Savvy Saturday~ Dawson's Bear Cave

Today, I get to introduce you to our newest shop in town.  

It is a great little shop that carries a variety of different sauces, mustards, dips and jellies.

 Most of their items you can sample, except for their 

exotic jerky.  

I was thrilled to see their extensive jerky selection.

  I had to try at least a few...

So, I bought the Alligator, Antelope and Elk to start... 

 The Alligator to me, tasted like Chicken, 

but a little on the dry side.  

The Antelope, pack I got was really seasoned heavily with black pepper and was also a tougher meat to me. 

 Then the Elk, it was flavored the best for my tastes, 

but was a little on the tough side.

  There are more that I want to go back & try, these were just the ones that I decided to try first time out.

  There is a section where you can get packaged snacks like banana chips, sesame sticks & chocolate covered peanuts.  There were several more kinds, but I didn't feel the

 need to name each one.  

They also have a cooler with different types of 

meat sticks and sausages. 

 I also found that they stock different shelled peanuts as well as a few different cheeses to choose from. 

 All in all, I was really impressed with this little shop that just came to be in our Historic Ashtabula Harbor. 

 I know that I will be making several more 

trips there as I was impressed.

  I hope that you will check them out!  

Here is the link to their Facebook page 

Dawson's Bear Cave

They are located at:

1127 Bridge Street

Ashtabula, OH 44004

440-964-5011

Hours of Operation:

Open 7 Days a week

10am-7pm

Fantastic Foodie Friday~ Natural Bad Breath Fixes

           Mints & mouthwash aren’t the only way to freshen up.                  
The truth is, they only mask the problem. 

I found that Dr. Oz has a host of natural bad-breath fighters that will help you smile big.  

I know that you may be wondering why I am using this as a Fantastic Foodie Friday Blog entry.

 I think that with all we eat, we need to know that their is an arsenal of natural things we can do 

to combat the bad breath that comes with some of the food we love to eat.  

I hope that you will find this helpful and informative.

Bon Appitite!

Cinnamon Gum

Cinnamon gum contains cinnamic aldehyde, a plant essential oil used for flavoring. This oil doesn’t just cover up bad breath, it actually reduces the amount of bacteria in your saliva by 50%.

Fish Oil Supplement

It may seem counterintuitive, but the omega-3s in fish oil are proven to reduce inflammation and bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath. Either take a fish oil supplement or incorporate more fish into your diet to experience these benefits. Click here to quiz yourself on additional benefits of fish.

Magnolia Bark Extract

This natural ingredient contains the compounds magnolol and honokiol, which have potent antibacterial properties. This extract has been shown to kill most oral bacteria that cause bad breath within 30 minutes. It’s often found in mints and toothpaste.

Celery

Celery is good at fighting bad breath because it’s full of fiber. Fiber-rich foods help produce saliva, which helps to wash away plaque build-up, a cause of halitosis. Carrots and apples are other good, fiber-rich snack options.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C can help prevent gum disease and gingivitis – major causes of bad breath. By eating foods rich in vitamin C, you also create an inhospitable environment for bacteria growth. Chow down on citrus fruits like oranges, or grab some berries and melons to get your daily dose of vitamin C.

Black Tea

Black tea helps keep your breath smelling sweet because it is full of polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that stop plaque from clinging to your teeth. Plaque build-up leads to bad breath, among another dental problems. Studies have also found polyphenols inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth, thus minimizing the foul-smelling compounds that those bacteria produce.

Sometimes~

"We All Need Saving"

Come on, come on
You have got to move on
This is not the you i know
This isn't real
It's just all you can feel
And that's the way that feelings go
And whether or not it's right or wrong you'll do what you will do
[Chorus]


When the cloud in the sky starts to pour
And your life is just a storm you're braving
Don't tell yourself you can't lean on someone else
Cause we all need saving sometimes


Say what you will but the time that we fill
While we're on the earth
Should not be alone
We were meant to be known
You make me what i'm worth
But i can't keep you from yourself you'll do what you will do
[Chorus]


I don't know why it has to be this way and
I don't know the cure
But please believe someone has felt this before
[Chorus]

Tonight this song came to me 

as if someone was guiding me to it...

I decided that I would share it 

with you...

In the rush of life,

 sometimes we never know 

when someone needs to hear that 

they are not alone...

Some are grieving,

others are fighting,

& 

many are braving storms...

Through it all,

we don't have to face it alone...

We just have to reach out,

trust

and 

know that 

there is someone that will

help us weather the storm...

It is not their job to save us

from it...

but to guide us through

till we reach the other side...

No matter how alone you may 

feel in the moment...

Know that there is 

always 

someone that is 

willing to be that 

port in the storm for you...

They will help to shelter you,

give you comfort 

and 

Love you...

Till you feel strong enough

to carry on...

Life is tough,

no one would tell you

 that 

it is easy...

But that being said,

it is worth it...

Every day, 

every hour

& 

moment...

Everyone needs someone,

you don't have to go it alone...

You just have to confide

in someone...

Know, 

in your Heart

You are Loved...

XoXo

<3

Simple Beauty~

Have you ever sat back and watched 

the sky change?

As the day starts to slip away 

and 

the night creeps in...

Every second the colors are 

changing, the clouds are 

shifting the intensity is 

diminshing from the sky...

For many, you know 

my attraction to butterflies.

Tonight, as I looked up at the sky

I happened to see a huge butterfly 

looking back at me...

See if you can see it in the picture...

I felt at peace in that moment.

Sometimes with all that is going 

on in our lives we forget to seek 

out the simple beauty.

You don't have to take a "break the bank" 

vacation to find a piece of heaven.

Sometimes, you just need to 

step out your front door 

and 
find the beauty 

that is there.

Maybe, you haven't noticed

because you have been too

wrapped up in other things 

to see it.

If you look close enough, 

you can find simple beauty 

anywhere...

XoXo

Fear~

Some of us only face fear when it comes to us.

Others run towards it 

and some,

 become frozen 

by it's very existence...

We all need to realise that at some point we

will be afraid of something.

For some it will be heights, others snakes

and some choices...

Do I give up the known for 

the unknown?

Do I take a risk

or play it safe?

Do I take the chemo

or just live each day as it presents it's self?

Each of us has to make our 

own decisions & be comfortable 

making them.

Fear will find us many times 

during our life and each time

we will be in a different place and circumstances.

But one thing is sure,

at some point you will have to face 

your fears...

XoXo

Motivational Monday~ Purge

Today's Topic~ 

Purge...

You may not see the relivence of this,

but let me try to explain...

I will be using myself as an example 

as I don't know if you can even relate to this.

As the years have gone by I have become a 

collector as some would say of "Trinkets".

I looked at them as keepsakes from moments

spent doing things I loved, or 

trying to hold on to people that I loved.

Wanting to hold on to moments that had gone by.

Now, at this point of my life...

I know that these things that I have collected

though wonderful memories each one holds...

Need to be purged...

They are holding me back from where I need to be,

and the person I want to become...

This also goes for clothes.

The clothes I hope to fit into one day

or get back to...

I am tired of trying to fit into something 

that no longer is me.

I need to be beautiful and comfortable 

with the me that is now.

That is not to say that I stop trying to 

achieve my goals.

 I just learn to let go 

of beating myself up over the fact that 

is not where I am now, at this point...

Life is a Journey,

we change as the time goes by...

Life has a way of molding us

through experiences.

Some good, others not so good

and each one leaves a print on us,

but through all of it we grow...

We need to hold on to the sweet memories

by any means possible,

but if they keep you from reaching 

your potential or goals...

You might want to sit back 

& 

have that long talk with yourself

and then allow yourself to let go of the 

"Trinkets" but not the memories they held...

Keep Moving Forward...

XoXo 

Today~

Sometimes saying things simply,
but meaning them with your whole 
heart is the truest thing you can do...
Unperfect me...
XoXo

Savvy Saturday~ Twisted Twigs

Tonight, I have the pleasure of introducing you to the Twisted Twigs.

It has just found a new home, in the Historic Ashtabula Harbor.

Kourtney, has brought the beautiful works of nature into artwork.

The art work is simple beauty. 

Wall art to bring your personality home.

Say it in words or in the simplicity of a star on the wall.

No matter how you want to display your personality,

Kourtney has found something that will speak to you.

 You can reach Kourtney at k_martin 1992@yahoo.com

The shop address is: 1024 Bridge Street 

Ashtabula, Ohio 

440-344-0360

Shop Hours:

Tuesday-Thursday: 11-6

Friday-Saturday: 11-7

Sunday: 12-5

Help support our local business.

They are the backbone of our community.

XoXo

Fantastic Foodie Friday~ Hangover Cure Prickly Pear Cocktail

Studies have shown that drinking an 8 ounce glass of prickly pear juice within five hours of consuming alcohol can help you to avoid a hangover. Try this virgin cocktail after your next night out!  So, the next time you decide to have a night out, you might want to try this and see if it works for you.   

Ingredients

8 oz prickly pear juice

8 oz lemonade

1 sprig of fresh mint

Directions

Blend with ice. Enjoy!

Reflection~

I have never watched the show,

but I found this quote and it spoke to me...

Life is an ever changing journey,

we are constantly moving and growing...

The one thing that should be an ever constant,

never changing truth, is knowing 

the person in the mirror...

Never losing site of the person that 

is reflected back from the glass...

We all will go through 

stages,

trials 

&

 chapters,

but through it all...

We should never forget 

to be true to our self...

Never give so much of yourself 

away...

 That you have nothing 

left for yourself...

Be Kind,

Love 

& 

Cherish 

the person that looks 

back at you from the reflection...

XoXo

Truth~

The truth is this...

When you sit in the Dr.'s office

and you hear the words that you 

have been dreading...

How do you react?

Do you protect those that you love

by keeping the secret?!? 

or 

Do you 

tell them the truth?

I have talked with many 

women who are going through 

their own struggles with their 

diagnoses...

and I have found one simple 

truth to it...

Each one does what she feels is 

right in the situation.

No judgement on my part, 

as I have never walked in their shoes.

I have watched people 

who find out that they are sick

doing all they can to protect those 

that they love...

Prolonging the pain ultimately

 they think that they will cause by 

telling those closest to them...

or 

Do they trust in the fact that

love will see them through

the uncertainty that lies ahead?

God knows that when 

you sit in that chair and hear

the words "You have Cancer",

your mind will flood with a 

million emotions, questions

and what do I do now?

Take time for yourself,

be kind to yourself,

&
 Trust in yourself...

XoXo