Must Visit: Beaches

 All this snow has had me daydreaming about warm sunny beaches. Not just any beaches, but quiet beautiful beaches. So after a little research, I have found some of the nicest beaches in the world.

Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles is a definite must see beach. This beautiful beach is made out of soft pink sand with a great coastline to explore. If you enjoy snorkeling, the reef right off the coast is waiting for you.

Lanikai Beach, HI is another must see beach. This breathtaking beach, located in Kailua, Oahu, is a favorite swimming spot even among the locals. “An offshore coral reef protects the deep turquoise lagoon, making the surf relatively mild and ideal for splashing around as well as kayaking, sailing, canoeing, and windsurfing.” (Sherman Travel Editors). If you get a chance to visit this little paradise, be aware there are no lifeguards and the waters may have Portuguese Man-O-War (especially June-September).

Manly Beach, Australia may be a little more crowded than the first two beaches, but it is just as beautiful. As we are dealing with cold and snow here in the U.S., the summer heat is just beginning in Australia. If you are looking for a little night life after relaxing on the beach all day, Manly Beach is the place for you. The busy city of Sydney, Australia is just a few miles away.

Plage Malendure, Guadeloupe is a black sand beach located at the base of a “jungle covered mountain”. For those of you looking for a quiet beach with scuba diving, snorkeling, and hiking, this is definitely the place for you.


Where are your must see beaches? Are they peaceful or full of life? Are they local or exotic?


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Recipe Corner: Molasses Cookies

Those who know me best know that cookies are my weakness. These molasses cookies are so soft and chewy, there is no way to just eat one.

Do you have a mouthwatering recipe you would like to recommend? Shoot me an email at betweenthelines-kam@hotmail.com  and I can post it for all to enjoy!

Useless Fact of The Day

Some lions mate ______________times a day.


Take a guess…..

Vacation Memories: Part Three

As we grow older, our memories inevitably begin to fade. But despite our fading memories, there are always a handful of precious ones that stick with us. My brothers, sister, and I were very lucky to have spent some of our childhood in Europe. Living in Germany allowed our family many opportunities to have extraordinary vacations (and even more mini day trips). Although I cannot recall all the details of these vacations, the memories I do have are worth treasuring.

I unfortunately don’t have many memories of Holland. I remember the flowers, the windmills, and doing gymnastics on the beach. But the memory that stands out the most in my mind is our trip to Madurodam (located in Scheveningen, Holland). Madurodam is the smallest town in Holland, literally. Everything in Madurodam has been shrunk to 1/25 its actual size. Visitors get to see Holland “in a nutshell”. My family had a great time wandering around the miniature city looking for all the moving pieces. Besides the intricate landscapes and detailed architecture, Madurodam had moving cars, trains, planes, windmills, and boats. I remember how excited we all were when we discovered something new in the city. If you would like to see some more of Madurodam, check out this YouTube link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDwtQDVzIEg  

Holland is a beautiful country. If you ever make it out to the Netherlands, you should definitely check out the tiny town of Madurodam. It is an incredible work of art. Please feel free to share any great memories of your childhood vacations. I would love to hear them all. I will continue later this month with my favorite memories of Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Florida.



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Open discussion: Snowy Day Games

Snow, Snow, Snow!!! There is snow everywhere and on everything. I can’t even remember how many days we have been trapped in the house. Cabin fever has definitely set in! We have played video games, board games, and card games. We have baked, cleaned, and made artsy messes. Unfortunately, we have now run out of ideas. What have you been doing to keep yourself busy on these snowy days?


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Recipe Corner: Baked French Fries

We all love French fries and we all know how bad they are for us. Here is a healthy alternative to deep fried French fries. Enjoy!

Do you have a mouthwatering recipe you would like to recommend? Shoot me an email at betweenthelines-kam@hotmail.com  and I can post it for all to enjoy!

Stop In and Say Hi!

Have you been reading Between the Lines? Stop in with your feedback, suggestions, or just to say hi. Thanks for reading!

Vacation Memories: Part Two

As we grow older, our memories inevitably begin to fade. But despite our fading memories, there are always a handful of precious ones that stick with us. My brothers, sister, and I were very lucky to have spent some of our childhood in Europe. Living in Germany allowed our family many opportunities to have extraordinary vacations (and even more mini day trips). Although I cannot recall all the details of these vacations, the memories I do have are worth treasuring.


As I start writing part two of this post, my mind is shuffling through the countless fun experiences we had in Germany. My family and l visited too many places to describe in such a small space, but I will share my favorites in hope that some of you may be able to visit Germany one day. There was always so much to see and explore in Deutschland. Although we barely scratched the surface, we traveled from mountains to caves and from castles to forts.

As you would expect, there are many castles in Germany. Perhaps one of the most recognizable castles is Neuschwanstein in Bavaria. Neuschwanstein, a 19th century Bavarian Palace, was the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s castle in Disneyland. Although I would love to say I remember everything about the castle, I can actually only recall a few minor details. I remember how beautiful the castle was (but that my dad liked the mountains in the background better) and I remember some of us kids whining that we were tired of walking! :)  Oh how I wish I could go back and enjoy it through new eyes. But for now, our family pictures and videos will have to do.

Our favorite castle in Germany can in no way compare to the beauty of Neuschwanstein, but my memories are much more vivid (probably because we went so often). Nanstein Castle, or Landstuhl Castle as we called it, couldn’t have been more than 30 minutes from our house. My parents took us there often to “explore” the ruins of the castle. Our favorite activity was probably finding dungeons to lock each other up in!

I also have a lot of great memories of visiting the Salt Mines in Berchtesgaden (near Salzburg, Austria). Before beginning our exploration of the Salt Mines, we all dressed up in “authentic” miner’s clothes. We may have looked ridiculous, but we had fun. As kids there was so much to love. We took a short train ride to start our journey into the mines. Then after following the tour guide around we went further down into the mines by sliding down a dark tunnel. I remember my mom being very anxious. At the time I thought she was scared, but now that I am a mother, I realize she was probably worried about one of us freaking out. If you want to check out the slide, go to this YouTube link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DjOAhxnQ68  

Germany is such a beautiful place to visit. Wherever you go you are surrounded by beautiful nature and architecture. If you ever have the opportunity, I would definitely encourage you to go. Please feel free to share any great memories of your childhood vacations. I would love to hear them all. Tomorrow I will continue with my memories of our trip to Holland.


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Recipe Corner: Quick and Easy Barbeque Beef Casserole

This is a quick and easy recipe that I discovered a few months back. It is absolutely delicious. It is very important to spread the cornbread mix out evenly so it cooks evenly.


Do you have a quick and easy recipe you would like to recommend? Shoot me an email at betweenthelines-kam@hotmail.com and I can post it for all to enjoy!

Useless Fact of the Day

Harrison Ford has a ___________________named after him.



Take a guess……

Vacation Memories: Part One

As we grow older, our memories inevitably begin to fade. But despite our fading memories, there are always a handful of precious ones that stick with us. My brothers, sister, and I were very lucky to have spent some of our childhood in Europe. Living in Germany allowed our family many opportunities to have extraordinary vacations (and even more mini day trips). Although I cannot recall all the details of these vacations, the memories I do have are worth treasuring.

My family and I had a great time visiting places in France. The memories I have of France are unfortunately all jumbled together. I can’t even remember how many times we were there. Maybe it was just once. My favorite memory of France was our visit to the castle/abbey on Mont St. Michael. Mont St. Michael is a tidal island in Normandy, France. It was once upon a time connected to the mainland by a natural bridge, but since the bridge was always completely covered during high tide it wasn’t very efficient. Thanks to modern advances, visitors can now visit the island by a man-made causeway. Although I remember having fun wandering through the old buildings and castle, the memories of exploring around the island stick out most in my mind. The tides at Mont St. Michael are very fascinating. During low tide visitors can walk around the island’s sandy beach. However, when high tide is coming in, it is time to run. The tides in the area change very quickly and have been described as being as “swift as a galloping horse”. When the tides have completely come in, the island is entirely surrounded by water. I can still hear the worry in my mom’s voice as she told us is was time to leave the beach. I’m pretty sure she didn’t want a bunch of wet kids in her car. If you want to check out Mont St. Michael from the comfort of your own home, check out this youtube link and enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RpIc2aXy7Q

Paris was another great place we visited in France. Looking back, it is funny to think of the things that impressed me the most. When we went to the Louvre, I was more impressed with the outside of the building than the art inside. As we walked by street vendors, I was more impressed with the young artists’ doing pencil drawings than I was of the expensive oil paintings. And as we laid eyes on the Eiffel Tower, I was more impressed by the people who could walk to the top than of the tower itself. Of course now I regret that I was not mature enough to appreciate all the wonders of Paris, but as a child I still had a great time! Notre-Dame was one place in Paris that was magnificent enough to impress children and adults alike. Whether standing inside or outside of the cathedral, the sights are breathtaking. If you are ever in Paris, this is one place you can not miss.

Please feel free to share any great memories of your childhood vacations. I would love to hear them all. Tomorrow I will continue with my memories of our German vacations.

Grab a latte, put up your feet, and join the discussion.

Recipe Corner:Brigadeiro

Brigadeiro is a candy often eaten in Brazil.   Thanks to my wonderful sister-in-law, we now have a new delicious recipe to try.   I haven't made it myself yet, but I have eaten the end result.  Definitely worth a try. Thanks Camila!
Do you have a mouthwatering recipe you would like to recommend? Shoot me an email at betweenthelines-kam@hotmail.com and I can post it for all to enjoy!

Useless Fact of the Day

_______________ is the world's largest distributor of toys.

Take a guess.......

Munching at Midnight

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night to your stomach growling? Or maybe you are a night owl and sometimes need a little something to keep you going. I know they say you shouldn’t eat anything past 7:00 pm, but sometimes you just need a snack. I know I can’t be alone in this. So what healthy foods will satisfy those night time cravings? If you wake up in the middle of the night and just can’t get back to sleep, you may want to try some starchy foods (unless you are on a low carb diet). According to Dr. Oz, “Foods that quickly raise your blood sugar also raise blood levels of the amino acid tryptophan, which the brain converts to mind-soothing serotonin.” So try something simple like microwave popcorn or an English muffin to help you get back to sleep. If your diet doesn’t allow you to eat many carbs, try a snack packed full of protein. Low fat cheese, turkey, or egg whites are some excellent choices.


If you need to stay up late to study or finish up a work project, your first instinct may be to reach for the caffeine. Although the caffeine may do the job, it could also prevent you from falling asleep later (not to mention leave you wired the next day). A healthier option would be to make a small salad of dark greens or chopped veggies. Veggies contain a great amount of complex carbs and folate. Complex carbs provided the body with energy while folate is proven to help the brain function faster. Unsalted almonds would also be a good choice. “The satisfying crunch will help you work off your anxiety, while the B vitamins and magnesium help your brain make relaxing serotonin. And at only 160 calories for about 22 almonds, you won't add weight worries to your woes.” (Dr. Oz)

Recipe Corner: Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken Barbecue

This is a new recipe I discovered a few months back.  The combination of ingredients seems a little odd, but it has received rave reviews from all who have tried it.   Give it a try, it is so easy to make!


Do you have a mouthwatering recipe you would like to recommend? Shoot me an email at betweenthelines-kam@hotmail.com and I can post it for all to enjoy!

Vitamins

Vitamins are sometimes hard to understand. Which ones are most important? How much is enough to benefit us? Can too much harm us? As my husband became more interested in taking vitamins, I decided that I would do a little research and see what role each vitamin plays. Of course, there are too many vitamins and nutrients to discuss in a single post, so I researched some of the most important ones to share.


Everyone knows that calcium is important in bone protection. But did you know that calcium alone will not help prevent osteoporosis. Calcium can only work as well as your body is able to metabolize and absorb it. Calcium needs the help of vitamin D, vitamin k, and magnesium. Be aware of the type of calcium supplement you are taking because without its supporting vitamins it may not be doing its job. If your body does not get enough of its needed calcium it may begin extracting from your bones and teeth. Some good non-dairy sources of calcium are whole wheat products, broccoli, kale, dark leafy greens, canned fish, legumes, okra, nuts, and seeds.


Omega-3 fatty acids have been becoming more popular over the last few years. They are known as the “good fats”. “Studies have shown that Omega- 3 fatty acids can have a positive on or prevent serious degenerative illnesses like heart disease, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and more. The anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3’s are especially beneficial to menopausal women in preserving heart, breast and bone health, and even help keep our moods on an even keel.” (Dr. Marcel Pick). Good sources of omega-3 are found in seafood, hempseed oil, flaxseed, walnuts, canola oil, eggs, pumpkin seeds. If these are foods you don’t eat, you can take omega-3 supplements. However, research the product before you buy it because you could wind up burping fish all day.

Useless Fact of the Day

Th powder on chewing gum is made of  _____________.

Take a guess....

Reading Review: It’s A Vampire World

What is it about vampires that have all of us women enthralled? If you had asked me even two years ago if I wanted to read a book about a vampire, I would have laughed and said no. 95 % of the books I own are written by Christian authors (mainly Karen Kingsbury). So when my friend and neighbor handed me a copy of Stephenie Meyer’s, Twilight, my expectations were very low. But somehow after the first chapter I was hooked. Not only did I finish Twilight by the end of the next day, but I had finished the entire series within two weeks.


If you think about the most popular vampire series, Twilight, The Southern Vampire Mysteries (TrueBlood), and the Vampire Diaries, you can start to see a connection. Women are falling in love with the thought of true love. A love so true, it lasts for an eternity. However, that theory falls apart when it comes to the House of Night series. This series, written by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast, is completely different than the others, yet just as alluring. The heroine from the House of Night series is not the helpless human girl that we are used to reading about. She is the vampire. She has the power. If this is a series that you have somehow missed, I definitely encourage you to check it out. You won’t be disappointed.


Do you have a book to recommend? Post your suggestions below. Do you have a book you would like to review? Shoot me an email with your review to betweenthelines-kam@hotmail.com and I can post it on the blog.

Grab a latte, put up your feet, and join the discussion!

Recipe Corner: Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies

Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies are by far my favorite cookie!  Remember if you like your cookies a little crisper, cook them a few extra minutes longer. 

Do you have a mouthwatering recipe you would like to recommend? Shoot me an email at betweenthelines-kam@hotmail.com and I can post it for all to enjoy!