Good Luck Deluxe

One of my most beloved cookbooks in my cookbook collection is
The Working Stiff Cookbook, by Bob Sloan.

I remember enjoying his cookbook so much I had to write the author to show my appreciation. The cookbook’s vintage illustrations are absolutely adorable!

In truth, I think I was just overjoyed because the surgeon I was dating told me he adored steak, so I quickly whipped up Bob Sloan’s Filet Mignon with Shiitake Mushrooms (with a side of sauteed broccoli rabe) for him; and dinner was a tremendous success!

This wasn’t just a “steak.” No. This was a lusty, savory trip to nirvana on a plate, bathed in a dulcet tryst of white wine and cream, and featuring just enough exotic mushrooms to consummate the union.

I was living the film “Like Water for Chocolate” in my own kitchen!

My beau was certainly impressed with the meal, and he immediately reciprocated with a romantic weekend for us at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort.

Yep, the author did a very good thing.

The Working Stiff Cookbook is a clever, spiral-bound cookbook for the V.B.P. (Very Busy Person). It features classic, as well as more bold and spicy recipes such as Chicken Curry in a Hurry for every imaginable occasion. The Paella Rapido recipe is excellent!
I love, love, LOVE this book.

Do you want gourmet recipes that are fast and easy to prepare?

Click this pic to buy the cookbook from Amazon:

From time to time, some of you send me e-mails asking my opinion on more pressing, critical matters other than food, philanthropy, and beauty products. As if anything takes precedence over those things!

In all seriousness, I usually steer clear of tense topics such as politics and religion because:

1. I don’t care what anyone else thinks about either topic.
2. I’m just not in the mood to have people coming all unglued and barking on my blog.

But what I will say is that I am tired of every political figure being deemed the Antichrist.

People REALLY need to get a grip regarding this!

Do a Google search using the word “Antichrist,” then plug in the name of a high-profile politician. Repeat, only plug in a different politican’s name.

What IS it with this need to pin the tail on the Antichrist? I don’t get it. Why are people so quick to call everyone the Antichrist?

At one point, Madonna was slapped with the label. Bush has been called the Antichrist for years.

If you go from online forum to online forum, you will see some of the same folks all incensed and insisting they’re correct, using Bible Scriptures to supposedly back up their claims, only inserting a different politician’s name from year to year. This has literally become a game!

Every politician and entertainer on the face of the earth CANNOT be the Antichrist. Antichrist of the Year is more like it.

Please get your facts straight, make up your mind, THEN reveal “the truth” to us.

Oh, and Barack for President!

What a blessed time we’re living in when we, the public, can break compelling news stories like the one I am about to broadcast:

Pasta is no longer my friend.

Yes, I know pasta gets all the glory on the cover of every foodie publication as being the supposed food of the gods and all, but I have had more than my fill of it.

ENOUGH ALREADY!

Maybe it’s because I lived in Italy and was force-fed pasta twice a day, always served with goblets of red wine; which I am sick of, as well. Really, pasta just doesn’t do it for me anymore.

I can make you Penne all’Amatriciana that will make you sing. I could knock your socks off with my homemade Tagliatelle Bolognese, or wow you with my Lasagne al Forno (with Bechamella), but I bet you’d be the only one smiling.

Isn’t it odd when you just wake up one day and realize you’ve come to an official conclusion about such a seemingly trivial matter? I can’t be the only one who has such epiphanies.

I’ve been weaning myself off of pasta for years, but it’s only been this week that I’ve grown to the point of a full-on confession of my disdain for it.

Give me rice, give me potatoes, even bread - but don’t come anywhere near me with a plate of pasta.

Ever since I saw the documentary film Super Size Me, I haven’t set foot in a McDonald’s restaurant.

When I saw the bit about the company using deformed chickens with extra-large breasts to make its Chicken McNuggets, I was so grossed out that I haven’t been to Mc-E-Dee’s in I can’t tell you how long. I vowed I would never eat any of their food again in life, save their glorious French fries.

Now they’re changing them, using trans-fat-free oil.

I don’t know if this is a good or a bad thing.

The ONLY redeeming factor McDonald’s had for me was their crispy French fries. Their fries were my only reason for returning to their establishment, and I was actually kinda looking forward to that day.

You know, a day when my PMS is raging, I’m in a foul mood, so I recklessly throw caution (and health) to the wind and just go for it. I need that oasis.

Look, I know trans-fats are wretched, so please don’t lecture me. I fully understand this. But McDonald’s fries are so dang good the way they are! Something tells me their nouveau fries are going to taste vile.

I’m an In-N-Out Burger convert, but even their fries can’t touch McDonald’s. Fatburger makes delicious fat fries, skinny fries, and chili cheese fries, but they have nothing on McDonald’s.

Since Popeye’s had that episode with the fried mouse, I have since sworn them off, too. All this from someone who years ago would kill for a Popeye’s biscuit with a packet of honey!

And then there’s the tale about the fried chicken head found in a box of McDonald’s fried chicken wings (being test-marketed), which was later lovingly nicknamed the McNoggin.

Yeah, I know Snopes says it might simply be an urban legend, but the visual shall forever remain.

Truthfully, I have no business eating any of this mess, and should have no opinion on the topic. I’m actually supposed to be a health-obsessed California girl who has totally transcended far above consuming fast food. But I haven’t…not just yet.

Oh well. Maybe Sonic will hear my plea and might build an establishment closer to
Los Angeles than ANAHEIM!

Next thing you know, El Pollo Loco will discontinue their spicy chicken nachos!

For all you ladies who are lovers of fine lingerie, you will be happy to learn that I have discovered a real gem: Tanga Fine Lingerie.

I’m not talking about Victoria’s Secret or Frederick’s of Hollywood. I am speaking of exquisitely-designed, high-end French and Italian lingerie that we ALL should be wearing more of!

One of my male readers just said Amen!

Tanga also carries exceptional swimwear, including luxurious matching sarongs!

I didn’t see my favorite lingerie designer, La Perla, on their web site, but oh well. At least they carry Argentovivo, Aubade, and Cristina Iaia, as well as plenty of others!

Do take a peek at the Tanga Fine Lingerie web site and treat yourself to what is rightfully yours to have.

Happy shopping!

Brooke Valentine is an entertainer who I believe deserves
A LOT more fame and accolades than she has been getting.

Two reasons: Brooke is gorgeous, and she can actually sing.
Third reason: She doesn’t have an arrogant, wanna-be Diva image.

Brooke is just a down-to-earth, cute girl who can seriously carry a tune. In my honest opinion, we need more authentic talent in Hollywood and less ill-gotten, undeserved Divadom.

Hey Diva Dreamers: Check the self-importance at the door and just sing for us, daggone it!

Watch this clip of Brooke singing live on Sessions @ AOL and you’ll see what I mean about her pipes:

She has such an incredible voice!

You can hear more of Brooke’s music on her fan site.

Much success to you, Brooke!

I have spent literally hundreds of hours combing the Internet for the best possible nutritional supplements. My search did not include synthetic-based products. I wanted raw, real, whole food-based nutrients.

How many people can actually say they eat the ideal amount of organic fruits and vegetables, herbs, sea veggies, and all that good stuff every day? Do you?

I already take a food-based multivitamin, but I couldn’t help but wonder if there was something even better out there. I’m such a Curious Georgette.

Lo and behold, I have unearthed our bounty -
Galaxy Nutrients! Folks, these are the real deal.

In laywoman’s terms, I will say that one of the factors that makes their products different and better than the others is the soil on which their nutrients are grown. Galaxy Nutrients endeavors to provide the most biologically-active, truly LIVING nutrients on the planet.

So how can one tell if something is biologically active?
I found this article on Chromatograms to be very enlightening.

Imagine THE ENERGY you will have with not only eating healthier, more organic foods, but by supplementing (where needed) with energy-packed, raw food nutrients to fill in the gaps! Not dead, petroleum-derived poisons posing as nutrients, but
PURE NUTRITION.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Galaxy Nutrients.

I have yet to try these supplements, but I plan to do so sooner rather than later.

The Galaxy Nutrients site is filled with plenty of informative tidbits about their products. You can’t get better than real food nourishment!

Man, I love true musicians. I thank God for them!

The best thing about being a full-time blogger is to have the honor of paying homage to my all-time favorite artists.

Boney James is a man worth knowing about, if you don’t already know his music. Jazz is not a mainstream genre, so for those who are like, Boney who? - listen up.

Nu-Jazz genius Boney James has acquired more than just the Grammys that are under his belt; he has earned RESPECT among other legendary musicians, as well as throughout the world, and lovers of jazz.

I am so glad this man lives and does what he does.

A fan of Motown, Boney has been on the music scene for quite a while. Some of y’all may not know this, but back in the mid-80’s, Boney regularly performed with
Morris Day and The Time! So yeah, Boney is no newbie to the music industry.

Late last year, Boney James released his dynamic album entitled Shine.

The appearance of Faith Evans, George Benson, and
Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire fame adds an intriguing, heavenly dimension to the album.

Here, listen for yourself… When you go to Boney James’ official site, the songs will just roll, without having to click anything. Let the songs play and just groove. Then go and buy Boney’s music: www.boneyjames.com

Dinner at my family’s house usually means Boney’s melodies are playing somewhere in the background. His tunes have been our backdrop for years.

Boney James’ music is on my list of what makes life worth living!

I am a regular, everyday person. Sure, I’m in Hollywood and have access to the best plastic surgery in the world. But it’s just not me to go that route.

About five years ago, I had a Mediterranean vacation scheduled in the upcoming week.

Since I looked like a meatloaf, I figured trying something was better than doing nothing. My boyfriend gave me a gift certificate to get a Suddenly Slender Body Wrap at one of their official centers.

Hey, now that I think of it, was that a hint?! I never did like that no-good chucklehead!

At any rate, I made my appointment and went to the center, not expecting much of anything, really.

They measured my body before they wrapped me from head to toe, like Return of the Mummy, in mineral solution-soaked bandages. They also put clear plastic bags on my hands and feet.

When I asked my specialist why in the world she was doing that, she cheerily chirped, “To collect the toxins. You’ll see.”

And see I did!

My specialist instructed me to get on the treadmill and lightly walk for what I think was like 15 minutes or so while watching TV.

She explained that the motion would help the toxins to start flowing, and the minerals would extract those toxins from my skin. Or something to that effect. The specialist also reassured me that if anything, I would feel cool, not hot, while I was on the treadmill.

To my amazement, a good ten minutes into exercising, I noticed that those plastic baggies were filling up with dirty water. Yuck! My specialist explained that those were my flushed body toxins.

The unofficial, unscientific explanation of it is as follows: When the human body is filled with toxins, it retains more water to dilute the toxins in the bloodstream and cells to prevent them from poisoning you. When you release the toxins, the retained water flushes out with them.

Now here’s the good part…

After all was said and done, I really didn’t notice much of a difference, except that my skin felt like silk (from the mineral solution) and I felt peppier. But I kinda looked the same. I got dressed, left the center, and just went about my life.

I really didn’t give it much more thought. I was too busy shopping and packing for my trip to fuss with details like measuring inches and pounds lost from my Body Wrap.

I truly didn’t notice until I arrived to the Mediterranean and slipped into my bikini - with ease, looking like a red-hot mama!

I couldn’t believe it!

I looked in the mirror and had to do a double-take, because my body was utterly TRANSFORMED. I mean, I completely morphed into a Glamazon of Divadom. I had a naturally cinched waist! No back “fat”! No jelly rolls! ZERO cellulite!

You better believe if I’ve never used the word “sauntered” before, I’m gonna use it now to illustrate my experience!

I sauntered around that beach, shimmied into cute little cocktail dresses, the whole nine. All this from ONE Suddenly Slender Body Wrap. It took a few days for all of the toxins to flush out of my skin and kidneys, but it was well worth the wait.

Please note: I am NOT affiliated with Victoria Morton, the Founder of
Suddenly Slender, in any capacity. I’m just a really, really happy customer, and I am elated that I found something that WORKS!

I’m telling you - MEN and WOMEN - you gotta try one of these body wraps. You won’t believe it… Especially if you have a paunchy middle! I think they should be mandatory.

Here’s to no more lumpy folks hurting our eyes at the beach!

To learn more, go to: www.suddenlyslender.com

See, aren’t you glad you tuned into Good Luck Deluxe? Today’s your lucky day!

I am the rum cake queen.

I have no shame in asking (fine - BEGGING!) my loved ones who are champion bakers to consider baking rum cakes for me. My requests have not yet been granted, so ordering them is the next best thing, right?

Tortuga Rum Cakes are delicious! Their Mini Rum Cake Sampler’s flavors include Banana, Chocolate, Coconut, Key Lime, and Pineapple, in addition to the original Tortuga Rum flavor.

Move over cupcakes! Step aside Petits Fours! Have a seat, Krispy Kremes!

Tortuga’s rum cakes are prepared using a hearty amount of top-notch, five year-old, oak barrel-aged, exclusive Tortuga Gold Rum. If you’ve been to the Cayman Islands, you know Tortuga very well.

Each mini rum cake of their sampler satisfies two people. The gift set serves 12 people; six people if they’re greedy like me. After all, doesn’t everyone love rum cake? Do you?

Click on the cake picture above to buy yours from Amazon! And send me a gift set, while you’re at it.