Category: Uncategorized

  • 10 Perfect Bridal Gifts for Your Wedding Party

    Selecting the perfect gift for the special loved ones in your wedding party can be hard work. A bride and groom want to give something meaningful, useful, and within budget that symbolizes their appreciation for loved ones who are part of this special day. While writing my new novel, A Lowcountry Wedding, I poured over all of the latest Southern wedding trends to help me envision every detail of my characters’ weddings.

    Here are my favorite items that embody Charleston and the Lowcountry life:

    gold-bug_Croghans-Jewel-Box_250Give gold: The Gold Bug Collection at Croghan’s Jewel Box features earrings, necklaces, bracelets and cufflinks made locally in Charleston, SC.

     

     

     

     

    Spartina-Beach-Bag_250Fun in the sun: The Spartina 449 Beach Bag is designed locally in Hilton Head Island featuring colors inspired by the Lowcountry islands. Everyone needs a good bag!

     

     

     

     

    Salt-and-Iron_250Southern books to treasure: Among my personal favorites right now: Charleston Salt and Iron, which features a collection of photographs and essays; Mastering the Art of Southern Cooking by my friend and award-winning chef Nathalie Dupree; and Reflections of South Carolina: Volume 2, which features stunning photography and writings.

     

     

     

     

    a-lowcountry-wedding-9781501125430_lg_250Literary keepsake: For couples getting married in Charleston, my new novel A Lowcountry Wedding would be a sentimental keepsake for the bridesmaids and mothers, a bookshelf reminder of the beauty of their own lowcountry wedding.

     

     

     

     

    firefly-sweet-tea_250Southern spirits: Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka embodies the flavor of the south in a bottle. A Charleston-born company, Firefly Distillery also offers other southern-inspired specialities, including flavored moonshine and whiskey.

     

     

     

     

    Jewelry to treasure: The Dewees Inlet Embossed Cuff Bracelet, custom-made by Sweet Charleston Designs, is modern classic jewelry that any bridesmaid would treasure. And the collection is inspired by the art and history of sweetgrass basketry.

     

     

     

     

    Rewined-Candles_250Perfect gift for wine lovers: Rewined hand-crafted soy candles poured in repurposed wine bottles and blended to mimic the aromas of your favorite wines. They look as beautiful as they smell.

     

     

     

     

    johnathan-green-notecards_250Notes of art: “Southern Imagery” Notecards Box features art by Jonathan Green, a world-renowned artist whose artwork showcases the history and his love for Charleston.

     

     

     

     

    Charleston-Shucker_250Aw, shucks: Oyster roasts and lowcountry life go hand in hand. These engraved Charleston shuckers by The Charleston Shucker Company are a great gift sure to be appreciated every oyster season.

     

     

     

     

    Brackish_product_020316_119_lowres_250The modern bow tie: Bow ties and seersucker suits are the epitome of southern style. Brackish Bow Ties modernizes the look with its handcrafted, unique, sustainable feather bow ties and pins made in Charleston, that represent the natural beauty of South Carolina.

    The post 10 Perfect Bridal Gifts for Your Wedding Party appeared first on Tips on Life and Love.

  • The New Milks Recipe: Strawberries with Pistachio Cream

    NewMilks_SabraKrock_StrawberrieswithPistachioCream_400This nourishing dessert pairs red strawberries with pale green, luscious pistachio cream. It’s also delicious with almond, hazelnut, or macadamia nut cream; follow the same recipe, just with different nuts. You can also try fresh blueberries or a mixture of berries on top. Make sure to use raw (not roasted) pistachios for a greener, fresher-tasting cream. From The New Milks.

    Serves 4

    1 cup raw unsalted pistachios
    2 tablespoons agave nectar
    ½ teaspoon almond or vanilla extract
    ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
    3 tablespoons finely chopped pistachios
    Optional for garnish: 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest

    Place the nuts in a medium bowl and cover with a couple of inches of water. Soak for 8 hours.

    Rinse and drain the pistachios (they will have increased in volume to about 1½ cups), and transfer to a high-speed blender. Add 1 cup fresh water, the honey, almond extract, and salt, and puree until smooth, about 1 minute. (You should yield a scant 2 cups pistachio cream.)

    Spoon the pistachio cream into 4 small dessert cups or bowls. Arrange the berries on top. Sprinkle with pistachios and, if desired, orange zest. Serve.

    Photo by Sabra Krock

    The post The New Milks Recipe: Strawberries with Pistachio Cream appeared first on Tips on Life and Love.

  • Nutrition Goals for High Performance Athletes

    Host: Kathy King

    What role does nutrition play in the success of high performance athletes? Host Kathy King speaks with Lilah Al-Masri, registered dietitian and specialist in sports dietetics. Ms. Al-Masri is the former sports dietitian for the United States Naval Academy, and she has co-authored the book 100 Questions and Answers about Sports Nutrition and Exercise. The two discuss nutritional considerations in various athletic contexts, from sport types to environmental changes to training-versus-competitive cycles.

  • June Is Audiobook Month, and Stephen King Is Happy about That

    headphones audiobook monthThis month is not only the start of true summer fun, but a great time to get your favorite summer reads on the go. It’s Audiobook Month, and it’s time to change up your reading routine. Driving to your beach house or sitting on a slow-moving bus? Pop in an audiobook. Sitting by the pool waiting for someone to finish grilling your lunch? That handsome devil purring the dialogue to your romance tome might help you pass the time.

    The Audio Publishers Association (APA) has launched A Good Audiobook Speaks Volumes, a public awareness video campaign to highlight the advantages of audiobooks and help newbies learn why they should try out the format, which is booming in popularity. The campaign continues through the summer.

    Check out these videos from bestselling authors Tyler Oakley (Binge), Stephen King (End of Watch), Whoopi Goldberg (If Someone Says “You Complete Me,” Run!), crushing on what audiobooks mean to them. As King notes, “Audiobooks are important because they come from the oldest tradition of narrative, which is oral storytelling.

    “I tell people the difference between a book that you read and a book that you listen to is like the difference between monophonic sound and surround stereo.”

    Need recommendations? Try this list of 13 Spectacular Audiobooks You’ll Enjoy This Summer.

    The post June Is Audiobook Month, and Stephen King Is Happy about That appeared first on Tips on Life and Love.

  • Best Fat Loss Pills At Gnc

    Telecharger Gratuitement Fat Loss FactorDeals for Fat Burning Soup With Sweet Potato For SaleThe Best Fat Loss Pills At Gnc will help you remove all the troublesome and disturbing body weights. Dr. Charles D.C because the author of this program will provide you with much information about fad diets as well as diet items, such as pill and drops. He shall describe that the foundation of this plan

  • Make Fat Burning Smoothies

    Fat Burning Treadmill Workout RoutinesDeals for Weight Loss Products At Gnc That Work Top QualityThe Make Fat Burning Smoothies will help you remove all of the disturbing and troublesome body weights. Dr. Charles D.C because the author of this program will give you much information about crash diets and also diet products, such as for example pill and drops. He shall clarify that the foundation

  • Free Fat Burning Ab Workouts

    Fat Burning Foods VegetablesLooking To Buy Weight Loss Pills Gnc Store Looking For Great Deals.The Free Fat Burning Ab Workouts can help you remove all the disturbing and troublesome body weights. Dr. Charles D.C because the author of the program will provide you with much information about crash diets and also diet items, such as pill and drops. He shall clarify that the foundation of this plan

  • Dr Oz Belly Fat Burning Tea

    Fat Loss Factor Ebook Free PdfReview Fat Burn Diet Green Coffee Bean Extract Shopping NowThe Dr Oz Belly Fat Burning Tea will help you remove all the troublesome and disturbing body weights. Dr. Charles D.C as the author of this program will give you much information about fad diets as well as diet items, such as pill and drops. He will explain that the building blocks of this plan is the liver,

  • Best Weight Loss Pills Customer Reviews

    Fat Burning Vegetarian Diet PlanDeals for Fat Burning Zone Calories Shopping NowThe Best Weight Loss Pills Customer Reviews will help you remove all of the disturbing and troublesome body weights. Dr. Charles D.C as the author of this program will provide you with much information about fad diets in addition to diet products, such as pill and drops. He shall clarify that the foundation of this

  • SlendaTrim Review

    What is it?

     SlendaTrim is a weight loss pill made with herbs and botanicals for appetite suppression, increased energy, and enhanced metabolism. Inside is a thermogenic formula that claims to be backed by scientifically researched ingredients.

    It’s advised to make sure one includes diet and exercise in order to see results.  The company claims to have researched all the available natural remedies found in China and India, and they have come up with this formula as a result. It’s also said to be made only for people looking to lose more than 5 pounds in a quick amount of time. So are all these claims actually truthful? What kinds of changes does this supplement produce? This review has all the information needed to make an informed decision on SlendaTrim.

    Do You Know the Best Weight Loss Pills of 2016?

    SlendaTrim Ingredients and Side Effects 

    Bitter Orange Fruit Extract
    Umbrella Arum (Glucomannan) Powder
    Green Tea Leaf Powder
    Hoodia Gordonii Aerial Stem Powder
    Irvingia Gabonensis Fruit Powder

    Black Pepper Fruit Extract
    Cholecalciferol
    Thiamine HCI
    Riboflavin
    Niacin

    Pyridoxine HCI
    Cyanocobalamin
    Calcium-D-Pantothenate
    Calcium Carbonate
    Chromium Picolinate

    Gelatin Capsule
    Rice Flour
    Magnesium Stearate

    Bitter Orange Fruit Extract: Stimulant extract made from the peel, leaf, and fruit juice of bitter oranges.  It can increase blood pressure, and stimulate the heart to beat faster.

    Web MD has expressed concern over the use of this ingredient

    “bitter orange is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken as a supplement for a medical purpose such as weight loss”

    It’s known to cause serious potential side effects that include:

    Fainting.
    Heart attack and stroke.
    Sensitivity to the sun leading to sun burns.
    Anxiety, agitation, and mood swings.
    Death.

    It has also shown damaging cardiovascular effects even in once healthy people. Drugs.com adds:

    “22-year old man developed rhabdomyolysis after consuming a synephrine–containing weight-loss formula” 

    The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health adds:

    “not enough scientific evidence to support the use of bitter orange for health purposes” 

    “linked to heart attacks and strokes” 

    Therefore, it’s unknown to have any positive health effects. When it’s mixed alongside caffeine, it has been shown to be even more dangerous. It’s unknown if additional caffeine is added from the green tea leaf extract added to this formula. 

    Umbrella Arum (Glucomannan) Powder: A dietary fiber taken from the konjac plant.  It’s used as a fiber source to help suppress appetite and control blood sugar levels.

    It can potentially lead to side effects that include:

    Nausea and vomiting.
    Diarrhea, stomach problems, and increased bathroom usage.
    Loose stools.
    Blockages in the throat and intestines.
    It’s advised to take it alongside enough water, as this ingredient can cause blockages in the throat and intestines.

    The FDA has also sent warning letters against companies who make weight loss claims about this ingredient. According to them, there’s no enough evidence to suggest this would be useful for weight loss. 

    Green Tea Leaf Powder: Extract of a common tea which is known to have a high amount of antioxidants.

    Though it’s used to increase metabolism, this effect is only due to the added caffeine.

    The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health adds:

    “There are not enough reliable data to determine whether green tea can aid in weight loss” 

    “have been some case reports of liver damage in people taking concentrated green tea extracts” 

    Other possible side effects from green tea include:

    Insomnia, restless, and fatigue.
    Abdominal pain.
    Headaches, mood swings, and symptoms of depression.
    Anxiety and irritability.
    Nausea, diarrhea, and loose stools.
    Web MD also adds:

    “Green tea is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth long-term or in high-doses” 

    The makers of SlendaTrim fail to mention how much if any caffeine comes from this ingredient. Since caffeine is the only reason why green tea has weight loss effects, it’s important to know much is added. Caffeine is a limited weight loss ingredient, which may cause many side effects that have been listed above.

    Excess caffeine that can be found in this ingredient may cause negative health effects, especially when mixed alongside bitter orange. 

    Hoodia Gordonii Aeriel Stem Powder: A shrub added as a way to control appetite. It’s clamed to help send signals to the brain, to let it know it’s no longer hungry.

    Though Examine.com adds:

    “cannot easily reach the bran to do this, and aside from failures of hoodia to suppress the appetite it may also be mildly toxic” 

    A medical doctor named Sdirenne Youdim adds:

    “There is no data to support its use” 

    Therefore, intake of this ingredient is not advised. It may present possible side effects. 

    EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this supplement with a proven fat burner such as Sletrokor for better results.

    SlendaTrim Quality of Ingredients 

    4 of the 6 ingredients added to the proprietary blend are potentially unsafe. Ingredients like bitter orange and green tea have been shown to lead to serious health problems such as seizure, stroke, liver damage, and heart attacks.

    Hoodia Gordonii has also been shown to be ineffective and potentially toxic. Glucomannan has studies showing it can potentially cause many side effects, and its claimed weight loss benefits have yet to be proven.

    The only useful ingredients are black pepper fruit extract, which is meant to help the other ingredients absorb better. Another good ingredient is Irvingia Gabonensis, but overall, the quality of ingredients is incredibly poor.

    There’s added vitamins as well which is good, but it still does not make up for the possible side effects and lack of proven weight loss benefits.

    The Price and Quality of SlendaTrim 

    A 30 day supply of SlendaTrim sells for $39.97.  It’s advised to get 3 pills, twice a day, and each bottle contains 180 pills.

    The formula in this supplement is limited due to its potential side effects and lack of proven weight loss benefits.

    Bitter orange and green tea have been shown to potentially cause serious side effects. Overall, the quality of these ingredients is extremely poor. You’re paying for a combination of stimulants and mostly unproven ingredients.

    Relying on these ingredients for weight loss can be potentially dangerous, as it can cause unwanted increases in heart rate, digestive issues, and cardiovascular damage.

    Stimulant formulas are also not recommended long-term, as any possible weight loss effects are lost with repeat use. This can also increase the risk of unwanted side effects.

    Business of SlendaTrim 

    The makers of this brand go by the name of Vitegrity. They can be found via the following contact details: 

    Phone Number: (888) 875-4789 

    Address: 970 Lake Carillon Drive, Ste. 300

    St Petersburg, Florida 33716

    There isn’t much information provided about the company and how they operate.

    There were a few complaints from customers who had a difficult time dealing with them:

    “it’s impossible to get ahold of a person” 

    “you cannot actually return this product easily” 

    “I am wanting my money back” 

    People were concerned about the lack of a money back guarantee which the company promises. Many say they tried multiple times to contact them without a response back.

    Users also couldn’t figure out exactly how the money back return process works, as the official website did not provide much information.

    EDITOR’S TIP: For the best results, our experts recommend using weight loss pills for at least 3 months. Save your money by buying a few bottles at once.

    Customer Opinions of SlendaTrim 

    There are a few reviews available online, and many customers have reviewed this brand unfavorably. Here are a few customer opinions:

    “This product did not work for me” 

    “Annoyed that I spent money on this” 

    “It has done nothing for me but tear my stomach up” 

    “It did not curb my appetite. I actually gained 5 pounds” 

    Side effects were listed as indigestion, headaches, fatigue, and insomnia.

    The majority of people not only failed to have any weight loss benefits, but some actually gained weight. People even mentioned they made sure to diet and exercise, yet there was still a lack of weight loss benefits.

    For those who used this supplement, there was concern over the ingredients, since they experienced side effects which may be dangerous long-term.

    Conclusion – Does SlendaTrim Work? 

    SlendaTrim promises some impressive results, but before deciding on it, it’s important to keep in mind the customer reviews and research into the ingredients. Many customers have rated this product poorly, by saying that they failed to lose weight and only experienced side effects. For those that made sure to include diet and exercise, there was no weight change at all.

    This is likely due to the ingredients which have not been proven to promote weight loss. Studies by respected organizations have confirmed the lack of weight loss benefits from some of the proprietary formula in SlendaTrim. Only one of the ingredients in the proprietary formula has been shown to be a good weight loss ingredient.

    Overall, you’re paying for a potential dangerous mixture of stimulants and unproven ingredients.

    The safer solution for weight loss is available via an all-natural, stimulant free, and clinically studied ingredient mixture known as Sletrokor.

    This supplement won 2016’s best supplement of the year award. Customers have raved about its potent weight loss results that come without any fear of side effects. This is because you get only natural ingredients that are stimulant free.

    Sletrokor is even backed by an impressive 30 day money back guarantee. That’s why customers have continued to use this potent weight loss formula.