Years ago when I was still drinking tap water, our water had an awful smell to it for two weeks and so I drank bottled water.  Finally after a couple of weeks of this, I called the water department to find out what was going on.  The answer I received was, “It’s OK.  It’s just sewer gas that has backed up into the water lines.  But the water is safe to drink.”  I can’t remember how I replied, but I do remember thinking, “No, it’s NOT OK to have sewer gas in my tap water.  I don’t care what you say.”  We never would have known about it had I not called.  That makes me wonder what all is in our water that we never know about.  Since then, our whole family has been drinking bottled water.  (My husband was already drinking bottled water.)  Now we drink distilled water.  There’s no way sewer gas can get into that!

Here are this week’s four questions. I’ve got the Olympics on my mind so this week they’re about fitness/physical activity/sports:

#1. What do you drink to rehydrate in the heat or after working out?

Water

#2. What do you eat to help boost or create energy?

Complex carbs such as whole grains, fruit, etc., and tea is usually energizing.

#3. What’s the healthiest snack you eat?

Raw nuts & seeds:  almonds, cashews, pecans, sunflower seeds

Hot air popped organic popcorn with extra virgin olive oil and sea salt

(We can get organic popcorn in the bulk food section at Central Market and, contrary to what some might think, it’s actually less than buying name brand popcorn that isn’t even organic.  If you want to know why we buy organic, read this about Genetically Modified Seeds (especially CORN, soy, and canola)  And note the comments for that post – a doctor left a comment and some really good info.  There are several good comments.
#4. Share a recipe or instructions for your ideal three course meal.

Salad, entree, and dessert.  Salad would need to be really fresh and chilled.  And for the entree it would be fish, chicken, or turkey.  Veggies would be fresh and steamed.  Dessert would be a fresh fruit mix with poppyseed dressing.

Are you thinking of making some home improvements, maybe buying new carpet?   Empire Today has been a leader in installed home improvements for over 45 years, has over one million happy customers, and has won the 2008 National Stevie Award for Best Customer Service Organization for providing world class customer care.  For two years in a row, they were also a finalist in the Best Overall Company category.  Now that tells you something!  Add in the fact that they have quality products that will improve the value of your home, and that is a win-win situation.

These are the products that Empire Today offers:

• Carpet

• Hardwood Flooring

• Laminate Flooring

• Ceramic Flooring

• Window Treatments

• Bath & Shower Liners
  

The great thing about Empire Carpet is that you have the convenience of shopping for the name brands at home with their specialized products expert.   One convenience I really like is that you see all the samples in your home with in-home demo and in-home shopping.  Several years ago we bought new carpet, and the frustrating part was bringing the samples home from the store only to find they looked like completely different colors in our living room.  With Empire Today, there is none of that frustration.  You see the colors in your own home immediately.  And you don’t have to deal with traffic or worry about the kids getting into things in the store.   You sit in the comfort of your home and shop.

Empire Today’s representative gives free estimates, which are low warehouse prices, and will measure for most products right then and there.  There’s no need to set a separate appointment for measurements.  And the estimate includes all costs.  Installation can be scheduled the next day, and that’s not just for carpet.  It’s also for all flooring, window treatments and bath liners as well.

Have you seen the Empire Today Commercials?  They are informative as well as entertaining.  If you would like to hear from some happy, satisfied customers then check out Empire Today Bath Stories.   Be sure to listen to “Empire Man” who, since 1977, has come to represent great value, world class customer service, and next day installation. Empire Man had been seen all over the world in commercials and other media, and has even been in McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade which then inspired the Chicago Cubs to have an official “Empire Day at well-known Wrigley Field in downtown Chicago. When you hear the jingle, 800-588-2300 Empire, which is one of the most recognized phone numbers in the country, remember the quality that stands behind it!

Well…actually the “summer season” will last a while longer, but “summer” according to the school calendar is almost over.  Even though we didn’t actually take a week long vacation this year, we did take a couple of two-day trips.  One trip was to Hillsboro, Texas, to shop at the Hillsboro Outlet Mall.  I found a lot of clothes there for Baby J for his birthday, and I had so much fun shopping for him!  Another trip was to Waco, Texas, to visit the Dr. Pepper Museum which was very interesting.  We also got to walk on a historical bridge and visit the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum.  It was truly a fun trip!

We’re not big movie goers, but we saw three movies this summer which we thought were really good movies.  We saw the Indiana Jones movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, and Journey to the Center of the Earth.

I went to a ten week Bible study at my friend’s house this summer on Thursday nights.  There were several friends there (we all attend church together) to study “Believing God,” which deepened our faith even more.  This Bible based study was written by Beth Moore.  It was a great time of fellowship and studying God’s Word!

And last, we had a lot of good family visits with our daughter (“C”), son-in-law, and Baby J.   We got to have a mini family reunion in June when my mother-in-law flew down to visit for a week.  Lots of wonderful memories were made!

These are the highlights of my summer which centered around God, family, & friends!  It’s been a wonderful summer for me in that regard.

Whenever someone in the family gets a new auto, whether it be new or used, it is necessary to get insurance on that vehicle.  Sometimes it is a pain to try to squeeze finding insurance into an already busy schedule.  One easy way to shop for auto insurance is to look at online car insurance quotes.   Quotes are conveniently given online.  How easy is that!

Natural is always best.  Natural, whole foods are healthier than processed ones.   Natural hormones are better and safer than synthetic ones from all that I’ve read and from what two of my doctors have told me.  I doubt my gynecologist would tell me that, though.  I think all he prescribes are the synthetic hormones.  My regular doctor prescribes natural, compounded from a pharmacy progesterone.  If your hormones are giving you a lot of trouble, if you gain weight and can’t seem to lose it, or you’re having any of the many symptoms that estrogen dominance can cause, you might want to check into natural progesterone.  Natural is the best way to go.

#1. What is your favorite appetizer?

Hmmm.  I guess it would have to be Spinach Artichoke Dip & Chips.  Guacamole, nachos, and Queso would be next.
#2. Do you eat enough appetizers that you get full and can’t eat your meal?

Usually not, but I have done that in the past.
#3. Do you usually make frozen or fresh appetizers?

I usually make them, either nachos, guacamole, or queso.  Actually, we make a meal out of the nachos.
#4. Share a recipe or instructions for an appetizer.

Easy Chicken & Black Bean Nachos

Now that it’s time for school to start and time to start thinking about school supplies, it’s also time to start thinking about school lunches.  Elizabeth has some fantastic ideas in her post, “Brown bag lunches your kids will eat!” When I used to make school lunches, I would make the homemade lunchables sometimes, but I never had themed lunches like Elizabeth does.  These lunches are very creative!

This is such a quick and easy recipe:

• 1 can chicken breast, drained & separated into small pieces
  
• 1 can black beans, drained (I use organic)
  
• 1 jar Tostitos Queso, Medium
• 1 pkg Tostitos Natural Blue Corn Tortilla Chips (organic)
  
• 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
  

Top each chip with a little chicken, black beans, and then top with a spoonful of queso.  I used to heat these in the microwave, but I’ve recently learned from one of my doctors how the microwave affects food so I’m heating them in our toaster over instead.  Heat until cheese melts down a little bit.  Top with a slice of avocado (and whatever else you would like).

This is fairly healthy, and half the ingredients are organic.

Our first and only grandbaby, “Baby J,” celebrated his first birthday this past week.  We went for the weekend for the birthday party on Saturday.  Our daughter, “C,” had everything decorated so cute.  There were balloons and streamers decorating the mailbox, front door, entryway, living room, and the dining area.

First, we had a cookout with hamburgers, hot dogs, and all the fixings.  Then Baby J opened his many presents (actually our daughter opened the presents – Baby J wasn’t into opening presents…at least this year anyway).  Then it was time for the cake.  “C” has taken a cake decorating course, and so she made the cutest small birthday cake for “Baby J” and then a larger cake for everyone else.  Our grandson did not like the icing, though!!  Once the thick globs of icing were on his fingers, he looked at it like he didn’t understand why he couldn’t shake it off.   His daddy proceded to feed him the cake part which he loved.

It was an exciting and fun-filled day for Baby J, grandparents, an aunt, an uncle, and friends of the family.  Baby J was so keyed up from all the excitement that he couldn’t unwind for his nap.  Needless to say, by the time bedtime rolled around, he was extremely tired…so tired that he got the giggles and laughed non-stop for a minute or two.  Well, we all got tickled at him and started laughing too.  It was a wonderful end to a wonderful day!

It is such a blessing to have Baby J in our lives!