Food Network Names New Star

On last night's show, "Food Network Star" Damaris Phillips was named the overall winner. Little Miss Damaris is a Southern Belle with charm oozing out of every pore. Although I liked her personality and fun-loving spirit, I will admit that she was not the person I thought would become the next Food Network Star. To be honest, I believe that Stacey Poon-Kinney would have been the perfect hostess. I know the judges did criticize her because she tended to seem scripted. However, Stacey knew how to cook and how to handle the camera. Maybe with the recent fall from grace of Paula Deen viewers were looking for a replacement. Either way, congrats to Damaris. Maybe the South will rise again. And, if anyone can do it, it would have to be charming Damaris.

I am also curious to know what the Neelys are doing now. I really miss them from the Food Network. I loved their recipes, creative style of cooking, and the way the couple interacted with each other. So, Food Network can we have the Neely's back?

Profectiv Mega Growth Temple Recovery Product Review

Profectiv Mega Growth Review

We have all done it at one time or another. We have over-processed or damaged our hair. When this happens, our hair becomes fragile and breaks.  There are tons of products on the market that promise to repair damaged hair and promote hair growth. Some of these products are very expensive while others are more reasonably priced. One of the many products that promises to repair your hair is Profectiv’s Mega Growth Temple Recovery. But, are these claims true?

The crème comes in a small container with an orange lid and a see-through bottom. It costs around  $6.00 a container.  For me, this is a little on the expensive side.

However, I decided to give Profectiv Mega Growth Temple Recovery a try after I damaged the hair around my temples while attempting to do a home perm. The product said to apply it to my temples twice a day. It promised to restore and thicken the hair around my temples. Profectiv Mega Growth Temple Recovery also promised to reduce breakage and to help hair become stronger, healthier, and grow longer. I applied the crème once a day instead of twice a day. The formula is a little greasy, and I didn’t want to weigh my hair down. And, amazingly, within two weeks, I did see results. The hair around my temples began to grow back, and the hair around the area did thicken up.

So, I decided to apply Profectiv Mega Growth Temple Recovery to the rest of my hair just to see what it would do. I experienced the same results with the rest of my hair. It grew quickly and thickened up. Needless to say, I was very pleased with the results. I now use Profectiv Mega Growth Temple Recovery on a regular basis. I thought it was a little pricey at first, but since using it, I have changed my mind. Profectiv Mega Growth is worth every penny. I would recommend it to women everywhere who want to repair damaged hair or who simply want to grow their hair.

Back in School!

School is back in session, and I am back to the classroom. This first week of school has been hectic. I have been tired...tired. However, I am excited. One thing I did notice this week while trying to interventions for my slower learners was that there was almost no really good information out there. I do plan to post some this week on my Yahoo site. So, check back by the end of the week.

Confessions of a Serial Cheater: Reasons Women Cheat

It has been said over and over again that a good man is hard to find. It has also been said that men are dogs and that cheating is a natural part of who they are. You pity the women who are stuck with them, and despite society’s acceptance of their behavior, you find yourself wondering why they do it.  Why do some men risk it all for fleeting moments of pleasure? In our quest to figure out why men behave so badly, we tend to forget that women cheat too.

Some women don’t just have an affair. They, like men, are serial cheaters.  Why and how does a woman become a serial cheater?  Out of curiosity, I asked one woman who is a “serial cheater” why she did it. For the sake of discretion, I will name her Cheater X. Here are the reasons she gave.

Excitement

Cheating is exciting. Having an affair gave her an adrenaline rush. And, for her, that rush too hard to resist.

Emotional Need

Cheater X stated that she liked feeling desirable. Things had become routine at home. Although she loved her partner, she just wanted to feel sexy again. Like men, women can begin to question their own desirability as they age.  An affair can make they feel alive again.

Finances

Affairs can be financially beneficial. Cheater X discussed receiving money from one of her partners. She stated that although she did not find the man all that physically attractive he was very generous financially.

Variety

Like men, some women crave variety. They don’t like to be tied down to just one man even though they know that man is good to them.

Selfish

Finally, Cheater X confessed to just being selfish. She knows that she is hurting her partner with her constant lies and deception, but she is just too concerned with her own pleasure to stop.

Signs your wife is cheating:
http://www.helium.com/items/237455-signs-your-wife-is-cheating-on-you

Interracial Couple on "The Bachelor"?

"The Bachelorette: Men Tell All" was on last night. I have one note to make about both "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette". After watching the show for years, I am amazed that we have not seen even one interracial couple. I think I remember one black woman making it to the final four on the first show, but never again. No black man has ever made it even that close. I do understand that the show is geared toward Caucasians. However, is it that America is not ready for an interracial couple on the show? You can not make me believe that  out of all these years there was not at least one black person on the show who was just as worthy to make it to the final rose ceremony as the other contestants. I don't know. I just know that I would like to see an African American make it to the final rose ceremony.

"The Host" Movie Review

"The Host" is now on pay preview and DVD. Should you watch it? Read on and find out.

"The Host" (2013) Movie Review

The human race has been invaded. Alien parasites have taken the human bodies and minds of their hosts. Only small pouches of human resistance remain. Among those captured and turned is Melanie Stryder (Saoirse Ronan). Melanie’s body has been taken by a “soul” called “Wanderer”. The “Wanderer” attempts to use Melanie’s memories to help the alien forces to discover the location of the resistance. However, things don’t go as planned. Melanie’s will is too strong. The “Wanderer” finds herself battling Melanie’s will and her own conflicting emotions.

“The Host” is a romantic, science fiction movie based on a book by Stephenie Meyers and directed by Andrew Niccol. So, is “The Host” worth watching?

The plot of “The Host” has a lot of potential. However, most of it is never realized. The first half of the film is extremely awkward. The viewer must struggle to understand the plot while watching Melanie (Saoirse Ronan) spends almost the whole film talking to an alien called “Wanda” who lives inside her head. Thankfully, by the second half of the movie, the scenes become a little less awkward and the action does pick up. At this point, the romantic forms, and it gives “The Host” a much needed boost.

Actor Max Irons did a great job as Jared Howe, Melanie’s boyfriend. Irons’ character is torn between his hatred of the alien invaders and his feeling for alien possessed Melanie. He successful displays the wide range of emotions needed for his role. Jake Abel is also convincing as Ian O’Shea who finds himself attracted to alien personality “Wanda”. Saoirse Ronan is given the difficult, if not impossible, job of presenting Melanie’s character. Is she successful? Sadly, no.

Kudos to the sound department. “The Host” soundtrack was upbeat and exiting. It was one of the best things about this film. Thumbs up to set designer Sam Page, Gail Briant, set decorator, David Keith Broome, lead greensman, and all the other support staff for creating such a beautiful setting for the film.

“The Host” is rated PG-13. This rating is fair. However, there is little violence in the film and definitely no sexual content. The movie runs for 125 minutes. The plot is okay, but expected. On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest), “The Host” is a 2.5. The movie lacks the action and excitement that the previews promise. So, should you see it? Yes, on pay preview or DVD.

"After Earth" 2013 Movie Review

The human race has been forced to evacuate Earth because the changes in the planet's climate. Humans have move to a new planet named Nova Prime. There is one problem with Nova Prime. The S’krell, alien invaders, also want to inhabit Nova Prime, and they have no intention of share this planet with humans. The S’Krell uses the Ursas, large beasts, to try to annihilate the human race. The Ursas cannot see, but they can smell fear. It is this fear that makes humans an easy target. General Cypher Raige (Will Smith) has learned how to defeat the Ursas. He has learned how to “ghost”. "Ghosting" is when one does not give in to his fear. He realizes that the danger is real, but that fearing that danger is a choice. So, is "After Earth" worth watching? 

"After Earth" is directed by M. Night Shyamalan. M. Night Shyamalan tries again given us a film that does not live up to its full potential. The promise is there, but it just isn't utilized. I feel that the film might have been better if other members of the crew had survived. I would also have liked to see more of the dangers that existed on Earth.

 Jaden’s acting is not extraordinary, but it does have promise. And, I look forward to seeing him in other work.

Will Smith disappoints fans in this film. He does not give the performance that his fans have come to expect. “After Earth” is not one of Will Smith’s best performances, but it is not a total disaster. His character just lacked the warmth needed to make "After Earth" more interesting.

The picture was visually beautiful. I felt like was in the lush green forest of the film. My hats off to set designer Rosemary Brandenburg and the other special effects artist for this.

“After Earth” is rated PG-13. This is an accurate rating. The images in the movie can prove to be very frightening for a young audience. The movie runs for 1 hour and 40 minutes. On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest), I would give this movie a 3. Although it isn’t a sci-fi thriller, it is a great movie. And, I look forward to purchasing it once it is released.