-Your Daily Cookie-
© 08/1/08
By Dahni

 Wedge – Certified Organic 

   Good day, here is your cookie for today, is this ‘The Last Cookie?’

   It has been many days since I last posted and this is not the one I had intended, but it may well be the last one or at least for some time.

   It is not that I am out of ingredients (content), or recipes (ideas), but my time may be better spent doing something else.

   The truth is that for whatever reason, this blog has not attracted the numbers of people desired and few comments are ever left. Perhaps much of this may be attributed to my inability to connect and to communicate.

   Perhaps your cookies are just to big to swallow? If that is true, then I sincerely beg your pardon. But if I were in the desert and thirsty enough, I would crawl to get what I needed. If I were starving, I would eat dirt and there are those that really do. If I truly desired financial and time freedom, I would do almost anything legal and moral to get it, even if it meant crawling and eating dirt.

   I would at least, listen with an open mind to see if it was true or if it was right for me, before I would make a judgement.

   There is also the feeling that people do not care, do not believe and do not trust much anymore. This is alarming and very sad and it is the reason for this entry today.

Flavor of the Day

   My wife and I operate a home based business that has many assets and many facets to it. We are blessed with many professional and personal associations from many different fields of endeavor.

   Deep down, I would like to believe that all of us would like to have financial and time freedom. To me, “Your Daily Cookie” is like having a miilion dollars in your pocket, but you never reach in to find it. Why would this be? Is this because of fear, mistrust, doubt or just explained by having a closed mind?

   I was recently out and meeting people. I was involved in a conversation with a young lady and she was looking to earn some extra money. I am lousy at determining age, but I think she is in her twenties, but most certainly of legal adult age. She was at work and I was busy, so we decided to meet a few days later when it was more convenient for us both.

   The location was to be a public place that she chose and my wife Susan was going with me. The lady and I mutually agreed to call each other if the date needed to be changed.

   Without going into detail, there were several things I may have been able to offer this young lady, depending on her interest and qualifications. Normally I call to confirm an appointment, but I had temporarily lost her number. She did not call me, so I took this to mean that she would be there. I went and waited and she never showed up. No big deal, many people are untrustworthy. If they cannot be trusted with time or cannot show up for an appointment that THEY HAVE ASKED FOR or they cannot make a common courtesy call if something prevents them from keeping the appointment, they cannot be trusted with much else.

   She did me a favor. Now I know her character and would have wasted more of my time.

   I met this lady in a store where I normally shop. As it happened, I needed something from this store, a few days later. As I made my purchase, she was the one waiting on me. She had her glasses off and I did not even recognise her and had nearly forgotten her. She looked at me and said, “You’re Dahni, right?” I answered her and then she said, “I’m so sorry I missed our appointment. Did you try to call me?” “No I did not,” was my reply.

   The lady went on to inform me, “Well, uhh, er, my parents and my boyfriend all told me not to meet with you or even answer my phone if you called.” I asked her why this was and she said, “My parents and my boyfriend said this was a scam and had levels.”

   I did not argue with her or try to defend myself. There was no need to do that. I just told her she knew how to reach me if she ever got around to thinking for herself.

   You know, I can appreciate her parents and boyfriend wanting to protect her, I am a parent myself. Her parents and her boyfriend could have accompanied her.

   The explorer Magellan had parents too and maybe a girlfriend or a wife. They all probably told him NOT to run off and sail beyond the horizon or he would fall off the edge of the world. 

   I’m sure Alexander Gram Bell, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, the Wright Brothers, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs all had their Nay-Sayers too. These pioneers all had one thing in common. They each had, an open mind. Because of that, we have telephones, televisions, automobiles, airplanes and personal computers and the software we are using to view this very post, over the Internet.

   The young lady in question here, admittedly never checked out any of the links or information I gave her, nor did her parents or her boyfriend. This is quite sad to me that minds have become so jaded and influenced by other negative people or past experiences that they can make judgements about something they know nothing about.

   WOW, you kind of expect this closed-mindedness from some older people, but it is really distressing and becoming more common with younger people too.

   As to my business being a scam or involving levels, I have already dealt with this issue. If you are interested, you to can see 25 reasons why what I do is NOT MLM (multi-level marketing. This to is sad that before you can tell people what something is, you first have to tell them what it is not. See here.

   To be fair, just because I say something is not MLM, does not mean it isn’t. And just because something may look like it is one thing (like you will fall off the edge of the earth), does not mean it is as it appears. The point is, how would we ever know if the mind remains closed? We will never know!

   There may well be a million dollars in your pocket that you do not know about. You need to reach in to see. Each of ‘Your Daily Cookies’ may truly be “Something you can really take a bite out of.” Financial & Time Freedom may truly be available to to you.

You only need an open mind.

Baker on leave,

Dahni the cookie man

Dip Dunk or Don’t

-Your Daily Cookie-
© 07/22/08
By Dahni

Pet Cookies – Certified Organic 

   Good day, here is your cookie for today, ‘Pet Health,’ “healthy help for our four legged friends.”

   Many people have and are turning to vitamin and mineral supplements, which are truly just ‘super foods’ and ‘supply’ what may be lacking in our bodies, our food and the soil. Even more focus has been placed on antioxidants and are found nearly everywhere as in energy drinks, beverages and even cosmetics. All living creatures need these to live, long and healthful quality lives. So do our pets! 

Flavor of the Day

   My wife and I have been taking a specific product for well over a year and have experienced many benefits. More on this for tomorrow’s post. We decided to try a specific formula for our two cats.

   Angie was the older of our two cats. She had become very lethargic, lacked energy and slept most of the time, I mean more than most cats. 

   Bandy the younger cat (more like a teenager), was a whirlwind of energy, constantly running through the house, clinking the piano keys (classical music of course). 

   She regularly just tried to get Angie to run and play, but mostly just agitated her sister.

   My wife and I having experienced great increase in our own energy levels with a similar product, so we decided to try this with Angie.

   We mixed a little of the pink, beef flavored powder into her food. In a very short time, her energy levels went through the roof. How did I first know? I was awakened one early morning to what sounded like a freight train running through our house. At first I thought it was the younger cat, but in fact, it was Angie chasing her sister.

   Over time we noticed other benefits like less shedding, fewer hairballs, softer and shinier hair. This led us to put Bandy on the product as well.

   Bandy had matted and unhealthy looking hair. For a long time, we thought she might be blind in one eye. It had dark matter in the corner and would run constantly. It was smaller than the other eye. We also considered that she just might have severe allergies. Since a similar product helped my allergies, we decided to put Bandy on the formula as we had with Angie.

   It was only a matter of a couple of weeks when we noticed great improvement with Bandy. I wished I had the foresight to have taken before and after pictures, because she looks like a different cat now. Her hair is the color of smoke and ultra soft. For lack of better way to explain this, she looks likes she has an ‘afro’. Her hair has just proofed out. She appears to be twice the size she was. We also saw great improvement in her eye.

   We are blessed in that our vet actually comes to our home. When the product was mentioned to him, at first he seemed to think our ‘results’ could be explained as a ‘placebo effect’ or like taking a sugar pill thinking it was something else. Why this may work in humans, I don’t think our cats were  thinking we were giving them sugar pills. Our vet read the label and concluded the ingredients were sound.

   As far as Bandy eye symptoms, out vet diagnosed Horner’s Syndrome. This is a disorder of the nervous system which produces symptoms in the eyes. This disorder usually occurs after an injury to the sympathetic nerve leading to the eye. Such injury can be due to a trauma to the nerve, viral infection, a tumor or mass which puts pressure on the nerve, or an inflammation of the nerve. Since the nerve travels from the brain down the neck through the chest and then to the eye, trauma in the brain, chest or neck can lead to Horner’s Syndrome. Sometimes this occurs at birth. Our pet health greatly relieved many of her symptoms as one of its benefits is that it is an anti-inflammatory and promotes visual health and acuity.

OPC-3 with Glucosamine

Benefits 

•  Combats free radicals
•  Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels
•  Helps maintain healthy circulation
•  Helps maintain joint flexibility
•  Helps promote/support cardiovascular health
•  Helps support visual health/visual acuity
•  Potent free radical scavenger
•  Promotes/Supports healthy blood vessel dilation
•  Promotes/Supports healthy nitric oxide levels
•  Supports healthy blood glucose levels
•  Supports healthy platelet activity
•  Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aging poperties

Optimization by Blending

      It has been suggested that several antioxidants blended together in moderate amounts may be more effective than high levels of one antioxidant. The blend of antioxidants in this formula powder includes grape seed extract, red wine extract, pine bark extract, bilberry extract and citrus bioflavonoids and glucosamine.

   These antioxidants contain oligomeric proanthocyanidins, or OPCs. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are bioflavonoids (complex organic plant compounds) found in fruits, vegetables and certain tree barks that provide exceptional nutritional benefits to your pet’s body. Studies have shown OPCs to be up to 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals.

   The formula with Glucosamine offers a unique, great-tasting powder that is sprinkled over your pet’s regular food. It represents the latest technology available today in naturally based pet food supplements.

   Much the same way antioxidants can help optimize a person’s health, they can also be beneficial to our dogs and cats. Antioxidants help fight the damage caused by free radicals. They can also help support immune responses and support normal vaccine recognition in dogs and cats. Young animals can benefit tremendously from antioxidants.  Antioxidants can help maintain optimum health in your animal’s gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems, liver, kidneys, eyes and immune system. Another important role of pet antioxidants is their ability to support immune-cell function for dogs and cats in their senior years.

What Makes This Product Unique?

   A free radical is an atomic structure with an unpaired electron in its outermost shell. These unpaired electrons tend to be highly reactive, resulting in chemical reactions such as oxidation. Because they have one or more unpaired electrons, free radicals are highly unstable. They scavenge the body to grab or donate electrons, causing damage to cells, proteins and DNA. Free radicals are naturally occurring; however, air pollution, stress, cigarette smoke and heavy exercising all contribute to the creation of harmful free radicals. Free radicals can cause oxidative stress.  Normally the animal’s body is able to protect itself from the damaging effects of free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or free radical production becomes excessive, oxidative stress can occur.

   Antioxidants are natural cell protectors, neutralizing free radicals by pairing an electron to the outermost shell of radical oxygen molecules, rendering them harmless. Antioxidants are nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and enzymes that are capable of counteracting the damaging, but normal, effects of the physiological process of oxidation in bodily tissues. Antioxidants work in two ways, chain breaking and prevention. A chain-breaking antioxidant such as vitamins A, C and E, stabilize free radicals or cause them to decay into harmless atomic structures. A preventative antioxidant prevents the oxidation process by scavenging free radicals.

   Pets face many of the same issues as humans. Many pet foods are over processed and have little nutritive value. Dogs and cats breathe in the same pollution as we do, inhaling harmful free radicals. Potent antioxidants like OPCs help to strengthen your pet’s free radical defenses. Antioxidants promote cardiovascular health, support healthy visual acuity, promote healthy blood vessel dilation and promote healthy platelet activity.

Your Pets and Joint Health

   As pets become older, antioxidants become even more important in the fight against free radicals and their associated effects on cells in joints and other tissues. All animals are at risk for declining joint health. Many factors can affect joint health and the integrity of cartilage, including diet, genetic make-up and activity levels. The cold wintery months can also contribute to a decline in joint comfort. Each animal’s genetic code, for example, can influence the thickness and durability of its cartilage and its overall joint health. Proper nutrition, especially antioxidant supplementation, is critical in maintaining healthy joints. Glucosamine has been shown to promote the retention and normal regeneration of cartilage, support normal movement and flexibility of joints and promote joint comfort.

   If you or someone you know are interested in more information about these products and/or you are interested in making some extra money, see the tab above ‘Baker’s Dozen’ or click here. 

    Your cookie for this day, ‘Pet Health,’ “healthy help for our four legged friends.”

   Tomorrow’s cookie -  ‘OPC-3 for You and Me.”

Baking cookies just for You,

Dahni the cookie man

Dip Dunk or Don’t

-Your Daily Cookie-
© 07/21/08
By Dahni

Butter w/ Coconut Grass – Certified Organic 

    Good day, here is your cookie for today, ‘Green Power.’ Many people spend considerable time trying to ‘green’ their lawns and plants. The root of the root of all plants is the soil. Often the soil is depleted of the many nutrients and organic matter necessary for optimal growth and results. More and more water is required when the poor soil is not properly oxygenated and does not effectively retain water. What follows are a couple of solutions.

 Flavor of the Day

   Plant & Lawn enzymes which are safe, non-toxic and concentrated solutions, work with naturally fermented complex organic material in soil to turn simple nutrients into that which plants can use. Enzymes have been shown to produce the following results. 

•  Effectively decompose complex organic material in soil to simple nutrients.
•  Nitrogen encourages green, thick and uniform grass and plant growth.
•  Enzyme helps loosen the soil, making nutrients available to the plant root system.
•  No need for adding other chemical products such as fertilizers.
•  Aerates and oxygenates the soil while improving water retention.

   The names pretty much tell you what they are for. LAWN POWER or PLANT POWER are not fertilizers or a plant nutrients. Rather, they are, unique enzyme formulas that react with soil organic matter to release and activate the many nutrients in the soil. Soil imbalances are caused by a lack of organic materials and enzymes. These products help improve soil’s capacity to retain nutrient cations# (calcium, magnesium, and potassium) and helps break bonds to transform ammonium to nitrate and phosphorus into phosphate-forms usable by plants. 

Key Ingredients 

Enzymes 

   Enzymes are proteins which help accelerating the process of chemical reaction. Enzymes’ function varies inside living organisms. It breaks down large molecules into smaller ones so that they can be absorbed by creatures. For example, enzymes break down the starch chains into smaller molecules such as glucose and make them absorb-able by living organisms. Without enzymes, metabolism of creatures would either progress in different steps, or not be fast enough to serve the needs of the cell. 

Nitrogen 

   Nitrogen is an essential part of amino acids and nucleic acids, both of which are essential to all life. Plants absorb nitrogen in the form of nitrates, which presenting in soil from natural mineral deposits, artificial fertilizers, animal waste, and more. After absorption, nitrates are converted to nitrites by enzyme, and then converted to ammonia by another enzyme. 

Minerals 

   Generally, minerals usually come from the soil, dissolved in water and absorbed by roots of plants. Minerals are not always enough in the soil for growth of plant, not to mention to maintain their health. That is the reason that gardeners and farmers use fertilizers for their lawn and plants.  Nitrogen is one of the major minerals that is usually lacking from the soil because plants need large amounts for their growth and survival. Other minerals contained in the soil are phosphorus,  potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, copper, iron, chloride, manganese, molybdenum and many more. 

   Lawn Power and Plant Power are safe, non-toxic concentrated solutions of naturally fermented enzymes which help decompose complex organic material in soil to simple nutrients that plants can use. Urea nitrogen is also included in the formulation to encourage beautiful, green, thick and uniform grass growth. Lawn Power helps loosen the soil, making vital nutrients and trace elements available to the grass root system, allowing healthier development of the root system. Lawns and plants treated with specific concentrations of these formulas display an increase in healthy growth without the need for adding other chemical products such as fertilizers. 

   These work extremely well in breaking down thatch into usable material for lawns and plants. Also work well on hard ground, patchy areas, bare spots etc. in conditioning the soil for growth of new ‘green life.’ 

   Less need for fertilizer and water = more time and money for you!  

       If you or someone you know are interested in more information about these products and/or you are interested in making some extra money, see the tab above ‘Baker’s Dozen’ or click here. 

    Your cookie for this day, ‘Green Power‘ lawn & plant enzymes.

   Tomorrow’s cookie -  ‘Pet Health,’ “healthy help for our four legged friends.”

Baking cookies just for You,

Dahni the cookie man

Dip Dunk or Don’t * 

Notes:

# Cations are positively charged ions, formed when an atom loses electrons in a reaction, forming an ‘electron hole’. Cations are the opposite of anions, since Cations have fewer electrons than protons. 

* Japanese Genmai Green Tea is made of sencha green tea and roasted brown rice. This blend is said to aid digestion and has a pleasingly nutty flavor with a mild aftertaste. Japanese Green Milk Tea can be enjoyed both hot and cold. Already sweetened

-Your Daily Cookie-
© 07/20/08
By Dahni

Ying & Yang (opposites) –  Certified Organic

    Good day, here is your cookie for today.

   Why is MLM (multi-level marketing), dead? Oh sure, they are still around and most of them do not refer to their being a MLM, but that’s what they are. The reasons they are dead are two-fold. First and primarily, THEY DO NOT WORK for most people. The business model is flawed. The second reason they are dead, relates to the first reason, as even the word or idea of a MLM is associated with ‘pyramids,’ pyramid schemes and just makes or has left, an overall negative impression with most people.

   I have already dealt with the origin of MLM (see: the Big-O Cookies page above or click here), but Amway was most likely the first ever, MLM company. It is my opinion that they never intended to deceive or hurt anyone. The fact that they are still around is due to the success of the company and not their business model. The difference is due to so few people EVER make money with Amway or in ANY MLM. They all just have flawed business plans. As for pyramids and pyramid schemes, let us here now, for once and only, and for finality understand, pyramids are illegal! MLM’s are NOT pyramids! Amway fought for years and it has been legally concluded that MLM’s are NOT pyramids! Just get that out of your mind. Still, we are looking at flawed business models, which a MLM is.

   What is the difference between a MLM and Network Marketing. There are at least 25 separate and distinct differences. Just because it may look, sound and feel like a MLM, does not mean that it is. And just because the companies do not even refer to their company as a MLM, does NOT mean it is not. Well, how can one tell? What are these differences?

 Flavor of the Day

               MLM                        Network Marketing 

  1.       Paid Monthly                                 Paid Weekly  

  2.       Leaders Break Away                  No Breakaways

  3.       Monthly Volume Flush               Accumulates for at least One Year

  4.       Paid on Levels (avg. 1-10)            No Levels (Computer Search to Infinity)

  5.       Continuous Recruiting                  2 Good People ($100K+ Can be made)

  6.       High Monthly Requirements          50BV[i] (Min) – 150BV (Max)    

  7.          High Attrition Rates (90%)            High Retention (80% +) -

If you were making money would you quit? 

  8.       Limited Training[ii]                            Structured Training[iii]

  9.       Front End Loading[iv]                         No Loading (Sales Rep for $0)

 10.     Warehousing of Products                Company does Warehousing / Shipping  

 11.      Single (Limited) Product Lines          Nearly unlimited (Growing)

 12.     High Prices (Can’t Retail)                 Competitive Pricing (CAN Retail)

 13.     Very Difficult to Succeed                 Designed for Average Person to Succeed

 14.     Large Investment                             Small Investment / LITTLE or NO RISK

 15.     Profit From Other’s Failures             You ONLY PROFIT when Others Succeed

 16.      One Business Center                        Nearly Unlimited Centers

 17.     Reorders in 001 Center ONLY          Downloading of Business Volume

 18.     6 Figure Income – 8 to 10 Years      2 – 3 Years (Just follow the Plan)

 19.     Small Payout (80K GBV[v] = 4K)        Large Payout (80,000GBV = $22,000)

 20.      First In : Most Money                        “New People Earn from others’ experience

 21.     Private (Non-Disclosure)                 Private (Full Disclosure)

 22.     Limited to Regional Growth             Poised for International Expansion

 23.     Pre-Conceived Notions                   New, Innovative Concept

 24.     Group Competition                         Group Synergy / Placement
                                                                    (After first Two – one on left, one on right – any
                                                                    other distributors are placed under existing  distributors - (including your own re-entries!)

25.       Limited Income                               Unlimited Income

    These are the primary difference between MLM’s and Network marketing. There are others. Such an opportunity exists in Network Marketing. If you or someone you know are interested in more information, see the tab above ‘Baker’s Dozen’ or click here.

“Systems under which people work account for 95% of all errors and failure; therefore, the key to excellence is to perfect the system.”

- Dr. William Edwards Deming -

    Your cookie for this day, ‘Why MLM is Dead and Not the same as Network Marketing’ + 25 Reasons Why Network Marketing is Not MLM (multi-level marketing).

   Tomorrow’s cookie -  ‘Green Power,’ ” lush green lawns and plants that save you money”

Baking cookies just for You,

Dahni the cookie man

Dip Dunk or Don’t

[ii]Limited Training is NOT to be confused with the appearance of constant training i.e. books, tapes and seminars which do NOT produce results for most people, but generally only add to the success of an up line or the company.

[iii] Structured Training – Minimal costs, minimal requirements, standardizing of training (anyplace, anywhere for anyone), which does not take away time from generating success, but makes it possible for most people.

[iv] Front End Loading – Large inventory required upfront or at the ‘front end.’

[v]GBV = Group Business Volume

-Your Daily Cookie-
© 07/19/08
By Dahni

Matcha Shortbread –  Certified Organic

    Good day, here is your cookie for today. It’s really a cookie. OK, it’s another real cookie recipe.

Matcha Sugar Cookies (with green tea powder)

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp baking soda
10 ounces (2 1/2 sticks / 1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter, softened at room temp
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
2 tbsp matcha (green tea powder)
2 tbsp powdered sugar
3 ounces high quality white chocolate, melted and still barely warm

Steps

   Sift together flour, salt and baking soda. Set aside.

   In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add egg and egg yolk and vanilla extract; mix until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.

   Add flour mixture and, on low speed, mix until just combined. Remove 2 cups of the dough and set aside. This is the vanilla dough.

   On low speed, add the matcha and powdered sugar to the remaining dough in the stand mixer bowl and mix until just combined. Then mix in the melted white chocolate until well combined.

   Divide each flavor of dough into three fairly equal pieces. (You should have 6 pieces: 3 matcha and 3 vanilla.) Wrap each piece in plastic and refrigerate for about 20-30 minutes.

   Roll one piece of matcha dough into a 7×7 inch square. Roll one piece of vanilla dough into a 7×7 inch square. Trying to line up the edges as best as you can, place the vanilla dough on top of the matcha dough. Gently roll over the dough to seal the two layers together.

   Roll your layered dough into a tight log. After the log is formed, gently roll it back and forth on the counter to slightly elongate and compact it. The log should be about 9 inches long and about 1.5 inches in diameter. Wrap the log in plastic wrap. Repeat with the other pieces of dough. Refrigerate dough logs for 2 hours or freeze up to 2 months.

   Preheat oven to 350F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

   Working with one log at a time, slice the dough into 1/4 inch thick rounds and place rounds on your prepared baking sheets (space them about 1 inch apart). Bake at 350F for 12-14 minutes or until the tops of the cookies look set. Cool on baking sheet for 1-2 minutes then gently transfer cookies to a wire rack.

 (makes about 9 dozen cookies)

     Your cookie for this day, Matcha Shortbread (green tea cookies). Enjoy.

   Tomorrow’s cookie -  ‘25 Differences between MLM’s & Network Marketing.’

Baking cookies just for You,

Dahni the cookie man

Dip Dunk or Don’t

-Your Daily Cookie-
© 07/18/8
By Dahni

  Trumpet – Certified organic

    Good day, here is your cookie for today. It’s about  a ‘Baker’s Dozen,’ “a little extra.”

     The Flavor of the Day

    Today a new page opens, ‘Baker’s Dozen.’ Just go the the tab in the upper right as the image below. Click on this page anytime you or anyone you know is intrested in earning some extra money.

   A ‘Baker’s Dozen’ is after all, “a little extra.”

    Your cookie for today, a ‘Baker’s Dozen,’ “a little extra.”

   Tomorrow’s cookie – Matcha Shortbread (aka green tea cookie),recipe.

 Baking cookies Just for You,

 Dahni the cookie man

Dip Dunk or Don’t

-Your Daily Cookie-
© 07/1008
By Dahni

Sand $ Cookies – Certified organic

   Good day, here is your cookie for today. It’s about  a ‘Baker’s Dozen,’ “a little extra.”

    The Flavor of the Day

   Perhaps the earliest reference to the phrase, ‘Baker’s Dozen,’ can be found during medevial times. Certain ‘not so nice’ penalties could be imposed on a baker for cheating or ‘shorting’ a customer. Another term for this was ‘long count.’ Just to make sure the customer received a dozen (12), baked goods as ordered, the baker would add “a little extra.”  Instead of 12, a baker’s dozen would be 13.

   The term is still used today, but it is often a way to place round objects into a rectangular box. The following image shows two variations of a modern day, ‘Baker’s Dozen.’

4+5+4=13                                 3+2+3+2+3=13

    For our purposes here, a ‘Baker’s Dozen means, “a little extra.”  Do you or do you know someone that would like to make some extra money? Maybe it is time you would like to have more of like 25 hour days or 8 day weeks? Often both time and money are connected. If you have more of the one, you could perhaps afford more of the other.

   Every single post in ‘Your Daily Cookie,’ is connected to a way to make extra money. You could make real cookies from the cookie recipes posted here and sell them. Maybe you could ‘tweak’ one of the recipes and make the next million dollar cookie, in the next  Bake-Off^® Contest.

   Yes, every single cookie in, ‘Your Daily Cookie,’ has a way to make some extra money. They truly are each and every one of them,

“something you can really take a bite out of!”

   If you are looking to earn some extra money or if you know someone that is looking to earn some extra money, here is what to do: 

•  Go through the archives of ‘Your Daily Cookie’ and find something you are interested in and then reply with your interest, your name and E-mail address and I will contact you. If you cannot find something you are interested in, it will probably be in a future post.
•  What are you intrested in? Reply reply with your interst, your name and E-mail address and I will contact you.
•  If you know someone that is interested in making some extra money, send them here and let me know you sent them. If the the ‘cookie fits,’ I will make it worth your time. 

   Starting tomorrow (7/18/08), there will be a new ‘page’ called ‘Baker’s Dozen.’ Just click on the tab and this same information, edited information and/or new information will be found there. 

   Your cookie for today, a ‘Baker’s Dozen,’ “a little extra.”      

   Tomorrow’s cookie – the ‘Baker’s Dozen,’ page opens.

Baking cookies Just for You,

Dahni the cookie man

Dip Dunk or Don’t 

-Your Daily Cookie-
© 07/16/08
By Dahni

 Butterflies  - Certified Organic

    Good day, here is your cookie for today, ‘Butterflies & B’s. OK, I get the Butterfly cookies, but what’s up with the B’s? Well, it’s not bees, but it is the B’s.

     The Flavor of the Day

      I am referring to the B’s as B-complex vitamins. Oh, no, not another vitamin post! Now take a chill pill, chill out or just eat your butterfly cookies while I explain. I chose the butterfly cookies to go along with this post, because for most people, butterflies promote smiles. If not, surely just eating your cookie will. Now you know the opposite of smiles right, frowns, sadness, being just down or even depressed. I want to share something of a personal nature with you with hope that it may help either someone that reads this or you will share it with someone you love or care about. But before I do, lets get something straight. If you don’t like the words vitamins or supplements then think of them as foods, super foods actually, because that’s what they are.

   My Story

    When you have lived a certain way for the better part of life, you don’t even consider that it may not be normal. For me, I have always been highly motivated, passionate, energetic, perhaps an A-type personality (whatever that is), outgoing and extroverted. But there was another side to me. Perhaps it’s the artist in me, but I have a tendency to be reclusive, melancholic, shy and introverted too. These two opposites have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As the saying goes, “what goes up, must come down.” My energy levels would peak and sooner or later I would come down, crash and crash hard. These crashes would place me into bouts of depression especially during the holidays. Later I discovered that for me, I may have experienced symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), due to lack of sunshine during the winter months.

   When I was up, I was way up. I really loved the levels of energy, adrenalin pumping, passion, focus and concentration which made up this part of my life. The down process, I attributed it to my just being a sympathetic, empathetic, caring and ultra-sensitive person.

   Years ago, I was involved with a woman who worked for a psychiatrist. This was also during a time shortly after the death of my mother. It was a very hard time for me personally and I will leave it at that. Well, the woman I spoke of, I am sure you recognise the type, if they work in the medical field, surely they must know what they are talking about. She decided I was depressed and convinced her employer, a psychiatrist specializing in geriatrics to see me. This is what you would call ‘professional courtesy’ as there was no office visit charges. I obviously went and without seeing my medical history or conducting any medical exam, he prescribed Prozac. It was during this time that many felt Prozac was the ‘miracle drug.’ Regular doctors began writing 1,000’s of scrips and the psychiatric profession began taking a nose dive. Oh, I was depressed alright, having also been diagnosed as having multi-cystic kidney disease by the world’s foremost authority on this fatal disease. But was I truly cliniclly depressed? For one thing, if you know anything at all about Prozac, you would understand that it takes quite some time for it to be effective. There are other drugs which could have been used to give more immediate relief.

   You must understand that the psychiatrist which prescribed Prozac for me, never saw me again or monitored my condition. Eventually the Prozac worked, only just the opposite with me as it was intended. I became paranoid, lost 17 pounds in a week (Prozac has been prescribed for weight loss), and began to have suicidal thoughts. I was alone at the time; shut off from the outside world.

   Do you remember taking your first driver’s test to get your license? I do and I remember being extremely nervous. Extreme focus and concentration tuned out outside noises and I certainly could not handle having the radio on. If you can relate to this, then you have an idea of what it was like for me to get into a car and drive somewhere at this time. The reason I tell you this, is that the thought crossed my mind, “What if it’s the Prozac that is making me feel this way?” I did something either stupid or instinctual. I stopped taking the Prozac one morning. That night, I slept through the night for the first time in a long time. Still not convinced, the following morning I took the Prozac again. Within minutes of it being absorbed into my bloodstream, ALL PREVIOUS SYMPTOMS RETURNED. Still not convinced, I decided to ‘drive’ myself to a local pharmacy. This is where the first time driving thing comes into play. Somehow I made the drive. It was only about a mile away, but it seemed like an eternity to me in getting there. I described my symptoms to the pharmacist and he said, “In some cases, Prozac does just the opposite of what it is intended to do.”

   Still unconvinced, I called a psychiatrist and they agreed to see me. I was advised to stop taking Prozac and all my symptoms soon disappeared.

   Later, the same woman that decided I was depressed, decided that I was manic-depressive, had bi-polar disorder and should be taking Lithium, a simple salt used to treat this disorder. Despite the possibility of forever being labeled as a manic-depressive, thoughts of shame for self and for my family, I was willing to accept this diagnosis and take Lithium for the rest of my life, if this was my diagnosis. Even one of my favorite presidents, Abraham Lincoln may have suffered from manic-depression.

   Anyway, I went to the same psychiatrist which took me off Prozac, along with the woman who insisted I see someone else. She talked and the doctor listened. When the doctor asked me questions, the woman tried to answer for me. Finally, the doctor, also a woman, asked the other woman to leave the room. After she left and after asking me questions and hearing my answers, she said, “Your situation can be helped by talking through some of the traumatic events which have recently transpired (over a course of about two years), in your life. Your only problem is, in listening to that woman!”

   Well, things changed for me, especially after getting away from a very bad influence. Things returned to what I have long considered normal for me. These included my tendency of having mood swings. Those would soon change!

   Before I write how this happened, I just want to comment on two other things I’ve already written about here.

   My S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder), symptoms disappeared when I started making my own Christmas cards and producing an annual on line Advent calendar, as gifts for others. This was part of my problem, I did not feel like I had enough to give. You can view some of these cards or purchase them by clicking here. You can view information about my online Advent calendar by clicking here. Save the last link as the 2008 on line Advent calendar will open 12/1/08. The other thing I did was take off on a certain day, get my haircut and go to a tanning salon during the winter months. Treating myself and getting some added light helped me.

   The other thing which occurred is nothing short of a miracle. It has been considered a medical impossibility. I used to have at least an ultrasound done every six months and kept appointments with kidney specialists. My files became huge and were carried in the trunk of my car. My prognosis was that I would eventually need kidney dialysis, kidney transplants (2), would probably not be an option, and I would have a shortened lifespan. It was believed that multi-cystic kidney disease was genetic and I notified my family to warn them. It was advised that I should not have children as this would most likely pass on to them. Like clock work, I had my 6 month visits, evaluations, ultra sound, X-rays and MRI tests performed. As it happened, near my birthday in December of 1994, I had an appointment with a physician, a Nephrologist (kidney specialist). I was living in Michigan at the time and we were new to each other. The appointment was actually in a hospital and after handing over my massive files and having my current tests performed, the room became abuzz with activity. There were no less than 5 or 6 others that all appeared to be doctors, poring over my records. Finally, the doctor I came to see, walked over to me. He was angry. He all but threw me out, for lying and wasting his time. When I asked what the problem was, he said in a gruff and agitated tone, “I don’t know what your problem is mister, but the results of the tests we just performed on you, are not related to the person whose medical records you provided!”

   He basically accused me of putting my name on those records that he concluded, belonged to someone else, but certainly not me. These were the records I had been given and had been carrying around for over 2 years. When I told him this, he would not accept my explanation. When I asked him why, he said, “The tests we just performed on you and the records we looked at, show a decrease in size and in number of cysts and that sir, is a medical impossibility. You are not the same person as the person whose medical records you have obviously stolen, for whatever reasons. Please leave now! You have wasted my time, that of other physicians and of this entire hospital!”

   I did leave and have never been back. I have never had another symptom and guess what? I’m still alive. Call me a liar as basically that doctor did. Call it a mis-diagnosis by the world’s foremost authority on multi-cystic kidney disease. Call it divine intervention as I did and do or whatever you want to think about this. The facts are, I have decreased numbers and sizes of cysts and I am still here! 

   I am only writing this as the conclusion to what I brought up before in this post. I brought it up as a part of what was going on in my life during the space of about two years. Now I ask you, if all of the following had happened to you in the course of about two years, how would you feel? If your mother had died, and you had been diagnosed with multi-cystic kidney disease, and were looking at a short future, and were told not to have children, and to notify your immediate family to warn them, and someone was trying to convince you and the medical profession that you were ‘nuts,’ or manic-depressive, and you were having some S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder), symptoms, do you think you might be a little depressed or moody? Oh, and by the way, you would not believe all the other stuff that was also going on with me during those two years! It is a wonder to me that I did not either literally implode, burst into flames from spontaneous combustion, just kill myself or have myself killed. I give all the credit to the maker of these incredible machines we call, the human body and the human mind. Never seen a miracle before? I R 1! 

   The B’s

   Despite the miracle of my still being here, up until just a little over a year now, I still had mood swings. Again, I have always just considered this being normal for me. Just a little over a year ago, I was going through a long period where my energy levels seemed to fall through the floor. For someone that is usually energetic and requires very little sleep, this was very hard for me to take. I was introduced to a natural B-Complex vitamin supplement. It was suggested that it may help me feel more energetic. The formula was all natural and was isotonic capable. For understanding isotonic = same pressure as our body fluids like blood, sweat and tears, click here.  

   Shortly after taking this product (1 capful with 2 ounces of water on an empty stomach in the morning, every day), my energy returned. Shortly after this (maybe a week or two), I noticed an incredible change in my moods. After over a year of using this product, I am more stable than perhaps I have ever been, for most of my life. I no longer go throught extremes of ‘ups and ‘downs. My wife notices it and anyone that knows me well, can see the change. Results led to personal research. Results and research have made me want to shout from the roof tops. I tell anyone that may have similar experiences as I have, about isotonic capable B-complex. I have seen and heard of wonderful results and benefits to many that have tried this product. Children and adults diagnosed with ADD (attention deficit disorder), have been helped greatly. Some are no longer taking Ritalin.

    ADD is not a Ritalin deficiency. The way to deal with ADD, as well as most all diseases, is to treat the cause of the problem and not just to cover up the symptoms. Research has shown that ADD sufferers have an abnormal serotonin level. Serotonin is a chemical called a Neuro-Transmitter in the brain that allows a person to relax and focus better. Anyone that has some type of mood disorder, depression, manic-depression etc. may benefit from a natural, isotonic capable, B-Complex supplement.

   What is an Isotonic Capable B-Complex?

   An isotonic capable B-Complex is a blend of all B-vitamins with potassium and biotin.  Because of the isotonic state of this blend, one can be sure that the maximum amounts of nutrients are reaching their target areas with utmost efficiency.  An isotonic solution is one that actually matches the body’s own osmolarity and is easily absorbed into ones system. Other isotonic solutions of the body include tears, plasma, and mother’s milk. These all-star B-vitamins join in the proper amounts for maximal utilization and absorption.  B12 and the other-B vitamins act as members of a team.  When taken all together, B12 acts as a key player in the production of energy, cell maintenance and promotion of normal nervous system functioning. Folic Acid is also present, playing an integral role in aiding B12 in the healthy utilization of amino acids and proteins as well as DNA and RNA synthesis.* 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

   Some Benefits of Isotonic Capable B-Complex? 

•  Promotes normal red blood cell formation
•  B-vitamins are essential for many key functions in the body
•  Deficiencies in Folic Acid, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 or Biotin may result in feelings of fatigue
•  Helps decrease stress and improve mood
•  Helps maintain healthy levels of serotonin
•  Increases energy
•  Involved in the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates
•  Meets need for B-vitamins in a vegetarian diet
•  Necessary for proper functioning of the nervous system, bone marrow and intestinal tract (B-vitamin deficiencies appear in these tissues first)
•  Promotes cardiovascular health
•  Promotes healthy levels of Homocysteine and supports normal endothelial function
•  Promotes normal cognitive performance
•  Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid facilitate steps required for cell division
•  Vitamin B5 is involved in the Krebs cycle of energy production and is needed to make the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. B5 is also essential in producing, transporting, and releasing energy from fats
•  Vitamin B6 is essential for amino acid metabolism
•  Vitamins B1, B2, B3, and Biotin participate in different aspects of energy production

    Even though I have been in the medical field, I am not a doctor, but I am the doctor of my own destiny. So can you ‘B. I can only tell you of what works for me and that of what I have seen work for others. If you or someone you love or care about suffers from a loss of energy, mood disorders, SAD, ADD, depression, manic-depression, stress, nervousness (jump from loud noises or sudden movements), are a vegetarian, have digestive problems or slowed metabolism (hard to lose weight), consider the ‘B-you-t-full benefits of the B’s in an isotonic capable, B-Complex supplement.

   If you are interested in finding out more, please leave your request in the form of a comment below, along with your name and email address. I will contact you as soon as possible.

   Your cookie for this day, ‘B free like butterflies, smile and ‘B buzzing with the ‘B’s, in B-Complex.

    Tomorrow’s cookie – ‘Baker’s Dozen’

 Baking cookies just for You,

 Dahni the cookie man

P.S. When I get up in the mornings I love my coffee. For the last couple of days I drank my coffee, but I did not take my ‘B’s.  It was not long before I started feeling down. I will never do that again! If you think you don’t need vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and you can get all your nutritional needs from ‘good’ food, Read This. Vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant supplements are food, super-foods. To supplement is to supply that which is missing or deficient.

D.

Dip Dunk or Don’t

-Your Daily Cookie-
© 07/15/08
By Dahni

 High Heel (or 8^th note) – Certified Organic

    Good day, here is your cookie for today. This is for the Ladies or the Gentlemen which love them. It’s about having, ‘The Right Foundation’

     The Flavor of the Day

      Nearly everyone understands that no two fingerprints are identical. We each have our own. They are unique as each of us are. The same is true for our skin tones and color.

   In nature, it seems most of the males of the species are the most colorful and some would argue, the most attractive. Birds in particular may illustrate this. Now I am going to perhaps, go out on a limb here (Yep, pun intended),… 

   …but maybe with birds, the reason the males are generally more colorful is to call attention to themselves and away from the females? Would this then be a protective measure? Well, that’s what I think anyway. But when it comes to our species, the human kind, this colorful/attractive thing seems to be reversed.

   OK, call me biased or prejudicial, but I think you gorgeous ladies are much more colorful and attractive than us guys. I would venture to say that there are many that would agree with me and they are all probably men. I suppose it is possible that some of you ladies, might take another position.

   Like birds, I suppose most all males and females primp and try to look their best, be the most colorful and attractive that is possible. To help in this regard for our species, there is the simple word called, makeup.

   The cosmetic industry is huge and there are so many things to choose from. It is primarily an industry which caters to women, but even some men use cosmetics, especially actors and almost anyone that appear on television, on video or in the movies.

   But when it comes to cosmetics and makeup, it all begins with a foundation. One of the problems with these is that many are made with synthetic materials that clog the pores. Skin should breathe and the makeup applied to the skin and the face should both enhance the natural beauty of the skin and be healthy for the skin.

   The next problem with most facial foundations is, they do not take into consideration that every human being has their own unique skin color and subtle skin tones.

   Having been to Japan and seen some of the beautiful ladies as the picture of the Geisha to follow, it may be their custom, but it is not natural.

   Of course it is just my opinion, but I believe cosmetics (makeup), should be used to enhance the natural beauty, not to make a face, something it is not. That is, unless you are a geisha, or a character requiring stage makeup, or for ‘dress up’ like at Halloween or a costume party .

     Makeup may be used to cover some undesired blemishes, freckles and skin imperfections. Eyebrows can appear fuller. Eyes can appear larger and their natural color can ‘pop’ with the right eye makeup. Lips can appear fuller with the right shade and techniques applied with makeup. But all of this starts with a foundation. Why not the ‘Right Foundation,’ that is custom blended to match the subtleties of individual skin color and skin tones? Such a thing truly exists. 

    This incredible foundation offers flawless, seamless, light-absorbent, light reflecting and light-refracting color that provides coverage, but feels weightless, sheer and invisible. Featuring 13 shades that can be easily color matched. Like fluid silk, this was created using the most highly selective raw materials, including crystalline powders and gels with lucid bases and mixed polymers with the finest pigments. The end result is refined and transparent, with the ability to magnify and transmit intense color.  This fluid silk like foundation contains skin conditioning agents that moisturize, leaving your skin hydrated and smooth. As you apply, you can create any effect or coverage by layering the product with your foundation brush. This is available in 13 shades, with numbers corresponding to the depth of each hue (No. 1 is the lightest; No. 13 the darkest). This is high-end, top-of-the-line opulence, and every woman should experience this fluid like silk on her skin.

   If you are woman or a man shopping for your lady and you are interested in additional information, please leave your request with a comment below along with, your name and email address. I will respond as soon as possible.

   Your cookie for this day, ‘The Right Foundation.’

    Tomorrow’s cookie – ‘Butterflies & B’s’.

 Baking cookies just for You,

 Dahni the cookie man

Dip Dunk or Don’t

-Your Daily Cookie-
© 07/14/08
By Dahni

 Pistachio-Rosewater -Certified Organic

    Good day, here is your cookie for today. It’s really a cookie. OK, it’s another real cookie recipe.

 Pistachio, Rosewater and Lime Cookies

(with Marmalade Centers)

 Ingredients 

•  1¼ cups sugar
•  ½ cup canola oil
•  3 Tbsp. rice or soy milk
•  1 Tbsp. rosewater
•  2 tsp. vanilla extract
•  1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
•  1 tsp. finely grated lime zest
•  ¼ cup cornstarch
•  1¾ cups all-purpose flour
•  1 tsp. baking powder
•  ½ tsp. salt
•  ¼ tsp. ground cardamom
•  ½ cup shelled pistachios (or almonds), coarsely chopped

  Steps  

•  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
•  Lightly grease two cookie sheets with vegan shortening or margarine.
•  In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, oil, rice or soy milk, rosewater, vanilla, lime juice, and zest.
•  Add the cornstarch and whisk until dissolved.
•  Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and cardamom. Mix well.
•  Roll the dough into balls about 2 teaspoons in size (a bit smaller than a walnut).
•  Either double the recipe or using fancy cookie cutters, cut shapes into the centers of half of the dough balls. These will be your tops to these sandwich cookies. Take the cutout scraps and roll into additional balls. You should have equal numbers of tops and bottoms.
•  Dip the tops of all cookies into the chopped pistachios. Press down with two fingers; the dough will flatten a bit and the pistachios will collect on the bottom.
•  Place the cookies, nut side up, about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. You should be able to fit 16 on a standard baking sheet.
•  Bake for 13 minutes; they will be soft but will firm up as they cool.
•  Remove from the oven and let cool on the cookie sheets for about 5 minutes.
•  Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely before serving.
•  Prior to serving, place your favorite marmalades or jams onto the cookies without cutouts. Place the cookies with the cutout design on top.

  Notes:

    The easiest way to chop the pistachios or almonds is by pulsing them in a food processor several times.

 Total Time 35 minutes Yield 32 cookies

      Your cookie for this day, Pistachio-Rosewater. Enjoy.

    Tomorrow’s cookie – ‘The Right Foundation’  – for the Ladies and the Gentlemen which love them.

 Baking cookies just for You,

 Dahni the cookie man

Dip Dunk or Don’t