Category Archives: Armelle

lime ricki swim wear: review and giveaway …

May 13, 2011

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wow! can you believe it’s already swim suit season?!
well, i’m not quite ready for it just having a baby 6 weeks ago and all; but i am ready to be outside enjoying the nice weather, that is for sure!

the nice people over at lime ricki sent me a swim suit to review.  i had a hard time choosing from all the cute suits, but i ended up choosing the auburn tankini top (pictured above top right), with the yellow bottoms.  i also loved the one-piece suits, especially the ruffle swim dress ones, but i love that you can mis-match any top and bottom with the tankini tops.

overall, i was very impressed with the quality of the suit.  you can tell they are made well, and will hold up for quite some time.  they seem to run very true to size, and they also have a sizing chart on their website to help you pick the right size.

they also have the most darling little girls swim suits (ages 2-12) i love that you can mis-match any tops with the bottoms.  and it is also really nice to have the rash guards as an option.  i’d love one for my little norah!

so, are you ready for the best part?  lime ricki is giving away a swimsuit of your choice to one of you lucky readers!

and, for the rest of you, lime ricki is offering all of my readers 10% off your entire order, just type in the code Armelle10 at checkout (good until may 26th)

giveaway rules:
-visit their site, and in your comment tell me which suit you would choose
-only one comment per entry please.
-anonymous comments must leave an email address
-giveaway ends wednesday may 18th at midnight!
-winner will be announced thursday may 19th.

good luck!

lime ricki sent me a swim suit to review, all thoughts and opinions are my own, if you are a business and would like to send me your product for a review, please email me at: carolinearmelle @ gmail.com.  

all about oil …

If you have walked down the baking isle in a supermarket recently, you’ve see the huge variety of cooking oils; olive oil, canola oil, grape seed oil, vegetable oil, truffle oil.  But, how do you know which cooking oil to use?
It can often be confusing.  Some oils have a lower smoke point than others, meaning some you can use at a higher temperature than others.  For me, my go-to oil for cooking is olive oil.  I use it for many things, but you have to be careful, because olive oil can have a distinct flavor, so you probably don’t want to be using it in every recipe.
Here are a few tips on how to choose the right oil.
When to use what Oil
(via wholefoods)
For baking: Coconut, palm, canola and high oleic safflower and sunflower oil work best.
For frying: Because they stand up well to the heat, avocado, peanut, palm and sesame oil are ideal for frying.
For sautéing: Many oils are great for sautéing, including avocado, canola, coconut, grapeseed, olive, sesame and high oleic safflower and sunflower oils.
For dipping, dressings and marinades: When it comes to making dressings and marinades, or finding oil that’s perfect to serve alongside crusty bread for dipping, you’re looking for terrific flavor. For this purpose look to flax, olive, peanut, toasted sesame or walnut oil.
Types of Oils
Canola Oil
From: Genetically modified rapeseed – has tiny peapod like fruits.
Temps: Up to 375F for *smoke point*, but only use cold for omega-3 health benefits
Health: 10% Omega-3 oils
Uses: Stir frying, grilling. Has very mild taste.
Coconut Oil
From: Coconuts
Temps: Any temperature
Health: This is a saturated fat but a healthy one, and is the only one on the list safe at high temperatures.
Uses: Deep frying, other high temperature cooking. Discard after each use.
Corn Oil
From: Corn
Temps: Up to 400F
Health: 25% Omega-6 oils
Uses: Little taste and good at high temperatures, good for frying. Use only if other oils are not available.
Flax Seed Oil
From: Flax seeds
Temps: use cold only
Health: 58% Omega-3 oils plus Omega-6 oils
Uses: Salad dressings
Grapeseed Oil
From: Grape seeds
Temps: Use to 200F to preserve Omega-6; can be used higher
Health: 76% Omega-6, shown to reduce LDL levels
Uses: Great for frying or sauteeing, a bit expensive. Light, grapey flavor.
Hazelnut Oil
From: Hazelnuts
Temps: Use up to 325F
Health: 78% Omega-9s
Uses: Stir frying, deep frying
Olive Oil
From: Olives
Temps: Up to around 350F
Health: 76% Omega-9, many heart benefits; countless studies extoll this
Uses: Salads, any Italian or Mediterranean dishes, grilling vegetables. Gives a distinctive (yummy!) flavor to foods.
Peanut Oil
From: Peanuts
Temps: Up to 212F for health benefits; can be used much hotter.
Health: 22% Omega-6. Note – some are sensitive to irritants in this oil.
Uses: stir fry, deep frying
Safflower Oil
From: Safflower seeds
Temps: Use to 212F
Health: 79% Omega-6 oils
Uses: Good for salads and sauces, has a distinctive flavor.
Sesame Oil
From: Sesame seeds
Temps: Up to around 350F
Health: Lots of Omega-6 oils plus 49% Omega-9
Uses: Great for stir frying and for a hint of flavor in marinades
Sunflower Oil
From: Sunflower seeds
Temps: Use to 212F
Health: 69% Omega-6 oils
Uses: Salads and sauces
Walnut Oil
From: Walnuts
Temps: use cold
Health: 5% Omega-3 oils
Uses: Salad dressings and spreads
{information found via bella online)