Yesterday, I bought tickets for Celine Dion at Madison Square Garden! The concert was sold out for months, but they added an additional night, and I managed to get tickets for me and Dan Sept. 16th! I wanted to see her show in Vegas, and never did, so this is the next best thing (without the tackiness of the Vegas Strip... Score!) LOL
In the next few weeks, we're going to Celine, Alanis Morissette, Madonna, and Janet Jackson! Geez, when am I gonna be on tour?!
05 September 2008
Rennet
Here's an additional posting to my blog below:
Annie's products contain no animal rennet, and although I'm sure that's a good thing, I had NO idea what it meant. So I turned to google to help me solve this mystery.
I found this article from the Whole Foods website, which explains what rennet is, and why it's controversial and in some opinions (including mine!) unethical.
Thoughts?
Annie's products contain no animal rennet, and although I'm sure that's a good thing, I had NO idea what it meant. So I turned to google to help me solve this mystery.
I found this article from the Whole Foods website, which explains what rennet is, and why it's controversial and in some opinions (including mine!) unethical.
Thoughts?
Annie's Homegrown
I've been reading alot about Annie's Homegrown organic food products; most recently in Shape magazine, they raved about Annie's whole wheat shells and cheddar. Basically, Mac & Cheese for health nuts.I found this at my local grocery store for (gasp!) $3.49 a box! I figured, I can try it and if it's good, I'll find a way to buy it cheaper.
Good news: it IS good! Dan and I both enjoyed the taste, and we are excited to have found a way to eat "comfort food" that's actually whole wheat, whole grain, and organic! It was DELICIOUS!
So, I found out more about Annie's Homegrown products, their company values, and their philosophy on healthful organic food at their website .
Then, I went on Amazon.com (thanks to Cari-Jo's helpful comment on this blog a while ago) to do some grocery shopping. She was RIGHT! Free shipping for purchases over $50. I kind of went on a healthful organic food shopping spree!
Hope you guys enjoy Annie's as much as we do! Hey, did anyone ever try the Dr. Praeger sweet potato bites or broccoli bites? What did you think?
04 September 2008
Dear Republican Party...
I just can't help but notice, now that the shoe is on the other foot , you sure don't like it, do you? Now that little Bristol Palin is getting some scrutiny, all of sudden family members are off limits?! Where were you when Michelle Obama was getting torn apart by all you rabid Republican attack dogs?
I see, so viciously attacking Obama's wife, his Kenyan father, his Kansan mother, Hawaiian grandmother, Nairobian half-brother...all of that is absolutely fine...but don't dare hit back?
I see, so viciously attacking Obama's wife, his Kenyan father, his Kansan mother, Hawaiian grandmother, Nairobian half-brother...all of that is absolutely fine...but don't dare hit back?
Website of the Day
I've decided to start saving more money. New York City is the most expensive city to live in the USA, and one of the most expensive in the WORLD, so I'm convinced that there have to be ways to cut back. Some of my recent "small changes" towards keeping more money in my pocket:
No more starbucks coffee- prices are higher in NYC, and a medium plain old coffee is still costing about $3.50! I'm drinking more water, or heading over to McDonalds for coffee.
Bank of America "keep the change"- all your purchases are rounded to the nearest dollar (easier to balance your checkbook!) and the money goes directly to your savings account.
Making meals at home vs. delivery or eating out (but I admit, we've cheated a lot this summer because using the oven makes our apartment SO hot!)
www.Restaurant.com- buy gift certificates CHEAP! You can buy $25 gift certificates for $10 (sometimes cheaper!) and print them out from your computer.
www.cellfire.com- delivers coupons to your cell phone. iPhone has an application just for this- download the application, go to the store, show them your cellphone with the coupon on it, and they type in the code from your cell to give you the discount.
So, this brings me to my website of the day: www.budgetbarbie.com It's a fun website with tons of articles and tips.
If you have any budget friendly ideas, or other ways to save me some moolah (besides moving OUT of New York!) leave your comments below!
No more starbucks coffee- prices are higher in NYC, and a medium plain old coffee is still costing about $3.50! I'm drinking more water, or heading over to McDonalds for coffee.
Bank of America "keep the change"- all your purchases are rounded to the nearest dollar (easier to balance your checkbook!) and the money goes directly to your savings account.
Making meals at home vs. delivery or eating out (but I admit, we've cheated a lot this summer because using the oven makes our apartment SO hot!)
www.Restaurant.com- buy gift certificates CHEAP! You can buy $25 gift certificates for $10 (sometimes cheaper!) and print them out from your computer.
www.cellfire.com- delivers coupons to your cell phone. iPhone has an application just for this- download the application, go to the store, show them your cellphone with the coupon on it, and they type in the code from your cell to give you the discount.
So, this brings me to my website of the day: www.budgetbarbie.com It's a fun website with tons of articles and tips.
If you have any budget friendly ideas, or other ways to save me some moolah (besides moving OUT of New York!) leave your comments below!
03 September 2008
Time for some COMMENTS!
Ok, it's reader feedback time! Answer the following question by submitting a comment below. (If you don't know how to leave a comment... click the "comment" button you see at the end of this post.)
"_________________" scares the crap out of me.
Prize for the most creative/funny/original comment!
"_________________" scares the crap out of me.
Prize for the most creative/funny/original comment!
A morning Poem for you
I woke early one morning,
The earth lay cool and still
When suddenly a tiny bird
Perched on my window sill,
He sang a song so lovely
So carefree and so gay,
That slowly all my troubles
Began to slip away.
He sang of far off places
Of laughter and of fun,
It seemed his very trilling,
brought up the morning sun.
I stirred beneath the covers
Crept slowly out of bed,
Then gently shut the window
And crushed his little head.
I'm not a morning person
The earth lay cool and still
When suddenly a tiny bird
Perched on my window sill,
He sang a song so lovely
So carefree and so gay,
That slowly all my troubles
Began to slip away.
He sang of far off places
Of laughter and of fun,
It seemed his very trilling,
brought up the morning sun.
I stirred beneath the covers
Crept slowly out of bed,
Then gently shut the window
And crushed his little head.
I'm not a morning person
Regrettable Tattoo of the Day
Dear Ignoramus:Spell check would have saved you a lifetime of regret. "To funny for words."
02 September 2008
50 Easy ways to cut 100 calories!
Beverages
1. Split a 20 oz. bottle of regular soda with a friend. Save 120 calories!
2. Drink 1 cup of diet soda instead of 1 cup of regular soda. Save 97 calories!
3. Swap a 12-oz. glass of whole milk for skim milk. Save 96 calories!
4. Drink two 12-oz. light beers this weekend instead of two regular beers. Save 100 calories!
5. Instead of 1 cup of prepared lemonade, try 1 cup of a sugar free variety. Save 103 calories!
6. Eat a medium orange instead of drinking 12 oz. of fresh orange juice. Save 106 calories!
7. Prepare your coffee with 4 oz. of fat-free half and half instead of regular half and half. Save 88 calories!
8. Enjoy 5 oz. of chocolate milk instead of 5 oz. of a chocolate milkshake Save 110 calories! Breakfast
9. Spread your whole grain waffles with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup instead of 1 tablespoon of margarine or butter. Save 110 calories!
10. Top your whole grain bagel with 1.5 oz of fat-free cream cheese in lieu of regular. Save 108 calories!
11. Try 1 oz. of maple turkey bacon instead of maple (pork) bacon. Save 118 calories!
12. Ditch the glazed donut and eat a bagel instead. Save 93 calories!
13. Eat 3/4 cup oatmeal instead of a 1-1/2 cups of oatmeal. Save 97 calories!
14. Substitute 3 oz. of turkey sausage for a serving of pork sausage. Save 120 calories!
15. Grab a small bagel instead of a medium bagel. Save 99 calories! Snacks and Sides
16. Dip 1 cup celery into your favorite salsa or hummus instead of 1 oz. of tortilla chips. Save 125 calories!
17. Eat an entire medium apple instead of a small (5 oz.) candy apple. Save 118 calories!
18. Snack on 1 oz. of baked potato chips instead of regular chips. Save 90 calories!
19. Better yet, eat 2 oz. pretzels instead of the same size portion of potato chips. Save 94 calories!
20. Bake 2 oz of oven fries in lieu of 2 oz. of fast food fries. Save 88 calories!
21. Forgo a 6-oz portion of potato chips and nosh on 6 oz. of tortilla chips instead. Save 96 calories!
22. Say no to 1 oz of deep-fried onion rings and instead enjoy 1 oz. of grilled onions with your meal. Save 92 calories!
23. Try 1.5 oz. of fresh grapes instead of 1.5 oz. of raisins. Save 98 calories!
24. Enjoy a healthy 8-oz. baked potato instead of 8 oz. of French fries. Save 104 calories!
25. Choose 3 oz. of mozzarella cheese for your sandwich instead of Swiss cheese. Save 108 calories!
26. Swap 1 cup of canned pineapple in heavy syrup for crushed pineapple in water. Save 119 calories! Lunch and Dinner
27. Cut a 6 oz. steak in half and take the other portion home for another meal. Save 111 calories!
28. Order a skinless chicken breast instead of chicken with skin. Save 102 calories!
29. Substitute a fat-free beef hot dog for a regular beef hot dog. Save 104 calories!
30. Build a sandwich with1.5 oz. of deli turkey breast instead of an equivalent of hard salami. Save 119 calories!
31. Instead of 6 oz. of crispy fried chicken with skin, eat 6 oz. baked chicken with skin. Save 102 calories!
32. Choose a slice of thin crust pizza over thick crust pizza. Save 106 calories!
33. Add vegetable toppings to your pizza order and say no to pepperoni. Save 100 calories!
34. Forget broccoli cheddar soup. A 7-oz portion of vegetable soup is better. Save 119 calories!
35. Enjoy 12 oz of steamed rice (choose brown rice when possible) as an alternative to fried rice. Save 96 calories!
36. Unwrap your 13-inch tortilla wrap and make a sandwich on a 3-oz. whole grain bagel instead. Save 96 calories!
37. Eat only half of your hamburger or sandwich bun. Save 100 calories! Condiments and Sauces
38. Dip your salad in a side of ranch dressing (2 tsp.) instead of pouring 2 Tbsp of dressing on the salad. Save 97 calories!
39. Skip the 5 oz. of Alfredo sauce and eat a whopping 7 oz. of marinara sauce. Save 129 calories!
40. Add flavor to vegetables with 3 oz. of hot sauce—not 1 oz of bleu cheese dressing. Save 117 calories!
41. Top your salad with 1.5 oz. reduced-fat Italian dressing instead of regular. Save 96 calories!
42. Try either cheese or croutons on your salad—not both Save 72-116 calories!
43. Instead of 3 oz. of regular sour cream, use a fat-free variety. Save 120 calories!
44. Use 2 Tbsp reduced-fat light mayonnaise instead of regular mayonnaise. Save 102 calories! Sweets and Desserts
45. Serve ice cream in a dish instead of a waffle cone. Save 121 calories!
46. Try a healthier peanut granola bar instead of a peanut candy bar. Save 94 calories!
47. Finish dinner with 1 cup of low-fat frozen yogurt instead of regular ice cream. Save 121 calories!
48. Substitute 5 oz. of apple pie, with 5 oz. of baked apple crisp. Save 85 calories!
49. Instead of 4 oz. of regular chocolate pudding, enjoy a sugar-free portion. Save 92 calories!
50. Leave that 1/2 cup of strawberry ice cream in the freezer. Enjoy 1/2 cup of fresh strawberries topped with 2 Tbsp of fat-free whipped cream as an alternative. Save 102 calories!
1. Split a 20 oz. bottle of regular soda with a friend. Save 120 calories!
2. Drink 1 cup of diet soda instead of 1 cup of regular soda. Save 97 calories!
3. Swap a 12-oz. glass of whole milk for skim milk. Save 96 calories!
4. Drink two 12-oz. light beers this weekend instead of two regular beers. Save 100 calories!
5. Instead of 1 cup of prepared lemonade, try 1 cup of a sugar free variety. Save 103 calories!
6. Eat a medium orange instead of drinking 12 oz. of fresh orange juice. Save 106 calories!
7. Prepare your coffee with 4 oz. of fat-free half and half instead of regular half and half. Save 88 calories!
8. Enjoy 5 oz. of chocolate milk instead of 5 oz. of a chocolate milkshake Save 110 calories! Breakfast
9. Spread your whole grain waffles with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup instead of 1 tablespoon of margarine or butter. Save 110 calories!
10. Top your whole grain bagel with 1.5 oz of fat-free cream cheese in lieu of regular. Save 108 calories!
11. Try 1 oz. of maple turkey bacon instead of maple (pork) bacon. Save 118 calories!
12. Ditch the glazed donut and eat a bagel instead. Save 93 calories!
13. Eat 3/4 cup oatmeal instead of a 1-1/2 cups of oatmeal. Save 97 calories!
14. Substitute 3 oz. of turkey sausage for a serving of pork sausage. Save 120 calories!
15. Grab a small bagel instead of a medium bagel. Save 99 calories! Snacks and Sides
16. Dip 1 cup celery into your favorite salsa or hummus instead of 1 oz. of tortilla chips. Save 125 calories!
17. Eat an entire medium apple instead of a small (5 oz.) candy apple. Save 118 calories!
18. Snack on 1 oz. of baked potato chips instead of regular chips. Save 90 calories!
19. Better yet, eat 2 oz. pretzels instead of the same size portion of potato chips. Save 94 calories!
20. Bake 2 oz of oven fries in lieu of 2 oz. of fast food fries. Save 88 calories!
21. Forgo a 6-oz portion of potato chips and nosh on 6 oz. of tortilla chips instead. Save 96 calories!
22. Say no to 1 oz of deep-fried onion rings and instead enjoy 1 oz. of grilled onions with your meal. Save 92 calories!
23. Try 1.5 oz. of fresh grapes instead of 1.5 oz. of raisins. Save 98 calories!
24. Enjoy a healthy 8-oz. baked potato instead of 8 oz. of French fries. Save 104 calories!
25. Choose 3 oz. of mozzarella cheese for your sandwich instead of Swiss cheese. Save 108 calories!
26. Swap 1 cup of canned pineapple in heavy syrup for crushed pineapple in water. Save 119 calories! Lunch and Dinner
27. Cut a 6 oz. steak in half and take the other portion home for another meal. Save 111 calories!
28. Order a skinless chicken breast instead of chicken with skin. Save 102 calories!
29. Substitute a fat-free beef hot dog for a regular beef hot dog. Save 104 calories!
30. Build a sandwich with1.5 oz. of deli turkey breast instead of an equivalent of hard salami. Save 119 calories!
31. Instead of 6 oz. of crispy fried chicken with skin, eat 6 oz. baked chicken with skin. Save 102 calories!
32. Choose a slice of thin crust pizza over thick crust pizza. Save 106 calories!
33. Add vegetable toppings to your pizza order and say no to pepperoni. Save 100 calories!
34. Forget broccoli cheddar soup. A 7-oz portion of vegetable soup is better. Save 119 calories!
35. Enjoy 12 oz of steamed rice (choose brown rice when possible) as an alternative to fried rice. Save 96 calories!
36. Unwrap your 13-inch tortilla wrap and make a sandwich on a 3-oz. whole grain bagel instead. Save 96 calories!
37. Eat only half of your hamburger or sandwich bun. Save 100 calories! Condiments and Sauces
38. Dip your salad in a side of ranch dressing (2 tsp.) instead of pouring 2 Tbsp of dressing on the salad. Save 97 calories!
39. Skip the 5 oz. of Alfredo sauce and eat a whopping 7 oz. of marinara sauce. Save 129 calories!
40. Add flavor to vegetables with 3 oz. of hot sauce—not 1 oz of bleu cheese dressing. Save 117 calories!
41. Top your salad with 1.5 oz. reduced-fat Italian dressing instead of regular. Save 96 calories!
42. Try either cheese or croutons on your salad—not both Save 72-116 calories!
43. Instead of 3 oz. of regular sour cream, use a fat-free variety. Save 120 calories!
44. Use 2 Tbsp reduced-fat light mayonnaise instead of regular mayonnaise. Save 102 calories! Sweets and Desserts
45. Serve ice cream in a dish instead of a waffle cone. Save 121 calories!
46. Try a healthier peanut granola bar instead of a peanut candy bar. Save 94 calories!
47. Finish dinner with 1 cup of low-fat frozen yogurt instead of regular ice cream. Save 121 calories!
48. Substitute 5 oz. of apple pie, with 5 oz. of baked apple crisp. Save 85 calories!
49. Instead of 4 oz. of regular chocolate pudding, enjoy a sugar-free portion. Save 92 calories!
50. Leave that 1/2 cup of strawberry ice cream in the freezer. Enjoy 1/2 cup of fresh strawberries topped with 2 Tbsp of fat-free whipped cream as an alternative. Save 102 calories!
Relax!
I think the term “labor day” should actually be used for the day AFTER labor day, because you’re back to laboring! The holiday should be “un-labor” or how about “de-labor” day?
We got really spoiled being lazy and sleeping in over this long weekend, and that made it really hard to wake up this morning. On Friday, our friends Davinia and Ken came into the city with their baby, KJ. We walked around the Upper West side, ate lunch at Chipotle, and had dessert from Magnolia bakery. They left around 3:30, and later that evening, I met Dan and our friend Seth on 40th and 5th at a restaurant called Salmon River. We ate and stayed out together, and then walked by Bryant Park to see the fashion tents going up for fashion week next week.
Saturday was a lazy day with the dogs- we watched CSI and Cold Case all afternoon. Prince and Romeo were passed out and stretched across us. They love weekends too!
Saturday night, we met up with our friends Ben and Natalie and got Thai food at a place in the west village called Planet Thai 212. It was delicious! We out with them after to Black Door, and caught a cab home around 3am. Sunday was spent shopping for a Wii for the Diesel kids store (we eventually had to go to the Nintendo World store in Rockefeller Center to find them in stock!)
On Monday, we celebrated Labor day with a picnic in the park. The dogs were so happy to be able to run around off their leashes and play in the grass. We saw a movie: Death Race, in the afternoon. Dan picked this flick, and I had my doubts, but he argued that he always goes to see my dumb comedy movies so it’s my turn. The movie is about prisoners who race cars that have machine guns and armor and the driver who survives 5 races gets out of jail. I was surprised to find that the movie was actually pretty good! Very testosterone driven and gory, but still- not bad!
After the movie, we went to Ruby Foo’s for Chinese food and then took another walk with the dogs. It was a totally relaxing, laid-back weekend in our wonderful big city!
We got really spoiled being lazy and sleeping in over this long weekend, and that made it really hard to wake up this morning. On Friday, our friends Davinia and Ken came into the city with their baby, KJ. We walked around the Upper West side, ate lunch at Chipotle, and had dessert from Magnolia bakery. They left around 3:30, and later that evening, I met Dan and our friend Seth on 40th and 5th at a restaurant called Salmon River. We ate and stayed out together, and then walked by Bryant Park to see the fashion tents going up for fashion week next week.
Saturday was a lazy day with the dogs- we watched CSI and Cold Case all afternoon. Prince and Romeo were passed out and stretched across us. They love weekends too!
Saturday night, we met up with our friends Ben and Natalie and got Thai food at a place in the west village called Planet Thai 212. It was delicious! We out with them after to Black Door, and caught a cab home around 3am. Sunday was spent shopping for a Wii for the Diesel kids store (we eventually had to go to the Nintendo World store in Rockefeller Center to find them in stock!)
On Monday, we celebrated Labor day with a picnic in the park. The dogs were so happy to be able to run around off their leashes and play in the grass. We saw a movie: Death Race, in the afternoon. Dan picked this flick, and I had my doubts, but he argued that he always goes to see my dumb comedy movies so it’s my turn. The movie is about prisoners who race cars that have machine guns and armor and the driver who survives 5 races gets out of jail. I was surprised to find that the movie was actually pretty good! Very testosterone driven and gory, but still- not bad!
After the movie, we went to Ruby Foo’s for Chinese food and then took another walk with the dogs. It was a totally relaxing, laid-back weekend in our wonderful big city!
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