Chocolate Haystack Cookies

I was craving chocolate so decided to whip up a batch of these cookies.  They are made on the stove top and require no baking.  They go by different names like Stove top cookies, Macaroons etc. but my mom always calls them Chocolate Haystacks.

Ingredients
2 cups white sugar
1/2 milk
1/2 cup margarine (or butter)
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup coconut
3 cups oatmeal

Directions:
1.  In a sauce pan combine sugar, milk, margarine and cocoa. Bring to a boil and continue boiling on medium heat for about 10 minutes.
2.  Remove from heat and add coconut and oatmeal. Mix thoroughly.
3.  Drop by spoon full onto waxed paper. (I find a cookie scoop works perfect).
4.  Let cool and enjoy!

Grilled Cheese & Chili Bean Sandwich

I have been making this sandwich for a number of years. I wanted something different than a traditional grilled cheese sandwich and came up with this.  It's quick and easy to make and perfect for a lunch.  It is a little messy to eat but so good!

Ingredients:
2 slices of bread, buttered
Cheese, favourite kind
Onions
Heinz Chili Style Beans

Directions:
1.  Place slice of bread buttered side down in a fry pan (medium heat).
2.  Top with slices of cheese.
3.  Add chili beans to cover cheese.
4.  Top with sliced onions.
5.  Place second slice of buttered bread on top.
6.  Pan fry until golden brown on both sides.

Cherry Lime Muffins

Cherries are in season in my local grocery stores and limes were on sale so what better to make than muffins!  I adapted a favourite recipe to make these cherry lime muffins.  They are light in texture and have a nice citrus flavour.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
• ½ tsp. vanilla
• Zest and juice of one lime
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cherries

Instructions

1. 1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. 2. In large bowl whisk eggs and gradually add sugar.
3. 3. Add oil, vanilla and zest and juice of lime.
4. 4. In a separate bowl stir together flour, salt and baking soda.
5. 5. Stir dry ingredients into egg mixture, alternating with the sour cream.
6. 6. Fold in cherries.
7. 7. Scoop batter into prepared muffin cups.
8. 8. Bake for approx. 20 minutes.

Yield: 12 muffins

Essie Beach Bum Blu Nail Polish

I fell in love with this blue shade from Essie called "Beach Bum Blu".  I typically think of blue shades as colors to wear during the summer.  Beach Bum Blu is a medium blue with lots of shine.  I would say it is very similar to a metallic formula.

This colour covered in just one coat for me.  I did apply a base coat as I read that it can stain your nail bed.  The below picture is my pedicure about one week old so it is holding up very well!

Strawberry Muffins

I love strawberries especially when they are fresh from the garden.  I adapted this recipe to use strawberries.  The result is a great tasting fruity muffin.

Ingredients:
1/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup chopped strawberries

Topping:
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions:
1.  Cream shortening, sugar and egg.
2.  Combine dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture alternatively with milk.  Stir until just combined.
3.  Mix in strawberries.
4.  Fill paper liners.
5.  Mix topping ingredients of sugar and cinnamon.  Spoon desired amount on top of muffin.
6.  Bake at 325F for 20-25 minutes.

Yield: 9 muffins

Strawberries! Strawberries!

These strawberries came from my sister's garden.  They were freshly picked today!  They look so yummy!!

Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep Review

I have been using the Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep for a week now. This product comes in what looks like a high-end container. It is a dusty rose colour with a silver lid. The top of the lid is a mirror which is kind of neat!

The product itself is a pink colour and is fragranced. The fragrance reminds me of the scent of a green tea perfume. The scent is pleasant but not overpowering. The consistency of this product is a cross between a gel and a cream.

I found that the product does not absorb immediately into the skin and leaves a somewhat sticky residue on the skin. Since I applied this product in the evening before bed, I didn't mind this feeling on my skin. I also applied this product immediately after cleansing my skin which did cause a bit of a tingly sensation.

I have oily, acne prone skin and while my skin felt oilier to the touch with use of this product (mainly in the evening), it didn't cause an increase in breakouts.

After sleeping with this product on my face, in the morning I found that my skin looked refreshed, hydrated and plumper. I have some pitted acne scars and they didn't look as harsh. My skin also felt soft and smooth. Even if I didn't get a good night's rest, my skin looked rested and revived. I would say the results were noticeable but not overly dramatic.

This product is pricey at $52 for 50 ml.  

Overall, I do like this product for the results I saw and would recommend it to others to try.

I received this product free of charge from ChickAdvisor for review purposes.