Blog Posts by SheSpeaks

The next time you find yourself searching for the sample table at your local grocery store, you may stumble upon a different way of trying out new products. What used to be handed to us on a toothpick or in a mini plastic cup may soon be doled out to us from a vending machine that is smart enough to know our age and gender.

An article from USA Today reports about the new sampling machine introduced by Kraft Foods a few months ago.

The first vending machines were introduced in Chicago where grocery store customers could retrieve free samples of Jell-O Temptation's mousse-like dessert. The Jell-O samples were meant for adults only and is equipped with a camera that can scan a customer's face in order to detect their age. If a child were to step up for a taste, the machine would automatically shut down.

Though the new machines do not save photos or videos of customers, it does compare and store the data it retrieves.

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It's no secret that being a part of the glamorous Hollywood circle also leaves you open to harsh criticism from every corner of the web. How celebs handle cracks about their image and lifestyle can make all the difference. It seems Hollywood's new "it girl", The Hunger Games' Jennifer Lawrence, will do just fine when it comes to deflecting negative comments when they come her way.

A recent report from Chicago Sun Times points out some of the critics that have slammed Lawrence for being too overweight to play the role of Katniss in The Hunger Games. Since the plot line follows characters through an apocalyptical plot line where the characters are supposed to be starving, critics found Lawrence looking too healthy to be a believable Katniss.

Hollywood Reporters' Todd McCarthy mentioned Lawrence's "lingering baby fat" as an issue he had with Katniss' believability and Salon's Andrew O'Hehir who referred to her "well-fed" body. Another reporter, Hollywood Elsewhere's Jeffrey

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Kelly Noftell is a blogger who shares her thoughts with us at SheSpeaks

There are certain kitchen staples that my home cannot be without. Baking soda is one of these staples, and not simply because I like to bake (although I do love baking). Baking soda is a necessary staple in my home; because it has an amazing abundance of alternative uses! The best part is, baking soda is very inexpensive. Whether you use it straight from the box, as a sachet, in a shaker for sprinkling, for a paste, or in a hot water solution, there are probably hundreds of innovative ways in which you can use baking soda.

For the next couple of weeks, I will be sharing some of these uses in a multiple-part series that I like to call, "The Many Uses for Baking Soda."

So without further ado, let's start with the kitchen:

1. Baking soda is a natural neutralizer. It helps neutralize baking mixes when using acidic ingredients, thus aiding with the rising process.
2. It serves as an ingredient if you need to

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Out of all the risky behavior we hear teens take part in, the "cinnamon challenge" sounds like one of the more innocuous of the thrill-seeking activities. The challenge is simple, adolescents are daring or encouraging their friends to swallow one tablespoon of cinnamon without drinking any water in under 60 seconds.

Sounds easy to most, but the challenge is actually next to impossible and will most likely induce coughing or vomiting and in some cases warrant a visit to the hospital. A recent Chicago Tribune report discusses the dangers of the popular cinnamon challenge.

The spice cinnamon has some great and delicious uses, but eating it raw is generally unpleasant and poses some risks. Ingesting cinnamon without water will immediately dry the mouth causing gagging, throat irritation and can even lead to pneumonia when inhaled. Teens with asthma are at an even more serious risk of developing shortness of breath and a full on asthma attack.

In just the last few months

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Daisy Kuchins is a blogger who shares her thoughts with us at SheSpeaks

Whether you made one item or went all out and made them all, these Easter brunch items make your family feel like royalty. A Brunch Buffet is a great option for your Easter celebration because it allows guests to serve themselves so that you can relax and enjoy the celebration along with them. Provide a variety of sweet and savory dishes and a sparkling beverage or cocktail.

Appetizers:

Easter Appetizer Recipe: Bacon-topped Deviled Eggs

Put all those Easter eggs to good use creating an old time classic with a delicious twist: deviled eggs topped with, YES - BACON! This recipe is very simple and has that original flavor that will remind you of deviled eggs that grandma used to make, but shhhh, don't tell her that you improved it.

Rye, Brie, Raspberry Appetizer

Brie is a smooth, creamy cheese, and combined with another couple of simple ingredients, you get a decadent sophisticated

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An American Housewife is a blogger who shares her thoughts with us at SheSpeaks

Salad with tomato,cucumber,carrots, onion, and olives















How can a dish so simple be so beautiful and so healthy? A light lunch or dinner made perfect with this spinach salad bursting with surprise flavor from dried fruit and a splash of balsamic dressing.

Spinach Salad with Craisins and Feta

1 package or desired amount of fresh baby spinach leaves
Feta Cheese, crumbled
1/2 c Craisins (or dried cherries, blueberries. I've even used fresh pomegranate seeds and fresh strawberries in the past)
Balsamic dressing of your choice (original, creamy, raspberry, pomegranate, etc.)
Pecans or toasted, sugared almonds, chopped

Start with a bowl or serving plate of desired amount of spinach leaves. Sprinkle on feta and dried fruit and nuts according to how it looks and how much you desire. Just before serving drizzle with a favorite Balsamic or Creamy Balsamic dressing.

Go to SheSpeaks.com to try free products and join more lively

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An American Housewife is a blogger who shares her thoughts with us at SheSpeaks

Full of vegetables but so light and delicious even picky eaters will ask for seconds. A thin crust, a mouth watering layer of seasoned cream cheese and topped with your choice of bright, nutritious and colorful vegetables. Serve as an appetizer, lunch or even a light dinner on a warm evening.

Vegetable Squares

1- 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese (regular or low-fat is fine)
1/2 dry package of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
1/2 c mayonnaise
1 clove fresh minced garlic
Various vegetables* - chopped
1 can oven ready crescent rolls (regular or low-fat)

Open the can of crescent rolls and press the seams together to form one full crust on a baking sheet or pan. The size can be anywhere from 8X8 to 9X13. The size of the pan determines how thick you want your crust to be. I like a 9X13" pan. Bake at 375 for about 13 minutes as directed on the package. Let cool while you mix the cream

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Yolanda Shoshana is a blogger who shares her thoughts with us at SheSpeaks
















There are more than a few women that are ready to tie the knot. Do you have any conditions that would stop your walk down the aisle? According to a recent survey by ForbesWoman and YourTango, 75 percent of women would not marry someone who is unemployed while 65 percent of them would not marry someone if they themselves were unemployed.

This survey is quite intriguing due to the fact that more than 91 percent of the women surveyed said they would marry for love and not money.

Do you think that women are sending out a mixed message? We care about money, but we do not care about money. With the economy being a bumpy ride, shouldn't we be a little more open if the love of our life is not working? After all how many fabulous men come around that actually want to introduce you to your nephew or niece? Probably not too many.

Here is a situation that one of my clients was in: she was madly in love with a

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