If you are baking cookies this weekend, this is an amazing sugar cookie recipe. It’s worth the effort!

1 Cup powdered sugar
1 Cup sugar
1 Cup butter or margarine
2 Eggs
1 Tsp salt
1 Tsp cream of tartar
4 Cups flour plus 4 rounded tablespoons
1 Cup Crisco oil
1 Tsp Vanilla
1 Tsp baking soda
sugar
nutmeg
Pecan halves

After mixing as below, chill dough well before rolling into balls for baking.

Cream together the sugar, oil, and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs. Sift measured dry ingredients  together and add to first mixture and mix well.

Roll into small balls and dip into sugar and nutmeg mix. Put on ungreased cookie sheet. Press down with glass bottom dipped in sugar and nutmeg mixture. Lightly press pecan half into center of cookie. Bake at 375 degrees for ten minutes.

Starting this month, Tony Robbins has begun posting videos to his training blog.

In his first video he states that blogging is “new” to him and he’s having fun with it. I guess for those of use who have been blogging for a little bit of time, that seems a little bit ironic. I mean, Tony Robbins is just learning about the blogosphere? OK! Cool!

As many people as Tony reaches on a daily, weekly, and annual basis, now his influence is going to expand even more. Perhaps exponentially. Which is totally amazing to me. People who never had the resources to take advantage of Tony Robbin’s experience before, can now do it from their own home at practically no cost.

His message is always inspiring to me. From a personal perspective, these videos have come at a very interesting time. I haven’t shared this, but my current job is going away at the end of January. I am fortunate in that my company is going to carry me on overhead for some time (they won’t commit to exactly how long that is) so that provides me time to find another position, hopefully within the company.

But being in this situation has certainly stressed me. I prefer not to move. But even more than that, I really need to maintain my paycheck! Jobs right now in my business are being cut back, so finding something is a challenge. Finding something locally, even more of a challenge.

Being positive and feeling in control haven’t been where I have been placing my focus. Worrying and not sleeping have become pretty normal in my home recently!

Then I receive Tony’s emails with his videos. Wow! Once again, Tony has impacted my thinking.

So I wanted to share Tony’s videos with you.

If you have experienced Tony’s teachings before, then you already know how inspiring watching and listening to him can be. If you have never had the opportunity, then perhaps you will learn something about yourself that will cause you to make positive changes to your life.

Please enjoy listeing to this master motivator’s free videos.

If you are blogging, I suspect you are always looking for ways to increase your blog traffic. And you may be looking for ways to monetize your blog. I know I am!

If so, you may want to check out Adgitize. It’s a relative new program that has three components of interest for most bloggers:

• An affiliate program
• An advertising opportunity
• A publishing program

You can participate in one, two or all three of the options.

Joining the program is free. You simply sign up at the link above (yes, I am an affiliate).  At that time, you can copy the html code to add to your blog or web page that allows you to sign up other affiliates or to advertise other paying Adgitize blogs. You can also submit your blog to Adgitize to include in the code to be advertised on other publisher’s blogs.

The payout can be by check or through Paypal.

The cost to advertise your blog is $14 per month. But, you may make that up through the affiliate or publisher Adgitize programs.

As an affliate, you receive 5% of the monthly value that anyone you refer earns. In addition, you receive $5 when someone you refer decides to place their blog as an ad the first time.

You earn points for posting blogs, viewing other Adgitizer’s blogs and other Adgitizers viewing your blog. All points are converted to a dollar value on the 20th of each month and payout is then made either through Paypal or via a check (minus an administrative fee).

So check it out! This may be a program of interest to you.

I don’t know where I’ve been, but November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. This disease is of particular interest to me and my family. My grandfather died from this debilitating disease in 1984 and my mother is showing the initial signs of dementia.

Statistics indicate that 5.2 million Americans are afflicted with this disease and someone develops the disease every 71 seconds. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and it is projected the numbers of people suffering from the disease will double within the next ten years.

There is more and more research directed towards the study of the disease, but to date very little is really understood regarding Alzheimer’s as well as the other brain diseases manifesting themselves in dementia.

This disease has probably touched your family or the family of someone you know. People with the disease require almost constant care. As horrible as the disease is for the patient, it is also incredibly difficult for the family of the loved one as they struggle with dealing with the realities of caring for a loved family member whose needs frequently exceed their capabilities.

So, wear purple this month to show your support for continuing research to learn more about this horrible disease.

I can’t believe the holidays are upon us! Enjoy this yummy cookie recipe from Baileys

• 1/2 cup margarine or butter
• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker cups
• 1 (14 oz) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed milk (not evaporated milk!)
• 1 cup (6 oz) semi-sweet chocolate morsels
• 1 1/2 cup flaked coconut
• 2 cups chopped nuts
• 1 cup Baileys Irish Cream (liqueur)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In 13X9 inch baking pan, melt margarine or butter in oven. Add 4 oz Baileys and stir.

2. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over margarine; pour Eagle Brand evenly over crumbs. Layer evenly with remaining ingredients (not including the remaining Baileys); press down firmly with fork.

3. Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Chill if desired.

4. Cut into bars. Baste remainder of Baileys (4 oz) evenly over top of bars. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Several posts ago, I promised an update on a cleansing product.

What can I say… hmmmm….. Well, I received the product. It said to mix with water and drink. You could take the product up to six times a day, and for a complete “cleanse” you could use it two consecutive days. But you should not use it for longer than those two days.

So, I decided to use it on a Saturday and Sunday. That way, if it made me feel bad or if I needed to spend lots of time in the bathroom, it wouldn’t impact my work productivity.

I used it Saturday as directed. Nothing unusual happened. So, I figured Sunday would be fun.

I used it Sunday. The effects were pretty much the same as Saturday.

I didn’t feel any cleaner! I didn’t spend a lot of time in the bathroom. And I didn’t loose any weight.

I guess it was good for me. It caused me to drink more water than I usually drink, so that is good. And all the ingredients were natural, so I didn’t hurt myself by consuming a lot of weird chemicals.

However, I can’t say I will do it again! I just can’t see any positive quantitative improvement.

So much for my cleansing experience. It was pretty much a non event!

Last month Agel introduced it’s newest product, CAL. CAL is a calcium supplement. Being 50 years old, and being a woman who watched a grandmother suffer with osteoporosis, ensuring my diet consists of enough calcium is a high priority for me. I have tried this new product, and I like it a lot! It tastes like an orange, chocolate tootsey roll. Like all Agel gel-suspension supplements, I am comfortable the bioavailability of the product guarantees I will be able to absorb as much of this product as possible.

Since I don’t believe in re-inventing the wheel, I want to share the corporate information about this product. Following is from the corporate publication:

“Agel™ CAL was formulated to help you get the right amount of the most abundant mineral in the human body, Calcium. This innovative formulation gives you 3 forms of Calcium that are more easily absorbed by the body than other sources, plus these 3 ingredients are combined with other key ingredients and the Suspension Gel technology, which makes CAL the right Calcium product for you.

Calcium is the building block of our body’s structure. Just like a building needs bricks and mortar, our body also has building blocks which promote strength and support. Calcium is the most important mineral in promoting strong and healthy bones. Almost all of the calcium in your body is in your skeleton and teeth. There is only about 1 % extra calcium outside of your skeletal system and most of this 1% is in your blood. As you get older your body needs an adequate supply of Calcium to keep your bones, blood and surrounding cells healthy.

Should I worry about Calcium Deficiency?

Calcium is a mineral needed by the body for healthy bones, teeth, and proper function of the heart, muscles, and nerves. The body cannot produce its own Calcium; it must be absorbed through outside sources such as Calcium Supplements. Research shows that 75 % of people do not get enough Calcium each day. This alarming percentage worries many health care professionals.

So, what can be done to avoid Calcium Deficiency?

Consuming the proper daily recommended amount of Calcium will eliminate any Calcium Deficiency. By consuming Agel CAL not only are you consuming the proper amount of Calcium, but you are also consuming the most effective forms of this important mineral. The formulation of CAL truly does eliminate any risk of Calcium Deficiency.

So what are the key ingredients that make CAL an excellent source of Calcium?

There are eight key ingredients which make CAL unique; these ingredients are Calcium Citrate, MCHA (Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite ), Calcium Aspartate, Vitamin D3, Vitamin K2, Ipriflavone, Horsetail Extract, and Boron. These key ingredients each play equally distinct and important roles in the promotion of skeletal health.

It has been proven that Calcium Citrate is absorbed and digested by the body more efficiently than Calcium Carbonate, especially in older people, and appears to be more effective than Calcium Carbonate. Calcium Citrate does not require stomach acid to be broken down, this means that it is more easily absorbed and utilized by the body. This also means that it can be taken on an empty stomach. Another unique advantage that comes with taking Calcium Citrate is that unlike other forms of Calcium, it does not block Iron absorption.

MCHA is derived from bovine and is a source of not only Calcium, but also other elemental and trace minerals, proteins and other components in their natural proportions. Many studies have shown that MCHA fosters both better absorption and actual reductions in radial bone loss than any other form of calcium. Studies show that this increased absorption is due to the presence of a protein and the microcrystalline structure, which provides a larger surface so that the minerals can be released from the organic- protein matrix into the intestines.

Calcium Aspartate is made from nature soluble Calcium and chelated with the amino acid, L-Aspartate. Calcium Aspartate extends the Calcium absorption from the duodenum to the entire length of the small intestine and therefore achieves the absorption rate much superior to those of other Calcium
products.

Vitamin D3 is one of the most useful nutritional tools we have for improving overall health. Vitamin D3 is the only vitamin the body can manufacture from sunlight . Yet, with today’s indoor living and the extensive use of sunscreens due to concern about skin cancer, we are now a society with millions of individuals who are deficient in Vitamin D3. For more than a century, experts have recognized that Vitamin D3 plays a role in bone health. One of the best known and long-established benefits of Vitamin D3 is its ability to increase bone health and that of the musculoskeletal system.

Vitamin K2 has been scientifically proven to provide amazing benefits for bone health and cardiovascular health, plus it is a powerful anti-oxidant and some emerging science indicates it might help with joint health.

Ipriflavone combined with Calcium can slow and perhaps slightly reverse the natural process of bone breakdown. Ipriflavone maintains bone density at the spine.

Horsetail Extract. This herb has been used therapeutically since ancient Roman and Greek times. Horsetail extract consists of the following compounds: flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin and protogenkwanin glucosides, kaempferol, apigenin) phenolic acids, silicic acid, minerals, saponins (equisetonin), palustrine alkaloid and equistetolic acid. The plant’s therapeutic actions in maintaining bones as well as strengthening connective tissue are attributed to the silicic acid contained in the plant.

Boron aids in the proper metabolism of vitamins and minerals involved with bone strengthening and development, such as calcium, copper, magnesium, and vitamin D. In addition, boron appears to enhance hormones that affect bone health.

How does Celadrin® compare to CMO (cetylmyristoleate)? Why only 500mg per packet?

Simple, research shows the body can only absorb up to 500mg at a time. Based on this it’s best to take CAL in the morning and evening in order to fully absorb the calcium that you need.

What types of calcium are in CAL?

Calcium Citrate, Calcium Aspartate and MCHA are all contained in CAL. These forms of calcium are more easily absorbed by the body, and not as upsetting to sensitive stomachs as calcium carbonate.

If I’m taking FLX do I need CAL?

These two products work together but have very different functionality. FLX is specifically targeted at the joints. CAL is designed to provide calcium for the mineralization of the bones and other processes in the body that use calcium.

How many packets should I take every day?

The recommended dosage is two packets however; you may need more or less than that depending on your individual needs. Remember that CAL provides 500mg of calcium per serving so adjust the number of servings you take per day on the recommendations of your physician.

What are the bone health benefits in summary:

1. Calcium Citrate can be absorbed without hydrochloric acids.
2. MCHA fosters better absorption and reduction in radial bone loss *
3. Calcium Aspartate extends calcium absorption to the entire length of the small intestine. *
4. Vitamin D3 increase bone and muscular skeletal health. *
5. Vitamin K2 promotes bone and cardiovascular health. *
6. Ipriflavone slows or slightly reverses the natural process of bone breakdown. *
7. Horsetail Extract strengthens bones and connective tissue. *
8. Boron aids in the metabolism of essential vitamins and minerals, such as calcium.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”

To learn more about CAL and the other amazing Agel products, you can visit my Agel website.

You know, just last week I was noticing some blogs have been nominated for awards from their fellow bloggers. Many of the blogs are really amazing and so deserving of recognition. I remember thinking how my little blog isn’t nearly as interesting or compelling as so many others, and I would probably not be nominated any time soon.

Then it happened! Ask Ms Recipe nominated me for the I Love Your Blog Award! I am so honored to receive this award, see:

Thank you so much, Ms Recipe. I appreciate it so much.

So the rules are:

1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
2. Link the person you received the award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of the nominated blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominated.

And here are my nominees:

1. The Life of an Unbalanced Libra. Happy birthday fellow Libra!

2. Willows Cat Blog. Where else can you meet cats who speak like a pirate (on the right day!)

3. Daily Blissings. A blog that has taken “an attitude of gratitude” and made is part of everyday life. Inspiring!

4. Holy Cuteness. I can’t start my day without my cuteness fix!

5. LiveLife365. Just another award for your collection! Great writing style.

6. WTF Do You Blog About? Everything from a 911 tribute, to entrecard contests, and Clay Aiken news. An interesting read.

7. A Blog With a Little of This, A Little of That. Truly a mixed bag. But well written and fun to read.