went. Vendors sharing knowledge without force and welcoming all in harmony.

I was hoping for the tortoise society to be there - mostly because I wanted more education - but alas they didn't come. It wasn't really their "forte" to be at the Earth fair, but in July they will be holding a tortoise and turtle show - which I will definitely be going to!

One thing that was there, was the faithful Goodwill stand. Now I know most people think they hike the prices for this event, but the reality is they don't. Trust me, I'm an avid Goodwill-er and after checking out the prices at the booth, they were identical (some even better) deals as you'd find in the stores. In fact, my little one found two educational games for relatively cheap and I purchased a pair of super cute bejeweled flip flops that look practically brand new. 

I was also hoping to see tiny houses again, because last year they had an excellent guest who was himself a tiny house builder. He discussed the turmoils and triumphs of doing the build himself AND allowed people to tour the house for themselves. But again, this did not happen.

I will say that there was an increase in medial marijuana vendors near the food section - which I found comical - but that's neither here nor there.

My little guy was able to play a few games - like giant ring toss with hula-hoops and blown up Coke bottles - along with loads of crafts. He even made a mini bag our of ribbon and newspaper, with the help from the Target booths. Along with planting his own seeds, my padawan was able to scarf down some seasoned fries, get some freebies (as did his momma), and play like a nature boy. He even got his own alien balloon made special for him.

Once we ventured the whole park and grabbed as many freebies and samples as we could get, we headed out before the crowds got crazy. We spent about 2 1/2 hours there, with ease from us arriving early. 

Parking was a little hectic, but as long as you arrive early-ish, you'll be ok. But as Master Yoda always says, "patience young padawan". 

Earth Day may have come and gone, but our planet matters everyday. So do your part in trying to better the Earth and make a difference - no matter how big or small - so we can all enjoy this beautiful world!

Peace and love Jedi's!

Food Feature Friday #26: Spatchcocked Lemon Rosemary Chicken!

Today is a super special recipe/review that I wanted to share with you guys and I couldn't be more excited about it! Seeing as how I'm still sick and have been trying to cope with whatever bug I have, I decided to try and eat some chicken, kale, and lemon (all known to help with illness). The only thing I didn't want to do was fully prepare the entire meal. I get winded after just taking a shower, so prepping an entire meal just wasn't in my forte. 

So I made a quick - and exhausting - trip to Trader Joe's and found a very simple and easy meal that I could whip up in no time, without too much work. I came across two prepackaged items: Spatchcocked Lemon Rosemary Chicken and Ditalini Pasta/Cheddar Cheese/Cauliflower/Kale Mac and Cheese. 

Let's start off with the chicken. 

The spatchcocked lemon rosemary chicken is priced at $4.49 a pound and comes completely pre-marinated in a bag with simple to follow directions on the back. All you have to do is pre-heat the oven, place the entire chicken (skin side up) and all the contents into a casserole style dish (basically a shallow-ish baking pan) for the given time (roughly 2 hours). 

Once it's all cooked (check the inside to make sure) you'll be gifted a juicy, tender, whole chicken with little to no effort at all. Except maybe making an alarm for you to remember when to take the chicken out. 

The chicken itself has a mild lemon flavor with a slightly bold hint of rosemary. Each bite made me relive moments from infamous Italian restaurants and even the skin itself was extremely tasty. With such fragrant flavors, but tolerable for the padawans, I fell in love with the entire idea and end result. The collective review of this chicken is that it was a complete and total hit. One "critic" said he could eat it for the rest of his life. Quality and price were extravagant, making me definitely want to repurchase it. 

Seeing as how chicken needs a side dish (not always, but I'm big on having variety), I chose to go with a different type of macaroni and cheese.

Of course I could've used the typical type, but if I'm macaroni and cheese as a side dish for a "special" dinner, then I would go authentic. But as I said before, I didn't want to spend any unnecessary time in the kitchen, so I bought a pre-cooked macaroni and cheese, with a twist.

As a mother, I'm constantly trying to get my little guy to eat healthier (aren't we all), so when we taste tested the "kale cauliflower" macaroni and cheese at Trader Joe's AND he liked it, I snatched it up quicker than you could say "yum". 

This macaroni and cheese is creamy and doesn't have this overbearing taste of kale (or cauliflower for that matter), making it the perfect dish for young ones. Just as long as they aren't extremely picky eaters. The cauliflower isn't crunchy and everything is well mixed in, covered in a delectable amount of cheddar cheese - a huge hit to our taste buds. With a price of only $4.49 (a coincidence at best) and enough quantity to feed roughly 3 people (as a side dish), I will be repurchasing this as well. 

Overall everything was a stupendous success. It not only fed us, but gave us plenty of leftovers for lunches the next day. While it didn't cure my illness (prayers this weekend gives me some sort of relief!), it definitely filled our tummies with plenty of deliciousness. I HIGHLY recommend you picking up these two mouthwatering food items from your local Trader Joe's, so that your next dinner is as easy as pie to make and as healthy as ever to scarf down!

Drying Flowers Pinterest Hack: Worth It or Whack?

My birthday recently passed and one of the lovely gift I received (along with many other stupendous surprises) was a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Unfortunately they don't last forever, so when they started to die off I knew I wanted to try and savor the memory, so I took to Pinterest on how to dry flowers.

Now I know there are a few different ways to do this, including simply letting them dry out in the sun, but I was curious to see if there was another [less time consuming] way to dry out my pretty petals. After scouring a few "pins", I came across an interesting one where you use an iron and paper. Seeing as how I tend to venture into new things when I grow more and more curious about them, I whipped out my iron and two sheets of paper to test out this supposed "hack".

All you'll need for this is hack is:

- Flowers
- An ironing board (or a safe surface to iron on)
- An iron (with no water in it)
- Two sheets of paper

A few key things about this hack is that you want to use your iron on low, as to not burn the paper or flowers, and you don't want any steam for this hack as you'll just defeat the entire purpose. Also, when doing this hack, it's best to do it with flat flowers - daisies for example - as bulky flowers can be hard to dry.

First you need to put your flowers in between two sheets of regular paper, then simply set your iron directly on the paper over the flowers, pressing into the paper. The hack says to NOT rub the iron or move it all, as it can ruin your flowers. Just press and hold for roughly 10 seconds and repeat until flowers are completely dried. 

After about two minutes or so, I decided to check on my flowers only to find that they weren't fully dried, but my yellow daisy did get a bit brown. I went to look up a few comments under this hack (it was posted on a blog, but I don't want to negatively shout them out, which is why I'm not including their name) and it was said that other people had similar issues. 

Overall I think it's safe to say that this is completely whack, so I'll be drying my flowers the old fashion way. You know what they say, if it's not broken don't fix it1

I Tasted The Unicorn Frappuccino!!! Here's My Thoughts.

Perhaps today isn't Friday, therefore it's not a "Food Feature" (don't worry, I still have a recipe for you guys) but seeing as how this magical drink is only available for 5 days, it's imperative that the review be released today. Also today was the official release day, so why not review it today. I'm of course talking about the mystical Unicorn Frappuccino! 

From now (April 19th, 2017) until April 23rd 2017, Starbucks has a very special Unicorn Frappuccino (while supplies last) up for grabs, but only if you believe. Luckily I'm a believer - I've even showcased Berta my unicorn backpack on my Instagram before - and I was able to get my sick butt out of bed to taste test the new phenomenon. 

Now this "flavor changing" drink is supposed to send your taste buds on a small roller coaster of flavors as you drink the frapp. With mango syrup, pink SOUR powder, sweet cream, and sour blue syrup, you should be in for a sweet yet tangy ride. Something I can truly attest to, is the power of the unicorn frapp sour, because the punch is real!

Let's start with the top portion, which is simply Starbuck's original whipped cream with pink and blue powder sprinkled on top. I wasn't sure what to truly expect, but seeing as how I am a fan of sour, I decided to taste a tiny bit by itself. 

Holy crap was it sour.

The powder mixture immediately gave me a "puckered" face, because the intensity was so surreal, I almost sit it out. Granted I wasn't prepared for the severity of the sour, but even the second taste was just as potent. Putting all other sour candies I have tasted to shame.

The drink itself is supposed to be mixture of sour and sweet, but with just a first sip I was taken immediately to a Vanilla Bean Frapp. After a few more sips I got the much less intense sour flavoring from the syrups, but to be frank I didn't taste the mango. Perhaps a minuscule amount of fruitiness, but to me it wasn't nearly as powering as the rest of it's ingredients. 

While drinking the frapp just as is isn't a crime or un-tasty, it isn't the way Starbucks apparently intended for it to be enjoyed. In fact, you're supposed to mix everything together to get the full effect of what the Unicorn Frapp is all about. So I did just that. I mixed it all together and while it wasn't nearly as pretty, it was tasty.

Overall the flavor itself didn't necessarily change, but as time went on I got bouts of sweet then punches of sour, ending with a subtle tart taste. The mango never fully came through for me, but perhaps you can taste it more than I could. 

It's a fun, silly drink that isnt bad tasting, but for the price I do feel like you're paying for the "show". I wouldn't call it a gimmick per se, but it was a little overpriced for my liking. However, saying that I was able to taste the sour/sweet mythical beast drink, was [to me] worth it. 

So if you have the opportunity to stop by Starbucks and have a hankering for a sour tasting adventure, try it out for yourself. But remember, it's only available if you believe!

Pretty Little Liars Premier: Hopes, Dreams, and Expectations.

First off I'd like to say that if any part of this is messed up, it's because I've unfortunately caught a bug that is currently kicking my butt. Now on to today's post. 

Pretty Little Liars is a world renowned series that not only has it's past seasons streaming on Netflix, but is currently in it's last season every Tuesday night on Freeform (previously known as ABC Family). I've talked about my mild obsession with this young adult show (see that post HERE) and now that the final 10 episodes have started, I thought I'd break down my thoughts of today's premiere along with a few hopes I have for the ending. 

With snacks in hand and cuddled all cozy-like in my bed, I settled into a comfortable spot to start watching. 

Today's episode brought us straight into the story line where we left off. Spencer was shot, Toby and Yvonne were in a car accident, Noel Kahn is dead (talk about a gruesome way to die, right?!), and Jenna is wandering around somewhere along with Spencer's supposed mother (I won't reveal what we learn about this, only to avoid spoilers). 

As the episode began to make sense of a few things, I felt myself immediately drawn back into the suspense that PLL has so adamantly kept at a steady pace throughout it's seasons. While I'm thrilled the season has started it's ending - it's bitter sweet for me to be honest - I'm concerned with the fact that we only have 10 episodes (9 if you don't count tonight's) left until the end. With so many questions unanswered and so many twists, I'm only hoping that the entire plot is clearly revealed without any sort of confusion. 

In tonight's episode, I will say that a few key details have been cleared up and some scenarios are starting to make sense - although someone's family tree just got a lot more interesting - and I can only hope that the same progression continues throughout the season. 

For example, who killed Mrs. DiLaurentis? Who was Sara and Jenna looking for? Who were they working for? Who is A.D.? Who killed Sara and Charlotte? Who actually shot Spencer? Where is Wren and how is he involved? And who else is involved in the minuet details of the debauchery that the liars have gone through?   

Personally I have a strong feeling (mostly hope) that every question from the beginning shall be revealed with the same eloquence and smooth transitioning as the answers we received in tonight's episode. 

I do feel as though the writers haven't slacked off the quality of the show and while I truly will miss PLL, I'm a little happy it's coming to an end. With so much to think about and constantly trying to unravel the mystery of how A.D. got started, how the "game" transitioned from one "A" to the next, and why this is all taking place, I'm ready for some answers. And to be completely frank, once I get all my answers, I'll probably re-watch each episode looking for all the clues and seeking out the scenes I missed. 

So as I anticipate the ending, I'm looking forward to the [hopefully] continuously amazing quality and suspenseful episodes each Tuesday on Freeform. I can only hope my predictions are correct, but regardless I'm ready to see the face behind the black hoodie. 

Who do you think is A.D.?

Ikea Hack: The Perfect Duvet For Minimum Price!

Ah Monday. The day for many that brings frustration to a brand new work week. Luckily I'll be providing a really comfy hack to help create the perfect night sleep with minimal expenses! 

Duvet comforters more often than not, provide ultimate comfort when sleeping. They make you warm enough without overheating your body temperature to where you're sweating up a storm. Which - I know, TMI - can be frequent for me if I don't have the cold temperatures I prefer. Problem is that duvet comforters can be on the pricer side of the bedding spectrum, leading most people to steer clear of these cuddly blankets all together. Well I'm here to tell you there is a way for superb comfort without dropping over a hundred dollars on something you sleep with.

A while back I purchased a cheep comforter from Walmart for under $20. It wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world, but it was a blanket. I passed my old one down to my young padawan, as he was absolutely obsessed with it and I had to use something.

After some time I came across IKEA's duvet sets, which were relatively cheap. Some were more expensive than others, but there were decent priced ones as well ($20 for example). But instead of just purchasing a brand new set I decided to check out the clearance section, which is constantly stocked with bedding supplies - pillows, blankets, comforters, and duvet covers.

It was my lucky day when all of a sudden I found a duvet cover on sale from $40 for the set, to only $15 for the cover. Best part? It was queen sized, which is exactly what I needed! Score!!!

Now I'm not saying you'll automatically have as good of luck at IKEA as I did, but I'm not saying you wont either! Regardless, you can look into one of their sets and even a $40 one would put you as less than half of what just a good duvet would cost! 

Once home I put the cover on the my Walmart comforter and boom! I had officially struck gold. It's the perfect sleeping companion and is not only cool, but keeps me sleeping in peace all night long and it cost me less than $40! 

I know that sometimes the feather down comforters can feel the most pleasant, but to me the "cotton" filled comforter from Walmart is actually a bit better, because I never have to worry about the feathers just flying around when making the bed. And believe me, it happens a lot. 

With my new found love - which I've had for about a year now - I sleep in perfect slumber, especially knowing that I paid way less than what the average person does. So if you want to get yourself into bed with a brand new duvet, try this hack and sleep in comfort. 

Food Feature Friday #25: Oreo Churros!

This is something I've been absolutely THRILLED about sharing with you all. In the past I had seen a photo of a mysteriously decadent dessert that had me in awe. I was both intrigued and cautious, as I didn't know whether this was an alternate universe granting me my food dreams or if it was a reality that I needed to experience for myself. Well after browsing through our local Ralph's, I stopped dead in my tracks for what I thought was truly a myth. 

Oreo Churros. 

That's right, America's favorite cream filled cookie is now in churro form and people are freaking out! Granted they were technically released last year, but it wasn't until earlier this week that I was actually able to find these gorgeous $3.49 heavenly churros. 

They are sold in the frozen section at the grocery stores - close to the deep fried Hostess Twinkies - and the only thing keeping you from devouring these crispy crunchies, is a hot oven and a quick dip in the Oreo crumbles. 

The inside is ooey-gooey, but can be hot when fresh out the oven (so be careful). While they definitely resemble Oreo's at their finest, there's something about these scrumptious goodies that bring the beloved cookies to a whole new level. An outer layer of crunchy churro, filled with creamy goodness, sprinkled with Oreo crumbles. What more could you want?!

On the sweet scale, these are pretty up there. A glass of milk (or your version of milk - we do rice milk) is DEFINITELY needed to scarf a few down or even some ice cream. 

Personally I was astonished on how well this rendition of Oreo's was, considering their failed attempt (at least in my opinion) at different flavor filled cookies. Yes I do like a few of their "new flavors", but a few are really off the rocker to me. Candy corn, Peeps, and Swedish Fish are just a few of my nemesis. 

I think that the ease and mouthwatering aftermath of these churros are a gift from the food God's, that should be tried at least once in your life. With such a small price tag and a good quantity to suffice your craving (until you want more), I believe it to be worth it. 

Besides your regular grocery stores (Von's, Ralph's, Albertson's, etc.), they are also known to be sold at Walmart, superstores and regular stores. 

You can bet that after I finished the entire box of Oreo churros, I went to the store and bought more for late night snacking! 

Hectic Chaos And Peace Of Mind.

Found HERE

Well today was no less hectic than the last few days, that's for sure.

First we woke up and my little padawan went to hang out with his grandma for a little while (thanks mom!), so I could find something to wear for the family event tomorrow. Of course I didn't find anything, so I went to pick up my little guy and set out once again to try and find something. Luckily I found a discounted dress, a nice cover up, and a pair of shoes to match within a really descent budget. 

In between we had to eat - I'll admit, our diet was NOT the healthiest today - and then head home to get ready for church. 

I had to partake in a special ceremony, that coincides with my first communion and cathecism (which is happening Saturday by the way). It took about an hour and a half, then we headed home to eat and get my spawn into bed. 

Tomorrow we have to wake up early, get all dolled up, and head to the family event for a few hours. 

I have to say, my bed hasn't been more inviting than it is right now. And yes I know I said I'd have significant content today, but I'm human. More drastically, I'm a mom, so things don't always go to plan.

Honestly I had hoped to get the content posted by the afternoon, but seeing as how I was hardly home at all today, that didn't happen...obviously. 

The good news is, I already have tomorrow's food post ready to go and it's freaking AWESOME! 

Thank you for being understanding and I truly appreciate all of your support. It means the world to me. Much love Jedi's! 

Living By My Life Motto.

Found HERE

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

With so much going on, I feel like there just aren't enough hours in the day. Between stretching myself thin trying to get my son's schooling handled (FYI, we're going to be continuing with homeschooling for the time being), taking care of the household, preparing for my catechism and communion ceremony, and going to a family event this weekend, I'm overly exhausted. 

It's true what they say, when it rains it pours. 

I'm doing my best to of course stay positive through all the ordeals, but sometimes I just want to scream. I'm really happy for all the many blessings in my life and I don't ever want to take that for granted. Thankfully none of this will last forever and it will pass. 

So for now I will focus on my main life motto: my current situation is not my final destination. Something that has gotten me through much worse. 

So for now, browse around to some past posts and check back in tomorrow for quality content. 

Much love Jedi's! 

"13 Reasons Why": Why You Should Watch It.

As an avid Netflix user, I often venture into the "trending now" category and "newly released" section to find what I'll be binge watching - or steering clear of - for the new few nights. It was last weekend when I noticed a new series was released and I willing to give it a chance. So without hesitation I began to watch the pilot, really just expecting a young adult series (which it is labeled) for the teen Netflix-ers, offering nothing to the other ages. I was sorely mistaken.

I would like to give this warning now. While I will NOT be disclosing a bunch of spoilers, nor will I tell you how it ends, I will be providing as few details as possible while still giving an accurate depiction of the storyline. I will also be giving MY opinions on it and expressing the key points in why I personally believe this is a series EVERYONE should watch. That being said, let's get into this review.

Found HERE

This series begins with a tragedy that has ridden almost an entire high school with grief from the death of a student. While the entire series circles around multiple key students and their inner lives, the "host" of the show is really a young man named Clay Jensen. 

With not much in his life, Clay is gifted a set of tapes that details the truth behind Hannah Baker's suicide, which Hannah herself pre-recorded prior to her untimely demise. As he goes through each and every tape, he uncovers dark secrets that had created a snowball effect in Hannah's life, ultimately leading her to the decision she so "cautiously" chose. 

As we follow Clay in his journey, each and every episode details the chaotic and heart-wrenching affects of how bullying and high school life can lead to such disastrous results AND how each decision creates a domino effect, extending the pain to many more lives. 

Within the series we see the grieving family, the school that is facing a lawsuit (the family believes her suicide could've been prevented if they had taken Hannah seriously as she reached out for help in more ways than one), the kids that are on the tape (that Hannah basically named responsible for her death), and the past experiences of Hannah's life. 

Personally I feel that this series is extremely important for all members of society, middle school aged and up, for us to truly understand the cause and effect of our actions. While it's impossible to be a perfect person, taking responsibility and thinking how it affects others is an important quality everyone could use, because sometimes (myself included) we don't think before we act. 

"13 Reasons Why" originally started out as a book by the author Jay Asher and depicts heartbreak on many platforms within word form. The series - I feel - adequately retold the story with it's delicate nature, in a fashion that seamlessly adheres to the issues at hand in our society today. 

Rape, stalking, bullying, suicide, abuse, betrayal, homophobia, high school relationships, gossip, underage drinking, drama, rumors, and secrets are some of the points talked about in "13 Reasons Why". These are [unfortunately] very common in high school life and regular life. 

The best part about this entire series is that they talk about how each and every one of these issues could have been dealt with an entirely different approach, leading to the saving of someone's life. 

I think we all could use a dose of reality, because it showcases a lot of real situations that we as people see and deal with daily. It allows us to understand why people act the way they do and how to combat the silencing of very dangerous actions. It gives each of us the tools to be better equipped in handling how our children (or maybe even our lives) are treated when we aren't around. It showcases how to see key signs in downward spirals within each other. 

Found HERE

Finishing the season Clay is determined to expose the truth of Hannah's life, making each person accountable for their part in Hannah's suicide, regardless of the "consequences" that may or may not take place in the future for Clay. I came out of this realizing that while I may want to be accepted in society and I may have my own moments of "anger", but I will take into consideration how my words and actions may negatively affect another person. 

One extra part in this series - which I can't comment on whether or not it takes place in the book, because I have yet to read it - is that it ends with a semi-cliffhanger, leaving room for either imagination or [hopefully] a season 2. 

I have dealt with depression and anxiety in many forms throughout my life, including in high school. I was one of the lucky ones who was thankfully heard when she cried for help, but many times these signs go completely unnoticed. "13 Reasons Why" will give you an insight into the mind of a suicidal teenager, who desperately needs open arms to help guide her into a long life. 

So perhaps you're struggling to find a way past this part of your life or perhaps you aren't sure how to approach your deflective teen, this series could very well help you. If nothing else, it will provide for a very well written and dramatic show you can binge watch.

Each episode increases in more suspense, but towards the end I wouldn't suggest it suitable for a younger audience. That is merely up to the discretion of parents however, as there is even a warning for a few episodes of "viewer discretion advised". 

One last note. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or any mental illness, please seek help. If you don't have anyone to listen or hear you, you are more than welcome to reach out to me via email (thewhiterockingchair@gmail.com) or on Instagram direct message.

I promise it will be a safe zone with zero judgment and complete confidentiality. I've been on the edge and I know what it's like to stare at death in the face. I'm hear for all you beautiful and handsome Jedi's. You deserve to be loved, you deserve to be happy, you deserve a friend, and you deserve to live. 

Just remember, I'm here if you need me. 

Spring Cleaning Tips and Tricks!

Spring is known for many things: Easter, blooming flowers, and reorganizing your house in preparation for Summer. While not many still participate in "Spring cleaning", I urge you to join in on the cleaning fun.

I know you're probably saying "Fun? Cleaning isn't fun!". Correction, it totally freaking is! You see, my hall closest (along with other random area's in the house) have become victim to clutter taking over and I'm sick of it. I have decided to officially work on fixing my secret shame (because you don't see the mess unless you open the doors) along with sprucing up the house overall. The reason this is "fun" is because in the end, I will be gifted with an entirely "new" and well put together hall closet, that will [hopefully] keep things in tip top shape throughout the year. 

It was during this time that I realized I should share with you all some neat tips and tricks I've learned, to help make this process bearable!

First step: supplies!

When starting to declutter, you need to make sure you have everything you need. Nothing is worse than trying to organize your stuff, only to have to leave a bigger mess and go buy paper towels, cleaners, and storage bins. 

Go through your house and make a list of all the items you'll need to get the job done right. Estimate how many storage bins you'll need and add an extra (better a left over than not enough), figure out what cleaners you'll need for every part of the house (oils for wood, glass cleaner, carpet deodorizer, bleach, trash bags, etc.). Once you've gotten everything prepared, it's time to dive on in!

Purge, purge, purge!

There's something about Fall and Winter that just naturally brings out the hoarder in us all. We buy extra clothes, try out the new makeup that's been released, and fix our Summer time blues by buying more and more. I too am guilty of this unnecessary pleasure, but it's Spring time that I set myself straight. 

Some of the biggest items to easily downsize are:

-old sheets

-old towels

-clothes

-shoes

-makeup

-toys (for the kiddos)

-expired spices, canned foods, and dry foods

-books (I know this is hard!!!)

-jewlery

-decorations

-nail polish

-travel items (mini shampoos, small toothpastes, etc.)

-papers (receipts, old notes, etc.)

You'd be surprised by how much room you'll be saving when you go through the items that take up the most room. 

Question your nonsense!

While trying to downsize and fix up your home, it can be difficult to rid of items that are ultimately deemed useless. Perhaps your judgement is clouded by one reason or another and while I completely share your pain, I've come up with three basic questions that have decided the fate of many items I wasn't sure about.

1. Have I used it in the last year?

2. Am I only keeping this for the memories or a sentimental reason?

3. Do I have a realistic plan to wear or use it?

Answering these questions out loud will help you to decipher if it's necessary or want. Don't get me wrong, we all deserve extra pleasures and goodies in life, but too much can be disastrous to your clean home dreams. 

Dollar items are your best friends! 

I've used many bins from Target ranging through $2.50 to $5 in order to hold many of my bigger items in need of storage (holiday decorations, summer beach toys, etc.). Well one of my biggest secrets in organizing smaller and medium sized items is Dollar Tree and the dollar section at Target. 

You see, I like to plan ahead so I have an abundance of trash bags, body wash, shampoos, and toothpastes (to name a few things). Instead of storing them in giant bins, go to Dollar Tree (or your version) and check out their stacking bins. These make for perfect desk, medicine, food, and all around organizers. They also sell smaller sized bins that you can use for makeup, bath toys, nail polish, and more. 

You can even purchase your cleaning supplies from there while your stocking up on bins!

Don't be so hard on yourself!

Needless to say this is thee most important thing to take into consideration this cleaning season. More often than not I'm harsh on myself, setting unbelievable expectations to clean and organize the entire house in one day, and forcing myself to OVER purge (yes that's a thing). 

What you need to remember is that if you're going to just repurchase something, keep it, don't waste your money. And instead of setting a goal of cleaning the entire house in one day (even though we want it done in the quickest time possible), try setting certain rooms and sections for different days. Perhaps on Saturday you can clean the kitchen, living room, and hallway. On Sunday you can do the bathrooms and bedrooms. Splitting the chores and rooms into multiple days takes the pressure off of you, allowing you to make better decisions, therefore providing a better cleaning experience. 

I know cleaning isn't dazzling and we aren't jumping for joy to do any of it, but personally with these few tips and tricks, it goes by with a breeze. Hopefully these inspire and help you to clean this Spring with ease!