Tuesday, September 6, 2011

A glance at what you may find at a Russian Grocery Store

How many of you, my team friends, shopped Russian Grocery Store? Not many? Well, I am going to give you a short tour.

Last week I went to Baltimore, MD area to shop for some Russian goodies and here are some of them:


Buckwheat is very healthy for you. As I am writing this, my hubby is making meatloaf with buckwheat mixed in it. He is trying this for the first time. Will see if we like that.
















Some sweets are a must! hehehe!









Marinated mixed mushrooms! I added chopped onion and olive oil.



Dinner is ready. I'll be right back.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

My attempt to alter one old Russian recipe

I like these Russian cheese cakes. Here is the list of ingredients:
  • ·         500 gr of Farmer’s cheese (has to be fine paste so grind cheese in meat grinder)
  • ·         1 egg
  • ·         3 Table spoons of sugar
  • ·         Vanilla, salt and lemon zest (to taste)
  • ·         All Purpose Flour 
  •       Butter

They have a shape of pancakes or hamburgers; the only difference is that they are made out of Farmer’s cheese. I try to avoid consuming sugar, white bread, white rice, white everything… due to being pre-diabetic. According to my doctor, I can eat anything I want in what I call “mild” quantities in one sitting (does that mean I can have many sittings per day? How many?). Mild is good… however I like chocolate and good fat creamy ice-cream. As much as I can, I try to use sugar substitute, brown rice, whole wheat bread, whole wheat flour, etc.  Yesterday I made an attempt to alter this old Russian recipe and here what I got:
  • ·         1 Lb of Ricotta cheese (already fine paste)
  • ·         1 Egg
  • ·         1 Tb spoon of sweet and low
  • ·         Vanilla, salt and lime
  • ·         Whole wheat flour
  • ·         Olive oil
              
        1. Mix all ingredients. Add enough flour so the mix doesn’t stick to your hands.
       2.  Place some flour on the flat surface (I use a HUGE butcher’s board).
       3.    Spoon cheese mix into that flour, roll in your hands and form a pancake shape.    

        4.     Heat some butter (I used olive oil) on your frying pan.
        5.   Place cheese cakes and fry on medium until golden brown.

        6.       Serve warm. Sprinkle with powdered sugar (sugar substitute). Sour cream on the side.

I like them with pancake syrup but I use organic blue agave (a low glycemic organic sweetener).

Do you want to know if it tasted the same as the original recipe? It was not bad but NOPE, not the same. I am willing to sacrifice for some real chocolate and ice-cream !!!

P.S. There something special about August 17. 22 years ago I came to this wonderful country, which gave me so much! YEY to my 22!!!




Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Teamwide Huge Sale by PromoFrenzy Team

The best Team ever runs a very special sale this month. This is a truly great time to do your holiday shopping, my friends. Discounts are great! The items are all handmade and each of the artisans takes a great pride in their product and stays behind the quality.
 To find items that are offered by the Team members, go to Etsy and search for promofenzyteam. There are over 4,000 items made with love. Happy shopping!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Care for Pearls




I do not know about you but I am a huge pearl lover. I have a color coordinating pearl jewelry set for just about every outfit in my closet. Today I decided to share with you some “care for pearls” tips.

According to Woman’s Day Magazine: 
  • ·        store pearls in a cotton bag – never plastic – separate from other jewelry.
  • ·        Wipe them off with a dry cotton cloth after wearing.
  • ·        To ensure that pearls stay lustrous, think outside the jewelry box: wearing them regularly will keep them polished, thanks to your body’s natural oils.

This is what Silpada Designs recommends:

If pearls become visibly dirty, dilute a teaspoon of Woolite in a quart of water. Immerse your pearls for 10 to 15 seconds, dab them with a soft cotton cloth and lay them flat to dry.

I hope you learned something new from my blog.

Thanks and have a wonderful day!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

A picture is worth a thousand words!


Wordless Wednesday, Hmmmm... I like it. It is right up to my alley!

Please tell me what do you think I captured in those pics. Do not spend too much time, just give me your best guess.

Have FUN!

Thanks,
Inessa





Friday, June 24, 2011

Promotional Frenzy Team is in Contest!

I am a member of the Promotional Frenzy Team on Etsy. The team entered a contest to win a $450 advertizing package offered by www.HandmadeTop10.com. Please click on the orange box below, vote "10" for each item.



On the left hand side, you’ll see Facebook, Twitter, Stumbleupon, and Digg buttons. Please like our team page on Facebook, tweet about the contest, stumble the page, and digg it!

Help us PLEASE!

Hugs.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Dilema... Dilema... ?? ??? ????

My dear teammates,

For about 6 mo. I have a small quantity of my jewels at a newly opened nail & electrolysis place.The place is open on demand, maybe 2 days a week and the owner is still working for someone else.  Last week I went there to talk to the owner about the feedback she gets from her clients on my jewels. Here is what she said, quote: "People want bling. I went to New York and to Chinatown. I brought back bling bangle bracelets. Three days later they were all gone. I sold them for $25. Too bad I did not bring more."

I explained to her that I do not make that style of jewelry, which she knew what I made as I showed my work to her when we first met.
Sterling Silver Bracelet
 
Now, I need your opinion.

1. Should I just get out of there since this is not my target market?
OR
2. Should I start making bling?

I like bling sometimes! I just do not make bling.
I believe I know what I want to do but it would be great to hear your thoughts.


Thanks a lot for your input.

Bling Bracelet