New York Day 5 - Philadelphia & The Rocky Steps

Day 5 in New York isn’t technically about New York as you may have guessed from the title. Today we decided that we would extend our trip a bit further afield and head to Philadelphia. I am sure there are loads of things to do here and we probably missed a huge chunk but mainly we wanted to run up the ‘Rocky’ steps and eat Philly Cheesesteaks. I also wanted to casually bump into my long term favourite band, CKY however this did not happen sadly. We looked into various modes of transport but the cheapest option coming in at just $20 each was to get a Greyhound bus which would take around 2 hours to get us there. We booked our tickets online the day before and were able to collect them from the bus station the next day.

We left nice and early and made our way via subway to the bus station. We printed our tickets, went to the correct gate and got in the queue which then led us straight onto the bus. The Greyhound bus was clean, warm and even had plug sockets and wifi to make the journey all the more enjoyable. The 2 hours went very fast, mainly because I fell asleep but we were in Philadelphia before we knew it. We got off the bus and started to walk towards the information centre. We passed a food market on the way which looked amazing from the outside, but I will go back to that. After roughly finding out where the Rocky steps were, we first decided to get tickets for a free tour near to the building that houses the Liberty Bell. The next available ticket was not until later on in the day so we took them and decided we would come back later for the tour.

It was time for lunch at this point so we made our way back to the food market called The Reading Terminal Market. There was so much available here from meats to cheeses to seafood all fresh and also baked goods from the oven. I could have easily eaten my way around if I was here for longer. We spotted a little place called By George! Which specialised in Pizza, Pasta and Cheesesteaks. The person in front of me ordered the most delicious looking lasagne and the portion sizes were immense. I am glad I do not live near here as I could see my diet getting out of hand very quickly. Me and James ordered a Cheesesteak meal which came with fries and then we had a drink too. We didn’t have long to wait and we then made our way to the seating area. I unwrapped my cheesesteak and it was absolutely filled to the brim with steak, cheese and onions. It smelled and looked amazing. I ate the whole thing and felt pretty stuffed afterwards but it was 100% well and truly worth it.

We then decided to head for Rocky but being full we did not want to move very quickly. We were on a bit of a time schedule so decided to get a taxi there and split the costs. This only took 10 minutes or so to get us there in the end. We could see the Rocky statue as we pulled up so we went and had a photo with that first. There weren’t too many people about.

We then went for the run up the steps. I did this whilst wearing grey joggers and playing the theme tune. I must admit I did get some strange looks but at the end of the day I thought who on earth is going to see me again, I may as well go all out! I’m not even a huge fan of the Rocky films but it was all about getting into character.

Once we had ran up the steps, there wasn’t a lot else to do. We walked back to where we originally got the bus and headed for our free tour. It was a quick tour and there were some facts to be learned and we found out about the declaration of independence. After the tour it was a quick dash back to our Greyhound bus and on we went back to New York. Once again, my vlog of the day can be seen below.

Giraffe World Kitchen Norwich Review*

As you all know by now, I do love my food and I love trying out new places. I was recently invited to try out Giraffe World Kitchen in Norwich which has recently been re branded. I couldn’t wait to see the new look, I hadn’t been to Giraffe for a long time so a visit was long overdue. For those who are local, Giraffe World Kitchen is right outside Chapelfield Shopping Centre, located near to the other eateries. We arrived at 7pm for dinner and were greeted by two smiling members of staff. I took James with me to help with any photos and it made a good excuse for a date night as well.

As soon as I walked in I noticed the changes in décor. The restaurant is really bright and colourful and I love the pops of yellow that they have all over the walls. It was bright and had a fresh feeling to it. The tables were laid out nicely. We were seated in a booth and I quite liked that we felt a bit tucked away from the rest of the restaurant. You could also sit outside if you wanted to. The atmosphere was great, music was playing and people were chatting. I thought it had a really nice vibe. The staff were really friendly and couldn’t do enough for you. As soon as my drink was getting low, the waitress came over and offered me another one which was great.

Speaking of drinks, I had a couple of Mocktails called ‘Wavebreakers’ which was a blend of pineapple and coconut and oh my, they were amazing. I think when I took my first sip I said “this tastes like summer in a cup” and that is the only way I can really describe it. So fruity and refreshing, I want to recreate these at home! James had Franklin & Sons sparkling Apple & Rhubarb drink which he really liked too, it had a hint of cinnamon which he said gave a nice kick to it.

There were a few different starters to choose from including World Tapas so that you could taste your way around the world by sharing a few small plates. There were also a range of super starters. We decided to go for 3 tapas starters which cost £14.95 which we then shared between us. First up we had the shredded chicken tacos which came topped with guacamole, sour creme, and chipotle. They had a lovely kick to them and were very filling. Secondly we chose the salt and pepper squid which came with a delicious sweet chilli jam. The final starter we had (and my personal favourite!) was the karaage chicken. This chicken was served with a honey and soy dip and was really tasty. The starters were a good size, there was also the option to have five for  £24.95 but I think this would have been a bit too much since we were having three courses.

I had trouble choosing a main course as there were so many delicious tempting options, I just didn’t know where to begin! With dishes from around the world you could go for Enchiladas, Burgers, Vietnamese Steamboat or even a Texan BBQ Brisket. I decided in the end to try out the Turkish Pide topped with grilled chicken, baby spinach, feta and roasted red pepper and chilli on a spiced tomato base with charred Turkish peppers. This dish was amazing and the toppings were well spread across the dish and were plentiful. James went for the Vietnamese Steamboat which consisted of honey and soy glazed sea bream sprinkled with sesame seeds, in a broth of bok choy, red chillies, sugar snaps and cherry tomatoes. From a traditional Dzao recipe. He said it had a nice array of vegetables to it and felt like a pretty healthy option. He said the Sea Bream was cooked to perfection.

We couldn’t leave without trying dessert. The waitress recommended the Hot Chocolate Brownie and the Eton Mess so we decided to go with them. The Hot Chocolate Brownie was served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream and some hot chocolate sauce. It was absolutely amazing. When it came out, I thought it was a bit small however you didn’t need any more as it was so rich and delicious. My only complaint is that as it was served on a plate it was hard to scrape every last morsel off, whereas in a bowl I may have been able to get every drop of sauce, but maybe that is just me being greedy. James had the Eton Mess Sundae. He struggled to finish it all as it was a decent sized portion and he thought it was a little bit sickly after a while. This didn’t bother me as it meant I could ‘help’ him finish it. It was very sweet. The meringues were crunchy and delicious, it could have done with a bit of ice cream to take away the sweet flavour of the cream and sauce but between us we polished it off.

Overall we had a really enjoyable meal at Giraffe World Kitchen. The staff were great, food was amazing and there was a lovely atmosphere. What would you have picked from the menu?

*I received this meal free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.

Make Thai Food at Home With Thai Taste*

As you may well have noticed from my blog or my Instagram account, I love food! I love trying foods from around the world and there are very few things that I won’t try out. When I was asked if I wanted to try and create some Thai recipes at home with authentic brand Thai Taste, I jumped at the opportunity to try out something new. Thai Taste has partnered with Thai restaurateur Seb Holmes to inspire people to create restaurant-quality Thai food at home. It is not often that I cook Thai food so I was excited to give it a go.

Seb has devised four recipes that allow consumers to maximise the creative potential of the Thai Taste range. All of the Thai Taste products are authentically Thai and can be found in the majority of supermarkets in the UK. The recipes that have been devised include Crab & Prawn Vermicelli Noodle Salad, Coconut Braised Pigs’ Cheeks with Lemongrass, Galangal and Kaffir Lime, Mango Sticky Rice and Pumpkin, Galangal and Coconut Soup. I was kindly sent the ingredients to create the Crab and Prawn Vermicelli Noodle Salad and I have outlined the recipe below, credit to Thai Taste.

Crab & Prawn Vermicelli Noodle Salad 
Serves: 2 (Gluten-free)
Preparation: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
6 fresh tiger prawns, de-veined and sliced lengthways in half
50g fresh brown crab meat (white meat or a mixture is also delicious)
100g Thai Taste vermicelli noodles, blanched in boiling water for 10 minutes and then refreshed under cold water
6 cloves garlic, peeled
1 tablespoon coriander root (leave out if you can’t find it)
1 tablespoon Thai Taste galangal
1 tablespoon Thai Taste turmeric paste
200ml, Thai Taste coconut milk
10g coriander, picked and washed
1 tsp Thai Taste Red Chilli paste
10g chives, chopped into 1cm pieces
10g mint, leaves torn slightly
20g peeled Thai shallots, sliced (any sweet shallot will be nice)
2 spring onion, cleaned and finely shredded
1 lime, chopped into cheeks
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
1 tablespoon Thai Taste fish sauce
1 teaspoon Thai Taste palm sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Method:
1. Mix the garlic, galangal, turmeric and red chilli paste together
2. In a large pan or wok heat the vegetable oil on a medium to high heat and then fry this paste out, moving constantly to avoid it sticking to the pan. When the paste begins to turn golden brown in colour add the prawns and brown crab meat and continue to fry for a further 2-3 minutes until they are completely pink and hot throughout.
3. At this stage add the fish sauce and the palm sugar and fry for a further 30 seconds to caramelise the sugar, you will notice that the paste begins to darken at this stage. Next add the coconut milk, blanched noodles, shallots, mint, coriander and chives and delicately toss everything together in the pan allowing the noodles, salad and prawns to all mix and be coated by the coconut sauce.
4. Serve the noodles straight away in bowls with spoons and chop sticks and a cheek of lime, it’s also great with a good helping of Thai Taste sweet chilli sauce. This recipe makes enough for a hearty lunch, however this is an awesome dish to serve at dinner too, double the recipe if you want a bigger feed.

This dish was absolutely delicious and went down a treat. The only thing I didn’t have was coriander leaves but the dish worked well without them. Not only was this so simple to create, the food was amazing and tasted very authentic. Now that I have the store cupboard staples at home I can recreate this dish whenever I like.

If you like the look of this recipe, head over to Thai Taste to find out more.

*I received some of these items free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.

My Little Los Angeles Box

Finally, My Little Box has arrived once again and this one has got me falling right back in love with it. When I tore open the box and saw the Los Angeles design, I was over the moon at the theme. This is the second box that has been themed on a destination that I have visited (the other being Brooklyn) so the theme to me is even closer to home. I love the destination themes, I think they work so well and the products seem to be pretty spot on. Anyway on to what I received.

This map was included in the box and it really did bring back memories of my holiday and the places I visited. I had to get out my photo album and match up the landmarks on the map with my own photos and I think this will be a great addition to the scrapbook I made back when I visited. It would also look nice framed on the wall in my office so I am unsure what to do with it at the moment.

 

Next up was this bracelet. The packaging states this was inspired by the cotton candy colours of a Californian sunset. Each of the beads represents a wish for love, health and happiness. I have enjoyed styling this with some of my summer outfits, it just gives a nice pop of colour.

I then received a small sized bottle of the Palmers Coconut Oil body lotion. I love this lotion as the scent is amazing compared to some lotions that don't really smell of much. The size is perfect for travelling too and I love using this on sunburn too ad it really hydrates the skin.

The next My Little Beauty item I received was this Coco Sunrise hair and body oil which I love. Again, it smells delicious and sinks into the skin with ease without leaving a greasy residue.

Burt's Bees is a brand I have known and used for a while so I was very happy to see a familiar name in this box. This deep cleansing cream is amazing and I cannot fault it. It gently removes excess oil, dirt and make up from the skin. I have enjoyed using this and feeling like I am getting a really deep clean.

One of the lifestyle items in this months box was this tote bag with 'Take Me Away' written on it. It's a decent size and I will probably take it on holiday with me to pack essentials and it can double up as a shopper if I go out for the day too. The design is colourful and bright, I love it.

Finally, we received some stickers with a California theme. I am in love with the cactus sticker. I am going to use these in my California scrap book so that my memories can live on.

Really impressed with this box. What do you think?

The Importance of Having Safe Tyres*

My car is due its yearly service in a couple of weeks and I cannot stress the importance of having this done. Since owning newer cars I have made it a necessity to get a service completed to keep them in check during their first three years before the MOT is due.

A few years ago now I had an older car. I would take it to have an MOT once a year and that would be that until the year after. I never did anything in-between and one day I certainly learned my lesson. About 7 years ago now, I was driving along a country road when I came across a slight wet patch in the road. My car skidded and then hit something at the side of the road. I carried on driving further up and noticed my car did not feel right. When I got to the next junction, my car struggled to pull away so I pulled up in a safe area. My tyre had completely torn and was not roadworthy. I had to get the AA to come and change it for me, they told me that if I would have got my car serviced and had my tyres regularly changed then this would not have happened. The tyre had worn right down meaning it did not have as much grip on the road which caused me to skid. This experience was not a nice one for me and I did feel scared. I am so pleased that I now regularly service my car and check my tyre tread.

If you are a driver then you should be aware of basic car maintenance tips to keep your vehicle in check between visits to the garage. I am going to outline some basic tips which will be able to help you and ensure your safety on the road. When I did a recent driving course, they taught me the FLOWER method to check a vehicle as follows:

Fuel – Check that you have enough fuel to cover your journey or for really long journeys fill up your tank and make sure you re-fill it again well before it drops into the red in case you don’t come across a fuel station for a few miles. If it’s snowing and you run out of petrol it won’t be ideal being stuck in the cold!

Lights - Test all of your lights before setting off to ensure your bulbs are all working and that there are no cracks in the lenses. Also make sure they are clean and not obscured with dirt. Having a light out is not only dangerous, it can also get you a ticket or a VDRS slip (Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme) from the police if they notice a defect on your vehicle. You will be required to get the defect fixed as soon as possible and to provide suitable evidence within 14 days that you have done so. If you fail to do so you will face the prospect of prosecution, points on your licence and a fine.

Oils - Make sure your oil levels are topped up above the minimum lines. Don’t forget to also check your coolant levels and anti-freeze for the upcoming cold months. This prevents the engine from overheating and failing. Checking the engine oil is relatively simple, even I can do it! You are often taught how to do this on your driving test. If your car does not have enough oil then the engine can be at serious risk of damage. You should check your oil levels once a fortnight and top up when needed. To check the oil levels make sure the engine is cool and that your car is not parked on a hill. Remove the oil dipstick and wipe clean with a cloth. Re-insert the dipstick fully, pull it out again and check that the level is between the two lines. Engine coolant helps to remove excess heat from your car’s engine. If coolant levels get low, your engine can overheat and cause serious damage. It is a good idea to check coolant levels before a long journey. Locate the engine coolant reservoir and check that the level is between the min and max marks. If it needs to be topped up, make sure the engine has completely cooled off.

Water - Top up your water in your car – this includes wiper fluid. Make sure your windscreen is clear from dirt/debris and that you can see out of it before setting off. If your screen has misted up, wait for it to completely de-mist before starting your journey.

Electrics – Battery problems can be the number one cause of breakdowns. Renew old batteries before they let you down. Make sure your electric radiator cooling fan starts running when the engine is hot.
Rubber - Before you set off you need to ensure your tyres are safer and roadworthy. The minimum legal tread depth for tyres is 1.6mm but it is recommended you maintain a depth of at least 3mm. Worn tyres affect your stopping distance and can cause you to lose control in wet weather which is likely this winter. They can also cause you to use more fuel. Stopping distances increase in the rain and snow so please take this into account. Also make sure your tyre pressure is correct and tyres are pumped up correctly. If you are looking to buy cheap reliable tyres (London and other areas) , you can get them from DAT Tyres. Your handbook will give you the recommended guide which may differ if you are carrying extra passengers. As the driver you are responsible for ensuring the vehicle you are driving is maintained in a roadworthy condition. Ensure your windscreen wiper blades are working and they are not split or worn.

I hope these tips will help you on your next journey and help you to continue having a smooth ride.

*Sponsored Post

TSB Summer of Pride Tour* #PrideOfBritain

Nominations for the Pride of Britain awards are now open which if you didn’t already know is the only awards event in the UK that honours our everyday unsung heroes. People who have shown amazing courage or have been inspiring are showcased in a televised event at the end of October. Some of the stories and people featured on the show are remarkable and I think it is great that they get this coverage.  TSB are proud to be part of a community where people help people and they all thrive together. And that’s why they partner with Pride of Britain, Pride of Sport because they celebrate and enable people doing that too.

TSB have been whizzing around the country on the Summer of Pride Tour, stopping at TSB branches along the way in aid of trying to get the public to nominate someone that they believe should be up for a Pride of Britain award. I popped down to my local branch today to get a selfie with one of the Minis they have taken on tour. I felt a real sense of community and think it is fantastic that they are out promoting the Pride of Britain on this tour.

I love the community spirit in my area, specifically in Norwich and the close surrounding areas. One of the volunteer groups that I am really proud of is the Special Constables we have here locally. They take part in recruitment events, and generally help out in the area supporting the regular police force. Just think for every Special that comes out and does a shift or polices a local event or Norwich City Football game that then frees up one regular officer to protect the community and go to more serious jobs that they are better trained for. Working together means that members of the public are kept safe and in the light of recent events, this is valuable support and does make me feel safe. Special Constables take part in local fetes and attend local schools to engage with children and really put themselves out there.

At the company I work for, they also allow us to have 3 volunteer days a year which is fantastic. As a team we have helped out at Hillside Animal Sanctuary by cleaning out the animals, walking dogs and painting fences for them. We have also helped out at PACT Animal Sanctuary and completed similar tasks. Most recently we helped out at a local Scout Hut in Norwich, where we helped them to remove some fallen trees, cut back thick bramble and painted some of their communal areas. I love helping out in the community. It feels great to help people out and a little work really does go a long way and means a lot to people.

Is there anyone you would like to nominate for Pride of Britain? For more information, visit TSB Pride.

*Sponsored Post

Summer Cocktails Feat. Fentimans HOB Syrups*

You may remember a little while ago I received some mixers from Fentimans where I created some delicious cocktails. Fentimans have now brought out an exciting range of syrups called House of Broughton, made to enhance various cocktails and drinks. These high strength syrups means bartenders can create the perfect balance between sweet and sour when it comes to creating delicious cocktails and mocktails!

I received a gorgeously presented box with everything I needed to create a couple of delicious cocktails which would be perfect for the summer (or all year around – who needs an excuse?!). There are six different flavours including Raspberry, Rose, Cucumber, Ginger, Elderflower and Simple. I received the Raspberry and Cucumber flavours so made a couple of different drinks with them. These recipes were kindly provided in the House Of Broughton Syrups Bartenders Guide! I hope you like them!

Razzmatazz

Ingredients:

30ml Gin

15ml Cream Sherry

20ml Raspberry Syrup

20ml Lemon Juice

15ml Simple Syrup

Method:

Add all ingredients into a Boston glass with ice and shake. Double strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a spiral of lime zest.

Red Berry Cooler (Mocktail)

Ingredients:
25ml Raspberry Syrup
Fresh Mint Leaves
12.5ml Lime Juice
125ml Fentimans Soda Water

Method:
Add the raspberry syrup, lime juice and mint leaves into a highball glass filled with ice. Top up with the soda water and stir. Garnish with fresh mint and raspberries.

Cucumber Mule

Ingredients:
50ml Vodka
15ml Cucumber Syrup
20ml Lime Juice
125ml Fentimans Ginger Beer

Method:
Add the vodka, syrup and lime juice into your cup filled with ice and give it a stir. Top up with the ginger beer. Garnish with sliced cucumber and candied ginger.

What do you think of these cocktail recipes? Will you be trying some out yourself? For more recipes and inspiration, please head over to the Fentimans website. 

*I received these items free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.

Celebrate Summer With the Alpro Coconut Range*

Summer is in full swing and I don’t know about you but not only does the weather get nicer, so does the food! I love indulging in summery dishes made with fresh ingredients. I am celebrating summer with the new Alpro Coconut range which is absolutely perfect for this season!

The Alpro coconut range includes Alpro Coconut Original drink and Alpro Plain with Coconut plant-based alternative to yogurt. Both of these can be used in a variety of ways to spice up your meals this summer whether it be a snack or a main dish.

With The Alpro Plain with Coconut I had this for breakfast with some oats, chia seeds and frozen blueberries mixed in. The consistency is really creamy and this has a delicious flavour. 

Why not try eating this inside a cornet cone for a healthier alternative to Ice Cream? Failing that, try overnight oats, or you could even use this in a curry!

I decided to adapt the Alpro fruit lollies recipe using the Alpro Coconut drink that I was kindly sent. I didn’t have all of the same fruit as the recipe so just used what I had in the house and they turned out delicious. That’s the beauty of this recipe, you can simply pop in whatever fruit you like and it will still be refreshingly delicious for this summer!  Not forgetting these are also gluten and lactose free!

Ingredients:
400ml Alpro Coconut Original Drink
2 tbsp icing sugar
Raspberries
Blueberries
Ice lolly moulds and sticks.

Method:
Divide your fruit pieces among 4-6 ice lolly moulds. Blend the Alpro Coconut Original with the icing sugar until a smooth consistency is reached. Carefully pour your Alpro Coconut mix into the moulds until they are full, then insert a lollypop stick. Set in the freezer overnight and enjoy! The Alpro Coconut drink is delicious and has no added sugars. It only contains 40 calories per 200ml glass so your ice lollies are super low in calories so you can have these completely guilt free! I added some dried edible flowers too which made the lollies look nice and added a nice hint of flavour.

Alternative ways of having this drink is to splash over cereal, add to a smoothie or simply drink on its own.

Overall, I love the new Alpro Coconut range, will you be trying it out?

*I received some of these items free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.

AMARA - Travel Accessories Guide 2017*

I’m going off on another holiday shortly so I have been busy prepping and packing the things that I want to take with me to make the experience as great as possible. I am only going local this time, nothing as extravagant as New York unfortunately but I have a wedding to save up for now! But our destination has a beach and plenty of shops and things to do. As well as the standard essentials I have packed, I recently discovered a website called AMARA which sells some amazing accessories that will be perfect for my getaway. AMARA sell luxury homeware items as well as accessories and plenty of gift options as well and is a great place for all travel accessories.

No beach holiday is complete without a beach bag and towel. I got this gorgeous Oh Deer beach bag from Pip Studio which retails at £30. The bag is adorned with wildlife motifs and an intricate design which I thought would be perfect to use this summer. It’s a pretty decent size and fits in all of my beach essentials including sun lotion, sunglasses, bikini and towel. The bag is made from poly cotton with a waterproof coating so great for popping wet towels in at the end of the day. Speaking of towels, I received this Little Sea beach towel also from Pip Studio which costs £40. The pattern is perfect for the beach and in inspired by the underwater world featuring shells, fish and plant life on the design. The towel is made from soft cotton velour and really feels luxurious. It’s the perfect beach essential and I’ll definitely stand out from the crowd!

I am in love with this glass water bottle from bkr. It’s always important to stay hydrated on holiday, and as I am travelling within the UK I can fill up this bottle from the tap. Retailing at just £28, this bottle is not only stylish but has been wrapped in soft silicone for a comfortable grip. It’s also BPA free, leak proof and dishwasher safe. It also comes in a variety of colours. The screw on cap means that you can avoid any spills. I have been carrying this inside my Oh Deer Beach Bag and can confirm it doesn’t leak at all! Fantastic!

We are travelling by minibus on holiday and being sat in the back for numerous hours means that I will need something to entertain me along the way. These Wireless aHead Headphones from KREAFUNK are an absolute dream. These cost £79 and so comfortable to wear with their extendable headband and soft touch surface. Gone are the days of having to untangle wires,  these are the ultimate accessory. Included is a charging cable for USB to micro USB and with that you get 14 hours playback once charged – plenty for my journey! There is also a built in microphone and controls on the ear so you can even take calls with them. Other colours are also available. These are also ideal for the gym, on more than one occasion I have placed my phone on the treadmill and when running I have caught the headphone cable and then knocked my phone onto the floor. These headphones take all of that worry away, I can run without having to keep checking on my phone.

Finally, I adore these drawstring travel bags from the brand Kate Spade New York. One says ‘to wash’ and one says ‘to wear’ – perfect for separating smaller items of clothing and lingerie when travelling. They are super stylish and light weight and will go with any other travel accessories. These cost just £22 and I think they will really help when it comes to organising all of my luggage items.

Overall I think I am pretty prepped for my week away! Thank you to AMARA for kitting me out with some amazing travel accessories. What are your travel essentials?

*I received some of these items free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.