Good Riddance 2020!! Happy 2021!

Hello again,
If anyone is still stopping by here, I send my best wishes and hope that you are remaining well and in good spirits during this oh so difficult time in our history.
When I would think about the year “2020” many years ago, I always thought it had such a nice “ring” to it, such a good connotation of clarity and insight in that number. Instead, it has ended up being such a hard, long and frightening year.
But one that should be a wake-up call in many respects and hopefully will be in terms of keeping up our immunity, being ever vigilant about cleanliness….all common sense measures IMO, but sadly lacking it seems in so many people’s lives. When I see countless Youtube videos about “How to Wash Your Hands” ….that speaks volumes!
On the plus side (and there ARE some) it has been an opportunity for people to reunite with their families in truly meaningful ways, spending more quality time together.
Really thinking about what matters in the big picture and what doesn’t and will eventually pass.
The environment has apparently been doing much better too, with a substantial reduction in pollution levels during the many lockdowns and industry closures.
Joe and I and Mr. Cheddar have all weathered this storm and look forward to a much better year in 2021. We won’t be lining up for any vaccines, but we will continue to do the things that have kept us healthier and more fit that a lot of people over 50, year after year. I still believe that good health is not that hard to maintain for most people, but it does take work and more so, as the years pass by. It is SO worth it though.
I will close by wishing you a Happy, Safe and Memorable Holiday, in spite of the restrictions.
I hope you will also stop by my author’s site , to check out some Amazon Holiday Kindle promotions now in progress and a link to one of my fav Christmas songs too. I love all the holiday classics but some….a must hear, every year, like that one. 🙂
Hugs and Happy New Year!!!
PS: If anyone can enlighten me where to find the option to change the default page text color here at WP now, I would be oh so grateful.
Posting here at WP has become one big hassle. 😦
My New Groovy Flip Flops and…
….a couple of blog address updates.
First, the fun stuff.
My new, oh SO comfy flip flops from Dawg’s.
I just LOVE them!
You can read my full review WHY I love them so much at My Real Life Reviews.
The blog address updates are for my two Blogger sites:
My author’s site is now at:
geraldinehelenhartman.blogspot.com
My review blog is now at:
myreallifereviews.blogspot.com
I had so many hassles with my previous domain provider NAMECHEAP, that I finally gave up using the two custom domains I previously had registered with them.
If you happen to be looking for a domain provider, avoid NAMECHEAP!
You can read more about all the problems NAMECHEAP caused me (so much time wasted, big loss of readers, $$ lost….) here.
I wish you a safe, happy and memorable summer!
Enjoy all of summer’s beauty, wherever you are.
Christmas: A Time for Miracles
Check out my new review for this eBook: Christmas Miracles, especially if you are in need of some hope and inspiration.
I really enjoyed the holiday-themed stories in this eBook.
In a world that often seems to have gone mad (just watch the news!!) it’s so easy to give up on goodwill, hope and miracles, big and small. But the world IS filled with all kinds of good people and wonderful things, we just need to be open to seeing and believing that’s true.
I wish you all… a magical and memorable holiday season!!
Some of My “Fun in the Sun” Favs! :-)
Stop by My Real Life Reviews to read about some of my all-time fav summertime products and books.
Summer…it’s almost here! 🙂 Have a good one.
On the Menu: Beet and Fresh Dill Layered Salad
I ♥ BEETS! 😉
And the simple marinated beet salad (see recipe below) featured in my cookbook:
The Groovy Green Kitchen I: Weeknight Veggie Slow Cooker,
and is one of my fav ways to prepare and enjoy them. 🙂
Beet and Fresh Dill Layered Salad
A flavorful marinated salad, especially good to make when garden dill and beets are at their peak. Keeps for several days, covered in the refrigerator. A perfect side dish with all kinds of main dishes. Adds a brilliant color contrast on your plate too. Serves 6.
12 medium fresh (preferred) beets: precooked, peeled and cut into thin circles (or use equivalent amount of whole canned beets with no salt added, thoroughly rinsed and drained, then sliced)
1 medium red Bermuda onion, thinly sliced in rings
3 -4 T. chopped fresh dill-weed
Red Wine Marinade:
1/3 C. extra-virgin olive oil
5 T. red wine vinegar
1 teas. Mrs. Dash Original Blend Seasoning
1/2- 1 teas. sea salt
½ teas. freshly-ground black pepper
In a large bowl (that has a secure cover) layer 1/3 of the sliced beets, topped by ½ of the onion rings, then ½ of the dill-weed. Repeat layers, ending with the last 1/3 of the beets on top.
Combine marinade ingredients in a jar and shake thoroughly. Pour over vegetables, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Shake container gently to re-distribute marinade evenly before serving, especially if storing for a longer period of time.
*****
Last night, I made this beet salad, along with an orzo salad for supper. It was soooo good. 🙂
I also like to serve this with my: German Sauerkraut Feast (click to enjoy that slow cooker recipe).
If you ♥ beets too, you might want to give this one a try! 😉
Happy Cooking!
Product Review: Andalou Sunflower & Citrus Styling Gel
THE BEST HAIR GEL I’VE EVER USED! 😉
Andalou Sunflower & Citrus Styling Gel
I’ve tried a LOT of hair gels over the years and this product is the best I’ve found to date, mainly due to its first/main ingredient being: organic aloe juice, NOT some unpronounceable chemical, as is usually the case with these types of products.
It also “does the job” with thick, unruly hair like mine.
So many styling products I’ve tried didn’t actually do much, especially the more natural options. But this one from Andalou really tames the frizzies and keeps my hair looking smooth in almost all types of weather. NOTHING really works when it’s super humid! 😦
Reasonably priced, at Amazon I noted this product is currently less than $10. for a 6.8 oz tube.
And a little of this product goes a long way! 🙂
If you’ve been looking for a better option for hair gel than the chemically-laden mainstream brands, you might want to give this one a try. I’m glad I did.
From the Amazon product page:
Sunflower & Citrus Styling Gel from Andalou Naturals improves hair vitality from root to tip and allows for controlled styling with extra body, texture and definition.
It works for straight or curly hair, and is color-safe for vibrant hair.
It moisturizes, controls static and shields against humidity, frizz and fly-aways.
Non-GMO, gluten free, no paraben preservatives, sulfates or phthalates.
Vegetarian & cruelty free.
Made in the USA.
Ingredient List:
Aloe Barbadensis Juice*, Cyamopsis Tetragonolobus (Guar) Gum*, Sodium Alginate (Algin), Glycine Soja (Soy) Protein, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Allantoin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower), Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile), and Pyrus Cydonia (Quince) Extracts*, Fruit Stem Cells (Malus Domestica, Solar Vitis) and BioActive 8 Berry Complex*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) and Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Extracts*†, Phenethyl Alcohol, Vegetable Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) and Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Oils*
* Certified Organic
† Fair Trade
10 Under $20: Holiday Gift Suggestion List 2015 :-)
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My Holiday Gift Suggestion List for 2015 (all under $20) including links to my reviews.
A must-have DVD collection for the “Hitch” fan on your list!
One of the best books on Reiki I’ve ever read!
My all-time fav gardening book.
Fun and Easy Gardening for even the “green thumb challenged“! 😉
A Mr. Cheddar Approved Title!
Enlightening and Informative. Recipes Too!
Wonderful Pens! Mine Are Still Going Strong, Years Later! 🙂
Beautiful Eco-Friendly Stationary, with a Difference!
Larry Payne’s Prime of Life Yoga DVDs
Yoga CAN Be For Almost Everyone!
Sooooo relaxing!!! ZZZZZzzzzz…. 😉
Suncoat Peelable Nail Polish Kit
My Go-To Tootsie Polish! It’s Great.
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♥Happy Shopping and Holidays♥
Healthy November: Wheat Free Recipes
Don’t these look delish? 😉
I’m not gluten-intolerant but I know a LOT of people are.
Happy (Gluten-Free) Cooking! G
Product Review: Badger Sleep Balm
THIS REALLY WORKS! 🙂
Here’s my review:
I’m a big fan of several Badger products, especially their Damascus Rose Face Oil (click to read my review).
But when it came to this Sleep Balm, I must admit, I was a bit skeptical.How nice to find out that it works great! 😉
I am not a good sleeper on many a night. 😦 But when I apply Badger Sleep Balm under my nose (and sometimes a bit on my forehead too) I am relaxed,sleepy and ready to sleep, only a short time later.
It really does help to calm my mind, unwind and fall asleep.Helps me to stay asleep longer too, with a deeper sleep.
My only (minor) complaint: I wish the scent of lavender was just a bit stronger but that’s a small thing and I’d much rather have a product with less scent than too much. 😉
An all organic ingredient list and reasonable price are bonuses too!
And I love their pretty, reusable containers; perfect for little gifts too.
If you have trouble falling asleep and/or staying asleep, give this product a try.
♥♥
And some additional info. from the Amazon product page:
- The fragrance of the essential oils in this special balm helps to calm thoughts and clear the mind, allowing sleep to come naturally.
- There are no drugs in this product – no side-effects to worry about. It is safe and natural.
- The cute and portable tin makes an ideal travelling companion.