Book of Randomness

HAPPY ALMOST HALLOWEEN!!!

I may be too late in getting to most of you, but I’m sure there are still a few of you last minute pumpkin carvers out there. If in fact you have already carved your pumpkins, keep this in mind for next year.

I experimented (not by choice) with artificial pumpkin carving this year… boy was it fun…

One would assume that since you are working with a foam like material versus a unpredictable and often times gooey fruit that it would not only be easier to cut, but also a cleaner experience.

One would also assume that these would be good for kids… if I were a kid, I wouldn’t have been strong enough. My fingers still hurt!

Things I Discovered or Observed:

• They are strong little boogers when you don’t want them to be (aka trying to poke in the knife) and weak when you want them to be strong (aka when you are trying to carve intricate designs.
• They are INCREDIBLY messy. It looked like I had been shaving styrofoam all day. Definitely do not wear black when you are working with them.
• You can try and try, but you will NEVER get a clean edge.
• Similar to the previous bullet, cutting is terribly difficult in some places which causes you to not be as accurate.
• They lack the great characteristics of natural pumpkins such as those little flaws we have all learned to love. The pumpkins also only come in certain shapes.

Helpful Hits

• If you chose to use a Dremmel tool, be VERY careful. The foam cannot always stand up to it and you will quickly lose control (you can imagine what Mr. Olantern can turn out looking like).
• After carving the pumpkin, use the Dremmel sanding tools to “buff” the edges. It won’t be perfect, but it will help.
• White pumpkins look really cool with a simple ghost face.
• If you ignore my warning, DO NOT try anything more intricate than a simple face.
• If you ignore me still, cut all of the fine sections first to make sure most of the pumpkin still has its strength.
• These artificial guys make a perfect decoration intact, which is just about the only way you will see me needing these ever again.
• DO NOT USE A CANDLE!!!!

Good luck to you who decide to try them out despite my best efforts to warn you!! Talk to me after it looks like it snowed in your house.

If I were you, I would consider these good “craft pumpkins” and not “carving pumpkins.” Paint them or stencil them just don’t cut them!

For example:

From Michaels’ Website

If you are looking for a relatively easy meal that won’t pack on the pounds, then this one is for you. And trust me, they can taste great!!

Hot Pockets/Lean Pockets are easy to make and pretty tastey, but the ingredients and OMG the sodium levels are enough to turn you off. Luckily, there is an alternative.

Last year we started making our own pizzas with whole wheat dough and turkey toppings, still delicious and sooo much better for you. Unfortunately, after purchasing all of the ingredients for our have pepperoni, half sausage pizza, we realized we had come home without the dough!! Of course we were hungry and no one wanted to go back to the store, so we decided to improvise.

One thing we ALWAYS have in our house is pita bread, and there ya go, Pizza Pockets!

Here is how, and why!

The making of a BBQ Chicken Pizza Pocket!

1. Grab all of your ingredients!

• Pita Bread (whole wheat)
• Cheese – Pick your favorite, mozzarella is the basic for most recipes
• Sauce – Typically you will want pizza sauce, BBQ Sauce or some kind of white sauce
• Meats – If you want! To make it healthier, choose turkey pepperoni, turkey Italian sausage or chicken
• Veggies – These will be entirely dependant on the type of pizza you want. Some options are basil, tomatoes, onions, cilantro or peppers

  2. Slice your pita bread in half and separate the sides so that it creates a “pocket.” You may need a knife to do this, just remember to be gentle!
  

  
  
  

  3. Cook and meat that you will be including!

  4. Stuff the pockets with WHATEVER you want. It is probably the easiest to put everything in a bowl and mix it up. Place on rack as you go (we use a cookie drying rack on top of a cookie sheet so that they cook all the way around and any droppings fall onto the sheet).

  5. At a low to mid temperature (one you feel comfortable with), usually around 350-375, put the pockets in the oven for about 10 minutes. Watch them because this hasn’t exactly been an exact science, and different ingredients cook differently.
  

  
  
  

  And then enjoy!

  Keep in mind you can turn pretty much any pizza or even sandwich into a pocket. My favorites so far have been pepperoni and sausage pizza pocket and a BBQ chicken pizza pocket.

  The keys to making these healthy are using white meats like chicken breast and turkey (the pepperoni and sausages are GREAT substitutions), whole wheat pita or dough, and if you choose to, low fat toppings. Also make sure to watch the sodium and sugar levels in the sauces.

  You can also throw in an extra health kick by adding carrots, broccoli, spinach or any other veggies that have been food processed, to the sauce!

I just dropped my car off at the dealership (I know I know… I’m asking to get ripped off) for a plain ol’ oil change. I have to believe I am not alone in thinking I must be walking around with a sign on my forehead that says “I’m clueless and know nothing about cars.”

I grew up around cars. I cannot fix many things, however I have changed my oil in the past. I’m not an idiot, and I am typically not gullible.

So why is it that every time I go to get something done to my car I feel like I am? I apologize if I am venting, but I HATE the way dealerships and/or mechanics treat females! They just never want to listen to me, and I KNOW that if my dad went in there, they would listen and show him some respect.

Sooo not my car. I think it is the one from Fast and the Furious 2??

Here is my advice… even if it means nothing, since they don’t listen to me anyway… BUT you won’t be taken advantage of.

• Know what you NEED done before you walk in.
• When they “SUGGEST” services/repairs, first ask for a quote, and THINK before saying yes to anything.
• Always make sure you get estimated costs before service begins.
• Remember that LABOR is one of the highest costs you will pay, so even if you ask them to CHECK something out, it will cost, A LOT! (example: I asked them if they knew why my car was automatically locking itself, they said they could “look” for $108… excluding any service to repair whatever they found)
• Do not let them make you doubt yourself, you know more about cars than you think, so do not just blindly say yes to ANYTHING!!

If you feel more comfortable, take a male figure with you… even if they do not know anything about cars. You will see the difference, it is sad!

I’m sorry again for venting. Anyone have any horror stories they would like to share?

As a follow-up, my dealership just called me… they just wanted to tell me about the couple things they found (how kind of them). Apparently the cost of my simple oil change wasn’t going to cover lunch today, so they “found” that I needed:

• New brake pads – because they are “at the end of their life” (so does that mean I have a month or I’m going to die on the way home?) – $188 for 20 mins of work
• New windshield wipers – because the ones I bought LAST FRIDAY (literally) need to be replaced – $23 a piece (he wasn’t going to charge me labor… ok no duh buddy, I put them on in 5 mins!)

When I said no to both of these… they magically had two more for me!

• A new serpentine belt – because it is cracking… which is a warning it is going to die.
• A brake flush – “Just as a preventive measure”

Yeah that is all nice buddy… put it in a quote for me… and I’ll undoubtedly find a cheaper place to get it done

ARGHHH!!!!

Part 2 and 3 of the rekindling relationships post… since they are shorter.

Old Navy

I used to shop at Old Navy throughout my middle school-high school years, mainly for the basics. It was never one of my “favorites,” but it was definitely on the store rotation. Once I hit the end of high school and headed into college though, it seemed that the only items they carried were either bright, stripes or weird little creatures stitched into the clothes. These trends were hardly my style.

Finally during this economic downturn (the personal one, not the national), I found myself in desperate need of new jeans.* After looking at my normal stops for jeans (Marshall’s for Sevens, Gap, and New York and Company), and realizing that not only did I not need to spend that much right now, I definitely did not need to spend that when I still had a few pounds to lose. There is NO point in spending a lot on jeans that will not fit down the line.

Somehow I landed back in Old Navy. I supposed I figured that since I like Gap Jeans, I may just be able to find something at their sister store.

Boy was I right. I tried on several pairs, and walked out with two pairs of jeans, two ¾ sleeve tops, three tank tops and a purse for under $140 (I still spent too much, so I ended up taking back two tanks and another top). The jeans were on sale, but not by much, I believe they normally all go for $45 and under. They fit really well and look totally normal, a.k.a. they do not say OLD NAVY really big across the butt.

All in all, Old Navy once again has some great basics to add to your wardrobe, just stay away from the bright & stripes that they still carry. Also, I recommend trying on several pairs and sizes of jeans. The styles all seem to fit differently, and I walked out of the store with two VERY different size jeans.

Cash

Here is a lesson in life. Credit cards are evil. Well not so much the card as the company. They are dangerous little pieces of plastic.

My smartest relationship that I got back to this year is not using my credit card, and only using cash. Cash makes you think twice about things you really don’t need, and besides, if you only spend what you have, you can’t get into trouble. I barely know what my credit cards look like anymore, and I would like to keep it that way. The cards will only be used for online and/or large purchases.

I feel much more comfortable with my spending now that I have gone back to my habit of only spending in cash. I highly recommend you try it out for a month and see how your spending changes.

Good luck!!

**You can thank my lack of jeans to my weight loss, then gain, then loss again. BOTH of my pairs of Seven Jeans split!! Saddest two days of my life.

~~For you wannabe winos!~~

Who says good wine has to be expensive??

Whoever they are, I am definitely NOT one of them. I drink Two-Buck-Chuck! There I said it!
(for those of you unaware, I am referring to Trader Joe’s $2 Charles Shaw wine)

Photo from Making Memories.org (more info at the bottom!)

I do not seek out two-buck-chuck, but it is a great thing to have around the house for the last minute wine needs or to add to a dish. It is never GREAT but it is also never AWFUL. It usually is decent tasting wine and you can stock up on it at the $2 price (although I hear it is $3 in NY… bummer). Apparently, Trader Joe’s can afford the cheap price since the wines are left over from different wineries… which is why some are better than others. That could be a rumor though….

So on to the moderately priced wines that everyone should give a shot.

Sidenote: I am not a wine connoisseur (and in fact, I didn’t even know how to spell that), I am just a girl who is trying to learn more about wines by experiencing, tasting and listening to people who think they know what they are talking about. Also, I typically lean towards white wines, but I am open to just about any… red, white, pink, sparkly, bubbly and you name it. Just keep that dessert wine away from me. Especially one flavored like a peach.

Back to the wines…

When I need to bring wine for a special occasion or I just do not want to be thoroughly embarrassed by my poor wine picking skills, I try to be loyal to these brands.

• Beringer-Smooth tasting wines. My favorite is their Chardonnay
• Barefoot-Love the wine AND the bubbly (champagne peeps)
• Yellowglen Sparkling Wines- Pink is one of my favorite wines/champagnes. Smooth tasting with lots of bubbles. The bottle is adorable and who can fault the pink color of the liquid!
• Kendall-Jackson-Always a decent taste!
• Francis Ford Coppola Winery-What can I say? They are a talented family!

The gadgets!!

Opener! – Plus this one comes with a foil cutter and a sweet box!

Keep track of your glass for crying out loud!

The helper – Clinton’s book helps explain wine pairings in a simple manner!

Other books:

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Starting and Running a Winery

Wine All-in-One For Dummies (For Dummies (Cooking))

California Wine For Dummies (For Dummies (Cooking))

Yellowglen Pink and Yellow are supporting National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) by giving $1 for every bottle sold during the month! Check in out on Making Memories.org and support them in their quest.

That means drink people!

Also, BevMo! has great deals on wine and champagne, especially during their 5 Cent sale. I can usually find Pink! I believe the sale is about to start again!!

Keepin’ those pearly whites safe and lookin’ good!

I have never had major problems with my teeth, just a couple of minor “preventive” measures done in the recent years. While it may seem a little ridiculous to write about tooth and mouth care since we are all responsible adults, after my trip to the dentist this week, I thought it would be a good idea to give everyone a little reminder. PLUS, I learned a few new tricks and was given some products to try.

First the basics!

• Brush your teeth for AT LEAST one full minute
• Replace your toothbrush every three months or when there are signs of wear
• Brush as often as possible after meals, or at the very least, in the morning and at night
• Floss!

Helpful Hints and Products!

These are the tips I learned recently from my NEW dental hygienist!

• Mouthwash- Make sure you use a mouthwash with Fluoride in it, I suggest using ACT with Fluoride, Anti-Cavity.
• Pre-Brush- For a little whitening action and to loosen up the gunk in your teeth, use a pre-brush mouthwash.
• Toothpaste- Until my visit to the dentist, I have been using Colgate White. I was given a sample of Pro Enamel (which I had been interested in trying) toothpaste at my appointment, so I have been using it since. It seems to be effective, and also includes the anti-cavity fluoride. It does have a faint flavor to it, so do not expect a bold taste.
• Toothbrush- Not everyone wants to invest in a electric toothbrush which can run in the $70-$100 range, but you do need a little more than a manual toothbrush. The toothbrush I have been using for the past year is the new battery powered Colgate 360 SonicPower. At only a few bucks, it is a much cheaper, yet effective alternative.
• Floss- The easiest floss to use is waxed ones, just make sure you do it as often as possible!

A couple other things…

I also recommend using small disposable cups in your bathroom to cut down on germs. Since I started using them about two years ago, I have been sick far less than before. Use one in the morning to rinse your mouth, and also pour your mouthwash in. Repeat at night. You can find super cute options at places like target, just look around a little.

If you wear clear retainers or Invisiline… it may sound a little weird, but use denture cleaner! My dental hygienist recommended Efferdent, but I found the Target bran Up&Up has the same product available for only $2.96 (for 220 tablets). Drop the appliances in a cup of warm water and the tablets for 15 mins a few times a week. Don’t worry if you leave them in there all day. At night, also make sure you put the retainers or Invisiline in directly after using your mouthwash.

Take care of those teeth, they are the only ones you will get!!

Another word to the wise, get your wisdom teeth out ASAP or have your kids’ taken out!

My FAVORITE book EVER! Ok maybe it is my favorite possession….? I guess that could be stretching it, but this book is definitely WAY up there.

So what is it you may ask?

Freakin’ Fabulous by Clinton Kelly. I feel hesitant to share this with everyone because, well if I share, then you may become more fabulous than I am… oh well. The more fabulous people the better!

Everyone has seen the TLC show What Not to Wear on at least one occasion (and if you haven’t, you must be living under a rock). Clinton is half of the hosting duo, Clinton and Stacy. Clinton is also touring the country’s Macy’s stores for Make Over America (sadly I was not chosen ) He is undoubtedly funny on the show, and it translates perfectly into his book. He had me laughing cover to cover.

Freakin’ Fabulous is like my new life bible. I have only had the chance to read it all the way through once, but I frequently refer back to it. I actually began to annoy my friends and family by saying… “Clinton says….” or “According to Clinton…” I even had my DAD quoting the book!! Weird.

By the first few pages of the book you will wish Clinton was your best friend!

Freakin’ Fabulous is the book that you need if you want to know “How to Dress, Speak, Behave, Eat, Drink, Entertain, Decorate, and Generally Be Better than Everyone Else” according to its sub-title!

Highlights of the book… according to moi!

• Dress: Includes everything you need to know from accessories, to tailoring, dressing for certain occasions and a page of very ugly shoes (clearly the DON’T page)
• Speak: Definitely the section I need to read again… and AGAIN. The proper use for words. My greatest accomplishment so far has been taking the “s” off of the end of anyway! The pretty pictures and doodles help my learning… what can I say, I’m a visual person!
• Behave: Don’t butter the entire roll!! Holding wine glasses, eating oysters, texting with company and even a section on “bodily functions.” This section is definitely a must read. Did you know you should never bring your own food item to a party unless requested? I did not know that one, but you can ruin the theme/atmosphere.
• Eat: Four recipes you should MEMORIZE, cutting onions and other great recipes.
• Drink: I was laughing from the first page of this section as Clinton says, “Gin has made me do a lot of stupid things, but I forgive it.” Obviously there are drink recipes in the section, but my part is the section on wine; descriptions, how to serve, how to order and which wine pairs best with your food.
• Entertain: Plan for 1 bottle of wine per person!! Now that sounds like a party! Covers food to serve, music, booting people at the end of the night and making the potty smell nice! The “Mac and Cheese with Bacon” looks and sounds delicious… although it reminds me of the overeating experience I had at Yardhouse.
• Decorate: I cannot wait until I have my own house to be able to do all of this!! Room by room tricks, organization (“Kill the Clutter”), and fresh flowers. Never include baby’s breath or ferns IN an arrangement! Clinton suggests using Flowerbud.com for flowers.

  The book is full of color and information. Clinton has done an amazing job with this book balancing entertainment and information. I suggest it to EVERYONE. Give it to your girlfriends for their birthday or as a bachelorette party gift.

  You don’t NEED a reason, just get the book for crying out loud!! You will thank me later!

My FAVORITE book EVER! Ok maybe it is my favorite possession….? I guess that could be stretching it, but this book is definitely WAY up there.

So what is it you may ask?

Freakin’ Fabulous by Clinton Kelly. I feel hesitant to share this with everyone because, well if I share, then you may become more fabulous than I am… oh well. The more fabulous people the better!

Everyone has seen the TLC show What Not to Wear on at least one occasion (and if you haven’t, you must be living under a rock). Clinton is half of the hosting duo, Clinton and Stacy. Clinton is also touring the country’s Macy’s stores for Make Over America (sadly I was not chosen ) He is undoubtedly funny on the show, and it translates perfectly into his book. He had me laughing cover to cover.

Freakin’ Fabulous is like my new life bible. I have only had the chance to read it all the way through once, but I frequently refer back to it. I actually began to annoy my friends and family by saying… “Clinton says….” or “According to Clinton…” I even had my DAD quoting the book!! Weird.

By the first few pages of the book you will wish Clinton was your best friend!

Freakin’ Fabulous is the book that you need if you want to know “How to Dress, Speak, Behave, Eat, Drink, Entertain, Decorate, and Generally Be Better than Everyone Else” according to its sub-title!

Highlights of the book… according to moi!

• Dress: Includes everything you need to know from accessories, to tailoring, dressing for certain occasions and a page of very ugly shoes (clearly the DON’T page)
• Speak: Definitely the section I need to read again… and AGAIN. The proper use for words. My greatest accomplishment so far has been taking the “s” off of the end of anyway! The pretty pictures and doodles help my learning… what can I say, I’m a visual person!
• Behave: Don’t butter the entire roll!! Holding wine glasses, eating oysters, texting with company and even a section on “bodily functions.” This section is definitely a must read. Did you know you should never bring your own food item to a party unless requested? I did not know that one, but you can ruin the theme/atmosphere.
• Eat: Four recipes you should MEMORIZE, cutting onions and other great recipes.
• Drink: I was laughing from the first page of this section as Clinton says, “Gin has made me do a lot of stupid things, but I forgive it.” Obviously there are drink recipes in the section, but my part is the section on wine; descriptions, how to serve, how to order and which wine pairs best with your food.
• Entertain: Plan for 1 bottle of wine per person!! Now that sounds like a party! Covers food to serve, music, booting people at the end of the night and making the potty smell nice! The “Mac and Cheese with Bacon” looks and sounds delicious… although it reminds me of the overeating experience I had at Yardhouse.
• Decorate: I cannot wait until I have my own house to be able to do all of this!! Room by room tricks, organization (“Kill the Clutter”), and fresh flowers. Never include baby’s breath or ferns IN an arrangement! Clinton suggests using Flowerbud.com for flowers.

  The book is full of color and information. Clinton has done an amazing job with this book balancing entertainment and information. I suggest it to EVERYONE. Give it to your girlfriends for their birthday or as a bachelorette party gift.

  You don’t NEED a reason, just get the book for crying out loud!! You will thank me later!

It may be a little late in the season to discuss boating safety, but since I am fresh off of a boating trip I thought I would share a little bit about what I know and just learned. This is definitely not a complete (or anywhere close to it) list, so check out some boater safety sites before you go on your trip.

Obviously the key thing is to put kids in a life jacket!! It doesn’t matter if they think they look stupid! We ALL look a little silly in them!

Orange Flag You HAVE to have an orange flag up when you have people in the water. Whatever you do, do not forget this and have a friend run over. Major party pooper.

Remember to turn off the prop when your friends and family are getting in and out of the boat.

Drinking High on the list of things NOT to do. Drinking and driving anything is a bad idea. Places that are frequented by “partiers” like Havasu have a zero tolerance policy, meaning if you test positive for ANY alcohol, they are sending you to the big house.

No Wake Zone Always obey this rule. You never know who is watching. Breaking the “No Wake” is like rolling a stop sign… it just gives the cops a reason to pull you over. (My friend was almost arrested because of this)

Wave Runners The passenger is always supposed to wear the safety key. Luckily the cops who almost arrested my friend gave us this lovely tidbit. It makes sense, how else would you know if they fell off?

Also remember that people do not pay attention to wave runners. Keep an eye out for boats in your area.

Lights Boat lights are very important. It is illegal to have a boat out in the water without having lights on it.

Sunscreen Wear it, re-apply it. There is nothing worse than a burn – they make you feel like an idiot because you can’t do something so simple. Plus peeling and skin cancer are hidious side effects.

Other helpful ideas…

• Wear boardshorts when you are wakeboarding or tubing (no one wants their bottoms coming off or going up there tush).
• Take your earings out when tubing. Not only can they fall out, they can go right through your earlob.
• Take plenty of food and water. Boating (especially in the sun or doing activities) can be physically exhausting.
• If you are riding wave runners, or on a boat, make sure the plugs are in… you don’t want to sink.
• Did I mention sunscreen??
• If you rent a boat make sure it has an anchor, large bimini top and a sound system.

  If you do rent a boat, or borrow it, make sure it is in good working condition. Nothing can ruin a boating trip faster than a dysfunctional boat.

Second Fave Find Friday!! YAY!

Have you ever struggled with diets? Tried everyone in the book and yet somehow you are still yo-yoing? Well, here is your life saver!!!

I have mentioned it in the past, but Hungry Girl has been my lifesaver for about a year now. When my family started on our fitness kick last year, our trainer told us we weren’t allowed to eat: dairy, grains, sugary fruits, etc. Now those things right there, are my life!! Needless to say, I was a little bummed. We tried it for a couple months, but no one can eat like that forever. ( I literally craved McDonald’s for a month after, weird right?)

Sooo…. HUNGRY GIRL!!! The greatest way to continue eating the foods you love without adding the inches to your waist. Better yet, LOSE some of those inches!!

Lisa Lillen, the creator, is NOT a nutritionist, she is a self proclaimed foodologist who has spent the time and research trying to find good tasting and healthy food items. Lisa develops these recipes based on her idea that “food is [her] passion and it has been [her] lifelong obsession.”

Hungry Girl now has two books out, Hungry Girl, and Hungry Girl 200 under 200. Both are great. They are full of more ideas than you can possibly imagine. Comfort foods, cocktails, desserts, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and you name it. There is even a section on typical party foods.

The basic concept behind all of the recipes is that you take a regular dish and just exchange a few ingredients for smarter choices… all while maintaining the delicious flavor!!

If you don’t want to jump right into buying the books, you also have the option to sign up for the daily newsletter which gives you some recipes and healthy grocery store finds. The pink links will take you to where you can buy the books!

Hungry Girl: Recipes and Survival Strategies for Guilt-Free Eating in the Real World

The website is also a fountain of information and well designed!

There are sections called top ATE. For example, the top ATE: holiday favorites, long lasting snacks, and summer beverages.

The most useful top ATE is the one on calorie saving swaps. Hungry Girl uses simple substitutes like using the liquid egg substitute rather than a traditional egg. My own swaps that I ALWAYS stick to: turkey instead of ground beef, whole grain pasta (and all breads) instead of white, and olive oil spray instead of olive oil.

It is because of this mentality that you can cut out tons of calories without having to try to hard, or even worse, STARVE!!!

Hungry Girl: 200 Under 200: 200 Recipes Under 200 Calories

My only complaint with the Hungry Girl books is that they suggest using a product called Shirataki Tofu Noodles… I tried them once, and found I’m not such a fan. They are quite slimey and have an odd consistency… but go ahead and try them. If not, just substitute with whole wheat pasta.

Good luck!! Sign up for the newsletter at Hungry Girl, and buy the books!! Trust me, it will be worth it!

I forgot to mention they also have a fun little game called Whack-a-Snack!