Gluten Free Friday: Schar Gluten Free Table Crackers Review

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I LOVE these crackers ,they are the perfect Gluten Free cracker.
They remind me of the Zesta only a smidgens different in taste. They're thin and crispy. There's no salt on them, either. They'd be so good with soup or topped with pepperoni and cheese.

So far they aren't the cheapest gluten free crackers I've seen, but they are one of my favorites out of the 'Plain Crackers Group'.

I think they are one perfect for a pantry staple though, if
you have it. These are the ones I like to 'splurge' on
every now and again, for that reason.
[:

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium - Movie Review

Rated: G
Released: 2007
Genre: Comdey, Fantasy, Family

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This movie. It's incredible! This movie is about a lady named Molly Mahoney, the manager of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, a store that runs on magic. But when 243 year old Mr. Magorium decides to pass on the shop because his time is done, the store starts to get sad, dark, and the magic... is just gone, and it's up to Molly to figure out how to get it back.
I love this, there's no words to explain just how incredible it is. The quirkyness, the words, the hat collection. It's just...oh you'll just have to watch it!


Trailer:

Gluten Free Friday: Vanilla Blueberry Healthy Grains KIND Bar Review

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This has been my top favorite KIND bar lately. There's always one in my bag when I go out just in case I need something to hold me over.
It's sweet, fruity from the blueberries and hint of vanilla, and it's nice and chewy. Better yet, Gluten Free. One major thing I love about KIND. When eating gluten free it's a little hard to get any the whole grains when everything is made with rice and corn, these bars are a perfect way to get them in.




Ingredients:

Whole Grains, Gluten Free Oats, Brown Rice, Millet, Gluten Free Oat Flour, Buckwheat, Amaranth, Quinoa, Tapioca Syrup, Evaporated Cane Juice, Honey, Non GMO Canola Oil, Brown Rice Syrup, Gum Acacia, Vanilla Extract, Blueberry Puree, Apple Puree, Plum Puree, Apple Juice, Glycerine, Sea Salt, Natural Vitamin E, Citrus Fiber, Citrus Pectin, Natural Blueberry Flavor.

Calories	140
Fat Calories	35
Total Fat	4g
Saturated Fat	0g
Trans Fat	0g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	75mg
Total Carb	24g
Dietary Fiber	2.5g
Sugars	7g
Protein	2g

The Series of Unfortunate Events Book 1-3 by Lemony Snicket - Review

Just recently I've gone back to reading the first 3 books of The Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket and I thought I'd right up a quick review while it's still decently fresh in my mind.


The book I have is the first three books in one. The Bad Beginning(book 1), The Reptile Room(book 2), and The Wide Window(book 3). I'm sure most of the 80's- early or mid 90's kid have heard of this series or at least seen the movie that Jim Carrey stared in.

Now, book one. The Bad Beginning. Their is three children, the Baudelaire's. Violet, the oldest daughter, she's an inventor, you'll know when she's trying to invent something because she always ties her hair up in a ribbon. Klaus, the middle child, he's a reader, he reads everything. And Sunny, the youngest daughter and baby. She has four teeth that she bites everything with. The Baudelaire children lost their parents in a horrible accident and are requested to be looked after by family members, Mr. Poe, a cough-a-holic banker who watches after their families fortune, tries to find them a good guardian who can watch after them.
First guardian, Count Olaf. A very tall scrawny evil man who is obsessed with eyeball shaped....things! He's has a theater crew that are just as wretched as himself. Count Olaf is very much aware of the Baudelaire's fortune and is determined to get it by marrying Violet in one of his plays.

~~ Review ~~

I really liked this book, it wasn't drawn out or boring, the only thing that I don't really mind is the whole 'in which this word means ___' which I think most people who've read the series have found a love/hate relationship with it. BUT I really do like how it was written out.
It is a little more darker than what I had remember, but it has been years since I've read the series. And there is name calling of 'idiots' and what not every here and there, so if you are against that, than... now you know.

Book Two, The Reptile Room

After the Baudelaire's dealed with their wonderful Count Olaf, Mr. Poe had taken them to their beloved Uncle Monty, an amazing sounding herpetologist, that prefers to eat dinner together in the dining room and make coconut cream cake along with giving the children their own room, and planning to take them on his trip to Peru with his new, fill-in for Gustav, assistant Stephano.
They all study together in Monty's reptile room where he has books and books of all the reptiles he's come across, along with a collection of different venoms, oh, and his discovery of a giant, giant blak snake that he's decided to call 'The Incredibly Deadly Viper'.

~~ Review ~~

This is probably my absolute most favorite book so far. I love Uncle Monty, and dare do I say, I wish he was one of my Uncle's too. How could would he be? To spend a day studying different creatures with? Anywho. Again. One of my top favorites. I don't feel like this one is as dark, it's just more of a book with an unfortunate event rather than something morbid. Also, there is use of swearing(just one word), but I still feel the need to mention it.


Book Three, The Wide Window

The children are off again to find their newest guardian. Queue Aunt Josephine, the lady who is absolutely terrified of everything. The oven, don't touch the phone, it make electrocute you, oh and realtors. Do. Not. Under any circumstances, mention a relator.
The kids spend their evenings having cucumber soup and having proper grammar lessons, especially Sunny, poor poor Sunny.
One day at the market their Aunt runs into a rather decent man named Captain Sham who owns his own boat sailing company business.
After a bit, Captain Sham calls Aunt Josephine to set up a surprise for the children that they aren't too thrilled about, but that's okay, Captain Sham actually saves their lives! While...possibly... not saving anothers...

~~ Review ~~


This one was defiantly darker. I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped a few times. This book too has the name calling. My favorite part of this book was when they got to the cave and the conversation Klaus had to have with their damsel in distress. I thought that that was pretty funny in a ha-ha kinda way.



All in all, I really do like these books, I don't have the fourth or fifth book so I'm waiting to get that one before I continue the series, I'm not one of those people who can just skip it an go on with the series, I have to know everything that happened in-between, haha.

This is a link to the box set inc case you're interested in this series. Also, I promise that I'm not affiliated with Barnes & Noble, as much as I'd love to be, I am not.

ParaNorman Movie Review

Rated: PG
Released: 2012
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy

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Norman Babcock, a boy that can speak to the dead. No one but his best friend Neil believes him. One day Norman's Uncle tells him about this ritual that he must do to protect his town, Blithe Hollow, from a witch it sentenced years and years ago. Norman agrees to the plans but nothing goes just the way he'd hoped. The witch threatens his town and the dead rise. A group of new companions team together to try and help end the horrible curse.



Alright. I have some beef with this movie. Firstly. I don't know WHO judges the rating of movies, but whoever rated this movie to be PG is a little cray-cray. I personally don't see how butt-shots[although the characters were clothed], and mild language is PG acceptable. But, again, that's just me. Along with that, there was a gay reference.

Claymation movies tend to interest me, I did a claymation/stop-motion scene in tech and ever since that I have a new respect when it comes to these sort of movies because I know how much work it can take to make just a 30sec video.


However, I don't think it was a horrible movie or anything, but it wasn't also my favorite. I do like the fact that his family does come around to accepting Norman, and I find Neil to be one of those quirky characters that makes ya chuckle. Plus there is zombies, who doesn't like zombies?


Trailer:

Gluten Free Friday: KIND Oats & Honey with Toasted Coconut Healthy Grains Bar Review

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If you haven't noticed already, I'm a HUGE KIND bar fan. They're so good, and healthy!

The Oats & Honey is one I've been wanting to try for a while now and I just saw about a week or so ago that our Sheetz carries them, and today I picked one up.
It's so good! I was kind of expecting something along the lines of one of those Nature's Valley Oats 'n Honey Crunchy bars but the taste wasn't really there. These, of course, have coconut in them and they aren't as oat-y, I guess would be the best way to describe it. And they aren't as crunchy either, which I'm totally okay with. (side note: I''m not knocking the Nature Valley Bars, I was obsessed with those bars when I was younger.)
These, when you first bite it is crunchy, after that it's chewy, the flavor is good, not too sweet, and it's filling!


Ingredients [source]

Whole grain blend (oats, brown rice, millet, oat flour, buckwheat, amaranth, quinoa), tapioca syrup, dried cane syrup, honey, coconut, canola oil, brown rice syrup, gum acacia, sea salt, Vitamin E (to maintain freshness).

Vitamins and Minerals

Calcium (2%), Iron (6%)

Allergen Information

Contains coconut. Made in a facility that processes peanuts, tree nuts, soy and sesame seeds.

Serving Size	1 Bar (35g)
Calories	150
Fat Calories	45
Total Fat	5g
Saturated Fat	1.5g
Trans Fat	0g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	100mg
Total Carb	23g
Dietary Fiber	2.5g
Sugars	6g
Protein	2g

Getting Lost in a Good Book

There is something so nice about getting lost in a book. Your world changing into something completely different, become someone else, in a different place, with all these different people who feel like you've known forever.



Then you when you close the book you have a hard time functioning with reality.

Sunday I spent a good portion of the day reading. It wasn't even planned. Our library has ebooks that we can borrow books and read them on our computers or mobile devices (side note: I'm still coming around to the whole ebook thing. It's hard to be beat holding an actual book). I was looking through all the different books and came across one of my favorites: Dreamland by Sarah Dessen.
I believe this is the book that got me so into reading, the first book I ever really got lost in.
All day Sunday I was reading it, and it gave me a hangover. I still hangover from it-I feel guilty thinking about reading another book! How can that happen??
It's slowly fading though, I've been contemplating reading another. There's one picked out waiting for me. I'll get there.

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However, I was thinking the other day that I thought spending a day reading was on my bucket list, and it is! Yippie!

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Dreamland by Sarah Dessen Book Review

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"Wake up, Caitlin

Ever since she started going out with Rogerson Biscoe, Caitlin seems to have fallen into a semiconscious dreamland where nothing is quite real. Rogerson is different from anyone Caitlin has ever known. He's magnetic. He's compelling. He's dangerous. Being with him makes Caitlin forget about everything else--her missing sister, her withdrawn mother, her lackluster life. But what happens when being with Rogerson becomes a larger problem than being without him?" -- Goodreads

This book is so good, it gave me a hangover. It's been three days and I feel guilty at the thought of reading another book.
I loved the storyline of this, I loved Caitlin and the battles she was going through with herself, where she ended up, and just how she came to grips.
In my opinion this story is relateable, especially when you have someone you get the non-stop 'you two are so much alike' and wanting nothing more than to be the opposite. It's also nice that she doesn't have that white-picket fence of a family like some books have, it made the story run together so much smoother, it didn't seem like a total random thing that just came over the character.
I liked the development of Rogerson and the tug-and-pull Caitlin had of him, knowing she shouldn't, but still wanting it with everything she had.


Hands up to Sarah Dessen for another amazing book!

A Healthy Breakfast

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I've been trying much harder lately to be eating better, I do great during the week, and then weekends tend to be more of my 'splurge days' to have what I want.
This past week I've found my new favorite breakfast. Stonyfield's Strawberry Low-fat Yogurt, and Nature's Path Organic Gluten Free Granola

Making Homemade Pastries!

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I told myself after making these the first time, it was only gonna be one of those 'once a year' recipes. No, I made them about three times.
The recipe for these things is HUGE, that's the time consuming part is that it's a morning event, I don't mind that. It's the sore feet at the end of the day that is the downer on it, haha.

My Grandma asked me to make these for my Pappap this past year for the Holidays, wait, let me be specific. She asked me to make him nut rolls. Every year they buy them but they wanted me to make them. I've never made nut rolls before, I've tried making a jelly roll, which was a HUGE fail, so I was really nervous about making this, exspecially since the recipe only told me the supplies I needed and the basics on making the dough, not the details. So it was a trail thing.



So, as he wanted. I started off with the nut rolls. Like I said, it was my first time making these, there was yeast in them so they did raise and because the instructions lacked instruction, I asked Mom and did a little research on other recipes and I had to roll the dough thin, I didn't realize just hot thin it needed to be rolled. And two of the four ended up splitting on the side, (but my Grandparents said they tasted just as good.) But, than I ran out of nuts, and still had a half a bowl of dough left...

So I made apricot turn-overs. When we got the supplies I picked up a can of filling just in case I'd run out of filling. But then I ran out of the apricot filling and still had dough...

So I made cinnamon rolls with the rest of it, thankfully we had cinnamon on hand for them. Thank ya, Lord!

Gluten Free Friday: Glutino Gluten Free Bagel Chips Review

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Crunchy and plain. These bagel chips are great! They're good to top with cheese, use for dips,on salads, or just simply snacking on them.
There isn't too much to say about these other than I like them. I prefer mine to eat with cheese or just to snack on plain. Nothing too fancy, just simple.


 [source]

  Ingredients: Bagel (tapioca starch, corn starch, potato starch, egg whites, cane sugar, canola oil, dried egg whites {egg whites, yeast, citric acid}, salt, guar gum, glucono-delta-lactone, yeast, pectin, sodium bicarbonate, sodium alginate, modified cellulose), vegetable oil (contains one or more of the following: sunflower oil, high oleic canola oil), salt.

"You know the future is really happening when you start feeling scared" - Unknown

Lately things have been getting busier , tomorrow will be even more frazzeling.
I have officially become a college student, and I'm very excited, and very nervous. They all start on the same day, although they are online classes, the stress is still very much there.
This has been a long time thing that I've wanted to do and I'm so happy that it's finally in my grasp to take on this battle and I hope, I hope, I hope, this all works out. I think that's scaring me the most, the fear it won't. But I'm trying so hard to keep a positive outlook on this.

I took my placement test twice, first on the computer, and second on paper. It took much longer this time. The last lady who I had gone through the plans and everything with wasn't there, and there was only one guy working and they couldn't find me scheduled in the book, then they found it, and then like ten other people came in and everything was backed up and it was one giant mess, but it worked out.
I took it twice to see if I could score out of taking a class that I really didn't need to take, and I'm thankful to say I did, and my scores were actually much better on the paper test than the computer.
Then I got my classes all scheduled and plugging right along.

After that we headed to the library. I needed a new library card, they apparently cancel the card if it hasn't been used so long, for a while I was getting things out on my mom's card so that would do it.

Since I achieved my goal I decided to treat myself and get my favorite Snapple (my lunch also wasn't the healthiest but shhh, it's a secret. In reality it wasn't that bad, like logically speaking, silly mind).


My favorite go-to breakfast lately has been Stonyfield's Strawberry Yogurt topped with Nature's Path Organic Gluten Free Summer Berries Granola. Sooooo gooooooood!

Today, me and my Mom went out for a ride in the car, we ended up going to Dollar Tree and found a few school supplies. I waited in the car while she ran into Wal*Mart to get some water for her plant that can't have mineral-containing water.
It was getting close to lunch and I hadn't ate in a while so I snacked on a KIND Blueberry Vanilla Bar. I love these things. I keep one in my bag in-case we're out and my stomach starts acting up. It's on the bland side, but healthy, so it's pretty much guilt free. And it's blueberry. Love the blueberries, too.

And about five minutes later it started to just dump buckets of snow.

I know it's the windshield but it wouldn't come up good through the other windows. I have a video on my Instagram that gives a much better idea of the fun event. Thankfully there was no accidents. The cars looked like they were just appearing out of nowhere. It was cool, and freaky! Hahah.



How is your day going??

How To Catch A Stray Dog

I'm gonna try to give you some of the best tips I know on how to catch a stray. Keep in mind, every dog is different. No two dogs are alike, and every situation is different. This is just what I've gathered through my experiences.

Having some supplies on hand is always helpful, even if you don't own a dog. You never know when you'll come across a stray pet and you won't have to worry last minute on how you're gonna catch the dog.

These are some supplies you can pick up at your local dollar store that are great to keep on hand.
Let's call it the Stray Kit:

• A Leash - Nothing fancy, just something with a latch.
• A Collar - This is optional, if you're not comfortable with putting a collar on a dog, you can make the leash into a loop and put it around his neck.
• Dog treats - Carry Outs(the ones in the blue bag) are great, and not very expensive either.
• A Food/Water Bowl - If it's hot out, and Lord knows how long the dogs have been wandering around, I'm sure they'd appreciate a drink!
• A Towel - In case you're picking the dog up in your car, lay the blanket across the seats so if he gets carsick, or if he's dirty, you won't have to worry about ruining anything.
• Dog Food - Gravy Train is a great brand, and it comes in a small bag. If it's the middle of winter you can add a little bit of warm water, mix it up and the coating on the food will thicken making it a more hearty meal.
• Bottles of Water - Keeping a few spare bottles never hurt.
• A Toy - This too, is optional. It may be one of things that'll never get used, but it couldn't hurt to have on hand in case you have a buddy for a couple days.

Now, down to the serious business.


When dealing with an animal who can't communicate through the English language body language is the only thing you can go on.
A dog knows more about you when they lay eyes on you than you do of them  in the first hour of being around them. If you approach them and you're excited, or nervous, or scared, a dog is gonna know and he'll feed off that. When you approach a dog, be calm, it'll help keep them calm too.

Alright, you found your stray, he's in your neighbors yard, you go over onto the sidewalk, what is he doing? How does he look? Is he watching you? Is he growling with teeth bared? Tail between his legs? Maybe he's not even acknowledging you at all.

If the dog is growling at you, keep space between you. Aggressive dogs are more likely to hold their ground than a frightened one. An aggressive dog will come towards you, never turn your back on them, you'll be defenseless. Think of one as a wolf, what does a wolf do when something comes in their territory? They attack. Don't turn around, you can try to back away and you're best option is to call a shelter or someone to handle it, so you're not the one getting bit.

With a frightened dog things are a little easier, usually they'll cower a bit, with their tail tucked between their legs and the closer you get the more they'll move to the ground. Speak softly, move closer, put the leash on and praise him a bit.
Some frightened dogs will bite, just keep an eye on his body language, if he starts to bare his teeth, ease back a little, give him a chance to get a feel for you first to know you're not a threat.

Happy dogs are the ones whose tails are wagging a hundred miles an hour and come across the street to greet you like your their owner who hasn't been home all day and thinks you're gonna go straight for a walk.

If you find a dog that's totally oblivious to you you're chances of getting his attention isn't very great, at least not with the dogs I've come across. Again, pay attention to body language when you approach him, if he growls don't enter his space. If he continues to be oblivious chances are you'll be okay to just go over and get the collar or leash around him.


Note: Not all strays aren't the easiest to catch. Don't be afraid to call a shelter to get them to help, if you're chasing a dog all over town maybe they'll have a better technique to catching them, especially if they have more people helping.

Bucket List Project: Lose 5 Pounds

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Along with the losing 10 pounds, this wasn't based on the bucket list specifically. When I knew I wanted to lose weight, I lost until I was happy with where I was and the pounds fell into it, therefore I checked it off my list.

Gluten Free Friday: BoomChickaPop Lightly Sweet Popcorn Review

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This popcorn is sooo raved about. When me and my Mom were at Rite Aid looking for a snack I decided to dodge the cookies and go for popcorn this time.

Angie's BookChickaPop popcorn is really good, although I do think it just tastes like lightly sweetened/kettled popcorn, so I don't quite understand what was so rave-able about it.
Please don't hate me for that!

In all honesty it is a good popcorn and I will probably be getting it again to try out other flavors.

Another nice thing is that there isn't a bunch of gross ingredients:
Popcorn, Fair Trade Organic Dried Cane Sugar, Sunflower Oil, Sea Salt.
A love it when ingredient lists only have a few things, or even if there is quiet a bit, they are still pronounceable and natural.