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My New Favorite Way To Drink Lemon Water – The Aqua Zinger

The Aqua Zinger

Benefits of lemon water

If you have read my post, 5 Reasons To Drink Lemon Water In The Morning, you will know I’m a HUGE fan of lemon water.  I feel like I can’t function well in the morning without hydrating with lemon water, and I always have it before my cup of coffee in the morning.

two lemon halves

Now that I know about this awesome water bottle called AquaZinger, I have been drinking lemon water all day long!

aqua zinger grinder

This is really the coolest thing.  It is a water bottle that has a built in grinder in the bottom.  It also has a filter, so seeds and chunks stay at the bottom.

Aqua zinger grinder

You simply start by cutting a lemon in half.  I’ve learned that by cutting off the very end of the lemon, it makes grinding a whole lot easier!  When I first purchased my water bottle, I felt frustrated at how much muscle it took to do the grinding.  Now that I watched the below “tips” video and know the tricks, it is easy and I love it!

Filter of aqua zinger

You then take the filter piece and push it down into the fruit.

aqua zinger grinder and filter

Like so…

aqua zinger water bottle

…then you take the water bottle part and twist it on.  The twisting action is what grinds the fruit.

Grinding a lemon in the aqua zinger

See?  Isn’t that so nifty? It really is easy.

AquaZinger bottle

Here is a view inside the AquaZinger bottle.  That filter keeps all the seeds and chunks of fruit from going down your throat!

Cold filtered water in water bottle

Add cold, filtered water.  Then give it a little shake.

lemon water made from the AquaZinger

I refill it all throughout the day, and usually only use one lemon half a day, sometimes two if I am extra thirsty and find myself filling it up more often.

 

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 5 Reasons To Drink Lemon Water Every Morning 

 

Number 1

It balances pH–Lemon is an acidic food, but once metabolized, it becomes alkaline.  I work very hard at keeping my body alkaline.  Why?

To put it most simply, alkalies help keep the oxygen in our blood at a safe pH level, and this helps our body heal itself, assimilate nutrients and fight off unwanted sickness.

-Nicole Bennet

Number 2
It keeps skin clear and glowing!   I have noticed this.  Hydration from drinking lemon water is great for moisturizing our skin from the inside out.  Lemon also contains lots of Vitamin C, which helps with wrinkles and blemishes.
 
Number 3
It kick starts the digestive system–a big glass of lemon water is a great way to start the day.  It encourages the liver to produce bile which in turn aids in digestion.  It increases urination which helps purify it.  It also helps with heartburn and constipation.
Number 4
It helps with weight loss–I have read that keeping the body in an alkaline state helps people lose weight faster.  Lemons are high in fiber pectin, which helps keep one full, longer.  They also have a diuretic effect, which helps with water weight gain.
Number 5
It helps control the coffee habit–I will drink coffee sometimes, but only if I have had my entire glass of lemon water.  Many days I feel like the lemon water wakes me up more than coffee does…
…which brings me to bonus Number 6:
It helps kick the pop habit--I have found that adding lemon to sparkling water and adding a whole lot of ice satisfies any soda craving I might have.  I gave up soda pop the minute I was diagnosed a year ago, and I really don’t miss it.  I don’t think I could stand the sweetness of it now, but I DO miss the fizz, so my “Lemon Spritzer”–lemon +sparkling water+ice–is the perfect solution!
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AquaZinger and CitrusZinger

My sister-in-law has the Citrus Zinger and loves it.  I may eventually get one of these, too, but I have really grown to love my Aqua Zinger.  I like that it grinds the lemon peel up, too, so the lemon flavor is extra strong and I get the benefits of the essential oils in the peel.  If you watch the video below, you will see that the Aqua Grinder is not just for lemons, but for any type of fruit.  I have not experimented much with other types of fruit, but when I do I will let you know!

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To purchase the Aqua Zinger & Citrus Zinger – Click here.

To purchase the Aqua Zinger- Click here.

To purchase the Citrus Zinger – Click here.

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Test Your Cleaning Logic with Cottenelle

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cottonelle for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Cottonelle logo from Kleenex

You ready to test your cleaning logic?  My cleaning logic was tested and changed the day Cottonelle sent me their super soft and squishy Clean Care toilet paper and their handy dandy flushable wipes.  Oh yes, we are going THERE today.
The Cottenelle Care Routine consists of not just dry toilet paper, but also their wet wipes.  Their logic is, “you wouldn’t wash your car with a dry cloth, so why would you use a dry tissue when going to the loo?”
Hmmm…good point.
I cracked up when I learned that Cottonelle was unveiling a series of hidden camera videos to show people that nothing from a kitchen table, to a car can be properly cleaned without the combination of cloth and water.  My favorite since I am a licensed hairstylist, was the hidden video in the Salon.  Too funny!

I will be honest, I am quite frugal when it comes to toilet paper supplies, so I would usually just grab the very cheapest I could find.  NOT ANYMORE!  After using Cottonelle, I’m not sure my family will allow me to use anything else.  My girls all commented on how soft our new toilet paper is, and I must admit, I REALLY like having flushable wipes available.  They come in handy for all kinds of logical reasons, but a few reasons I really like them are:
1. Even if you run out of toilet paper, you know…when you are sitting there and you look down and a sad cardboard tube is staring back at you…you still have something to use so you are not stuck!
2. They are great for doing a quick wipe down of the potty.  Got unexpected company?  Excuse yourself to the bathroom and use a wipe to quick clean so you don’t die of embarrassment when they use your bathroom.
3. They are awesome for kids who are just learning how to clean themselves.  They are great for little boys (or big boys) who “sprinkle when they tinkle.”

Sprinkle Tinkle quote
4. They are great in households that have females and what we have to ‘deal with’ every month.

Another reasons why I really like these wipes is because they come with an Easy Reach hanger so you can put them within arms reach.  If they are out of site, they are out of mind and will not get used.  I love that this hanger gets them off the floor, keeps them in view, and allows me to keep my pretty succulent plants on the back of my toilet.

plants in bathroom

As for the frugal part of me, Cottonelle gives away a ton of coupons, so I will be using those when purchasing their products.  I also will stress to my kids that they are not an ‘every time I use the bathroom” product in our home, but just when it is ….ehem…necessary for that extra bit of clean, because nothing leaves you feeling cleaner or fresher than using Cottonelle Fresh Care Flushable Wipes and Clean Care Toilet Paper.  They really do have “a cloth like feel and now a touch of cotton.”
You can also test your cleaning logic at Cottonelle.com.  Now through June 30th you can visit Cottonelle.com and watch the Cottonelle Wash Test videos and submit your entry for a chance to win one of four grand prizes of $10,000 bathroom makeover!
Do you need a bathroom makeover?  Comment and let me know why.

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Sometimes All You Have To Do Is Ask

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of apartments.com for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Red brick apartment
I’ve just spent some time looking at apartments.com, and boy do I wish I would have known about them a couple weeks ago! 
bike lock on bike rack
I’ve been busy helping a dear friend pack up her house and move into an apartment.  The circumstances are hard, this friend of mine has gone though much pain and trials in her life.  The story of how we met is a beautiful one that I hope to share someday on this blog with all of you, but for now all I can say is we were meant to be friends and I care so deeply for her and her family.  
old apartment building
Last week as I was driving, my friend and her family were so heavy on my heart.  I started to pray for them and simply asked God to just bless them and keep them.  Then I got a bit specific with Him.  I asked Him to provide some new living room furniture for my friend before they move.  She has 5 kids and the need was great, and I just felt some new furniture would lift her spirits and help make her new apartment feel like home.
Schwartz paper building
To make a long story short, tomorrow night we will be picking up a beautiful couch, overstuffed chair and ottoman.  God answered my prayer, not only in a timely manner, but in such an easy manner.  Here is how He did it:
~I was cutting my sister – in – laws hair.  I told her some of my friends story.  I told her the desire of my heart to bless her with furniture.  As she wrote a check to pay me for doing her hair, and handed it to me, she said..”the extra is to put toward the furniture.”  It was $100.00 above what she normally pays me.
~The same sister-in-law mentioned that they had gotten quite a few deals for my niece’s house from Craigslist and that I should check out what they have.  I did a couple days later, and within 10 minutes I had found the perfect furniture, with the perfect price, and had scheduled an appointment with the owners to look at the furniture.
~A family member of my friend found out what I was doing and offered to send money.  They sent $100.00 in the mail.
~A couple weeks before, I was catching up with another great friend of mine, and while sharing what we both had been up to I told her about my friend who was needing to move and how hard her life circumstances were right now.  My friend said “We’ve been praying about a portion of our tithe that we would like to give away.  I want to give it to your friend.  I want to help…keep your eye open for a way we can use our tithe to help your friend.”  I called her right after I learned about the furniture.  She mailed a check for $200.00.
~My friend was not moving for another couple weeks.  The couple I bought the furniture from offered to store it for us for FREE until moving day.  Another detail, taken care of by God.
JOHN 16:23
Sometime, I forget that God tells us that when we ask for things IN HIS NAME (according to His will) that He will answer us.  I love that He cares so deeply for my friend and her family and that He chose to send what I call “God kisses” her way in the form of new furniture through the generosity of His people.  
 photo Apts_PrfctFit_rgbjpg_zpsf00a594a.jpg
Back to apartments.com, although I didn’t know about it in time to use it to help my friend find a place, I am so glad to know about it now!  I have already used it to look up apartment prices in our area, as I am secretly wanting my Mommy (who lives an hour away) to move to our city!  The site was so easy to navigate and all I had to do was enter my zip code to start. You can search for specific things you want in a home, name your minimum and maximum price, choose amenities.  Make sure you try it for your next apartment search, and to keep up to date with apartments.com, you can follow them on Twitter @aptscom
If you have a smart phone (iPhone, iPad, and Android), you can download the apartments.com app and search for a new place on the go.  You can go on a virtual tour either online at apartments.com or by using the user friendly app.  Try it!  I think you will like it!
Since this post is about the generosity of people, I think it is quite fitting that apartments.com is sponsoring a giveaway for you, my dear New Nostalgia readers!  How does a $25.00 Visa Gift Card sound?  Sign up below for your chance to win!  Method of entry: use Rafflecopter form below and make sure you leave a comment on this blog post telling us what apartment home you would choose from Apartments.com if you were moving.  Leave the link to the Apartments.com page in the comment.

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My New Haircolor {It’s RED!} + Oscar Fashion & PEOPLE Magazine 2013 Oscars Double Issue

Target gift card giveaway

If you know me, you know I am a sucker for beauty and fashion.  I love being a woman and all the fun things that go along with it!  I was a hair stylist in a salon for over 10 years and even though I no longer work in that industry I love to stay up all the latest styles.  Now that doesn’t mean I’M up on the latest styles, but it does mean I like knowing what they are and at least trying!

One of the ways I do that is by reading PEOPLE Magazine, and on March 1st, PEOPLE Magazine 2013 Oscars Double Issue will be out on stands. It is only available between March 1st & March 18th.

I’m super excited to get my copy! This is THE issue I look forward to each year.  There is just something about seeing all the fun gowns and hairstyles.  Color is the big thing right now, and I’m eager to see if  the gowns are going to reflect that.

Target gift card
I’m happy to tell you that we are giving away a Target $20.00 Gift Card so one of YOU lucky readers can go buy your own PEOPLE Magazine for FREE!  Keep reading to the end so you can enter to win!

As much as I love the gowns, my MOST FAVORITE thing to look at is celebrity hairstyles.  I love looking at what color their hair is this season and who wears it up and who wears it down.  I’m especially interested in RED hair color this year.  I recently changed my hair color up and I am now a red head.  What do you think?  I think redheads have more fun!!

Amy Bowman Red hair
With this new red hair color, I will be looking for celebrity red- heads and noticing what makeup colors they are wearing.  I’m feeling pretty clueless about makeup with such a big change in my hair color level & tone. It just so happens that 2 of the Best Female Actress In A Leading Role Nominees are red heads, or at least have been, so I’m eager to see what their makeup entails on the red carpet!

Jennifer Lawrence
 Jennifer Lawrence, Nominated for her role in Silver Linings Playbook
Love this deep brown with hints of read.  Love her ruby lipstick!

Jessica Chastain
Jessica Chastain Nominated for her role in Zero Dark Thirty
Love her goldilocks.  Red hair color fades easily, so I’m hoping when mine does it will fade into something pretty like this!  Amazing how great red lips look with red hair.

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So, will you be watching the Oscar’s on Sunday?  I know I will be.  As we wait, here is a fun way to pass the time. Head over and test out your PEOPLE trivia skills for a change to win!  You can enter each week for a chance to win one of hundreds of rewards cards.  Just click the link to play now!

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To enter to win the Target Gift Card use the Rafflecopter form below.

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and PEOPLE Magazine  but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #PEOPLEforOscars  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.”

Sponsored

Spotlight On Sponsors

New Nostalgia Sponsor Spotlight
Won’t you join me in saying hello to our Sponsors this month?  
I so appreciate their support and would love for you to ‘meet’ them!
La Posh
La Posh 
La Posh is a stylish boutique for the modern woman.  Their goal is to make every girl a fashionista in her own unique way.  They have new, stylish, yet affordable trends.

Toby and Max Jewelry

Toby & Max
Toby & Max jewelry has been a place of inspiration and hope for over 30 years.  Her jewelry is beautiful and give messages of hope, healing, love, friendship, happiness & motivation.  There is something for everyone–Sterling, Pewter and Solid Bronze jewelry all hand stamped and made in America.
CustomBoutiques

CustomBoutiques
{Site} {FB} {Twitter}

CustomBoutiques is a Facebook application that allows anyone with a Facebook profile to create an online boutique, select products from the CustomBoutiqes catalog, then share and sell those products to their social network.  The service is completely free and easy.
MyCB by CustomBoutiques is a service which allows CustomBoutiques owners to upload and sell their own products through their store.  This service is also free!

The Repurposed and Upcycled LIfe

The Repurposed & Upcycled Life
{Site} {FB} {Twitter} {Pinterest}

The Repurposed & Upcycled Life is a book that talks about how God turns trash into treasure.  Through inspiration from God’s Word, a generous dose of humor, and everyday examples, discover the joy-filled, hope-rich way of viewing the past, present, and future.
Clean Mama Printables

Clean Mama Printables
{Shop} {Blog} {FB} {Twitter} {Pinterest}

Original and organization documents that help you take the *Work* out of organizing your life. Looking for a little guidance or a lot, Clean Mama Printables has something special to get your home in order with a stylish & simple method.
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Thank you sponsors!  I’m truly am so honored to share you with my readers!
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Blog Content That Works For Your Brand

blog content that works for your brand
This is a little bit different of a subject than I usually post here at New Nostalgia, but I have the honor of being guest over at Beauty Divine & thought you all might want to see what goes on behind the scenes of building a blog & meet a pretty special person. 
Laurie is my little sis and an amazing graphic artist.  She has a thriving photography template online business and knows her stuff.  She is doing a 31 Days To Better Branding series and asked me to write for Day 18- Blog Content That Works For Your Brand.  
Here is what I came up with:
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#1 It is ok to break the rules and go with your own flow at times.
My site, New Nostalgia, covers a bunch of topics, i.e. organization, simplicity, healthy eating, slow living, homemaking, beauty & spirituality. The topics I choose to write about and share are really just my own personal interests.  Now, in the blog world this is often looked at as a no- no (having so many different topics on one site).  Most how-to blogging sites encourage you to chose a specific niche and stick with it, but I go against the flow and it works for me.  
#2 Be aware of what might make a good post & document the moments life brings.  
Because my blog focuses on many different topics that I love and live by daily, my content just becomes a diary of sorts of what works for me and what I do.  This makes choosing content very easy.  It happens quite organically with me. If I make a recipe, I make sure I take pictures just in case I want to post about it.  If it happens to be a snow day and we stay indoors and make a craft, again, I grab my camera and take pictures. If I am going on a date with my hottie husband and find a fun hairstyle tutorial on Pinterest that actually works, I take a pic and note the tutorial link, just in case I want to use it as a beauty post. If there is something in my own life that I am learning & it is deep, it usually becomes a post on spirituality or it becomes advice I pass on to my 3 girls in a “Leave a Legacy” post.
#3  Write content according to your own unique personality.  Don’t box yourself in.
I am not a big planner, so planning content way in advance stresses me out a bit! 

 I want to share with you how I come up with content regularly and also a few tips that will help make the process of coming up with content much easier…
{To continue reading steps #3-#7, will you kindly follow me on over to my sisters place Beauty Divine by clicking here?  I would love for you to meet her.}


          

Healthy Eating/ How-Tos/ RECIPES/ Sides

5 Reasons Why I Love To Roast Vegetables + 19 Roasted Vegetable Recipes

5 reasons to roast vegetables

Why do I love roasting vegetables?

1. It makes the house smell awesome.

2. It brings out the best flavor of the vegetable-complicated and caramelized deliciousness!

3. It is a great way to use up produce that would otherwise go to waste.

4. My kids like the flavor of roasted vegetables and eat them up.

5. It is easy!

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4 things you need for perfect roasted vegetables:

1. High heat.  I find the best roasting temperature of most vegetables is 425 degrees.

2. Surface space – do not pile the veggies on.  Spread them out evenly onto the pan giving each piece enough surface space to get all nice and brown and caramelized.

3. Vegetables cut in similar sizes.  This helps them all cook at the same rate.

3. Oil, salt & pepper.  Simple ingredients let the veggies themselves shine!

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Oils I use:

1. Unrefined Coconut Oil ~ Refined has more health benefits, but unrefined is still plenty good for you and does not have the coconut flavor.

2. Olive Oil ~ This is a commonly used oil for roasted vegetables.

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What you are looking & listening for:

Cooking times are going to vary with each vegetable.  You are listening for a sizzle as the natural moisture is released from the veggies.  You are looking for a nice browning effect on the bottom of the vegetables.  Most vegetables are done when fork tender.

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Here are some awesome sounding roasted vegetable recipes from my Vegetables Pinterest Board.  

Keep in mind, simple salt, pepper and oil let the veggies shine, but for a little extra special something, try these recipes!

 

Roasted Parmeasean Green Beans

 

Butter & Brown Sugar Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Balsamic Roasted Brussel Sprouts

 

Honey Balsamic Carrots

 

Easy Roasted Tomatoes

 

Roasted Fall Vegetables with Lentils

 

Lemon Rosemary Roasted Asparagus

 

Parmesan Roasted Brussels, Butternut Squash & Kale

 

Roasted Broccoli-Pinner says “Best Broccoli of Your Life”

 

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Asparagus: Leave whole; peel if necessary.

Bell peppers: If not roasting over an open flame, cut these into 1-inch chunks.
Broccoli: Cut into 1- to 1½-inch diameter individual florets, the tips of which get charred beautifully crisp. Peel, then halve or quarter thick stems (which are delicious!).
Brussels sprouts: Halve them.
Cauliflower: Treat like broccoli.
Corn: Cut into kernels; will cook very quickly and you may only want to brown one side.
Carrots: Cut a 1-inch chunk off the top end at a 45-degree angle. Roll the carrot a quarter turn and repeat. This weird oblique shape gives you lots of surface area to caramelize its abundant sugars. ½-inch coins or half-moons also work well.
Eggplant: Cut into 1½-inch chunks.
Fennel: Cut into 1-inch pieces.
Green / string beans: Really! They’re great. Just make sure they’re tender; old, tough ones get tougher in the oven. Leave whole, stems removed.
Onions: Cut into 1½-inch wedges, and break apart into individual layers.
Parsnips: Treat like carrots.
Radishes: Leave whole if small, about 1 inch in diameter; otherwise cut in 1-inch pieces.
Sweet potatoes: Cut into 1-inch pieces.
Tomatoes: Cut 1-inch-wide wedges or ½-inch slices. They won’t really brown well but can have a nice concentrated flavor.
Turnips: Cut into 1-inch chunks.
Zucchini / summer squash: Cut into 1-inch chunks, or oblique-cut like carrots.
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Here’s more roasted goodness from past New Nostalgia Posts:

New Nostalgia: Roasted Strawberries

New Nostalgia: How To Roast/Steam Corn On The Cob In The Oven 

 
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What about YOU?  

Do you have any roasted vegetable tips to share?  
What is your favorite vegetable
to roast?

 

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