I LOVE my Nutribullet. My husband got me this for Christmas of 2012 and it has helped tremendously in my health turnabout. I have autoimmune issues and pouring good nutrition into my body has been a godsend. I attribute some (a lot?) to the Nutribullet. I can't eat much in one sitting so swallowing my meals makes it easier. The one negative I have is that the machine was extremely LOUD. I did some research and the folks behind the Bullet redesigned the machine. I returned mine and bought a new version. It's still loud but blender-loud. You won't have to run it very long, anyhow...in fact, you're not supposed to. You also have to be very careful not to go beyond the Max line on the cups. Otherwise, there is not enough room for the machine to do its whirling around of ingredients and liquid. It'll spill over into the motor and cause problems. As with anything, a learning curve is always a hassle. But once you know that all you have to do is throw some veggies, fruit, nuts, etc, it can become very simple. Recipes are included and there are a jillion recipes on the internet, as well as books and magazines. As for cup sizes, there are 2. The large is good for one LARGE serving or 2 smaller ones. It all depends upon how much your stomach will hold. Clean up is super duper easy! If you decide to get one, buy it at Bed/Bath&Beyond. Use your 20% coupon (there's always one on the internet if you're not receiving them in snail mail) and if there is any issue, returns are not a hassle. As I said, I love my Nutribullet. It's made a huge impact in my life.

That is how the Well-trained Mind formatting was letting me post yesterday. In fact, the font-size was showing up as extremely tiny (on my end) even though I previewed the post.

Before I head out the door, I grab a banana or one of my homemade P90X muffins. I can't eat a big meal before my long walk with my dog. Usually, I'm out the door soon after a wake up. After I get back, I then eat breakfast. I saw a poster with this: "Exercise in the morning before your brain figures out what you are doing." Makes me laugh but it's true. ;)

. How do you apply it to the underarms? Does the consistency change due to the coconut oil?

I've had very good luck with inexpensive exercise clothes at Marshall's. I did the happy dance when I saw they had petite sizing. Most exercise pants are way too long for my short legs. Sometimes, I've had luck with Target. -Melissa

Thank you! If anybody else has ideas, please post, as I would love to have ideas for future gift cards/certificates.

I was able to purchase a couples massage gift certificate at a great price. It will be my husband's Christmas present. The certificate itself is the size of a business envelope and printed on plain cardstock. What can I do to "dress up" the gift? I don't want to have only an envelope or an envelope in a box under the tree. I'm not very creative but I can follow directions pretty well. Thanks!

Hi Monica, When my son comes home from work, I'll show this post to him. He is an avid airsoft fan and will be able to help much more than I will. In fact, he buys and sells via the Internet quite a bit However, airsoft items range huge in price. What price are you looking to spend? Also, would your son be playing more indoors or outdoors? Is he playing more with friends? you'll want to tailor the purchases to the type his friends are buying. It makes a huge difference if he is under-powered or over-powered. Something to think about before my son gets home!

Most restaurants are aware of allergies and intolerances. Just talk it over with your server. They would prefer you said something up front than have to resend a dish back to the kitchen to try again with fresh stuff. Don't ask me how I know... At Chinese places, tofu, vegetables and rice noodles are okay. Make sure you ask for Tamari which is soy -based, soy sauce tasting but without the wheat. All regular soy sauces have wheat thus gluten. If you have to be diligent, you have to ask them to make your dish fresh without any previous ingredients in the pan. This is where it is hard for me to be insistent. If the food is cooked in a pan that had previous ingredients that are allergic, it will carry over to your dish. This is not only important in Chinese restaurants but any kind. I was happy to find a place that sells gluten-free pizza but they have to cook it on a newly clean pan. If I read it right, you don't have a gluten-allergy but possibly a gluten intolerance? If so, that is easier to deal with because if there is cross contamination, it's not as dire. Go to the restaurant. You'll be happy you did. ~Melissa

When TJ's opens, run to the refrigerated section and buy the Belgium chocolate pudding. It is the best! It's nothing like that fake stuff. ~Melissa

It might explain why I felt so awful last month. I love TJ's valencia peanut butter.

If you have a Wii, the Zumba Fitness 2 is good. Read the detailed reviews on Amazon. Apparently the designers of the Wii Zumba Fitness 1 listened to the critiques and improved making #2 a better choice for those starting Zumba. I received #2 as a Christmas gift and I love it. Now my Wii is not working but hopefully my techy son will get it fixed soon as I miss my afternoon dance routine...and this is being said by a non-dancing, klutsy mom. ;) ~Melissa

The presumption of the young man is astounding. I know my answer doesn't really address the Rebbe's answer but how does "God allowing" automatically turn into "God doing terrible things". My limited understanding is that God gives man the freedom to choose. And choosing to do harm to others is one of those freedoms that man will undertake. If God jumped in everytime to stop awful things from happening, then we aren't really experiencing free will. ~melissa

If the person takes that the word to mean "romantic love", then yes, I think that saying is bunk. But if the word love is based on 1 Corinthinians 13, then that changes the whole meaning of that sentence. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self- seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always hopes, always perseveres." I think the best thing a man can do for his kids is to love the Lord, then his wife. ;) -Melissa

I've had my Samsung for about 3 years. It has french doors with a bottom freezer and ice maker. Yes, I do have to give a door a slightly firmer push than a typical one-door refrigerator. But it is ever so slight and does not make the other door pop open in the least. One feature I love is that if I don't happen to close the doors properly, the door will begin to make a "dinging" sound...similiar to the sound an elevator makes when you reach the floor you want. The sound will begin when the temperature is raised ONE degree above your original setting thus you don't hear it right away but not so far in the future that you have to worry about food spoilage or loss of cooling. It's the same for the freezer door. It doesn't happen often but I am grateful for that feature. Helps those absent-minded teenagers too! ~Melissa

Hi ladies, PBS.com carries the full shows of Downton Abbey. You can watch it right from your computer. Unfortunately, Wednesday the 18th was the last day for viewing all shows of the first season. However, they do repeat them occasionally. Season 2, Episodes 1 & 2 are showing now. This Sunday (22nd) on PBS TV will be showing Episode 3 at 9:00 pm Eastern Time. I've been watching the show on my Ipad but I am so looking forward to seeing on the big screen(!) on Sunday. Have fun!

My oldest has started college and has been assigned some essays. One coming up is a 5-page essay. How does he calculate the number of paragraphs to number of pages? I know that Andrew Pudewa had some type of "formula" to follow but for the life of me, I can't remember what it was. Is it, roughly, 3 (100 word) paragraphs per page times (X) number of pages? Thus, my ds would need 15 paragraphs? Or in other words, a super essay? It's been awhile since I have watched those DVDs. If anyone remembers where Mr. Pudewa talks about it on the SWi or SICC Level C, please let me know!! Thanks! ~Melissa

My hubby surprised me with a Samsung refrigerator almost a year ago. It has 2 doors with a pull-out freezer below. I LOVE it and works great. I can't imagine that it was over $1000 'cause my husband would probably not pay that much for it. Shop around and go to your favorite appliance shop with the best price. Nowadays, you'll get the asking price. ~melissa

I ordered a used book from Amazon marketer. The book was listed as "good". Today, I open the package and the book has stains and smells old and very smoky. Is there a way to get rid of the smell, especially the smoke smell? ~Melissa, who wishes people would be honest and accurate about the product they are selling.

I need ideas for bringing meals to people have had a baby, a death in the family, hard life, etc. I'm tired of making the same stuff and would love to have recipes or suggestions for meals that you have made for others. Thanks! ~Melissa

Check him out at CBD. The prices for the 5 hardcover books are great. ~Melissa

My current stove is only 6 years old and to fix it will cost over $300. It would be great to have one that would last at least 10! ~Melissa

Help! I need a new electric stove. What do you recommend? Thanks, ~Melissa

My eldest sister has a family of 10 so this will be perfect for her. ~Melissa

I use to wake up with terrible headaches and was lethargic throughout the day. It wasn't until I took a hard look at my eating habits and changed them, that I noticed a huge change in my tiredness and the early-morning pounding headaches receded. Minimize: White flour products: bread, cookies, pasta, etc. High -sugar drinks: colas, juices, even the diet ones. NutraSweet is a real killer for my head. Maximize: exercise- walking is great! drink H2O and lots of it. But as the other ladies suggested, make sure you talk to your doctor. ~Melissa