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Dairy-Free Cheesecake
I love cheesecake so much, I feel like a kid in a candy store whenever I get my hands on one. I found this recipe for Fluffy Pumpkin Cheesecake in a KTA Superstore in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii over a decade ago. It is an easy recipe to use and makes an amazing desert. I have recently tried making a dairy-free version of this cheesecake so that certain family members can enjoy it, too. After using substitutions for the cream cheese and whipped topping, I now have a new favorite non-dairy desert. You may want to try this out for yourself, it really is surprisingly easy and so wonderful to enjoy! **To make a…
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I Finally Learned How to Drink More Water!
For the past few years I had it in the back of my mind that I should be drinking more water, but I just could not seem to change my habits. Last spring I tried joining a healthy habits support group on-line. Even though I failed at the exercise part of the challenge that I started, I did a fantastic job of getting back into the habit of drinking enough water! What a difference it makes in how I feel! Now that I am drinking plenty of water, I don’t feel as tired mid-afternoon and my lips are not dry and flaky anymore. If you need to get your water intake up, here are some…
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Choosing a Bottle of Wine
Trying to choose a bottle of wine to have with a nice dinner can really be a challenge. Fortunately, I have found some ways to make this process less of a chore and a bit more fun. Here are a few general guidelines to follow that can help you find some good wine without spending too much time in the isle. Wine Regions Learn about a few good wine-making areas. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I am lucky to have local vineyards nearby. I like to choose wines from around here when I can find them at a low price. Pinot Noir is a local favorite and my top choice of wine.…
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Planning a Fancy Picnic
Having a fancy picnic can be easier than you think, you just have to pay attention to some important details. The things that are most important are making sure that you prepare special food, use interesting tableware, pick an exceptional location, and get the timing just right. Fancy Picnic Food When deciding which foods to bring, keep in mind that it is all about the details. Pick food that either has meaning or is special or that is rare and you do not have often. Here are some ideas to get your creativity going: Meats – Focus on meat that you can eat without utensils. Think along the lines of cream-cheese-filled…
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Picnics Made Easy
When the weather warms up one of my favorite things to do is put together a picnic. Picnics really can be easy. They can be quick to put together and casual for everyone to enjoy that way it does not feel like a big event that takes too long to prepare for. Usually our picnics end up right outside in the backyard. Sometimes we take our picnics to local parks. My favorite picnic idea is to pick up hot wings at the local food truck and then take them to a park to enjoy while watching the river. We pretty much always have ingredients for sandwiches on hand,…
