Monday, August 31, 2009

Brilliant!!!

I just came across this tip on opening those annoying 'clamshell' packaging for any item, gadget, gizmo, memory card, etc. Check out this article on Yahoo, and how you can open these annoying packages w/ a hand held can opener!! Brilliant I say!!!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Is it just me??

Am I the only one disturbed by the growing up too fast pressure society is putting on our daughters??? 

I've been casually browsing websites for Madalynn's halloween costume, and my jaw has dropped at some of the costumes being marketed to girls, and pre-teens... What is the rush all about? Why do they have to grow up so fast?  Can't we let them be (AND LOOK) like girls.... not women heading out to clubs.

These costumes come in sizes beginning at 7 years old!!!

2654 

38876

 

These costumes below come in sizes beginning at 3 years old.... read that again THREE years old!!

882026

882961

They're young for such a short time... let them be little girls for as long as possible. 

I think this Dove video 'Evolution' should be shown to in every middle school & jr high in the United States

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Hollywood??

I think Hollywood is running out of original ideas... we have TV that is saturated with 'reality' shows, that don't require writers, actors, etc thus the only creativity required is to come up with a concept (as an aside I think the producers of some of these shows use the term 'Star', and 'Celebrity' quite liberally... either that or I'm getting too old to know who these people are). It seems as if they're recycling (or as my Dad would say 'Re-treads'), old ideas, characters, etc.

Last season we saw "Beverly Hills 90210" (from my younger days), recycled as "90210" not only bringing back a similar story line, but some of the same actors/actresses now adults.

They are re-making "The A-Team" into a movie.

This season we have "Melrose Place" coming back as a TV series called "Melrose Place".

Were these shows so great the first time around that they need to come back?? How about something original or new?

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Single Parent Menus

As a single working parent (or any parent for that matter), meal planning/preparing is one of my biggest challenges. Now that I'm a WAHM (Work at home Mom), it has gotten a little bit easier, but I still have to plan ahead. I find it's challenging too grocery shopping as a single plus a half, when a majority of food in the grocery store is 'Family Oriented'... you see "FAMILY SIZE" on bright red stickers in the meat dept, vine tomatoes are in buches of 4 & 5, and don't get me started on the chip aisle!! Additionally, a lot of these items are more economical to buy in the family size. So what's a non family size family to do? Become best friends with your freezer!!!

In the meat dept I buy the family size package (and rip that mocking sticker right off). Once I get home I break up the purchase, put it in a freezer bag, write the date with a sharpie on the bag, and throw it in the freezer. For example, chicken I might break up into packages of 2 or 4. Additionally I may throw some marinade in it (see a marinade recipe below). For hamburger I'll make 2 patties in one bag, and then freeze the rest as is, or go ahead and brown it, and freeze it, and then I have that ready if a recipe calls for browned ground beef. Or tonight, I cooked the entire package for tacos, added the taco seasoning, and then put some in a ziploc for another night this week, and 2 more ziplocs in the freezer.

Let me clarify I am NOT an organized person (I know the Sharpie marker may indicate otherwise). My house is cluttered, piles of mail on the kitchen counter, toys not put away, etc. I play before I clean. I do however have a few things that 'work' that I do consistently. This is one of them.

PROS; This is a great time & money saver that will keep sanity on those crazy weeknights when 'Pirana' hour hits... you know the time of day when you're trying to go through the mail, answer the phone, get some juice, and prepare dinner. (Not to mention washing the high chair tray from breakfast so it's ready for dinner).

CONS; This does take a little planning ahead, not only the process of freezing, but also remembering to take it out of the freezer to thaw when you plan to serve it. (Although microwaves thaw items well, not great, but well, you just have to watch it doesn't begin to cook the meat).

OK, here's the thing; This really is a relief when you don't know what to have for dinner, and you open the freezer to ziploc packages of ideas.

Marinade recipe... SUPER easy!!
  • Italian salad dressing (enough to cover the chicken in the bag).
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (I recommend fresh)
  • 4 pieces of boneless chicken (breasts or thighs)
  • Place everything in a ziploc bag, rotate to coat, freeze.
  • For a twist you can add soy sauce, or terriyaki sauce, but use less italian dressing.
Yummy on the grill, but can also be baked.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Have You Seen This??

I came across this breastfeeding doll on the news the other day... have you seen this?? It's a baby doll for little girls that comes with a halter top the little girl puts on that has two daisy flowers where her breasts should be. The baby cries, and she holds it to her daisies, and the doll begins to make suckling noises like the baby is eating, and then she burps the baby.

Hmmm.... there is something disturbing about it to me. I know breastfeeding is one of the most natural things you can do, and many little girls (and boys) will mimic their Moms if they see her breastfeeding an infant sibling which is sweet. On the other hand, what doll will they come out with next? There are other 'natural' acts that I don't want my daughter mimicing with her dolls. On the other hand I don't agree with those who say it's going to lead to 'oversexualizing' children.

Watch this demonstration, and let me know your thoughts.


.
This doll is currently not available in the United States just Spain.

PROS: It encourages role model play, and most little girls love playing 'Mommy'
CONS: There is a certain 'iccck' factor to it.

Ok, here's the thing; I think in the end it's a harmless doll for your little girl, but it does carry an 'ewwww' factor for adults. I would also have concerns with my daughter using it in public, you never know what kind of people are around,

Friday, August 7, 2009

Summer Pasta Salad Recipe

Okay... my Mom found this recipe years ago, and it's been a family favorite ever since. Super easy for summer cooking.

Spinach Pasta Salad

1 pkg frozen spinach
1 pkg pasta (any type you prefer, penne, ziti, farfalle, all work well)
2-4 tablespoons of butter (adjust to taste, or can use olive oil if you prefer)
2-3 cloves of garlic crushed(or more if you prefer)
Parmesan cheese (shredded cheddar can be added as well)

Boil pasta according to package directions, and salt the water. While that's cooking, microwave the spinach according to package directions* (Also can cook on stovetop if you prefer by package directions). Drain pasta, add butter or olive oil, add crushed garlic, cooked spinach. Stir. Sprinkle with cheese. Stir. Can be served warm or cold. It's great warm on the night prepared, and delicious the next day chilled.

Pros Super easy pasta salad to go with simple summer weeknight meals like grilled chicken, burgers, or seafood. Delicious way to get some spinach (into yourself & your kids).

Cons; You will have garlic breath.

OK, here's the thing; Bottom line is it's an fast, easy, healthy, light recipe that can be made from items usually in your pantry/fridge already. Excellent for weeknight rush!!

*There are many great steam in the package veggies at the market that make this so convenient.


Thursday, August 6, 2009

More To Love 'Review

I would call myself a moderate reality TV viewer. I've never seen 'Survivor', but have watched several seasons of 'American Idol'. I used to love 'The Mole' (does anyone remember that show?? It was great. Anderson Cooper was the host... I loved it.... alas it was shortlived). I digress. I have never watched a season of 'The Bachelor' or 'The Bachelorette', but have seen episodes here, and there. I always thought it was so degrading for these women to chase after this guy. Sure he was a great catch on paper, but there are lots of great guys on paper, how are they in the reality of day to day life?.

I had a co-worker who loved the bachelor shows, and would always fill me in on the goings-ons in these singleton lives. I always used to say I wish they'd do a show with 'Real' women (ie, not a size 2, but size 12+). So, I was intrigued when I saw the previews for 'More To Love', having been a 'real' woman my entire life. I thought FINALLY.

What I saw when I tuned in was a new level of degrading. The show displayed the girls weight EVERY time they were on. It was horrifying. Then during the 'interview' portion their were several girls so emotionally distraught over the dating struggles of the overweight that they were just sad.

Would it have been so hard for the producers to find 'Real' women comfortable in their own skin? Again, being a 'Real' woman my whole life on some levels I could identify with a lot of what they said. Our society does have a lot of superficiality, a lot of people judge us by our outward appearance. I'm keenly aware of this reality. However, there are A LOT of people who aren't superficial. While I concede being heavier makes the dating pool smaller, it doesn't make it impossible.

Walking around in the world you see lots of couples of all shapes and sizes in happy relationships despite what Hollywood would have us believe.

PROS; The only pro I see in a format like this, is perhaps two people may use this avenue to find each other, and forever happiness.

CONS; Aside from the degrading outlined above, I don't like the message it's sending to young girls struggling with their weight. That message comes directly from the girls on this show.

OKAY, here's the thing...

If you enjoy the bachelor & bachelorette shows you will probably enjoy this. The bachelor on the show isn't half bad (although he was a bit smarmy at times). Some of the girls are very sweet (and very young). Perhaps being on a show like this will give them a confidence to go out into the dating world, and find the nice guy who sees their hearts.