Did you know it's "Don't Fry Day?"

Please take a moment to read these excerpts I have posted below from The National Council on Skin Cancer...it will only take a few minutes but could save your life (or someone else's life).

 

"To help reduce rising rates of skin cancer from overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention has designated the Friday before Memorial Day, TODAY, as “Don’t Fry Day” to encourage sun safety awareness and to remind everyone to protect their skin while enjoying the outdoors."

 

As a recent malignant melanoma skin cancer survivor, please do not take these suggestions lightly:

• Avoid sun burning, intentional tanning, and using tanning beds.
• Apply sunscreen generously.
• Wear sun-protective clothing, wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
• Seek shade.
• Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand.
• Get vitamin D through diet and vitamin D supplements.

"Skin cancer is on the rise in the United States, and the American Cancer Society estimates that one American dies every hour from skin cancer. It is estimated that this year 62,480 cases of malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, and more than one million cases of basal cell or squamous skin cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S.

 

Fortunately, skin cancer is highly curable if detected in its early stages. An easy way to remember sun safety awareness is to Slip! Slop! Slap!...and Wrap — slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher, slap on a hat, and wrap on sunglasses. The best way to detect skin cancer early is to examine your skin regularly and recognize changes in moles and skin growths."

 

To read more, please visit this link - http://www.skincancerprevention.org/Events/DontFryDay/tabid/113/Default.aspx.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!  I would love some of you to share your comments below....any advice on you protect yourself and the little ones from the sun?

50% Off - The Franklin Institute Family Membership

From now through Thursday, May 27, Savvy Source - Philadelphia is offering a huge discount on a family membership to The Franklin Institute for only $50, which is 50% off the regular price. This deal is $50 instead of the regular $99 family membership. Get it now before it's gone!

The membership includes two free tickets to see the new exhibit, Cleopatra, and free admission to over 250 ASTC science museums. It's really an incredible deal for $50 -- all for one family.
This is part of a new program for Savvy Source. It's called Savvy Savings and Scholarships, and it's like Groupon, except designed specifically for things to do with kids. The deals only last a few days. A membership to the Franklin is just in time for summer and for all of those long summer days when it's too hot to play outside.

Even better: When you buy your membership, Savvy Source will donate 5% of the purchase price to the preschool of your choice and 5% to a scholarship fund for kids who can't afford to go to preschool. You get a great deal, your preschool earns some money, and it help kids -- it's a win for everyone.

At least 50 people need to sign up for the offer to kick in, so spread the word to your friends, family, playgroups, moms' groups, and neighbors who might be interested.

Click here to sign up: http://www.savvysource.com/event/home_philadelphia_pa/referrerCode=SPB2

Recipe #6 from BJ's Wholesale Club

Baked Ham and Ziti Casserole

This is comfort food at its best, especially on a rainy day!  Also a great make-ahead meal for all you busy parents. Even easier meal if you have leftover ham from a previous dinner. And the best part....Serves 4 at $2.04 per serving!


8 oz. Barilla PLUS® Penne

12 oz. fresh Broccoli Florets

8 oz. Wellsley Farms® Ham Steak, 1" dice

White Sauce (see recipe #5 )

¾ cup Sargento® Shredded Parmesan Cheese

1 Tbsp. McCormick® Whole Peppercorns (optional)


1. Preheat oven to 350º. Add pasta to large pot of rapidly boiling, salted water. Cook 4 minutes.

2. Add broccoli florets to pot with pasta. Cook until vegetables are tender and pasta is al dente, about 6 minutes.

3. Drain immediately and transfer to large serving bowl. Add ham and toss to mix.

4. Prepare white sauce. While still hot, add shredded cheese and stir until
melted.

5. Stir in peppercorns (optional) then immediately pour sauce over pasta-vegetable mixture. Toss lightly to mix and bake 30 minutes or until browned and bubbly. Serve immediately.

....And remember, BJ's Wholesale Club is offering a Free 60-Day Trial Membership which can be activated between now and July 5. The risk-free, trial membership includes full member benefits including savings and no surcharge. A basic 12-month membership is $45.

Recipe #5....

This week's recipe given to me by BJ’s Wholesale Club is fabulous! A classic dish loaded with healthy veggies that the kids are sure to love.

And in case you haven't seen my previous recipe posts, BJ's Wholesale Club is offering a Free 60-Day Trial Membership which can be activated between now and July 5. The risk-free, trial membership includes full member benefits including savings and no surcharge. A basic 12-month membership is $45.

Click on this link to find and print the pass to take to any BJ’s club:
http://www.bjs.com/about/news/content/item1,127.shtml?sc_cid=PRMediaOutreachPass


Pasta Primavera

Serves 4 at $2.44 per serving


8 oz. Barilla® Linguine

1 small Summer Squash, thinly sliced

10 oz. Asparagus Spears, 2" pieces

8 oz. Green Giant® Baby Carrots, quartered lengthwise

1 cup Berkley & Jensen® Grade A Fancy Peas, defrosted

1 recipe White Sauce (below)

¾ cup Sargento® Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Grape Tomatoes (Optional)


1. Add pasta to large pot of rapidly boiling, salted water. Cook 4 minutes.

2. Add all vegetables except peas to pot with pasta. Cook until vegetables are tender and pasta is al dente.

3. Drain immediately and transfer to large serving bowl. Add peas and toss to mix.

4. Prepare white sauce according to recipe. While still hot, add ½ cup shredded cheese and stir until melted.

5. Pour cheese sauce over pasta-vegetable mixture and lightly toss to mix.

6. Serve immediately garnished with remaining ¼ cup shredded cheese and Grape Tomato halves (optional).

Basic White Sauce -  Makes 2 cups.

Your microwave’s cooking times may vary. Please watch carefully.

4 Tbsp. Land O’Lakes® Sweet Butter

4 Tbsp. Gold Medal® All-Purpose Flour

2 cups Milk

Salt and Black Pepper to taste


1. Melt butter on high in 1-qt., microwave-safe bowl, about 20 to 30 seconds.

2. Stir in flour, using spoon to break up lumps, until smoothly blended.

3. Add milk, salt and pepper and stir until completely blended.

4. Microwave on high, pausing to stir every 30 seconds or so, until sauce is thick and bubbly, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Variation: Add 2 cups of shredded Cracker Barrel®
Sharp Cheddar Cheese and toss with cooked elbow macaroni for mac and cheese.

Happy Eating! I'd love to hear what you think of these recipes so please leave a comment.

The Winner....

I have chosen the winner of the Seventh Generation "Disinfecting Cleaning Kit" through Random.org.  And the winner is.....

Missy Barth

Congratulations!  Thanks to all of your great comments on how you make your home greener for you family.

Seventh Generation Giveaway

I was recently given the opportunity to replace what’s currently under my sink with products that are non-toxic and safe for the environment.

I received a Seventh Generation “Disinfecting Cleaning Kit” that included a disinfecting multi-surface cleaner, bathroom cleaner, wipes , a copy of The Conscious Kitchen, a cleaning caddy made from recycled plastic, and two rolls of 100% recycled, unbleached paper towels. Seventh Generation provided me with the free product, information, and gift pack through MyBlogSpark.

Leading the “responsible cleaning” charge for the past twenty years, Seventh Generation has tapped into the disinfecting power of the herb thyme, to introduce an EPA registered line of disinfecting sprays and wipes that kill germs* naturally! The new line of botanical disinfectant cleaners includes a multi-surface cleaning spray, bathroom cleaning spray and wipes.

The disinfectants contain thymol, a component of the herb thyme, and can be used on hard surfaces including counter tops, plastic cutting boards, highchair trays as well as children’s toys. Best of all, they kill over 99.99 percent of germs* naturally and are effective against the Influenza A Virus, including H1N1. The smell when you're done cleaning is wonderful!

Seventh Generation has partnered with eco-lifestyle consultant and author, Alexandra Zissu, whose new book, The Conscious Kitchen, discusses what’s good for your health, what’s good for the planet and what tastes great. Her book also includes great tips on maintaining a green and healthy kitchen, including:

Change is Good
Choosing cleaning products without indoor air pollutants like volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, is a simple and effective way to reduce your indoor air pollution. If you’re not prepared to switch everything overnight, start by swapping out the one product you use the most, and moving forward from there.

Think before you spray
Residues from cleaning products can last on a surface for longer than we we’d like to know and travel to areas that we sometimes don’t intend them to. Don’t contaminate your food by prepping it on a surface that may contain harsh chemical residues - rinse cleaning products from food preparation surfaces carefully or use botanical disinfecting cleaners that do not require a rinse step.

Home is Where the Clean Is
Your standard cleaners are good for removing soils and dirt from kitchen surfaces, but to tackle germs you need a cleaner that is effective against microbes like bacteria and viruses. Many cleaners contain ingredients that have antimicrobial properties such as vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, but the germ killing power of these is not necessarily guaranteed. To be sure you are killing germs, use an EPA registered disinfectant. Seventh Generation tapped into the disinfecting power of the common garden herb thyme, to provide a disinfecting cleaner that kills germs* naturally.

Make the Old New Again
Think twice about the items that you’re using to clean and dry your kitchen equipment and dishes. Use rags (like old t-shirts and washcloths) instead of paper towels. If you aren’t prepared to kick your paper towel addiction just yet, use only recycled versions that are unbleached or haven’t been whitened with chemicals containing chlorine and see how long you can make a roll last.

The Writing is on the … Sponge
Be sure to read the fine print on sponges and only purchase those that do not contain antimicrobial pesticides. Remember to store sponges in a dry place and frequently clean them by popping plastic sponges wet in a microwave for two minutes or boiling sponges for three minutes in water.

Mom Was Right, Wash Your Hands
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after prepping food, and always before eating. So much of what can be potentially harmful in a kitchen can be reduced by this simple act that doesn’t require any harsh chemicals whatsoever.

So not only did Seventh Generation provided me with this gift pack through MyBlogSpark but they are also giving a pack away to one of you!

If you would like to win this Seventh Generation “Disinfecting Cleaning Kit,” leave a comment on how you keep your family safe from chemicals. Please do not forget to leave your email address so I can notify you should you win.  I will pick a winner on Tuesday, May 18th so spread the word to friends and family!

Goodluck!

Recipe #4

Shrimp Lo-Mein – Recipe courtesy of BJ’s Wholesale Club

A healthier version of a take-out favorite in the Gunn Household. Serves 4 at $2.74 per serving.

8 oz. Barilla® Whole Grain Spaghetti

1 Tbsp. Kikkoman® Soy Sauce

½ tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Domino® Cane Sugar

1 Tbsp. fresh Ginger, grated

2 tsp. Argo® Cornstarch

1 lb. Berkley & Jensen® 21/25 Frozen Raw Shrimp, defrosted

4 Tbsp. Berkley & Jensen® Peanut Oil

2 stalks Celery, finely sliced

1 ½ cups Fresh Express® Cole Slaw (undressed)

1 Green Onion, minced


1. Cook spaghetti until al dente and drain immediately. Rinse with cold water and drain thoroughly. Set aside.

2. Mix soy sauce, ginger, cornstarch, salt and sugar in large bowl. Add shrimp and let marinate for 20 minutes.

3. Heat wok or large, straight-sided skillet over high heat until very hot. Add 2 Tbsp. of oil. Using slotted spoon, carefully add shrimp to hot pan. Reserve marinade. Stir-fry until shrimp is just opaque. Immediately remove from pan and set aside.

4. Add remaining oil. Stir-fry celery, slaw and green onion until just tender, about 5 minutes.

5. Add shrimp to ingredients in pan, along with reserved marinade. Stir-fry 2 to 3 minutes, or until sauce boils and thickens.

6. Add spaghetti to pan and toss to mix. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Did you know May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month?

If you have read my previous posts, you will learn that I am a recent survivor to Melanoma Skin Cancer.  I had a freckle that appeared about 4 years ago and each year became darker until I finally decided to have it removed, along with the suggestion of my dermatologist.  I am cancer free but need to continue to visit the doctor every month for at least the next 2 years.  With a large scar across my forehead I have had many people ask, "What happened to your forehead?"  They are not expecting to hear, "I had melanoma skin cancer..."  So let my skin cancer be a lesson to all of you.  Please check yourself monthly & see a dermatologist every year, as well as wear sunscreen (at least SPF 30). Do not take this lightly as it is the #1 Cancer in the US. 

I thought the Today Show ran a great piece on skin cancer this morning so I wanted to share:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Recipe 3 from BJ's

With all that has been going on lately I have majorly slacked on here! So now I am back in the groove and ready to share some new recipes that were given to me by BJ's Wholesale Club. They have developed seven recipes that serve four people for less than $12. In fact, each recipe costs $2.75 or less per serving!

So let me first remind me you that you can visit this LINK for your 60-Day risk-free, trial membership which includes full member benefits including savings and no surcharge. A basic 12-month membership is $45.

Now here is recipe #3: Toasted Ravioli

This is an easy recipe, perfect for serving on a game night. Serves 4 at $2.64 per serving.


1 pkg. Joseph’s Spinach and Mozzarella Ravioli
½ cup Milk
1 cup Progresso® Italian Bread Crumbs
2 cups Wesson® Vegetable Oil
¼ cup Locatelli® Grated Romano Cheese
2 cups Rozzano® Fresh Bruschetta, for dipping



1. Heat oil in cast-iron or other heavy skillet until thermometer reads 375º.

2. Pour milk and bread crumbs into individual shallow dishes.

3. Dip ravioli in milk, shaking off excess, and then immediately into bread crumbs.

4. Carefully add ravioli to hot oil a few at a time. Don’t crowd pan. Cook ravioli until golden-brown, about 3 to 4 minutes, turning halfway so that
they cook evenly.

5. Carefully remove first batch of ravioli from pan with slotted spoon. Drain on paper towels while second batch cooks.

6. Sprinkle with grated cheese and serve with warm bruschetta.



Happy Eating!  I'd love to hear if you've tried any of these recipes and what you think?

I was diagnosed with Skin Cancer...

For those that did not read my post, It's not too early for sunscreen, I was diagnosed with Melanoma Skin Cancer several weeks ago.

It all started with a freckle on my forehead about 4 years ago. Over time the freckle got darker and darker. My family doctor recommended I go see a dermatologist once a year being that I am a "moley," fair skinned person.  The dermatologist took a photo of the mole as a baseline and every 3 months I went back to the Dr. for check-ups. Well this last visit we both decided it was time to remove the mole. Because it was on the center of my forehead, he referred me to a plastic surgeon, to have the mole surgically removed. A week later the biopsy results came back and it was in fact, melanoma.

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer but if caught early is curable. Fortunately for me it was caught in stage 1, the thickness was measured at only .52mm. Unfortunately I had to go back for more surgery, however this time "going under." The doctors needed a wider margin of skin to ensure the cancer had not spread.

So fast forward to today....I am pleased to report I received clear margins! Despite the huge scar across my forehead, I am glad we decided to have it removed vs. waiting longer. Not only do I need to stay clear of the sun as much as possible (which seems impossible with two little kids), wear lots of sunscreen, but I also need to continue to see my dermatologist every 4 months for the next 2 years and then twice a year for 2 years, etc...

So all of you that read this post....PLEASE make sure to wear your sunscreen all year round. You can never be too cautions.