Simply Extraordinary

Helping others, Helping yourself

2011-10-15T15:12:00.000-04:00

I mentioned before in my posts about my daughter who is facing some serious eating issues. She is intolerant to gluten, lactose and dairy products. Although she has tested negative for any known disorders, her health continues to concern our family. Recently, her doctor suggested she try an elimination diet to determine the foods that are really causing her the most problems.

I am proud she has taken this step and hope she will discover what is causing her stomach issues. As part of the diet she has decided to blog about the experience. Her blog "galvanizedintoaction" is a daily accounting of her struggles to maintain an ordinary life while experiencing an elimination diet. Take a few minutes to read her blog. Hopefully this diet will help her and maybe even help others who might be experiencing similar eating/health issues.

Did I mention she is a senior in college majoring in Interactive Design, a catcher on the softball team and holds two jobs?

Better than Bouillon Cubes

2011-10-03T12:22:00.000-04:00

My family really loves soup, so during the fall, winter and spring, I make a lot of soup. As anyone good cook knows the stock makes so the soup so I tend to make my own. Whenever I have more stock than I need, I always freeze an ice cube tray or two of stock for those times when I need just a little to complete a dish. Once frozen I pop the cubes in a ziplock bag or container. This timesaving tip is super easy to do and rest assured your recipes will taste so much better!

Gluten Free Short Ribs

2011-10-02T21:45:00.000-04:00

I continue my quest to find delicious gluten free meals I can make for my daughter and that satisfy my husband! I was flipping through the latest Martha Stewart Living magazine the other day and came across her Short Rib Potpies. What peaked my interest was the fact that potatoes replaced the typical pie crust. I looked at the recipe carefully and found a few additional problems which might negatively affect my gluten free daughter. The first is the inclusion of stout and the second is the addition of flour. So, I trotted off to the local liquor store looking for a replacement for the stout. I was directed to Bard's Beer, the original sorghum malt beer. What a find! It has a fantastic flavor and taste. Even my husband couldn't tell the difference in the completed dish. The substitute for the flour was easy-cornstarch.

I like to make individual potpies so everyone gets their own share of the delicious topping and filling. Of course, I used my Lock and Lock "Zen and Lock" ceramic containers. I did notice on Lock and Lock's website the Zen series has been replaced by "Silby" Ceramicware. The difference is that the Zen series has florals on it and the Silby is all white. Anyway, Lock and Lock is one of my favorite products for cooking and storage. I have a number of their products and I am always finding new ways to use them. One of the biggest benefits of the Ceramic container is that you can bake in it, serve it right at the table and store leftovers easily in the refrigerator using the patented Lock and Lock lid that snaps into place.

Here is my gluten free version of the Martha Stewart recipe. Enjoy!

Braised Short Rib, Wheat-free Beer, and Potato Potpies

FILLING
4	lbs boneless short ribs, cut into 2 inch pieces
	salt and pepper
3	Tbs cornstarch
3	Tbs safflower oil
1	medium yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
5	garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2	12oz bottles wheat free beer
2	rosemary sprigs
1	lb cipollini onions, peeled
	TOPPING
6	medium russet potatoes (3.5 lbs)
	Extra-virgin olive oil or Wegman's Basting Oil, with Garlic and Herbs for brushing
	salt and pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F. Season short ribs with salt and pepper. Dredge the short ribs in cornstarch, coating all sides. Transfer to a large plate using kitchen tongs. Brown the meat in a Dutch oven on medium high heat.
2. Reduce heat to medium. Add yellow onion to Dutch oven and cook until golden, about 8 minutes. Add garlic. Cook for 2 minutes. Return meat to Dutch oven. Add stout and rosemary. Bring to a simmer. Cover and transfer to oven. Bake for 2.5 hrs.
3. Remove Dutch oven from oven and add cippolini onions. Braise until meat is tender and onions are cooked through, about 30 minutes. Shred meat using 2 forks. Season with salt and pepper. Divide filling among 8 (1-cup) mini casserole dishes or transfer to an 8-cup gratin dish.
4.For the Topping: Raise the oven temperature to 375°F. Peel potatoes and very thinly slice each on a mandoline. Arrange potatoes over meat to form tight concentric circles, working around the edge and overlapping each potato by three quarters. Brush lightly with oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. To make clean up easier put the dishes on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until topping is golden and filling is bubbling, 45 minutes for mini potpies, 1 hour for large.

Easy summer vegetable casserole

2011-09-17T20:50:00.000-04:00

For years, our family has enjoyed "Zucchini Casserole", a relaxed tian of layered vegetables. I typically used a slicer for the squash and onions, but the tomatoes need a knife, especially if they are nice and ripe. The dish cannot be easier to put together and always turns out delicious. Now who wouldn't want that in their cooking repertoire?

Zucchini Casserole
Serves 6

A quick and easy side dish for summer’s bounty, delicious with any grilled meat.

2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
2 medium yellow squash, thinly sliced
1 medium sweet onion (Vidalia or other), thinly sliced
6 ripe medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
¼ cup Panko breadcrumbs
½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
4 tbsp. assorted chopped herbs (parsley, basil, thyme)
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup olive oil or 2 pats of butter diced
Salt and freshly ground pepper

1. In a medium size-baking pan, layer zucchini, onion, yellow squash and tomato slices. Sprinkle with some of the Panko, cheese, herbs, garlic and pats of butter or drizzle of olive oil and salt and freshly ground pepper.
2. Continue layers until ingredients are used up, ending with tomatoes. Top with pats of butter or a drizzle of olive oil.
3. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven. Bake 30-40 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle with cheese and let stand 5 minutes before cutting into squares.

NOTE: You can easily make this gluten-free and dairy free by eliminating the butter, substituting a vegan grated cheese and using gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Early Autumn Apple Salsa

2011-09-17T20:48:00.000-04:00

I received another shipment from Lock and Lock as part of their Supporter's Program. Each time I get a shipment, I get super excited to see what goodies are in the box. Honestly, it is just like Christmas morning! In the box this month I received one of Lock and Lock's newest products Lock and Lock "Air" Airless Container. This product prevents air from reaching your food and deters bacteria growth. So, your treats should stay fresh longer.

The container is really genus. Once you have "locked" the container lid on, you press lightly on the center of the lid until your hear a beep. This removes air from inside the container. Then lift the air release valve on the lid to release all of the air. A small hissing sound will let you know that the air is being pushed out. Set the convenient date dial and you are all set.

Of course, I had to try it out immediately. So I thought to myself, what would be a good use for this container? The answer, an original recipes for Early Autumn Apple Salsa inspired by a trip this morning to our local Farmer's Market. As I walked the market, my eyes spied some gorgeous Gala apples from a local orchard. I knew I already had some sweet and hot peppers from my Dad's garden, Vidalia onions, cherry tomatoes and a bunch of cilantro. So for me, salsa was the natural choice. My husband and I decided earlier in the day to have a halved turkey breast for dinner since my daughter was coming home from college for the weekend and since she is a following a gluten free, dairy and lactose free diet, gravy was definitely not on the menu!

I remembered my basic salsa recipe and decided to make some timely substitutes to switch it up. Here's the recipe:
Early Autumn Apple Salsa
2 Gala apples (or use your favorite), quartered and seeded (I left the skin on for a little extra fiber).
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
1/2 sweet onion, halved and quartered
1 small green pepper, seeded and quartered
1 small hot pepper, seeded and quartered
small bundle of cilantro, washed and trimmed
2 tbs fresh lime juice
1/8 cup white raisins
salt and pepper to taste

As you prepare all the ingredients, add it to the bowl of a food processor. Process using the pulse setting a few times. Scrape down the bowl and add the raisins. Pulse a few more times and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to your Lock and Lock Airless Container and place in refrigerator until ready to use. Makes about 3 cups.

Serve with your favorite light meat or use it as a healthy snack with tortilla chips.

NOTE: Adjust the heat level of your salsa by adding additional hot peppers. If you are a garlic fan, consider adding one or two peeled cloves to the mixture before processing.

A little more about Lock and Lock for anyone who has not heard about them yet. Lock and Lock was established in 1978 and has grown into a global commodity. The containers are produced from a new material with no BPA so it safe for humans and the environment. They have a wide range of products including a great range of storage containers, ceramic cookware, storage containers, water and tea bottles and so much more. One of the best things about the company is that they are always participating in sales so anyone can try the product at very reduced costs. They even have happy hour deals twice a day where you can really find some great deals. Lock and Lock has also partnered with some of the online marketers so it does pay to keep your eyes out for deals from KG Deals, Groupon and others.

Taboule Recipe (Taboulé)

2011-08-19T11:22:00.000-04:00

I absolutely love Taboule. Here is a fantastic recipe from Art of the Home, one of my favorite websites. Taboule Recipe (Taboulé)

Canning Summer's Goodness

2011-08-14T12:32:00.000-04:00

I took the Ball Canning and Preserving challenge on Saturday to "Can it Forward". For my inspiration I used Better Homes and Gardens new publication "Canning". For my efforts I made Pickled Pear Tomatoes with Rosemary, Lemon and Bay Leaf Bean Pickles, Farmer's Market Corn Salsa and Best Ever Dill Pickles. Here are some of the jars finished.

I also chronicled the making of the Farmer's Market Corn Salsa.

I used my favorite Lock & Lock saucepan to prepare the corn, tomatoes, peppers, onions and spices for canning. I also used Ball's newest canning insert for use in my stockpot. In the past I always used a much larger canner but this little device is so easy to use it inspired to me to make a few small batches instead of 8-12 jars.

The recipes in the Canning book were so easy to follow. I even tried the newest Ball product "Pickle Crisp Granules" for my dill pickles. The product is designed to keep your pickles extra crispy.

Lock & Lock is great!

2011-08-06T11:16:00.000-04:00

I was selected to be a Lock & Lock supporter for the next few months. Lock & Lock is a manufacturer of environment-friendly kitchenware using diverse raw materials including BPA free plastic, glass, porcelain and stainless steel. They were the originators of the four-sided interlocking system of storage containers. You may have seen the storage products in your local supermarket or store. But storage containers are not the only items they produce. The company has expanded their line to include ceramic cookware, storage, cleaning utensils, kitchen tools, water bottles, lunch boxes and freezer containers. As part of their effort to "get the word out" the company has selected individuals to use and review their products. I can't tell you how thrilled I was today to receive my first shipment. Look at this cool stuff!

In the box I found a green dot lunch box set with three glass containers and a spoon and a fork. Of course the containers are completely spill proof with the four sided locking system. I also received a double wall tea bottle with a beautiful fig tree pattern. This bottle is ingeniously designed to have your own tea blend conveniently with you at work. You can store the tea in the screw off bottom cap, place the tea in the bottle, and fill with hot water. Then you place the strainer under the lid, screw on the top and you have fresh tea at your fingertips. (My daughter, Allie, has already laid claim to the first two items, insisting they would be perfect for her at college and internship job. ) I have to say I agree with her! Also in the box was a large storage container Lock & Lock calls a Living Box measuring 16.5 X 16.5 X 9.8". The Living Box was shipped flat and all I had to do to assemble was lift two metal frames into place. Voila! a unique and useful container with a front window to see what is inside. The boxes can be stacked and can come in a variety of bright colors. Finally, I also received a blue Cookplus Ceramic Frying Pan measuring 11.8". I already have a few of these pans which I absolutely love. I am an avid amateur chef and each time I use my Lock & Lock Ceramic Cookplus pans I am amazed at the ease of cleaning up. NOTHING sticks to them. I was so enamored with the pans that I bought my daughter a set to use in her college apartment. I can't wait to test out this new fry pan!
If you want to get in on the action, check out Lock & Lock's website. While you are there check out all the fabulous sales they offer. Lock & Lock can also be purchased with group sales sites like Groupon, BuyWithMe and kgbdeals. Also, make sure to sign up for their newsletter to get a chance to be a Lock & Lock supporter too!

Cider Doughnuts: King Arthur Flour

2011-08-05T10:19:00.000-04:00

I love the approaching fall season...the cool weather, the riot of color from the leaves turning and of course the fresh apples. Here is a simple recipe that highlights all of the great fall flavors. Pair these apple cider donuts with some fresh apple cider, cheddar cheese and even some warm mulled cider. Invite some friends over and enjoy the flavors of fall. Cider Doughnuts: King Arthur Flour

Mosquito Bites Treatment: A Natural Home Remedy

2011-08-05T10:05:00.001-04:00

A site I love to read is Art of the Home. They always have the most interesting articles about how to live like the French. Look at this one about using parsley as a mosquito bite treatment! Mosquito Bites Treatment: A Natural Home Remedy

Life is too short!

2011-07-30T19:04:00.002-04:00

Musings from a good friend:
Would have, could have, should have, life is so short!

READ THIS VERY SLOWLY ....

Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.

I got to thinking one day about all those people on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible.

How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word 'refrigeration' mean nothing to you?

How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched 'Jeopardy' on television?

I cannot count the times I called my sister and said , 'How about going to lunch in a half hour?' She would gasp and stammer, 'I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain' And my personal favorite: 'It's Monday.' She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together.

Because Americans cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches.. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect!

We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Steve toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet. We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.

Life has a way of accelerating, as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of 'I'm going to,' 'I plan on,' and 'Someday, when things are settled down a bit.'

When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Rollerblades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord.

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy.

Now...go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to...not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting?

Make sure you read this to the end; you will understand why I sent this to you.

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask 'How are you?' Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, 'We'll do it tomorrow.' And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say 'Hi'?

When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift....Thrown away.... Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.

Show your friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND including me if you consider me a friend. If it comes back to you, then you'll know you have a circle of friends.

To those I have sent this to... I cherish our friendship and appreciate all you do. We have some history together.

'Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we are here we might as well dance!'

Now for something completely different and delicious

2011-07-28T17:07:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite online sites is Tasting Table. I get a daily email from them with some of the most interesting ideas out there. Today for example, there is an article about homemade mustard. Now I know what to do with the all those mustard seeds in the spice cabinet. I will post some pictures of the process for all to see.

In the meantime here is the link to the site and the recipe for Colonel Mustard courtesy of David LeFerve of MB Post in Manhattan Beach, CA.

Conde Nast Style Society

2011-07-28T15:46:00.000-04:00

On Tuesday, I travelled to NYC to participate in a video shoot for Style Society. What an amazing experience! I was treated to a style and free makeup session with professionals before beginning the taping. I talked about my personal style and why I love being a member of the exclusive Style Society courtesy of Conde Nast. I attribute my good fortune to the time I spend on surveys. It only takes a little bit of time out of your busy schedules to participate, but once the sponsors see your desire, good things come your way.

Bargains for Shopping

2011-07-28T14:50:00.002-04:00

I have been invited to be a "supporter" for Lock & Lock. That means I will get free products to test, use and keep all for posting my honest reviews of them on websites that I am a member. First off, Lock & Lock, manufactures BPA Free storage and cooking products. My favorites are the food containers. These products are super sweet. They are airtight, eco-friendly and microwave safe. No matter what you want to store, they have a product for it.

Right now Lock & Lock is having a Christmas in July sale until the 31st. You can save up to 70% off the most popular products. The discounts are amazing and certainly worth your time to check it out.

For example this 36 piece set of 18 containers is normally priced at $48.60 and is now on sale for $31.60 a 35% discount. Lock & Lock discounts can also be found on Groupon and other online sale sites.

Love those Surveys: Vocalpoint-A Place for Women

2011-07-28T11:37:00.000-04:00

Love those Surveys: Vocalpoint-A Place for Women

Not just surveys!

2011-07-01T12:08:00.000-04:00

As I get more and more involved in survey participation or paid marketing research, as it is commonly known, I find ways to maximize my time and experience. When you first start you will find surveys that pay $1 or $2 dollars while others give you points to accumulate.. Typically, you will need to collect at least $25 to be able to get paid. Lots of companies, including, Qualitative Insights, Valued Opinions, Inspired Opinion from Schelsinger Associates, MySurvey, Global Test Market, Opinion Outpost, Survey Spot, among others are looking for new respondents to take surveys. They are interested in people from all walks of life, ages, income levels and educational backgrounds. If you ever thought about giving surveys a try now is the best time to so.

Vocalpoint-A Place for Women

2010-04-09T14:38:00.000-04:00

I am a big fan of Vocalpoint, an online community of moms who enjoy engaging with other people, like to give their opinions and especially enjoy sharing information about products, services, and experiences. The site is sponsored by Proter and Gamble and gives you the opportunity to try out new products through samples or coupons without any monetary obligation. All they ask is for you to give your true opinion about a product you might have received from them. There is no cost to join the community and you can contribute as little or as much as your time allows. In addition to the product trials they also offer short surveys, invitations to participate in focus groups and a weekly newsletter that summarizes all of the information about the products and tips sent in by members.

SendEarnings can help you get earnings

2010-03-27T10:46:00.000-04:00

I have tried all types of surveys. Sometimes the simplest are the best. SendEarnings is a free website that will email you links to view offers from online companies. There are a number of ways to earn cash on SendEarnings. You can receive 2-3 emails per day with special offers sent to the email address listed on your member profile. Normally you can expect to receive between .01-.10 cents just to read the email. Of course if you are interested in the offer you will receive additional cash from the advertiser. On the Members Page you can access cash offers, cash surveys, cash games cash shopping. If you are like the site you can also refer your friends there to automatically generate 10% of their Qualified Earnings. Check out the site at: http://www.sendearnings.com/?r=ref2194998

Additional information on Secret Shopper Schemes

2010-03-07T19:47:00.000-05:00

Intelligence Note

Prepared by theInternet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

January 20, 2010

MYSTERY/SECRET SHOPPER SCHEMES

The IC3 has been alerted to an increase in employment schemes pertaining to mystery/secret shopper positions. Many retail and service corporations hire evaluators to perform secret or random checks on themselves or their competitors, and fraudsters are capitalizing on this employment opportunity.

Victims have reported to the IC3 they were contacted via e-mail and U.S. mail to apply to be a mystery shopper. Applicants are asked to send a resume and are purportedly subject to an extensive background check before being accepted as a mystery shopper. The employees are sent a check with instructions to shop at a specified retailer for a specific length of time and spend a specific amount on merchandise from the store. The employees receive instructions to take note of the store's environment, color, payment procedures, gift items, and shopping/carrier bags and report back to the employer. The second evaluation is the ease and accuracy of wiring money from the retail location. The money to be wired is also included in the check sent to the employee. The remaining balance is the employee's payment for the completion of the assignment. After merchandise is purchased and money is wired, the employees are advised by the bank the check cashed was counterfeit, and they are responsible for the money lost in addition to bank fees incurred.
In other versions of the scheme, applicants are requested to provide bank account information to have money directly deposited into their accounts. The fraudster then has acquired access to these victims' accounts and can withdraw money, which makes the applicant a victim of identity theft.

Tips

Here are some tips you can use to avoid becoming a victim of employment schemes associated with mystery/secret shopping:

Do not respond to unsolicited (spam) e-mail.
Do not click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail.
Be cautious of e-mail claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders. Virus scan all attachments, if possible.
Avoid filling out forms contained in e-mail messages that ask for personal information.
Always compare the link in the e-mail to the link you are actually directed to and determine if they match and will lead you to a legitimate site.
There are legitimate mystery/secret shopper programs available. Research the legitimacy on companies hiring mystery shoppers. Legitimate companies will not charge an application fee and will accept applications on-line.
No legitimate mystery/secret shopper program will send payment in advance and ask the employee to send a portion of it back.

Individuals who believe they have information pertaining to mystery/secret shopper schemes are encouraged to file a complaint at www.IC3.gov.

Springboard America

2010-02-08T20:43:00.001-05:00

I recently signed up with a new survey company, Springboard America, which is sponsored by Vision Critical and Angus Reid Public Opinion. Springboard gives you an opportunity to speak up on what affects your daily life, from politics to products. The site is elegant and well designed. Springboard America is extremely user friendly and offers surveys that pay out in survey dollars (a rarity now that most companies are using a points system). You need to accumulate 50 survey dollars to collect a check for $50 or a donation to a US charitable organization.

According to their website "Most of our surveys award between $1 and $5 if you qualify and complete them. We'll always let you know in the survey invitation how much you'll receive for completing it, or if there is a sweepstakes instead. The amount is generally based on what's involved in taking the survey - for example, if it is longer in length, or more complex, we'll usually award a little more."

Like most of the survey sites you need to fill out all of the profiles so you can get as many surveys as possible. Also, survey companies are looking for dedicated people. So, if you only want to take surveys once a week or once a month, indicate that in your initial responses. Otherwise you will see your survey opportunities drop dramatically if you don't respond each time they offer you a survey.

Mergers, changes and updates.

2010-01-08T20:22:00.008-05:00

Greenfield Online and Toluna, a leading community panel, have merged under the Toluna name. If you were a member of Greenfield, all of your information and rewards have been automatically migrated to the Toluna website. This merger, in my opinion, is a good one. Toluna, along with Greenfield, are leading online research organizations. I personally have had a great deal of success with Toluna surveys. They offer all sorts of opportunities to voice your opinion, test products and complete surveys.

The merger, announced in November, has officially taken place as of January 4, 2010. They have also relaunched an all new rewards program to expand current incentives. Points will now be able to be redeemed for rewards ranging from cash prizes, merchandise, prize drawings, sweepstakes entries, charitable donations and more.

If you have been a longtime member of Greenfield you might find the Toluna site overwhelming with all the polls and opinions. I find it easier to wait for a survey opportunity to come in my email, fill it out and move on. I don't spend a lot of time on their site.

Focus Groups

2009-12-15T15:36:00.002-05:00

One of the best ways to make a little extra money is by participating in Focus Groups. As you become more familiar with the survey process you will start to receive invitations to join online focus groups for topics like shopping, finances, automobiles and such. Keep you options open on these. They are willing to pay you up $10 or more for answering surveys on their website, blogging about your experiences or even giving your opinions on products. Typically the invitations come from survey sites you have participated with on a regular basis.

Another type of Focus Group is through companies like Schlesinger Associates, a marketing research company. I am on their data base for the Philadelphia area and I get frequent invitations to try out for specific focus groups. Their opportunities, which take place in their offices at various times of the day, will earn you &75 to $200 per sessions. They typically last 2 hours and can entail product trials. They offer opportunities for medical databases or consumer databases.

Opinion Outpost adds more options

2009-12-14T11:18:00.002-05:00

Opinion Outpost recently started offering additional surveys for anyone who either does not qualify for a survey. The options are unlimited and you determine whether or not you want to stop. So, the bottom line is you could take 4, 5, or even 10 surveys from them in one sitting.

Just a reminder, Opinion Outpost works on a points system. You can redeem your points for an Amazon.com online Gift Card with a minimum of 50 points for a $5.00 credit. Or, you can request a check with the same amount of points and the same pay out (50 points for $5.00). Checks typically take 4-8 weeks for processing and delivery.

ISay is now Ipsos i-say!

2009-12-08T19:43:00.003-05:00

Ipsos i-say is a super introductory survey company for anyone interested in getting started. Their surveys are easy to understand and pay well. One of the features I love about their site is the opportunity to play Poll Predictor. The game is simple, fun and interactive. All you have to do is answer a simple question that gives you entries into a weekly prize drawing. The closer you come to a correct answer, the more entries you receive.

The rewards program is simple. Each survey earns you reward points. Once you have 50 or more points, you can redeem them for for merchandise or gift cards.

Remember, with all survey companies, they want loyal members. Make sure you try every survey they send. Even if you are rejected you will find more surveys coming your way that earn you points. Good luck!

Survey Savvy

2009-08-08T14:28:00.003-04:00

There are a lot of survey clearinghouses out there that will bog you down with unnecessary mail. They don't really offer you much more than a chance to sign up for the sites I recommend. So, save yourself some time and trouble and look over the sites I have recommended and you will get to the right survey sites without a lot of trouble.

Survey Savvy is a great site to get paid surveys for free. No obligations to buy anything, just a few surveys per week that pay out really well. They just lowered their payout threshold to $5 and are now accepting PayPal. As an added incentive, they are holding a sweepstakes to win stuff if you use PayPal.

Remember to complete all of your portraits on Survey Savvy to get the most out of the site.

Check out the site at surveysavvy.com. I am confident you will be pleasantly surprised with the ease of getting surveys that quickly add up to the threshold.

Important Information...Please Read

2009-07-21T15:50:00.003-04:00

Here's some more information about the Mystery Shopper scam! PLEASE READ AND HEED THE ADVICE!

ATTENTION: MAIL FRAUD ALERT

It has been brought to our attention that the current mail and check fraud scam reported on most national news networks is now plagiarizing our company information in an attempt to make the scam seem legitimate. Be advised that neither McMillion Research nor MindField Online employ or utilize mystery shoppers as it is not within our scope of services to our clientele. We understand the scam provides a considerable check and asks you to wire transfer portions of the funds to them only to find out the check is not legitimate and you will be responsible for any monies due to the bank and/or wiring services. If approached for this fraud attempt, please report it to your state's Attorney Generals office immediately and do not comply with it's requests. McMillion Research nor MindField Online will ever ask you to wire any monies to us in order to participate in our legitimate research objectives. For more information about the scam visit the following sites: (Links will open in a new window) As economy worsens, fake check scams spread Don't fall for this 'mystery shopper' scam How to Handle a Mystery Shopping Scam Check Secret Shopper Scams Secret-shopping scam: two for the price of one Tips for Recognizing and Avoiding Fake Check Scams

Beware Mystery Shoppers!

2009-07-20T10:30:00.003-04:00

I was recently contracted to be a Mystery Shopper for Mystery Shopper, Inc. I was promised a $200 payout if I purchased $50 worth of stuff from Walmart AND sent a Western Union payment to an address in New Mexico. I was told to expect a package from FedEx which would contain a check for $3300. From that check I was asked to send $3025 to the New Mexico address and then send in an evaluation form to complete the process. IF YOU GET THIS TYPE OF OFFER REJECT IT IMMEDIATELY! I was suspicious of this activity and went online to find out more about the company Mystery Shoppers, Inc. Although it looks legitimate, there have been a number of claims filed against it for fraud. NEVER accept an assignment if you are expected to cash a check or money order and then send money to an address. It is a scam and you will be out of several thousands of dollars if you do it and you will not have any opportunity to recover you money. BUYER BEWARE! If it looks too good to be true, believe your inner voice...IT IS!

Mystery Shopper has also been know as Secret Shopper.

Watch Out for Spam Sites

2009-06-29T11:24:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone,

I recently opened my mailbox to find more than 145 emails. To my dismay almost a third of them were spam messages indicating I signed up to receive offers from them. I am still trying to investigate which site caused this spam to take place and once I do, I will post it so you don't have the same problem.

Always be very careful who you are working with on the surveys. There are some great survey sites out there, but there are more sites that only act as a clearinghouse. They don't actually offer you any surveys, just lead you to other sites that may cause spam on your computer.

If this happens to you, make sure you mark all of the messages as spam AND unsubscribe from any of the links. Be careful out there and don't give up on surveys just because there are few sites you should avoid.

Look out for these sites.

2009-06-25T06:59:00.004-04:00

I have found several sites that are not not useful for you. These sites either require you to purchase something when you sign up, they are clearinghouses for other sites giving you information you already know if you read this blog and some just spam you constantly. Avoid them at all costs!! The two that have begun to really annoy me lately are SnapDollars and Creation Rewards. The first looks deceivingly like Hits4Pay, DealsnCash or InboxDollars where you get paid a small amount, 1, 2 or 5 cents for reading emails. The only problem is the site draws you into reading emails that you need to register for some product or service that in the end may cost money or have telemarketers hounding you. The second is a clearinghouse that offers you the same information I am giving you but you are signing up under another person's account so they make money off of you while you are earning your own money. They will also require you to sign up for additional sites where you get unlimited emails from advertisers.

By the way, you also need to protect yourself from the three sites listed above. You might get drawn in to sign up for an affiliate status. This will require a credit card and you will be billed monthly. The affiliate program is run by Multiple Stream Media Blog and they definitely will spam you, so be wary if you decide to become an affiliate! Remember, most affiliate links mean that you are signing up under another person's name so they make money off of you.

Synovate, a world class research company

2009-06-13T16:41:00.006-04:00

Here is a great survey company for anyone serious about participating in opinion research.

Synovate is one of the largest marketing research firms in the world. Membership in our Global Opinion Panels provides you with many opportunities to voice your opinions on the products and services you and millions of other people across the globe use every day.

Here's the skinny straight from the Synovate website:

"What’s Involved?

Being a panel member is simple and provides rewards for your opinions. Once you join, you will be contacted by e-mail when a survey is available. This e-mail will contain instructions on how to access the survey and details about the rewards you will be eligible to earn. Participation for all surveys is voluntary, with no penalty if you choose not to participate.

Most surveys take 5-10 minutes to complete. You can even stop in the middle of a survey and return at a later time, picking up right where you left off. But, we ask that you try to complete them as soon as possible, since most surveys are only available for a limited time.

From time to time, we may invite you to test a product or participate in a research project conducted by telephone. Your participation in these studies as well is always voluntary.

Still Have Questions?

If you would like to know more, check out our frequently asked questions or contact us at marie@synovate.net"

I absolutely love this site and encourage you to sign up! By the way, I do not get a kick back for referring anyone to this site.

Keep filling out those surveys!

2009-06-13T12:39:00.003-04:00

I heard from my son that he keeps getting kicked out of surveys. My best advice to everyone is to keep trying. It may seem to be futile at times, but the companies are looking for persistent people. You may feel a little unsatisfied but eventually you will start to make a few dollars.

Even if the survey is only for a chance at a sweepstakes entry you need to fill out each survey you are sent in a timely fashion. Don't give up! Good luck to all.

MindField Online

2009-05-26T11:17:00.004-04:00

MindField Online internet panel is another one of the great sites that pays out if you are persistent! The process to sign up is simple just click on the link to get a free account. You will have to wait for the activation email to complete the process. The most important thing to do after that is fill out all of the Member Questionnaires. This one is really important especially since they are currently running a $1000 Stimulus Giveaway until June 1st. To enter, just complete or update a current questionnaire to enter.

MindField is a highly respected survey company. In January they lowered the cash out threshold to $5.00. Once you reach this goal, request a payout either by check or to PayPal. Credits are typically given 10-14 days after the study concludes. With the lowered payout, new website design and numerous survey opportunities, MindField is a good company to use.

Here's a great idea for those poor, starving college students!

2009-05-13T22:01:00.004-04:00

For all the college students out there, Valued Opinions, is looking for you. They are a legitimate survey company with a great reputation. You will not be spammed by them. They are owned by Research Now, a respected research organization used by well known companies to get your opinions. Many of their surveys are the kind of information a college student would know. They have numerous surveys on movies, movie going habits and such. Valued Opinions will send you survey invitations if one of their clients needs the views of someone who might live on the East Coast or has specific interests like going to the movies in their free time.

They also survey people on their electronic preferences, shopping habits, dvds and other items. The most important thing to do is to respond to their invitations in a timely manner. Once you start answering their surveys you will be invited to answer others that can be more profitable. They reward you based on a $20.00 system that entitles you to receive gift certificates like Visa Debit cards, Amazon.com cards, Blockbuster, Macy's cards, some book stores and other vendors . Most of the surveys are worth between $2 and $5. When you sign up you will be asked what your preferred reward is, just indicate that and when you reach the $20.00 goal they will use a pop up to let you know that you can redeem it. Remember it may take up to 28 days to get the credit to your account after completing a survey. The reward is clearly stated at the beginning of the survey in the invitation. Most of the surveys will take you about 20 minutes to complete.

If you have any concerns about your personal data being shared don't worry. The business is based on two valuable concepts, trust and quality. They will never contact you to market something only to ask you your opinions for research purposes. If you only sign up for one survey company make it Valued Opinions! Plus, as a new joiner you will be automatically entered into the sweepstake contest to win an IPod touch.

There's Gold in Some Books!

2009-05-11T13:32:00.005-04:00

Lately I have been cleaning out closets and book shelves to help organize my house. I started looking for on-line sites to sell some of the books. I have found two sites that are good and have a fast turn around.

The first is Cash4Books. This site is run by McKenzie Books, a small business in Beaverton, Oregon. They provide a convenient way for anyone to sell books on-line. I am impressed with their quick turn around, instant price quotes and superb customer service. They buy and also sell books so if you are looking for something specific check them out. When you search for this type of service Cash4Books always comes out first.

According to their website "Cash4Books.net gives a portion of its profits to fund classroom projects on DonorsChoose.org. Our passion is to help classrooms get the books they need so that students can grow and learn. Please check out our Donors Choose page for more information.

We are also a green business and are proud to support business practices that seek to minimize waste, prevent pollution and conserve energy, water and other resources that will be needed in the future. By shopping at a green business YOU can help prevent waste and protect our environment."

All you have to do is have the ISBN number available (either the 10# or 13#) found on the back cover or inside front cover of almost all books, type it in and you get an instant quote. They buy books that are in good condition, so don't think you can rid of all those moldy, old books in your basement. The primary types of books they are looking for include recently published textbooks, non-fiction, business, and professional/technical books. The price quoted depends on demand and current inventory. If you send in at least five books, they give you free shipping . Cash4Books pays out via check or PayPal. I always use PayPal because it is faster, more secure plus Cash4Books gives you a 3% bonus for using it. In my mind that's a no brainer!

The second recommended site is My Book Buyer. Just like Cash4Books, MyBookBuyer.com is an online book and textbook buyback program sponsored by Beagle Books in the San Francisco Bay Area. They seem to buy back more books than Cash4Books and at times their payout is higher. They primarily look for textbooks but are willing to purchase both hardcover and paperback children's books from Scholastic as well as a broad range of bestsellers both fiction and non-fiction.

The company, according to their website, has made "a commitment to social responsibility with hopes of making a difference in this world. In addition to helping recycle over 4 million pounds of books since 2004, Beagle Books have supported literacy projects, including donating books and textbooks that will ultimately help educate students in third world countries." Just like Cash4Books, MyBookBuyer pays out via check or PayPal. They too offer free shipping with at least a $10.00 or more book sale.

Both of these sites are highly recommended by me. I have used both of them and I have been extremely happy with the results.

Playing online for money.

2009-05-09T12:53:00.006-04:00

I recently was hooked up with the site Winster an online gaming community with a difference. You can join Winster for free and earn points by playing games for points. Once you get enough points you are awarded a prize you pre-selected. But here's the twist, Winster players cooperate with each other to win prizes instead of competing. It's a great way to meet people and win prizes in a relaxed environment. Sometimes there is a moderator in the room to help newbies. They are players just like you with a little more experience.

There are no fees associated with Winster, however, if you want to rack up points quickly, they have three levels of Club Winster Membership: Basic ($4.99/month); Silver ($7.49/month) and Gold (9.99/month). As a member you get bonus points each day. You can upgrade at any time, but if you just want to play, you can with the daily spins they provide for everyone, regardless whether you are a member or not.

There are lots of prizes to be had including gift certificates, day passes and others. The ten games are varied and include slots, poker, match maker, scrabble, picture puzzles, doku, and chain gang. There are lots more but you will have to check it out yourself. Be fair warned though, the games are addictive!

Winster was developed by a California mom, Michelle Kaplan, who likes to play games on her home computer. She describes the site as "Winster is more like a coffee klatch than a game site," Kaplan explains. "People make new friends quickly and easily because they aren't trying to beat each other. Helping out other people is much

more fun than you might think." This hobby was turned into a business by the couple who founded the company in 2004.

Check out Winster at www.winster.com. I am sure you will enjoy it.

Keep Reading Those Emails!

2009-05-02T21:36:00.005-04:00

I just signed up for the Deals'n'Cash website. This is another survey site that pays you to read advertising emails. Basically they are known as pay-per-click or pay-per-action websites. These sites are always FREE, so don't sign up if they ask for money from you.

You may need to wait 24 hours + to get confirmed. They are looking to see if you already are registered with them. Once you get approved, you can earn 2-5 cents for each advertiser's email that you get from them. Remember to always wait for the confirmation link that you have read the email. It typically takes a few minutes to get through. This is the same situation as Hits-4-Pay that I told you about earlier. All of your earnings are tracked and recorded in real time.

So if you are interested in signing up for this site just click on DealsnCash. You will be taken to the site to fill out the sign in information. Happy survey hunting!

PS. This site will credit you with $5.00 for signing up and you will receive checks from them once you get the minimum payout of $30.00 by the 1st of the month. Checks are mailed out on or before the 15th. They also send your credit via PayPal so keep that option open as well.

Dollar Surveys Starts to Pay Out via PayPal

2009-05-01T15:48:00.005-04:00

I was surprised to day to see two notices from PayPal that money had been deposited to my account from Dollar Surveys. I wasn't sure if any of the surveys I had taken had actually gone through. On this site you get an invite from Dollar Surveys, then depending on your responses to the initial questions, you may or may not get to the actual survey. When you are finished you don't get a notice saying that you completed it. Anyway, I was happy to see some money coming from this site. It is nice that the money gets transferred immediately. You don't have to rack up points or reach a payout threshold to request payment. Now...if I can only figure out how to access more surveys!!

Mooching and the Art of Freebies

2009-04-30T18:22:00.001-04:00

I was watching the Today show this week and was delighted to see a segment titled "The Age of Mooching" from Today's Consumer Smarts segment. You can access the video "How much can you get for free?" at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30453083#30453083. A lot of the information they gave is the same stuff as I have written. One of the suggestions they gave was to use a different email address that is not the one you normally use. I agree in principal with that suggestion, however, not everyone has the luxury or time to set up multiple email addresses and then, more importantly check them daily. Sometimes our lives can get so complicated with a never ending list of things to do that we may forget to check an obscure email address that we set up for the purpose of answering surveys. One of the tricks I use to make it easier is to set up the second email address on a free site like Yahoo or Google and then configure it up to have my mail forwarded directly to the email address I check daily. That way, I don't have to remember to go to another site to check the mail, I get it delivered on a timely basis, and I don't get spammed. So if you are worried about giving out your normal email address, do as I do and make life easier on your self and have it forwarded automatically.

Some of the other things they talked about are important to remember. You will need to give a valid address if you want to receive free items or to get paid. However, do not give out your credit card information or other personal information including social security numbers. A site that says they need that information may be fraudulent and is certainly not worth your while.

Check out Ciao for More Opportunities.

2009-04-25T09:49:00.001-04:00

Another interesting aspect of online surveys can be found in sharing your opinions of popular products through a site called Ciao. This site, which is affiliated with Greenfield Online and run by Microsoft, is a worldwide network of shoppers. Ordinary people from around the globe share their experiences with products ranging from computers to kitchen mugs.

The key to making money is to post reviews, review other's posts and gather as many friends as you can. Each time a post is reviewed or you review a post, credits are given. In your circle of friends you can acquire additional benefits by having a lot of people be your friends and joining your circle of trust. Each review awards you a small cash payment each time another member rates it either "helpful", "very helpful" or "exceptional". You can expect to receive between 1 and 3 cents per review. On the website the rates that are available to you appear next to the product name on the overview page, i.e. one dollar sign up to three dollar signs.

Earnings are transferred to your PayPal account once you reach a minimum balance of $5.00. You will need to "Request payment" from your Accounts tab. Payouts are made once a month to all members who have requested a payment in that month. Sometimes it takes up to five weeks before the transfer occurs. But be patient and you will see the credit in your PayPal account.

I have found the review process to be a little biased though. Some of the reviewers are from countries where English is not the obvious language. So you might read a review with excellent ratings only to find it hard to understand. Obviously, the reviewers and the raters are giving each other high marks regardless of what is written. However, if you stay true to yourself and write intelligently, eventually you will get a following.

Joining Ciao is free and completely voluntary. The only thing they ask is that you actually own the product you are reviewing and give a complete an unbiased review. More than 38 million people visit the site every month. You can check out Ciao at your convenience and look for me (my screen name is "west757").

By clicking on the link you will be taken to my page. Look it over and see if this site might be interesting to you and something you would enjoy doing.

PayPal Pays Out!

2009-04-23T16:31:00.001-04:00

A lot of the survey sites will offer either points to be redeemed for prizes and gift cards , chances for sweepstakes and money for your time. If the latter is better for you the easiest, fastest and safest way to get paid online is to sign up for a PayPal account. PayPal is a service that allows you to get money transferred from your PayPal account to your checking account. They are a global leader in online payment options.

It is really simple to sign up for a basic account that you can then use whenever a survey site requires a PayPal account. To get the money from PayPal to your checking account you will need to provide tracking information that can be verified by PayPal and your bank. All of this activity is done in a secure environment where your personal information is safe. IF you are uneasy with providing your normal email address you can always open a free one on Google or Yahoo. Then you can use that account whenever you fill out surveys, request payments and transfer funds to PayPal.

Another option would be to ignore sites that use PayPal solely and rely only on those sites that send checks or deal with prizes and gift cards. Check out PayPal for more information.

Health Studies Can Pay Out Too!

2009-04-22T09:43:00.000-04:00

There are tons of options out there to take surveys. Sometimes you might even be asked to be a part of a health study. Recently, I participated in one for fiber. The whole process took about five weeks.

The first week I had to refrain from using any and all fiber related products including pills, special fiber bars, cereals, etc. Within the week I received a package with a white plastic bottle filled with an orange powder. I was instructed to begin on a specific day and take a teaspoon of the powder mixed in 8 ounces a water once a day. When I reached the end of the first week, I took a short survey to ask me about the average time of day I took the product. The second I did the same thing except to increase drinking the product twice a day and finally on the third week, I was asked to take it three times a day. Each time I filled out a short survey requesting time times I took the product. A few days ago, I received an email informing me I had successfully completed the trial and would be awarded $40.00 for my time. I am still waiting for the check, but they said it would arrive in 4-6 weeks.

It turned out I was taking Metamucil. Initially, I didn't like the taste of the powder and found it hard to swallow. However, as I kept going it was pretty easy to complete this task. All systems worked well (if you know what I mean) and I actually lost about three pounds.

The survey did question me about my health, my age, weight, over the counter medications and prescription medications as well. I wasn't initially told if I actually got a real product or a placebo. For me it was very little effort to get $40 and I would do it again.

Keep Your Options Open!

2009-04-20T10:56:00.001-04:00

Once you get started taking surveys lots of opportunities to sign up for other offers start pouring in. Weigh each offer and sign up for the ones you find most interesting. I recently started with AC Neilsen's Homescan, a consumer panel that tracks what you purchase, and have found it very interesting.

The program requires you to sign up and then your name is put on a waiting list under the "Reserve Status Waiting List". Homescan then randomly selects households to join. Once you are accepted you will get a handheld scanner (and a lot of other information about the program) that you use to scan the barcodes from products you buy for your family. It doesn't matter what you purchase since the whole purpose is to track everyday consumers preferences.

Homescan is truly an easy way to share your opinions in the marketplace. As part of the program you accumulate points to spend on a variety of products from a special catalog Homescan provides you. The products or rewards include small appliances, children's items, electronics, recreation products, kitchen items and travel items to name a few.

The program starts you with a 1000 points and you get additional points on a graduated scale for weekly, monthly, and yearly transmissions. You can also get points for answering surveys and joining their online panel. (Mac users beware: the online panel is only for PC users)!

Watch Out For Sites That Don’t Deliver.

2009-04-19T11:45:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I gave you my opnions about sites that I enjoy. Today, I wanted to let you know there are sites that will truly annoy you with multiple questions that have nothing to do with the survey. Several of the sites, including Vindale requires you to purchase items to get paid a small reimbursement fee. Sometimes it works out, I purchased a teeth whitening kit, had my son use it for two weeks and then returned it to net $8.00. However, I had to use a credit card to get the item, had to make sure I precisely followed the return policy and needed to keep track of exactly when it needed to be sent back. Other times, you are given the opportunity to purchase something for a trial that is not worth the money or you can find in the local stores for much less.

I would also be extremely vary in signing up for any site that constantly requires you to keep signing up for more sites just to get a very meager reward in the end. You will find your email inbox flooded with mail that is just a bunch of junk. There are other sites like Survey Scout that get you to sign up only to keep sending you invites to survey sites that you probably have already joined. I guess these are like clearinghouses for surveys, however, I find them to be annoying and useless when it comes to getting a payoff.

Decide for yourself if Vindale is the type of survey company you want to join. You may like it, and even though I think it is a pain, I have earned about $50.00 from them.

Hello World! Welcome To My Blog!

2009-04-18T20:20:00.004-04:00

Hi everyone and welcome to my blog "Here's my Opinion! Can I get paid?". I am a semi-retired stay at home mom who loves to spend some time everyday on the computer. Semi-retired you may ask? Well my children area all over 18. However, I have a handicapped son who lives with me and my husband, and a daughter in college. My oldest is married.

Anyway, since I enjoy sharing ideas with friends, I thought, could I make it a little more worthwhile? You betcha! I started signing up on some of the sites that either pay you cash or give you points to take the survey. Now let’s be real, you will not make a fortune doing this, but why not try to make some extra cash or get some prizes since you are on the computer anyway?

So far, I am having the most success with online surveys like Hits4Pay; Opinion Outpost; ACNielson Homescan; Valued Opinions; e-Rewards, and ZoomPanel to name a few. All of these sites require you to sign up to receive email invitations for surveys. You can specify how many surveys and the types you want to receive. By the way, they are all free! Check Hits4Pay to get started. This online survey site even gives you a $10 bonus just for signing up!