Is UNREAL real?

This past weekend I came across UNREAL candy at CVS. I love Reese's and decided I'd give this reportedly healthier knock-off a try. And WOW! It tasted sooo delicious and is made without artificial flavors, hydrogenated oils, or corn syrup.

Alternatively, you can also make your own peanut butter cups!

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Sugar Cookies

I don't bake desserts very often, but I needed to make some treats for a get-together with friends this past week and decided to make some sugar cookies. I looked around the web for a soft sugar cookie recipe and came across University of Cookie's recipe. I made the recipe without frosting because that felt like it would be sugar overload. The final product was delicious, and I used a fun alligator cookie cutter to make the cookies extra special.

They were a hit! Just don't cook them very long. Do any of you have a favorite cookie recipe?

I also came across the fun "Call Me Maybe: Military Version" video today. You should see it. :-)

OOFOS Giveaway Winner!

I am happy to announce the winner of the OOFOS giveaway I hosted! I used random.org to generate a number: 32. This means that Jenny is the winner! Congratulations, Jenny! I'll be emailing you shortly so I can put you in touch with OOFOS Footwear for your prize.

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who entered this giveaway and shared it with others, especially Cheryl, the lovely lady behind The Lucky Ladybug.

Keep enjoying your summer and stay tuned for more reviews and giveaways!

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OOFOS Giveaway!

Hello all! In my last post I reviewed OOFOS Footwear, and now one of you will win a pair of OOFOS thongs or slides for yourself!

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will end on July 9, 2012. The winner will be picked via random.org. and will have 48 hours to respond to the winning e-mail to claim their prize of either the OOriginal Thong or OOahh Slide or another winner will be drawn. Make sure you leave a valid e-mail address in your posts!

Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment stating one neat fact about OOFOS and why you would like a pair.

Extra Entries (leave one comment for each): Post a comment to the OOFOS facebook page.

Post a link to this giveaway on your blog and comment with a link to that post.

Tweet about this giveaway: Win a free pair of @OOFOS at Food, Fotos, and Fun! at http://foodfotosandfun.blogspot.com/2012/06/oofos-giveaway.html.

And don't forget to check the OOFOS pinterest page.

Best of luck!!

*Giveaway sponsored by OOFOS. Pictures above from OOFOS website.

OOFOS Footwear Review

OOFOS Footwear makes an OOriginal Thong and OOahh Slide. Both sandals are made from their revolutionary OOfoam.  "The patented foot-bed design delivers an unprecedented experience because of its unique energy absorption capabilities." Please visit their website to learn more. I also noticed that the OOFOS family mission is to "Make YOO Feel Better." I can say that I do feel better when my feet are comfortable, so I think OOFOS may be on to something.

I was provided a pair of the OOFOS OOriginal Thong to review on my blog and can say that I'm happy with them. They are definitely comfortable as they cushion my feet. At first glance, they may not appear as stylish as very slim/thin flip flops, but they are actually quite sleek with a more athletic look. The comfort is worth the added thickness of the sole, and because I'm fairly short, the added height is a benefit. I don't normally wear thong sandals, but the OOriginal Thong is very comfortable due to its soft OOfoam material and design. It offers my feet enough support so that I can actually walk around for a day without any pain in my feet, which is something I've never encountered with a thong sandal before.

I'm going to rate these thongs as a 9.5 of 10. I'm very happy with them. If you'd like to get a pair for yourself or would like to try them on, OOFOS retailers are located all around the United States. I am also planning to host an OOFOS giveaway soon, so stay tuned!

I have happy feet now! 

I also have a happy and very cute kitten....

Disclosure: I was sent a free pair of OOFOS OOriginal Thong to review. The review and comments above are my own.  

Abandoned Kittens and Braided Bread

Hello everyone! I have a great story to share today!

This past Thursday evening, I was walking to the store in the rain when I heard a cry and looked down at my feet to see a wet, small grey kitten. I immediately picked it up and looked around. I saw no one. The kitten shivered as it snuggled against me. As I held the kitten and my umbrella, I tried to determine the best course of action. I could call Animal Control then and there, but I wasn’t sure what would happen to the kitten there. So I zipped the kitten into my jacket and carried it back to my apartment where I checked to see if it had fleas – nope!

I then called Animal Control to see if a kitten had been reported missing and also to see what their procedures were for lost kittens. I wasn’t too keen on the idea of her being taken by them, so I decided to hang on to the kitten for the weekend and try to find the owner myself (if there was one). My first step was to run to the store (which I never reached earlier in the evening) and pick up some cat litter and kitten chow. The kitten stayed in my bathroom most of the evening until it started crying around 5 AM and ended up sleeping on my lap for the rest of the early morning hours… I have a soft heart, what can I say. I was also fearful of neighbors complaining of the noise since I’m not supposed to have a pet here.

On Friday I called a local vet clinic and some apartment complexes near where the kitten was found to see if the owner was searching for it, but I had no luck. At this point I was growing attached and decided to call my landlord and see if I could keep the kitten for the last 2 months of my lease and how much it would cost. In less than a few minutes, I was emailed paperwork to sign and asked to pay a reasonable fee – SUCCESS!

It is now Saturday and the kitten is looking better, though still sneezing because of a cold from the rain I assume. I will be getting medication for the kitten on Monday. :-) I’m sure she was abandoned (she’s too tame to be a stray), and I am planning to take her in as my own. When I spoke with Animal Control, they mentioned that kittens and cats are regularly found where I found this kitten. Luckily this kitten found me. I’d say I’m lucky too. I’m preparing for a big life transition when I move away from my many wonderful Champaign-Urbana friends to take a full-time job. It will nice to have a friend to keep me company at my new place. Also, I can’t help but think this is the final step after receiving my MLIS to become a true librarian. Many librarians have cats (the stereotype is based on some truth).

I have just decided on a name for my kitten: Riada Etta. I found her near a stream, and riada means ‘stream’ in Spanish. Riada is also an Irish name, and I have a love of all things Irish. I included Etta so as to name her after one of my favorite jazz and blues singers, Etta James, who passed away earlier this year.

Now for a picture of little Riada (Ria for short):

In other less exciting news, I baked a braided bread for a co-worker. It was lovely and made my apartment smell heavenly.

P.S. Stay tuned for more reviews and giveaways to come!

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Graduation, Summer, and Running Races!

The last month has been very busy as I prepare for graduation. I now have my Master's in Library and Information Science! I'm hoping to have more time to dedicate to my blog here now that I'm not juggling quite so many things.

Summer means baby animals, and there are many baby geese here in Illinois, as you can see below.

Yesterday I ran my first race since high school. It was a 5 mile trail race, and I loved it! I always love to run on the grass and off of roads and pavement, so this was the perfect race for me. I even received a medal, which was a very pleasant surprise!

I hope to update this blog more regularly now, so stay tuned! Have a wonderful day!

Happy Earth Day!

Every day is Earth Day, but today we take the time to acknowledge that fact. How are you being a responsible steward? I bike, walk, or take the bus as much as I can, recycle, and use a water bottle instead of bottled water. I shall continue to do more as well!

Here is a beautiful video followed by a short article I'd like to share with you all this lovely Earth Day. Have a great day!

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Brownies for my brother

I must apologize for posting so infrequently this semester. I have never been busier, what with balancing school, work, dance, and applying for jobs - I graduate next month!! I shall definitely endeavor to write more once I have graduated and have a job lined up, and I look forward to sharing my new home and city with you all. Champaign-Urbana has been a wonderful place to call home these past couple of years. :-)

I shall share a couple food pictures with you all today. I visited my brother this past weekend and baked some brownies to bring to him. He loved them... and so did I. :-)

I also recently went to IHOP and tried their tasty and relatively healthy SIMPLE & FIT Blueberry Harvest Grain 'N Nut® Combo. Part of it is pictured below.

Take care everyone and enjoy some fun spring activities! I've really enjoyed running outside lately, especially when the air is thick with the aroma of flowers.

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Panera for the win!

Hello everyone! I have been crazy busy lately applying for jobs and staying on top of my coursework as May and graduation approach. I do want to share a recent meal I had at Panera though. I had the Fuji Apple Chicken Salad. It was delicious! 

I've been making some other good meals lately as well but always forget to take pictures until after the food has been eaten. Perhaps if I made a habit of it I would be better...

I have been taking some beautiful pictures outside though! Spring has sprung and the flowers are blooming in Illinois. See for yourself!