What Is the Progressive Snapshot Device?

Progressive Insurance is now offering customers the Progressive Snapshot Device. Most customers are completely clueless as to how it actually works, but according to Progressive representatives the Progressive Snapshot Device is supposed to ‘save you money.’

So Just What Is the Progressive Snapshot Device?

The Progressive Snapshot is a tracking device. Yes, that’s right, it tracks you. It isn’t Progressive’s intent to track your whereabouts, but it is their intent to track how you drive. If the device determines that you drive safely, you are given a rating worthy of a discount.

Should I Get the Progressive Snapshot Device?

Yes, if you drive safe all the time and never speed. But that isn’t the case for most of us. Many of us have a tendency to get a little loosy-footed with the gas pedal from time-to-time. But if the Snapshot Device is installed, those innocent mess-ups behind the wheel will be all recorded.

It is also safe to say that if the Progressive Snapshot Device can save you money, it can also cost you money. If you are deemed a loose cannon behind the wheel, it’s safe to say that you could be in line for an insurance rate hike.

Blueberry-Lemon Iced Tea Recipe

I absolutely adore iced tea, and my favorite iced tea recipe incorporates blueberries. Blueberries are not a traditional fruit to include in iced tea. In fact, I've personally never heard of anybody who has incorporated blueberries in their tea. I actually discovered this recipe in an attempt to get rid of some extra blueberries that had been sitting in the fridge to long; I figured they would make the tea look pretty. But I was pleasantly surprised that when blueberries soak in warm tea they add a refreshing fruity-sweetness to the drink.

You'll Need (for a large pitcher of tea):
4 Personal Size Tea Bags
1-2 handfuls of Blueberries
1 lemon
3 cups of sugar or 2 cups of alternative sugar

Directions for the Blueberry-Lemon Iced Tea Recipe:

Heat the water till boiling. Place the tea packets to soak in the boiling water.

Remove the tea packets once the water has turned dark brown.

Add 3 cups of sugar to the tea, or sweeten it to taste.

Cut 1 lemon in half and squeeze the lemon juice out of both halves into the tea. Then throw the squeezed lemons into the tea and allow them to soak.

Add the blueberries and allow them to soak in the hot tea as well.

Once the tea is warm or cool, it is ready to drink.

Skinny Girl Margarita Recipe

I love margaritas, and margaritas that aren't high in calories are right up my alley. Here is the Skinny Girl Margarita recipe for those fans out there. 

Skinny girls aren't just for those on a diet. It is a deliciously refreshing beverage that doesn't remind you at all of diet food. And don't feel like you can't fix them for the playoff game, men love this Skinny Girl Margarita recipe too. 

Before following this Skinny Girl Margarita Recipe, you'll need the following items:

1 tbsp of fresh lime juice

Lime wedges

Ice

2 oz of clear tequila

Cointreau

1 tbsp. of Triple Sec or Grand Marnier

Blender

Margarita glasses

Skinny Girl Margarita Recipe: On The Rocks

Add ice to the margarita glass. Then mix 2 ounces of clear tequila, 1 tablespoon of lime juice, and either Grand Marnier, Triple Sec or Cointreau. 

Skinny Girl Margarita Recipe: Frozen

Fill the blender 3/4 full with ice. Add 2 ounces of clear tequila, 1 tablespoon of lime juice, and either Grand Marnier, Triple Sec or Cointreau. Mix the ingredients together and you are done. 

Adventures In Strollerland: My Review of the Uppababy G-Luxe

My first stroller was purchased from Walmart. After a trip to the mall, I quickly realized that my stroller didn’t look as modern and designer as the other strollers cruising through the mall. I’m  The UPPAbaby G-Luxe by UPPAbaby is the latest addition in the designer stroller arena. But the G-Luxe is lightweight and more portable.

The UPPAbaby G-Luxe offers:

• Reclines 120 degrees back which was perfect for more sleeping son
• It stands when folded which works well in the airport or when traveling
• All folding is triggered by hand. You don’t need to use your foot to press on pedals like its some kind of vacuum. This makes it super-easy to collapse.
• The aluminum frame has a shoulder strap which makes it super easy to carry
• The stroller is lightweight - about 10 pounds
• The wheels are more shock absorbing and bigger
• The UPPAbaby G-luxe stroller handles are taller which kept me from having to hunch over and took stress off of my back.
• The cup holder is also removable for ease of cleaning

Overall I give the UPPAbaby G-Luxe a 3 out of 5 Stars.

The Best Fried Plantains Recipe

I didn’t grow up eating plantains. Plantains are a fruit that looks similar to a banana, but follows completely different consumption rules.

When purchasing plantains, pick those that are ripe. Unlike bananas, “green” and “yellow” colored skin doesn’t mean go. Plantains are hard and sour at this stage. Select plantains that are brown and black. So brown and black they look rotten. Brown plantains are sweet and soft. Just what you want.

This fried plantains recipe gives the fruit a more fried potato-like taste and will complete steak or any other meat. The plantains will be crispy, but still sweet and tangy.

Now let’s cook them. 

You will need:

2-4 Plantains
1 Yellow Onion
Cooking Oil
Salt
Pepper

Directions For Fried Plantains Recipe:

Heat 2 cups of oil in a pan. The type of oil is based on your preference. I prefer olive or a vegetable oil.

Cut the plantains into slices like you would a carrot and slice the onion.

Once the oil is hot, throw the sliced plantains and onions into the pot. Although them to brown on each side.

Remove them from the oil and allow them to dry off on some paper towels.

Dust them with salt and pepper to taste.

My Adventures Growing Sweet Potatos

Growing Sweet Potatos From Scraps
I started with a piece of uncooked sweet potato partially immersed in a clear jar. Within a couple days, the raw piece of sweet potato began to sprout. It was actually amazing to observe something like that growing.

Transplanting My Sweet Potato Sprout
After two weeks, the roots had begun to show signs of flowering. Little leaves were beginning to develop from the roots. I removed the sprouting sweet potato from the jar, and placed it atop of some enriched potting soil  in 9 inch wide, 9 inch deep pot.

I wasn’t exactly sure as to whether to bury the flowering roots or not. So I buried the bulk of the sweet potato scrap and allowed the roots to either continue to grow up or dig themselves into the ground more. I like veggies to have a choice.

Growing Sweet Potatoes in a Container vs. the Ground
It had been at least two months. My growing sweet potato plant is healthy. I placed it directly in the sun and I water it everyday. But I felt the container is limiting its ability to really grow.

I moved my growing sweet potato from the container and planted it in the front of my house. After only two weeks, the plant is growing like a weed. Growing sweet potatoes definitely need room to stretch out. You can grow them in a pot, but the plant will bear more bulbs the more space you give it.

If you are reluctant to plant it in the ground or don’t have the room, put it in a wide, plastic storage container. Growing sweet potatoes surprisingly don’t require a lot of depth, but if the container is wide it will have room to grow!