good luck deluxe

One of my most beloved cookbooks in my cookbook collection is
The Working Stiff Cookbook, by Bob Sloan.

I remember enjoying his cookbook so much I had to write the author to show my appreciation. The cookbook’s vintage illustrations are absolutely adorable!

In truth, I think I was just overjoyed because the surgeon I was dating told me he adored steak, so I quickly whipped up Bob Sloan’s Filet Mignon with Shiitake Mushrooms (with a side of sautéed broccoli rabe) for him; and dinner was a tremendous success!

This wasn’t just a “steak.” No. This was a lusty, savory trip to nirvana on a plate, bathed in a dulcet tryst of white wine and cream, and featuring just enough exotic mushrooms to consummate the union.

I was living the film “Like Water for Chocolate” in my own kitchen!

My beau was certainly impressed with the meal, and he immediately reciprocated with a romantic weekend for us at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort.

Yep, the author did a very good thing.

The Working Stiff Cookbook is a clever, spiral-bound cookbook for the V.B.P. (Very Busy Person). It features classic, as well as more bold and spicy recipes such as Chicken Curry in a Hurry for every imaginable occasion. The Paella Rapido recipe is excellent!
I love, love, LOVE this book.

Do you want gourmet recipes that are fast and easy to prepare?

Click this pic to order the cookbook:

For all you ladies who are lovers of fine lingerie, you will be happy to learn that I have discovered a real gem: Tanga Fine Lingerie.

I’m not talking about Victoria’s Secret or Frederick’s of Hollywood. I am speaking of exquisitely-designed, high-end French and Italian lingerie that we ALL should be wearing more of!

One of my male readers just said Amen!

Tanga also carries exceptional swimwear, including luxurious matching sarongs!

I didn’t see my favorite lingerie designer, La Perla, on their web site, but oh well. At least they carry Argentovivo, Aubade, and Cristina Iaia, as well as plenty of others!

Do take a peek at the Tanga Fine Lingerie web site and treat yourself to what is rightfully yours to have.

Happy shopping!

I have spent literally hundreds of hours combing the Internet for the best possible nutritional supplements. My search did not include synthetic-based products. I wanted raw, real, whole food-based nutrients.

How many people can actually say they eat the ideal amount of organic fruits and vegetables, herbs, sea veggies, and all that good stuff every day? Do you?

I already take a food-based multivitamin, but I couldn’t help but wonder if there was something even better out there. I’m such a Curious Georgette.

Lo and behold, I have unearthed our bounty -
Galaxy Nutrients! Folks, these are the real deal.

In laywoman’s terms, I will say that one of the factors that makes their products different and better than the others is the soil on which their nutrients are grown. Galaxy Nutrients endeavors to provide the most biologically-active, truly LIVING nutrients on the planet.

So how can one tell if something is biologically active?
I found this article on Chromatograms to be very enlightening.

Imagine THE ENERGY you will have with not only eating healthier, more organic foods, but by supplementing (where needed) with energy-packed, raw food nutrients to fill in the gaps! Not dead, petroleum-derived poisons posing as nutrients, but
PURE NUTRITION.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Galaxy Nutrients.

I have yet to try these supplements, but I plan to do so sooner rather than later.

The Galaxy Nutrients site is filled with plenty of informative tidbits about their products. You can’t get better than real food nourishment!

I am a regular, everyday person. Sure, I’m in Hollywood and have access to the best plastic surgery in the world. But it’s just not me to go that route.

About five years ago, I had a Mediterranean vacation scheduled in the upcoming week.

Since I looked like a meatloaf, I figured trying something was better than doing nothing. My boyfriend gave me a gift certificate to get a Suddenly Slender Body Wrap at one of their official centers.

Hey, now that I think of it, was that a hint?!

At any rate, I made my appointment and went to the center, not expecting much of anything, really.

They measured my body before they wrapped me from head to toe, and I looked like Return of the Mummy, covered in mineral solution-soaked bandages. They also put clear plastic bags on my hands and feet.

When I asked my specialist why in the world she was doing that, she cheerily chirped, “To collect the toxins. You’ll see.”

And see I did!

My specialist instructed me to get on the treadmill and lightly walk for what I think was like 15 minutes or so while watching TV.

She explained that the motion would help the toxins to start flowing, and the minerals would extract those toxins from my skin. Or something to that effect. The specialist also reassured me that if anything, I would feel cool, not hot, while I was on the treadmill.

To my amazement, a good ten minutes into exercising, I noticed that those plastic baggies were filling up with dirty water. Yuck! My specialist explained that those were my flushed body toxins.

The unofficial, unscientific explanation of it is as follows: When the human body is filled with toxins, it retains more water to dilute the toxins in the bloodstream and cells to prevent them from poisoning you. When you release the toxins, the retained water flushes out with them.

Now here’s the good part…

After all was said and done, I really didn’t notice much of a difference, except that my skin felt like silk (from the mineral solution) and I felt peppier. But I kinda looked the same. I got dressed, left the center, and just went about my life.

I really didn’t give it much more thought. I was too busy shopping and packing for my trip to fuss with details like measuring inches and pounds lost from my Body Wrap.

I truly didn’t notice until I arrived to the Mediterranean and slipped into my bikini - with ease, looking like a red-hot mama!

I couldn’t believe it!

I looked in the mirror and had to do a double-take, because my body was utterly TRANSFORMED. I mean, I completely morphed into a Glamazon of Divadom. I had a naturally cinched waist! No back “fat”! No jelly rolls! ZERO cellulite!

You better believe if I’ve never used the word “sauntered” before, I’m gonna use it now to illustrate my experience!

I sauntered around that beach, shimmied into cute little cocktail dresses, the whole nine. All this from ONE Suddenly Slender Body Wrap. It took a few days for all of the toxins to flush out of my skin and kidneys, but it was well worth the wait.

Please note: I am NOT affiliated with Victoria Morton, the Founder of
Suddenly Slender, in any capacity. I’m just a really, really happy customer, and I am elated that I found something that WORKS!

I’m telling you - MEN and WOMEN - you gotta try one of these body wraps. You won’t believe it… Especially if you have a paunchy middle! I think they should be mandatory.

Here’s to no more lumpy folks hurting our eyes at the beach!

I am the rum cake queen.

I have no shame in asking (fine - BEGGING!) my loved ones who are champion bakers to consider baking rum cakes for me. My requests have not yet been granted, so ordering them is the next best thing, right?

Tortuga Rum Cakes are delicious! Their Mini Rum Cake Sampler’s flavors include Banana, Chocolate, Coconut, Key Lime, and Pineapple, in addition to the original Tortuga Rum flavor.

Move over cupcakes! Step aside Petits Fours! Have a seat, Krispy Kremes!

Tortuga’s rum cakes are prepared using a hearty amount of top-notch, five year-old, oak barrel-aged, exclusive Tortuga Gold Rum. If you’ve been to the Cayman Islands, you know Tortuga very well.

Each mini rum cake of their sampler satisfies two people. The gift set serves 12 people; six people if they’re greedy like me. After all, doesn’t everyone love rum cake? Do you?

Click on the cake picture above to order yours!

Note: Concerned about sugar and carbs, or are you or someone you know diabetic? You’ve got to try Insulow. Click here to read my review of this awesome carb and sugar-reducing product that WORKS. Insulow is how I can eat all of these delicious sweets without guilt. I have taken Insulow for years and love it!

I am NOT a tea fanatic.

However, when I taste a tea that is outstanding, I make note of it and remember it.
Yogi Tea brand’s Cocoa Spice flavor is on my list of favorites. You have to try this!

Allow me to paint the following scenario for you:

It’s chilly outside, possibly even raining. You’re at home and craving a piping hot beverage - preferably laced with mocha, cinnamon, or cocoa. You don’t feel like driving to Starbucks. You have no one who will drive to Starbucks for you. Can you envision this?

If you’re smart, you’ll have a box of Yogi Tea stashed away for such instances! I’m at somewhat of a loss for how best to describe the taste, but their own description sums it up perfectly:

“A festive tasting tea that will awaken feelings of joy as you linger over a cup of this truly delightful brew. Exotic Far East spices blended with natural chocolate from South America create a distinctive flavor and a unique experience.

Allow the wonderful tastes of Organic Ginger Root and Organic Cinnamon Bark to delicately mix with the unmistakable essence of Organic Cocoa Shells, soothing the nerves and calming the mind. Cocoa Spice Tea, a sophisticated treat for grown-ups who still enjoy the innocent taste of cocoa, but appreciate the spice of experience.”

So the next time your honey says s/he can’t be bothered to do a run to Starbucks for you, shake your box of Yogi Tea at them and don’t share it. That’ll teach ‘em!

Are you drooling yet?

Click this pic to order Yogi Tea:

Enjoy!

TV One on cable showcases all of our favorite old-school reruns, primo cooking shows, and everything in-between; with a true sense of well-executed decorum and refinement.

Finally, a station for me!

Remember the shows 227 and Amen? Or how about Good Times? TV One’s got your number. They feature the classics and much more.

As for its primary audience, TV One appeals to the upwardly mobile demographic. So if you’re “movin’ on up” like the Jeffersons, check it out!

I’d be lying if I said I watch TV One primarily for its intellectual stimulation. Nah. I mainly watch it to drool over chef G. Garvin’s cooking on his visually-stimulating show Turn Up the Heat…

…which is inspired by his cookbook:

If you haven’t seen this man cook, you are really missing something!

TV One is sophisticated, chic, urban television programming that has been a long time coming. Truly excellent!

As a reminder, or if you didn’t already know, this year’s Caribbean Fashion Week will be held from June 6-10th in Kingston, Jamaica. We hear so much about the other Fashion Week, that I think some of us forget about Jamaica’s event!

Some really exciting tropical designers have big shows planned for those who attend. The Mushroom makes jazzy, smokin’ hot bikinis, ladies. And you have to check out Sean Dixon’s collection!

Guys, Soul Philosophy has a nice line of casual clothing for you this year.

Here is a list of the designers who will be participating.

Uzuri has a gorgeous lemon yellow gown on this page.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that some of the designs are way, way out there and totally not my style; but fashion isn’t always practical. Maybe someday I will have a really cool reason to wear radical couture! Besides Halloween,
that is.

Here’s a funky dress from Caribbean Fashion Week 2005 that I like:

I’m laughing because I know that after seeing the first picture above, some of my guy readers are like - oh, I’m DEFINITELY packing my bags for this event!

Happy travels!

I’m more of a carb lover than a protein fiend, so I drink protein shakes and eat protein-balanced snacks like ZonePerfect bars to up my protein intake. I love the taste of Naked Juice’s 38g protein smoothies, but the carbs in that product are a little on the high side; and it’s from whey (milk) and soy protein.

Soy is notorious for being detrimental to the thyroid gland, so I try to steer clear of it most of the time. ZonePerfect bars are also made with soy nuggets. So what’s a girl to do?

I recently happened upon the product pictured above. It’s my ideal protein boost! And did I mention that Naturade’s Veg Protein Booster has only FOUR grams of carbs?! I’m over the moon in love with this stuff.

This Naturade Veg product is made with vegetable protein (non-soy), and contains extra amino acids for the full protein spectrum.

The best part? It dissolves fast with NO grit, and it tastes like nothing. I mix it into carrot juice (sorry, but I like it!), which only contains 13g of carbs per glass. It makes me feel nice and satisfied, but not bloated or stuffed. Doesn’t this sound great?

Although there is a small advisory on the label advising not to use it for weight loss, I certainly am! And I have lost weight already - four pounds in two weeks! All by adding a little extra protein to my diet. There are 24g of protein in one serving.

Here’s a little more info from the product manufacturer:

“Veg adds protein to sauces, cereals, casseroles, and smoothies. It is an important product for people who exclude meat and dairy from their usual diet but whose system doesnt tolerate soy.

This unique blend of high-quality protein from pea, rice, potato, barley and spirulina provides a balanced supply of amino acids. Methionine and lysine are added to match the amino acid profile of animal protein.

This all-natural product has absolutely no animal, egg or dairy derivatives. Protein supplies the amino acids your body needs to support the growth of all blood cells, muscle and other tissues. In addition, protein is needed to produce hormones such as insulin, antibodies to fight disease and the enzymes that are essential for digestion.

Naturade Soy-Free Veg is fortified with 100% of the daily value of Vitamin B12, plus 8 mg of Iron and 150 mg of Calcium per serving.”

Since I usually go semi-vegetarian during the summer, I think I’ve found a new friend. Bikini season, look out!

What you are feasting your eyes upon is NOT the inside of Russell Simmons’ or
Denzel Washington’s oceanfront vacation home. It’s the interior of a trailer. That’s right - a trailer. And that’s not even the newest model!

Well, I guess it’s not technically a trailer. It’s a motorcoach. An RV. A tourbus. One of those things.

I learned about the Prevost, a near $1M+ motorcoach when a friend mentioned that she would like to purchase one.

This hunk of metal and glass is unreal!

And I hear its exclusive resort parks are fan-freakin’-tastic, featuring all of the amenities of a Ritz-Carlton resort. Check out the web site for Newport Dunes RV Resort.

For those who would like to learn more, Prevost Stuff is an online gathering place for Prevost owners and lovers.

This is how Prevost describes its motorcoach privilege and experience:

“At Prevost, we believe that a motorhome is more than an estate on wheels. It is also a home away from home and a tribute to your success. It draws attention and makes a statement wherever it goes.

Owning a converted Prevost means being part of an elite group—the ‘Ultimate’ Class. Members of this group demand the very best. And that is exactly what Prevost and its affiliated converters offer—the best platforms, the finest in interior design, the most innovative technologies, and attention to detail.

Prevost owners love the freedom their motorhomes provide and deserve to enjoy every minute of it. They take great pleasure and pride in crossing paths with each other in exclusive settings and at luxurious resorts. They offer a level of ride, comfort, safety, and reliability that truly put them in a class of their own.”

I asked another well-heeled friend if she was aware that there were trailer parks for the rich. My friend immediately chimed, “No - but sign me up!”

Uh, I think she meant sign US up.