California Property Tax is accessed on the sales price of a property times 1.25% and reaccessed each time you move on the new purchase price.  This makes it virtually impossible for those on a fixed budget to relocate, even if to downsize and survive.  Good News.  I found a loop hole in the tax code for all those over 55 years old at www.ww.law.com/prop60.htm.

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this post or if there’s a certain subject that you’d like highlighted and I’ll do the research and post it to http://help.loreals.com

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San Francisco is a great day trip, but found a special nook that’s extra special, Hayes Valley.  The area highlights small little boutiques, cafes that offers the true flavor of the city’s eclectic people.  For more information read the full article at, http://viamagazine.com/weekenders/hayes_valley05.asp.

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this post or if there’s a certain subject that you’d like highlighted and I’ll do the research and post it to http://help.loreals.com

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Who would have thought that Stockton would be a weekend highlight?  Well that is why I am pleased to share details of my day in Stockton.  Pixie Woods is an inexpensive find for those with toddlers, for more details check out http://www.stocktongov.com/pixiewoods/

The Miracle Mile is a must see for all ages, which Sacramento Magazine highlighted in their April 2008 edition and can be found at http://www.sacmag.com/media/Sacramento-Magazine/April-2008/1-Day-Getaway-/.  My day in Stockton was a great escape that didn’t break the bank.

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this post or if there’s a certain subject that you’d like highlighted and I’ll do the research and post it to http://help.loreals.com

Verna Dunshee Trail is at the top of Mt. Tam and provides spectacular views of San Francisco bay from Sunrise Point overlook.  There are also wonderful hiking opportunities, most of the trails are paved and they range in skill level, from casual walk to advanced hike.  Day use of the park is $6 and there are many great eateries and lodging accomodations nearby.

For more information on Verna Dunshee Trail visit www.parks.ca.gov or www.mttam.net.

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this post or if there’s a certain subject that you’d like highlighted and I’ll do the research and post it to http://help.loreals.com

This is super yummy and quite easy to make

Crust:
    11/2 cups flour
    magarine
    1 tbsp maple syrup
 
Cut magarine into flour add enough until crumbly and like dough
Add maple syrup
Mix well and press into Pam sprayed pie dish. set aside.

Filling:
    1 container tofutti cream cheese
    1 cup maple syrup
    1/2 can plain coconut milk
    about 3/4 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
    1 tsp coconut extract
    dried unsweetened diced pineapple
    (Enough to lightly cover bottom of pie dish, reconstitute with hot water and drain)

Blend cream cheese and maple syrup together. Then fold in coconut milk, coconut flakes and coconut extract. Stir well.  Take pineapple spread around prepared pie dish.  Pour filling over top. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until top seems to have set.

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this post or if there’s a certain subject that you’d like highlighted and I’ll do the research and post it to http://help.loreals.com

My Vegan Tofu Scramble / Vegetarian Tofu Scramble is a super simple and quick meal, that can be served either with or without dairy.  It may also be prepared in bulk or just for one seating.

1-Chop as much onion as you like

2-Heat med to large non stick skillet with a small amount of oil or non stick spray

3-Add onion to heated skillet

4-Crumble portion of firm tofu (not silken) in skillet

5-Season as desireed.  I personally use SPIKE (found in the natural food dept), garlic salt and salsa, but you can experiment with whatever you wish

6-Break egg into skillet and combine with tofu (optional)
**I add pinquitos (seasoned beans) and avacado, which adds even more substance

7-Finish with a small portion of cheddar cheese (optional)

8-Serve with tortilla chips or toast and potatoes

The entire process takes less than 10 minutes.  The Vegan Tofu Scramble / Vegetarian Tofu Scramble is full of protein, so it won’t leave you hungry and will be sure to satisfy.  Happpy Eats

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this post or if there’s a certain subject that you’d like highlighted and I’ll do the research and post it to http://help.loreals.com

I am a organ/blood/marrow donor and this subject is particularly close to me since I lost my grandfather to kidney failure as well as I’ve had others lose their lives, since they could not find donor match.  A lot of people just don’t get the importance of being a donor; this is especially true of some who lost a loved one and passed on the opportunity to donate their organs.  When I was 15 y.o. my friend was killed in a car accident and his family donated all viable organs, which led to six different transplants and his mother simply explained that her son now lives in six lives.  What an awesome outlook; my personal thoughts are that if I die I will no longer need my organs, so this will be my last opportunity to help someone else. 

There are some simple steps to start the process of becoming a donor, as follows:

1-Sign up with your State’s Organ and Tissue Registry and get typed

4-Put a declaration in your medical file and discuss your decision with your doctor

Over 92,000 people are waiting on the U.S. organ transplant list for the gift of life. Each day, about 74 people receive transplants. Due to the shortage of donated organs in 2005 nearly 6,500 people died waiting for an organ transplant. That translates to 19 people dying each day.

Additional Organ Donation Statistics

• Nearly 93,000 men, women and children are currently waiting for life-saving transplants.
• Every 12 minutes another name is added to the UNOS National Transplant Waiting List.
• In 2005, there were 21,215 deceased organ donors and 6,895 living organ donors for a total of 28,110 organ transplants.
• In 2005, 44,000 grafts were made available for transplant by U.S. transplant banks.
• Approximately 1,000,000 tissue transplants are performed each year.

Current Organ Donations Statistics

• Waiting List Candidates: 92,925 as of 9/17/06 2:50 pm
• Transplants Done: From January - June 2006 14,697
• Donors: From January - June 2006 7,461

Sources:
Donate Life America. Donation Statistics. At: http://www.donatelife.net/facts_stats.html
UNOS. 2006. Data. Statistics updated by the Minute. At: http://www.unos.org/
Organdonor.gov Home Page. At: http://organdonor.gov/
Mayo Clinic Staff. 2006. Organ donation: Don’t let myths stand in your way. At: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organ-donation/FL00077

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this post or if there’s a certain subject that you’d like highlighted and I’ll do the research and post it to http://help.loreals.com

Every now and then all home owners are looking for a face lift for their dwelling, without breaking the bank, so I’ve compiled my personal list of frugal home remodel ideas.

Let me say that I used to only consider solid wood options, but over time I’ve found that it’s just not practical, since options aren’t readily avalable or affordable. Having said that you’ll probably have the best luck at garage sales, thrift stores and swap meets and moreover laminate isn’t all bad and there are a lot of great options, like at Ikea.

One great option is changing the paint color to a room can be just the pick up a space needs, however I like to keep the walls white and infuse color and texture in my accessories. On that note, I like unique accessories, as such I usually use shells, stones and other pieces from trips I’ve taken. You’ll also see this in the memory frames I’ve compiled, as well as the decor in our guest room shown here. I’ve also chosen to use an old bedroom drawer of my husband’s that I repurposed for storage and the upside is that it didn’t cost a cent, other than some paint and upgraded hardware (cost: < $10).

Some other Frugal Home Remodel Ideas, include:

-Buying a new shower curtain and exchange items from other rooms. I did this today and dyed an existing throw rug and it looks great.

-Making an extra room into a multi purpose room. I did this to my husband’s office/studio, as you’ll see in the pics herein. We put an inexpensive futon in, so it makes for a great sitting area or a quick place to crash in a pinch and we placed a throw rug on top to add some character.

Kitchens and bathrooms are quite often the most expensive ventures you’ll make, if you wish to do a complete remodel visit Ikea Kitchen Secrets; you’ll find a lot of help for a lot less than your normal remodel. However, I have a few Frugal Home Remodel Ideas to suggest.  For example, floors can be quite expensive, but I have used and love Traffic Master Lino Tiles (see pic <insert>).  The next step up is ceramic or stone tile, which will take more time and money, but it will definitely increase the value and appearance of your space.  You can visit your local Lowe’s, Home Depot or other hardware stores for advice and their personal expertise, but the key is not to be affraid.

Other do it yourself projects include refinishing cabinets on your own, either with stain or paint and upgrading the hardware will often improve the appearance of just about any piece, quickly and with little money, as you saw in the pics of the bedroom dresser in our guest room. 

Hopefully, this has been of some help, but please let me know if you have any questions regarding this post or if there’s a certain subject that you’d like highlighted and I’ll do the research and post it to http://help.loreals.com

Loreal’s Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

This is a healthier option to the regular flour based version, but still plenty yummy.

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Recently, I spend a day in the California wine country with my husband, which proved to be just the haven we needed.  Not only was there a 15 degree temperature difference from Sacramento, but we also escaped most  of the smoke that has laid around from the fires throughout the state.  We started out in Angwin, which is a little town right outside of Napa, where you can find great hiking trails and wineries within a 10-15 minute drive.

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