Saturday, May 28, 2016

Slave to My Future Service Dog

By Stacey Kuhns

 

So a while back, I let you all know that I was getting a puppy, named Henson, who will be going through a two-year training program with me to become my certified service dog. This is Henson:


Slave to My Future Service Dog by Stacey Kuhns

Henson is a Goldendoodle. His mother is a Goldendoodle and his father is a Standard Poodle. I have had a variety of animals since I was a young girl, have worked at veterinary hospitals, San Diego Zoo, and now volunteer in animal rescue. I have also rescued and trained dogs, but I must admit, it has been a very long time since I had a puppy.

Because of my medical conditions, I never thought a puppy was anything I would have again as it is physically difficult for me to take care of one. I brought Henson home on May 1, 2016, when he was a little under eight weeks old. He turns eleven weeks old this weekend and I am exhausted.

I love this little guy, but I am a slave to him. I follow him everywhere. Otherwise, I might find him with his head in the cats' litter box or eating their food. He needs to be brushed every time he comes in from outside. I have never owned a dog that had this kind of fur (everything gets stuck in it). He chases the cats around the house (trying to work on that), not because he wants to "get them" but he wants them to play with him. He is growing like a weed and is a very smart dog.

By eight weeks, he learned sit and shake. At nine weeks, he learned down, and at 10 weeks, he learned stay. He has a pretty mellow temperament for a puppy, which is good for a future service dog. He has times where he is a crazy pup, running around and wanting to play, but he just seems more mellow than other puppies I have dealt with.

Slave to My Future Service Dog by Stacey Kuhns


Giving him a bath, for me, is like running a marathon. It is challenging. Next time, we are trying a shower. Henson has been sleeping eight hours a night, which is a blessing and surprising as he does sleep a lot during the day too. He is potty trained, which was a happy milestone. My pain levels have been pretty high since I got him, but surprisingly, I am too busy with him to let it get me down and I do see the fantastic benefit having him will be for my physical and mental health. (At least I keep telling myself that.)

I have basically been a prisoner in the house and have been home more than I can remember. (I cannot take him anywhere frequented by other animals until he has all his shots). On May 11, he had his first vet visit and just chilled on the exam table, waiting for the vet. He did great and got a clear bill of health. He is growing like a weed. His paws are still huge so hoping he will be a large dog.

I check in with the parents of his siblings and they are going through many of the same trials and tribulations with their puppies so that makes it easier on many levels. But he is a puppy and like a little kid, he gets distracted easily.

We walk to the mailbox every day (he is doing well on leash). One day it was windy and a leaf was blowing down the street. He almost pulled me over trying to run after it! We start our training on June 4. Hopefully, a leaf does not blow by during training, or a rabbit does not run across the lawn. Should be interesting.


Slave to My Future Service Dog by Stacey Kuhns

Slave to My Future Service Dog by Stacey Kuhns


I took him to my acupuncture appointment the other morning. I was feeling stressed about it but the staff asked me to bring him. They know he is going to be a service dog and feel he should get used to coming with me since that will be the norm once he is certified.

The acupuncture treatments are supposed to be relaxing but as I was laying on the treatment table and Henson was circling the room, sniffing, all I could think about was that he was going to go potty on their carpet and I would not be able to get up because of the needles in me.

Fortunately, once he was done exploring, he sprawled out next to the treatment table and was calm and relaxed as he could be for the entire hour. He never left my side when anyone came in to talk to me or check on me. I was amazed! So, he shows the potential to be a great service dog and that is what I think about as I pull seeds and rocks out of his mouth, panic when it gets too quiet in the house and I cannot see him, and as I follow him around, making sure he is not getting into anything. 


Slave to My Future Service Dog by Stacey Kuhns


In my next installment, I will let you all know how training is progressing. Thanks for the interest and you can see more about Henson on my Facebook page, Meet Henson.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Ultra Premium Natural Organic Matcha Green Tea #greentea


Powerful Antioxidant Ceremonial Grade Stone

 

 

Matcha literally means “powdered tea.” With Matcha, you’re drinking the actual leaves, which have been finely powdered and made into a solution. It has 1300x more antioxidants than regular brewed tea. I really love a bowl of Matcha tea around two in the afternoon as an energy boost.

Oma loves that this Matcha Tea is both non-GMO and organic. It is selectively handpicked on the first harvest and then stone ground into a fine powder. This Japanese ceremonial Matcha green tea is 100% USDA & JAS organic and gluten free - NO Preservatives, NO Additives! 

Match Tea is a source of:
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin B-complex
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin K
  • Trace Minerals
Did you know that you can also use Matcha as an ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes? Google matcha recipes and you’ll find everything from matcha muffins, brownies and puddings, to matcha soup, stir frys, and even matcha guacamole! Yummy and Healthy.


Product Description



100% USDA & JAS Organic Japanese Ceremonial Matcha Green Tea Powder - The Highest Grade On The Market! 

 

  • LAB TESTED FOR PURITY - Order in confidence knowing that each batch is tested for Lead, heavy metals, as well as radiation and consistently passes all tests with flying colors
  • ENERGIZE YOUR DAY: Start your day with a cup of healthy green tea. Nourish your MIND & yourBODY. Healthy alternative to coffee, Matcha will give you a steady boost of energy & endurance without the jitter feeling. Feel more awake and alert without the late-afternoon caffeine crash
  • SMART WEIGHT LOSS SUPERFOOD: With 137 times more polyphenols than regular green tea, Matcha has been shown to increase metabolism, block fat and stop growth of new fat cells
  • ONE INGREDIENT - UNBELIEVEABLE BENEFITS: 100% pure, Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder. Premium quality tealeaves produce vibrant, emerald green COLOR, FLAVOR & AROMA like no other. Natures Nectar Matcha is top of the line Ceremonial grade. No fillers, no preservatives, sugar or coloring added. Gourmet quality and taste - not your typical supermarket Matcha Green Tea. Organic. GMO-Free. The more vibrantly green the Matcha, the higher the chlorophyll and amino acid content
  • BACKED BY A NO-QUESTIONS-ASKED, 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE: Natures Nectar is your source for the BEST ceremonial grade Matcha on the market: ORDER YOUR TIN TODAY, RISK FREE!




Natures Nectar Limited Website




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Immune System Booster- Support for Common Colds #Immunity


Support for Common Colds and Sickness

 


As a new Oma (grandmother), I have noticed that I have been getting sick much more often. Therefore, I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to test the NaturesNectar MicroShield Nutritional Support.

Although it is really hard to know if these tablets are a cure all to ward off colds and sickness, I can report that since I have been consuming these easy to swallow tablets I have been well and energetic.

Oma loves that these capsules contain Zinc, Echinacea, Selenium, Magnesium and Vitamin C.

  1. Zinc - Increases Immunity and Fights Colds And Acts As A Powerful Antioxidant That May Help Fight Cancer
  2. Echinacea - Combats Cancer, Boosts The Immune System and An Anti-Inflammatory
  3. Selenium - Regulates Inflammation, Lowers Risk Of Prostate Cancer, and Antioxidant
  4. Magnesium - Helps Your Immune System, And Better Muscles and Nerves Function
  5. Vitamin C - Helps Treat Common Cold Symptoms, Natural Cure for Skin Problem, Helps Heal Wounds

The supplement is made in the USA and utilize the best natural ingredients available.


Product Description



PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCE THE FOLLOWING WILL BENEFIT
FROM MICRO SHIELD:

  • -Common Colds
  • -Feeling constantly drained
  • -Never feeling your 'Best'
  • -Anxiety of getting others sick

This product is:

  • Made in the U.S.A.
  • Contains Zinc, Echinacea, Selenium, Magnesium and Vitamin C
  • Formulated to maximize your body's natural immune defenses. Taken as needed, at the first sign of wellness imbalance, or year-round for optimal immune support
  • Micro Shield utilizes the best natural ingredients available: Echinacea is widely studied and renowned for its healing properties while Zinc, and Selenium are both powerful antioxidants, Vitamin C gives an energy boost while helping to protect your cells from free radicals, and Magnesium helps with stress and an overall cellular health
  • Take once daily to Boost your Immunity in order to shorten the severity and duration of the common cold




Natures Nectar Limited Website

 



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Poki Poki New for North County! #‎pokipokioceanside‬

Sushi · Hawaiian · Asian Fusion restaurant
by Stacey Kuhns

 

Finally! North County San Diego is getting a sushi bowl eatery, Poki Poki. They are in their soft opening now and they have their main opening this Saturday, May28, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend. They are located in the shopping center at 3480 Marron Road, Oceanside (right off College) and are open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. - seven days a week.

Poki Poki - by Stacey Kuhns

Poki Poki - by Stacey Kuhns

Poki Poki - by Stacey Kuhns


The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating, or you can get your food to go. The inside is clean and the food is fresh. The service is great. Employees greet you when you walk in the door and are happy to explain how things work.

Build Your Own Hawaiian Poke Bowl!

Basically, you have a choice of a large or small bowl. You get your choice of three different kinds of sushi on the small bowl and four on the large bowl. There are at least six kinds to choose from. You also get to pick your base, either white rice, brown rice, salad, or a combination of those.

The spicy tuna is amazing. It looks strange but really is delicious (it looks like finely ground fish or meat). They have ahi, salmon and yellowtail, cut into chunks, and also sushi options of shrimp or octopus.

There is a variety of toppings, including onions, ginger, seaweed salad, crab (which is out of this world and is no extra charge), avocado (extra charge), fish eggs, and other toppings.

Poki Poki offers a choice of sauces from mild to spicy and also have a spicy mayo. You can have them put the wasabi and soy sauce and other sauces on or you can do it yourself with the small cups of condiments provided by the cash register. They also have chopsticks or plastic forks.

Poki Poki - by Stacey Kuhns

Poki Poki - by Stacey Kuhns

Poki Poki - by Stacey Kuhns

Poki Poki - by Stacey Kuhns


The prices are very reasonable for what you get. It is a lot of food for sure. And the best part, it is healthy along with tasting wonderful. I plan to eat here at least twice a week after work (since it is in the center I work in).

The establishment offers a 10% military discount. I stopped after work today and took lunch home. Sunday, my boyfriend and I ate dinner there. He loved it and so did I. He had a bowl loaded with the toppings and mine was a little less on the toppings.

(The picture below is my bowl from lunch today. The employee gave me a double scoop of crab. Yum!) The green onions and sesame seeds also add a nice touch.

Poki Poki - by Stacey Kuhns


A loaded bowl (this picture is from their website as there was no one else getting a loaded bowl today when I was there).



The only thing I did not care for was the drink selection. They offer small bottles of water for sale. When you are eating spicy food, one small bottle of water is not going to cut it. They also have canned sodas. I wish they had refillable fountain drinks with more of a selection. Otherwise, two thumbs up. 


Poki Poki Facebook

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Family Sunday

It is not often that Oma and Opa get to enjoy the entire family together.  We cherish our family time greatly.  This Sunday was very special.  We started our time together with breakfast at out family favorite, Home Sweet Home. They were so nice to fix up a special table for us to spread out in.

Auntie gets to feed Coast Oak.

Not sure what Reef Indy was explaining,
but Dad and Uncle Mo are very interested. 

Then after relaxing together at the homestead, we all drove south to downtown San Diego to meet Grandma and Grandpa at the Tilted Kilt for lunch.


We loved the food and drink at the Tilted Kilt.
Our waitress was super nice and efficient also.

Smile Auntie Sitara and Uncle Moses

Then we were off to the ball game at Petco Park. The Padres and Dodgers remain tied in the 17th inning after over 5 hours of playing. Unfortunately, the Dodgers then broke away with a four run inning and the Padres did not answer back with any runs. What a fun and interesting game.

Beautiful Petco Park - Downtown San Diego, California.

Reefie has his glove ready to catch that foul ball.

Home-plate umpire, David Rackley finally gets up after
being struck in the groin by a foul ball in the fifth inning!

Opa grabbing some time with Coast.

Sitara and Moses enjoying the action;
Not quite sure what Grandpa is doing.

Reef listens intently as Grandma explains the game of Baseball

The adults received a Reusable Padre Shirt Bag,
but more importantly, the kids got a plastic bat and ball

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Vita-C-Whip™ Whipped Vitamin C Serum Lotion #VitaCWhip


Anti-Wrinkle / Anti-Aging Moisturizer

 

Vita-C-Whip™  Whipped Vitamin C Serum  Lotion #VitaCWhip




Vita-C-Whip is a non-oily, non-greasy premium Vitamin C Serum. It is perfect for face and skin care. The lotion has a creamy texture that is not heavy when applied. I noticed its gentle exfoliation catalysts assists in skin cell turnover – leaving my face feeling rejuvenated.

Vita-C-Whip provides great moisturizing and hydrating. It has no artificial fragrance and I love to apply it to my cleansed face before I sit down to relax and watch television at night.

Comes with a 30 DAY RISK FREE Guarantee. If for any reason you aren't completely satisfied with your purchase, contact them within thirty days via Amazon and they will promptly refund your money.

Of course you have to love that they do not test their products on animals. This product has the Dermatologist Certified Seal of Approval.


Product Description



    Vita-C-Whip™  Whipped Vitamin C Serum  Lotion #VitaCWhip
  • ENHANCED VITAMIN C SERUM + MOISTURIZER + GENTLE VITAMIN A EXFOLIANT (3-IN-1) : Vita-C-Whip™ offers 3 solutions for your skin care routine, all in one bottle! (1) Enhanced Vitamin C Serum for Face and Skin that offers potent antioxidant benefits; (2) A Hydrating Lotion and Moisturizing mix of Hyaluronic Acid, Organic Aloe Extract, Vitamin E that offers skin softening and healing benefits; (3) A Gentle Exfoliant and skin renewal catalyst that helps to reveal your radiant glow.
  • THE UNIQUE "WHIPPED" DIFFERENCE : Gone is the need for the runny, watery dropper-required serums that may oxidize quickly once opened and exposed. Vita-C-Whip™ brings the convenience of a silky, smooth WHIPPED lotion base that hugs and hydrates your skin, not your bathroom floor. This formula is non-oily, non-greasy, non-irritating, and non-sticky. Upgrade your skin routine and invest in Luxury with Results!
  • HYDRATE ▪ REJUVENATE ▪ PROTECT : With Vita-C-Whip™'s unique blend of antioxidants (Vitamins A & C & E), you can resuscitate tired, dehydrated, aged skin that has been kept from the nourishment and support needed to combat damage and aging. Fold in Organic Aloe Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, and Coconut/Palm Oil, and you have an infusion of much needed moisture and hydration, while building a protective defense against cell and environmental damage.
  • PATENTED TECHNOLOGY FOR RESULTS YOU FEEL AND SEE : The Vita-C-Whip™ formula incorporates both Inflacin™, a natural anti-inflammatory that calms the skin, and QuSomes®, a superb delivery encapsulation that has been proven extremely effective in transporting the synergistic ingredients directly to where its needed without losing effectiveness along the way. The results of these technologies reflect in "happy", calm, and well-nourished skin.
  • 30 DAY / MONEY BACK GUARANTEE : We are driven by customer satisfaction and want to make sure that you are completely happy with your purchase. Try our products RISK FREE for 30 DAYS. If for ANY reason you are not happy, contact us immediately for a full refund. Hassle Free.



Vita-C-Whip™  Whipped Vitamin C Serum  Lotion #VitaCWhip

Essa Skin Care is driven by obtaining
"positive change through healthy options"
in their science based, results-driven skin care line.


Get Social with ESSA Skincare



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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Shakshuka (Healthy Vegetarian Dish)

Yummy Recipe
by Stacey Kuhns 

 

I always look forward to getting my cooking magazines. Yes, I know I can find any recipe online nowadays, but sometimes, I don't know what I am looking for until I see it.

This happened with a recipe for Shakshuka, a healthy vegetarian dish. I had never heard of it before, but when I saw the picture and read the recipe, I knew I had to make it.

I also knew that it was definitely from another country. Unfortunately, the magazine gave no background information on this dish. After some research, I discovered the dish is of Jewish Tunisian origin.

Shakshuka (Healthy Vegetarian Dish) by Stacey Kuhns


Shakshuka is a staple of Tunisian, Libyan, Algerian, Moroccan, and Egyptian cuisines. There are many variations of this recipe. As my boyfriend and I are not vegetarian, I also grilled chicken, but the Shakshuka was so filling, I could not eat any chicken. I had made it as a side dish, but it can definitely serve as a main dish. It is also a very visually appealing dish (in my opinion). 


Shakshuka (Healthy Vegetarian Dish) by Stacey Kuhns


Here is the recipe (which makes 4 servings):

  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced (I use the minced garlic in the jar)
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2-1 tsp chili powder (I used 1 tsp)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp Sriracha Asian hot sauce, optional
    (I used this and it did not make it too spicy)
  • 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
  • 4 large eggs
  • Chopped fresh cilantro

Pita bread, naan, or any other flatbread you can use for tearing and scooping (I used a tandoori bread as I find pita can be hard sometimes depending on the brand)

Note: I doubled this recipe, but just make what you will eat that night/day because I don't believe the eggs would be the same reheated.

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and stir 4-6 minutes or until tender. Add the garlic and seasonings and the Sriracha (if using). Stir 30 seconds longer. Add chopped tomatoes and cook 3-5 minutes or until the mixture is thickened, stirring occasionally.

2. With the back of your spoon, make four wells in the mixture; break an egg into each well. (Note: my mixture was not as thick as described in the recipe so I just cracked the eggs over different parts of the mixture and it came out amazing). Cook covered, 4-6 minutes or until the egg whites are completely set and the yolks begin to thicken but are not hard.

3. Remove from heat, sprinkle with cilantro and serve with bread of your choice.

Additions: You can add artichoke hearts, red or yellow bell peppers, feta cheese, and anything else you desire. I will probably try the feta cheese next time.

The meal was so good, but must be served hot/warm. The egg yolks ran into the mixture, giving those bites a creamy texture. When I first saw the recipe, I thought it was just a lot of onion and tomato. Well, yes it is, but those two ingredients, melded with all the spices, was food that when you put the first bite into your mouth on a warm piece of flatbread, your taste buds thank you! 


Shakshuka (Healthy Vegetarian Dish) by Stacey Kuhns


Enjoy! If you try this recipe, let me know how you like it.

We Are Going To Need A Bigger Table

Oma and Opa love to start their Sunday with a big family breakfast.  With Grandma and Grandpa's move to North County, we are going to need a bigger table at hour favorite Sunday Breakfast Hangout - Home Sweet Home.


Breakfast Brothers (Reef & Coast)

We ae going to need a bigger table!
Oma tried the Home Sweet Home Omelette.
Reef was making a face just like his daddy's
Grandpa with Coast Oak

Wild boy Reef Indy love to fly through the air.