Swine Flu Outbreak?

The DC Region is preparing for the Swine Flu. They are telling us it is inevitable to hit this area. http://tinyurl.com/dhrerp

Popchips Review & Giveaway

Recently I had the opportunity to sample popchips and I have to tell you they are the best potato chip I ever had! Popchips are never fried, never baked, but popped.

Healthier, delicious, all-natural. Actually, they are all that and a bag of chips. How do they do it? Well, first, let's talk about how they don't do it. They never fry their chips. That just puts a lot of stuff in there that we could all do without. They never bake their chips either. That just takes a lot of flavor out, which, as snackers, we simply can't do without.

So they came up with a chip like no snack aisle has seen (or taste bud has tasted). That's because they found a way to pop all the flavor in while keeping fake stuff and half the fat of fried chips out. Thanks to the magic of popped.

The Magic of Popped

Popping is a way of making their all-natural chips without oil. They start with the finest ingredients, like wholesome potatoes, apply heat and pressure, along with a little snack magic. And pop! It's a chip.

With an artful blend of all-natural seasonings, they've created lots of taste bud-popping flavors. Pop open a bag of popchips™ and try for yourself. Everybody has a favorite. Or two.

All natural. Nothing fake or phony.

Their all-natural pledge: no fake colors, no fake flavors, no preservatives, no fluorescent orange fingertips, and no wiping your greasy chip hand on your jeans. No, really. They only use ingredients you can feel good about eating. And they leave out the bad stuff, like hydrogenated oils and msg, that give snacking a bad name. Because popchips™ brand chips have no preservatives, make sure to get a good chip clip after opening the bag to keep our popped chips fresh. Or better yet, just eat them all at once.

Well popchips is giving one of my lucky readers a popchips gift package. All you have do is visit the website popchips and come back and post what flavor you would like to try. ( This is required before you do any of the extra entry options). For extra entries you may do all or any of the following options but don't forget to leave seperate comments for each. 1. Follow my blog (1 entry) 2. Blog about the giveaway and link it back to my blog and also popchips. Then leave me a comment to the URL.(2 entries) 3. Add my button to your blog, then leave a comment that you did. (1 entry) 4. Follow me on Twitter: elliejf (2 entries) 5. Tweet about this giveaway then leave a comment with the URL where you Tweeted (2entries) Giveaway is for the Continental US only. Giveaway will end May 6th. Make sure you leave some way for me to contact you in your post and winner will have 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and another winner is chosen. GOOD LUCK!!

CONGRATS TO OUR WINNER!

Congrats to Melissa. She was the winner of the Twinkle by Wenlan Birds of a Feather Necklace. Randomizer chose post #3 and she followed all directions. Send me your info Melissa and I will get this right out to you :)

So surreal

My daughter had her appointment with the Oncologist yesterday and things didn't go as well as I was hoping for. The Oncologist wanted to speak reality and the reality is, she's had the cancer so long and they have tried to remove it so many times there's a good chance the treatment won't work. The Oncologist did say that they would give her medications to keep her comfortable so the pain won't be so bad if it doesn't work. The Oncologist is a woman (my daughter requested a woman) and told Elizabeth that she wanted to do another biopsy today to see if the cancer has spread even further, and my daughter is so scared she told her she would have to check her schedule this week and see if she could do it. (You see my daughter lives in a place for single mom's that left abusive relationships and also are mentally challenged. She has Borderline Personality Disorder) So she has many meetings throughout the week, with counselors, case workers). The Oncologist got kinda of stern and told her this was very serious she didn't have the time to worry about "meetings", as they wanted to start treatment Thursday after they do the biopsy today, which consists of chemotherapy and internal and external radiation. I think Elizabeth understands she could die, but not that she could die relatively soon or how serious the threat of that is. How did this happen?? Children are supposed to outlive their parents. I mean my God I even had breast cancer. It doesn't seem real, it's like a nightmare that I can't wake up from. When she told me that the doctor said that they would be able to keep her comfortable with pain meds, it HIT me, like a brick in the face.....I may lose my baby girl, really. So after I get my gallbladder removed (Friday) and heal some I am going to go and spend some time with her. I NEED to do that. I haven't seen her in 3 years due to my illness and some problems with her a couple years ago (with the boyfriend actually). I'm really trying to be spiritual and turn to God, but he took both of my parents and now maybe my daughter, I have to question his motive and my faith. Help Me! I don't want too, but why? Why would he do this????? I keep asking for prayers, I feel the more prayers the better the outcome, but I am questioning that also. Please help me not question my faith. I can't imagine my life without my daughter, and her baby girls need her. If the father get's both Ariannah (which he already has) and Olivia he will never tell them about their beautiful kind hearted mother. Nor will he let us see her. He screams that God is the all and knowing and his savior, yet he doesn't live that life. He will take those girls and they will never know their momma or grand parents and they deserve to know how hard their momma fought to keep them and change to take care of them. But I am trying to keep positive that she will be able to tell them herself.

Win from Love, Life, Family and then some(click here to enter)

One lucky winner will receive a jar of Black Lava Salt, Das Caramelinis in Cafe Cortado and Chai Latte, and 4 Das lolli's! GL!

MyMixGranola giveaway (click to enter here)

Carrots "n" Cake is having a giveaway for a $20.00 GC to MixMyGranola all you have to do is stop by there website and enter. GL!

Flower bouquet giveaway (click here to enter)

Emily Dickinson's Garden is giving away a beautiful flower bouquet. All you have to do is visit her site and leave a comment. Giveaway is over May 4th. Good Luck!

So I have been on a low fat diet

Due to gallbladder issues (which will out of my life, not to mention my body on Friday), I have found the perfect sandwich and to you it may seem boring but to me it's a gourmet meal. A slice of deliciously fresh wheat bread then 2 slices of sliced turkey (they usually don't fit so I have to fold them over on the sides, one folded on the right side the other on the left), 4 perfectly sliced slices of cucumber sprinkled with a little gourmet salt, (whichever I am in the mood for-see earlier post), and two slices of tomato (not too thick, not too thin), then the other slice of deliciously fresh wheat bread. Then I eat the rest of the sliced cucumbers and some fresh very big and delicious strawberries. So what do you have for lunch??

Yay or Nay

Tell me what you think of the new blogger template.....Yay or Nay. Thanks....Just leave your post here.........

Only 2 more days to enter!

Only 2 more days to enter my giveaway for the Twinkle by Wenlan Birds of a Feather necklace. Please enter the giveaway about 1/2 way down the page. Get all your entries in by Wednesday the 22nd. Good Luck!!

Last Day to Enter (click here to enter)

Last day to enter for a pair of clogs. Mommy-Files is holding a giveaway for a pair of clogs. All you have to do is visit the Mommy-Files website and follow the instructions. Good Luck.

My heart is breaking

Just talked to my daughter. She is terrified!!! She doesn't want my son to take her daughter because she is afraid she will never see her again. She said to me "What if something happens and I die? Olivia is too far away from me. I want to try and keep her with me, because everyday I look at her it will give me motivation." I truly understand how she feels but having been through chemo and radiation myself I'm just not sure she will feel like taking care of her. I think after I get my gallbladder removed Friday the 24th I may go and stay with her for a little bit. I'm just afraid because I have a hand that doesn't function well, so I'm a little nervous about picking up my granddaughter. But I really believe she is going to have a hard time taking care of her daughter while going through treatment. I keep thinking this isn't real. But it is, and it's something that my boys and I have to face. My younger son is really not handling this well at all. Lately there is so much "CANCER". Either someone has it or someone is being tested for it, or someone is dying from it. I really hate that word anymore. I hated it when I was diagnosed with it but I have to say I hate it more now.

The Next Big Thing!

As Gary says, "Salt, it's the next big thing", but is actually the oldest spice around. With the Artisan Salt Sampler you can experience a multitude of textures, colors and flavors of authentic salts from around the world. The complete sampler includes 24 mini glass jars each with a hand milled cork top. The entire set is displayed in a gorgeous bamboo presentation box. The sampler contains the following: Bamboo Presentation Box is a hand made storage case with a glass door and stainless steel hardware. The bamboo box is "12x12x4” Alaea - Hawaiian Sea Salt – Fine & Coarse is the traditional Hawaiian Sea Salt. Hawaiian Red Clay adds nutrients and flavor to this unique salt. (red meats and sea foods) Bali Coconut & Lime Smoked Sea Salt is a tropical sea salt that has been smoked over coconut shells and kaffir lime leaves. This unique salt adds an exotic flavor to ordinary dishes. (red meats especially steak and seafoods) Cyprus - Mediterranean Flake Salt is a favorite among professional chefs. The unique pyramid shaped crystals have a fresh ocean flavor and a satisfying crunch. ( seafoods & poultry) Cyprus - Cyprus Black Lava Flake Salt is Mediterranean Sea salt combined with activated charcoal. The dramatic color and delicate texture make this finishing salt ideal for table side presentation. The activated charcoal will enhance the flavor of your favorite dish. (vegetables) Fleur de Sel de Guérande - French “Flower of Salt” is accepted by many chefs as the best finishing salt in the world. Young salt crystals are skimmed from the surface of salt ponds in France. This is a mild finishing salt with a crisp texture. (seafoods) Flor de Sal - Portuguese “Flower of Salt” is premium hand harvested sea salt from Portugal. Young salt crystals are skimmed from the surface of salt ponds. This is a mild finishing salt with a crisp texture. (red meats & poultry) Flower of Bali - Tropical Sea Salt is a delicate sea salt crystal that forms on the surface of tropical salt beds. This unique salt is hand harvested and only available in limited quantities. (most anything) Fumée de Sel - Chardonnay Oak Smoked Salt is premium sea salt that has been slowly smoked with chardonnay oak wine barrels. It is prized for its gentle smoke flavor with a savory hint of wine. (red meats, seafoods, poultry) Hiwa Kai - Hawaiian Black Lava Salt is solar evaporated Pacific sea salt is combined with activated charcoal. This compliments the natural salt flavor and adds numerous health benefits to the salt. Hiwa Kai has a stunning black color and silky texture. (vegetables) Himalayan Pink Salt - Fine & Coarse is a pure, hand-mined ancient sea salt found naturally deep inside the pristine Himalayan Mountains. The high mineral crystals range in color from sheer white to varying shades of pink to deep reds which indicates a beneficial amount of 84 trace elements & iron. (most anything) Kala Namak - Indian Black Salt - Fine & Coarse is an essential ingredient in authentic East Indian cuisine. The distinctive aroma and flavor of egg yolks makes this salt unforgettable. (vegetables and red meats) Murray River - Australian Pink Flake Salt is prized for its gorgeous apricot color and delicate flakey texture. Melts quickly and evenly - a perfect finishing salt. (most anything) Peruvian Pink - Mountain Spring Salt comes from a natural spring located 10,000 feet high in the Mountains in Peru. The warm spring water seeps into terraced salt ponds. This salt has been hand-harvested for over 2,000 years. The crystals have a high moisture content and a light pink color. Peruvian Pink salt has a strong flavor and is a great seasoning salt. (most anything) Salish - Alder Smoked Salt - Fine & Coarse is naturally smoked over Northwest Red Alderwood. No artifical colors or flavors are added. Salish gives food a genuine smokehouse taste on or off the BBQ. (red meats especially steaks) Sel Gris de Guérande - Fine is sea salt that is hand harvested from the prestigious salt ponds of Guérande, France. This is a healthy replacement for ordinary table salt. Sel Gris is a 100% natural, whole mineral sea salt that is carefully stone ground to be easily dispensed from a shaker or used as a finishing salt at the table. (most anything) Sel Gris de Guérande - Coarse is an unrefined whole mineral sea salt that is hand harvested from the prestigious salt ponds of Guérande, France. Sel Gris is a 100% natural, whole mineral sea salt. (red meats, pork, poultry, fish) Sel de Mer - Mediterranean Sea Salt - Fine & Coarse is an solar evaporated Mediterranean Sea Salt. The naturally white, dry crystals are ideal for use in a salt grinder (coarse) and or in a salt shaker (fine). (most anything)

Great giveaway (click here to enter)

I came across this giveaway tonight on "An Island Review". It's a giveaway for a sterling silver heart pendant from Joolwe (http://www.joolwe.com) . Just go to(http://islandlife808.com/islandreview/reviewes-giveaways/joolwecom-giveaway/#comment-44166) and enter. Good Luck.

Avon Pink Ribbon Collection Giveaway (click here to enter)

Tara's view of the world is hosting a giveaway for the Avon Pink Ribbon Collection: She is giving away The New Avon Crusade Watch, Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Tennis Bracelet, The rhinestone Flip flop necklace, Flip Flops, Clogs, and water bottle. Get on over to http://tinyurl.com/dhuuql and enter!!!!!

It's Like a Dream

I keep thinking about my daughter and her cervical cancer and keep thinking I am going to wake up from a bad nightmare. It's really happening, she has stage 3B cervical cancer and the only treatment is chemo, and internal and external radiation. My poor baby. I could lose my baby girl. My older son is going to keep her daughter while she goes through treatment. I feel so useless. She's scared, she's sad, she looks sick and I can't help her. It's not right, a mom is supposed to be able to help her child. I'm more scared for my daughter than I was for myself when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. What do I do?? How can I stop this?? I can't deal with this, I don't know how. I'm afraid I will get a phone call one of these days, and I can't get that thought out of my head. For all you people that keeps saying I'm strong, oh you are so wrong. I'm not strong, I'm falling apart but I am trying to show her I am. Then I have to also worry about my upcoming surgery. I am having a cholecystectomy soon. I am seeing the surgeon on Thursday. UGH! I just wish everything wouldn't always hit at once. I know I should be writing about good and happy things and I will I just need to get this out and then I'll be better. Thanks for letting me talk.

A yummy snack

Have any of you tried the Trader Joe's Dunkers? They are delicious. They have 2 flavors that I know of. One is oatmeal/cranberry drizzled with white fudge and the other is chocolate chip. They come in a 1 lb. 8 0z. plastic tub. I believe we paid $4.99 for a tub. They are so good to have with coffee. You should really try them.

Luxaholics giveaways (click here to enter)

Enter the Emoda Celebrity Trend Giveaway week at Luxaholics: Different prize everyday. Prizes such as: And much more. Good Luck!

Unbelievable

Today I had the past slap me in the face. Stuff I preferred to keep in the past came flooding back. My first husband, abusive mean bastard, who molested my daughter when she was 3, contacted me on MySpace and wanted to know if I would help him get a hold of my daughter (Elizabeth who he molested) so he could be a "dad" and would I add him as a friend. Are you F**KING kidding me???? Can you believe that bastard had the nerve to contact me?????? I have tried hard to protect my daughter from him her whole life after the molestation, I am not about to quit trying now. I am just in shock first of all that he thinks I would want him as a friend and 2nd I would help him get in touch with my daughter. However I didn't feel it was my decision to make so I called her today and asked her if she would like to have contact with him and she said "HELL NO". So needless to say I denied his request and blocked him. I guess he thinks enough time has past that maybe we can forgive and forget, well I will never forgive nor forget. I'm sorry but I had to vent and get this all out. Then he ends it with Happy Easter. Man oh man, what is he smokin. Good thing I don't use MySpace too much, I prefer Facebook. Anyhow, heres how I feel about it.....Whatever happens in the past, stays in the past.

Meat Lovers (click here to enter)

If you're a steak lover, Omaha Steaks have a $1.000.00 weekly giveaway of steaks. YUM! Prize: $1,000 worth of free Omaha Steaks To Enter: Complete online entry. Rules: Drawing is open to all residents of the U.S. Online Information:

Can't stop bragging

People I can't stop bragging about the popchips I tried today. They are healthy. Not fried, not baked but popped. and an 8 oz. bag is only 100 calories. Hardly any fat, no cholesterol. You MUST try them. They are not only poptastic they are also popalicious!!!!! Here is there website so you can read about them yourselves. www.popchips.com.

A chip that really pops

Today I was fortunate enough to find a new kind of potato chip. They are called popchips. They are poptastic. They are never fried and never baked. They take potatoes apply heat and pressure and POP, it's a chip. I gotta tell ya they are FANTASTIC. They come in a variety of flavors, like BBQ, Sea Salt and Vinegar, Salt and Pepper, Parmesan Garlic and Original. You HAVE TO TRY THEM. They are sold in several stores like Target, Whole Foods, Costco, Safeway, Wegman's, Amazon.com and many more.

NEW GIVEAWAY!

New giveaway starts tomorrow and will run til April 22nd. All you need to do is post daily something to cheer me up. My daughter has advanced cervical cancer and anything positive that you can post would be great. All positive thoughts please. Contest is open to the continental US only. Twinkle by Wenlan’s founder, Wenlan Chia, was inspired to start her company after she was spotted (and admired) sporting her own chunky handknit sweaters on the streets of New York. Nine years (and many successful New York Fashion Week runway shows) later, Twinkle now encompasses a whole range of goods, from womenswear to home to jewelry. Twinkle Jewels takes flight with the Birds of a Feather necklace. Set on a brass chain, the darling avian-inspired charm will fly straight to your heart. * Brass chain * Plastic and wood bead pendant Value: $101 Extra entries: Follow my blog Follow elliejf on Twitter Blog about my giveaway and leave the URL where you blogged. Twitter about this contest and leave the URL where you Twittered. Please make sure you leave your email address either in the post or on your profile. I will try and contact you and then you will have 48 hours to contact me before the prize is forfeited and a new winner chosen. Last but not least.....GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Winner of the blog contest is:

Michele AKA Miki. Congrats Michele hope you and the kids will enjoy the Buddha Board. I picked the winner today because I wasn't getting anymore followers. Michele please send me your address and I will get this right out to you! Again CONGRATS!!

I want to scream, I want to hug my baby girl

I just found out that Lissie's cervical cancer stage is not 2b, it's 3b. I want to blame someone. I want to hit someone. She has had such a horrible life this is so not fair. She has 2 beautiful baby girls that need her. She's trying to understand everything, and she knows it's serious now (not sure if she really knows how serious). I can't believe this, I just can't. Blogging helps me to try and relax and today it's not working, I'm angry, I'm sad, I want her to be safe. Kids are supposed to out live their parents. I feel so useless to her right now. I don't know what to do.

Daily giveaways at Elle...(click here to enter)

Don't forget to enter the daily giveaways at Elle. They give away several great prizes everyday. Things like DSW gift cards, make up, designer handbags. You don't want to miss these great giveaways.

Don't understand

I don't understand the way God works sometimes. My daughter has had such a rough life. After being molested by her father at the age of 3, she had finally overcome a lot of her mental issues. She has 2 beautiful daughters, Ariannah lives with the father, and Olivia lives with her. She's a beautiful girl. She has been diagnosed with Cervical Cancer stage 3b. I hate cancer. It doesn't seem to stop, it just goes from person to person and destroys so many lives it's unbelievable. My baby girl I just can't believe it. She will have to go through Chemo and radiation. She lives alone and takes care of her baby girl. I'm so scared for her. She's my baby girl. I HATE CANCER!!!!!!!!! Please pray for her.

Wow Elle has daily giveaways (click here to check them out and enter)

Wonderful daily giveaways at Elle. I ran into them today. They have many cool prizes, like sets of makeup from Rae Cosmetics (arv $226.00) , Contour Lift Extreme collection from Amore Pacific (arv $530.00) , Standard Modern Top Zip handbag from Bodhi (arv $298.00), Darphin's Stimulskin Plus Divine Lifting Cream for the face (arv $295.00), gorgeous leather hobo bag from Lockheart (arv $625.00) and many more. Just drop in daily to enter, As I always say "you can't win if you don't enter!" Here are a few pictures of what you can win.

Women's Health daily giveaway 4/2 (click here to enter)

Today WH's is giving away InCase Messenger Bag (arv $100.00) 1 person will win an Incase nylon messenger bag. They also giveaway a monthly prize and this months is pretty amazing. They are giving away a one week vacation. Here's some info about it.

One Week Vacation at the Pritikin Center in Aventura, FL

1 lucky winner will win a weeklong stay at the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa in Florida. The trip inludes up to $500 in airfare, all meals, exercise classes, personal training, and one-on-one medical care worth over $4,999.

Great giveaway (click here to enter)

Great giveaway at Baby Wears Prada. They are giving away a Keurig Platinum Brewing System and 18 count K-cup variety pack. (arv $169.00) Good Luck!

WH's daily giveaway 3/1 (click here to enter)

Lucy Jacket and Tank. 3 people will win a Breakaway jacket and Chase tank from Lucy worth $132.