So having been virtually unemployed for the past 3 years, feeling isolated from everyone I was almost in disbelief when things changed.
When I found out that I was officially going to begin my part time job I was overcome with thoughts of "Wow, now you will have money, now what??"
For me when I am suddenly faced with an influx of wealth the first things I used to think of was "What thing have I always wanted?" or "What would be fun?" then the fiance and I were forced to live on 1500 a month and 200 dollars a month food budget for two people, a dog, three elder cats, and a foster cat.
Needless to say we had to get cheap and creative FAST.
Suddenly any influx of money was now "Cat food, Dog food, oil change, repairs" things like haircuts, gym memberships, clothes, dining out, and amusements simply were not part of the budget.
Date nights became making home made dinner and watching free episodes of south park online.
Haircuts became standing over newspaper while using clippers, scissors, and a ruler to cut each others hair.
Gym memberships became yoga while fighting for floor space from a 70 pound bulldog.
After about a year although I couldn't go out with friends to the bar (having long since deciding drinking was a luxury we could not afford) a year of home made birthday cakes, cheap but fun gifts for holidays (Like the paw print in home made play dough I made for my fiance's fathers day plaque)
Instead of becoming more and more frustrated with our lack of funds I found myself really seeing more "crap" I could do without. I spent time donating bags and bags of old clothing to charity, went through all our old documents and papers to weed out what we had just kept "in case" threw out broken gadgets, toys, and chotchki's that we had held on to because someone gave them to us (I found a rooster from the dollar store and thought WHY did I keep this?) I gave away yarn, books, food, games, puzzles and more.
We started cutting out more things like driving by walking to the local coop for groceries. Or using the bus to save gas, best yet riding our bikes to places within 3 miles of our house.
With the money we saved we survived the economic crisis. Our animals ate better than we did, and we still managed to have fun and do nice things for each other.
So now that I have a job my friends ask me "What are you going to buy first!?" I was speechless.
My answer? Nothing. I am happy that I learned to live so simply and frugally. I like having my fiance cut my hair, I enjoy hunting at thrift stores for clothing, and I love having friends over for a home made meal on my vintage plates and stem wear that I inherited from my Nana.
I am glad that I learned what really matters and how to recognize quality over quantity. I don't think I would have ever been as grateful for what we have without having to had done without for so long.
Although, I would like to trade a certain outdated gazelle for a recumbent bike. I guess no one is perfect.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Man shoots daughters LapTop
Full Episode here
This is a small Op-Ed piece in response to the viral video of a man shooting his daughters laptop. There have been 50/50 responses to this video. Some applaud the man and approve of his message to his daughter and means of conveyance.
Others like myself feel that there is a message here that is not being addressed.
The man begins by talking about how disrespectful and rude his daughter is. Then goes on to be angered by her insensitivity, callousness, and language. He appears to be in disbelief over his daughters sense of entitlement and stretching of truth.
He finally responds to her behavior by using a gun to shoot holes in her lap top. He goes on to compares his own early life experiences as a model to show how grateful she should be that her life doesn't mirror his.
So why does this trouble myself and several other people? First his daughter did not become a foul mouthed, spoiled, disrespectful young lady in a vacuum. He himself is shown smoking, swearing, and publicly disparaging his daughter and responding to her relatively teen like behavior with violence.
He had parents I assume, and I also assume that those parents instilled a sense of money management, responsibility, and decorum. I would also go as far as to hypothesize that his parents were much stricter and that he considers himself a better person for the experience.
My point is all the negative behaviors that seem to shock and amaze this father are learned behaviors. Behaviors that this girl had to have exhibited before and not had proper parental parameters to correct them.
Further I would surmise that the daughters behavior is in fact a direct result of your parenting, and would suggest that the blame be at the minimum absorbed 50/50.
This father says after all he has done for his child he is angered and offended by her response. I wonder if her response is that much different than any other teenagers. I also wonder how many times in her life the father has indulged the child's whims. She appears to have serious expectations, and in children, expectations are learned from our parents/role models.
To summarize, you reap what you sow. However, what message does shooting a laptop proves besides "If someone makes you angry, destroy something they care about". It seems to me that this parental message may be similar reactions to his daughters. Not the best lesson for what a person should do when faced with a frustrating situation.
This is a small Op-Ed piece in response to the viral video of a man shooting his daughters laptop. There have been 50/50 responses to this video. Some applaud the man and approve of his message to his daughter and means of conveyance.
Others like myself feel that there is a message here that is not being addressed.
The man begins by talking about how disrespectful and rude his daughter is. Then goes on to be angered by her insensitivity, callousness, and language. He appears to be in disbelief over his daughters sense of entitlement and stretching of truth.
He finally responds to her behavior by using a gun to shoot holes in her lap top. He goes on to compares his own early life experiences as a model to show how grateful she should be that her life doesn't mirror his.
So why does this trouble myself and several other people? First his daughter did not become a foul mouthed, spoiled, disrespectful young lady in a vacuum. He himself is shown smoking, swearing, and publicly disparaging his daughter and responding to her relatively teen like behavior with violence.
He had parents I assume, and I also assume that those parents instilled a sense of money management, responsibility, and decorum. I would also go as far as to hypothesize that his parents were much stricter and that he considers himself a better person for the experience.
My point is all the negative behaviors that seem to shock and amaze this father are learned behaviors. Behaviors that this girl had to have exhibited before and not had proper parental parameters to correct them.
Further I would surmise that the daughters behavior is in fact a direct result of your parenting, and would suggest that the blame be at the minimum absorbed 50/50.
This father says after all he has done for his child he is angered and offended by her response. I wonder if her response is that much different than any other teenagers. I also wonder how many times in her life the father has indulged the child's whims. She appears to have serious expectations, and in children, expectations are learned from our parents/role models.
To summarize, you reap what you sow. However, what message does shooting a laptop proves besides "If someone makes you angry, destroy something they care about". It seems to me that this parental message may be similar reactions to his daughters. Not the best lesson for what a person should do when faced with a frustrating situation.
Friday, February 10, 2012
The Future of Movement
I am one of those people who will watch people dance for hours at a time. I am fortunate enough that my household growing up was one filled with music of all genres and involvement in music was mandatory.
The one thing that I never explored as a child was dance. I was an active child, embracing martial arts, and sports at a young age.
I always loved watching the dance team and competitve cheer leaders. Many times I would suggest music, do their makeup, and watch them perform silently wishing that I had the guts to learn some dance moves myself.
Years later I am still able to pick out runs, beats, and rhythems modern music has borrowed from the music I grew up appreciating. However I never did learn to dance.
Luckily having been thoroughly ensconced in the african american and gay community I began to see paralells between modern Hip Hop, and Afro Cuban dance that is becoming more and more popular as a medium. With shows such as “So you think you can dance” and international competitions celebrating Hip Hip, Beat Boys, House, Waacking, Punking, and Fusion styles it makes me wonder where is the future of dance? Is the future of movement in our past?
When I was working with some young artists they did everything they could to turn me on to new styles such as “Dub Step” and “Krunking” when I asked if it was similar to Hip Hop the look of pure confusion was comical.
The earliest forms of movement Afro Cuban celebrations religious or otherwise show examples of dance and movement that echo even to modern dance styles today. Waacking and Punking found in their infancy by early “Balls” held in the close knit gay community featured Vogueing, a dance style borrowed by such famous personalities as Madonna.
Even Krunking and Dub Step show moves that mirror traditional dances by peoples such as the Xhosa and Congolese.
Can one even dare make the connection between ballet and lyrical dance? I see similiarities.
So where does that lead us? Is the future of dance embracing singular styles of the past or fusing them together?
I can't answer definitively, I think it is like musical taste, a personal choice up to each individual to follow their heart.
Who knows what form of movement the future brings, as long as it celebrates music, tells a story, and brings joy I am just happy to sit back and watch what comes up.
Dog bits NBC reporter
OK. I really did NOT want to go into this despite getting several phone calls begging me to “Call about the dog”
There are at least 3 people who have already agreed to take the dog and either rehabilitate him or let him live out his life in a controlled environment.
A news reporter friend who knows that I am a dog trainer who specializes in “at risk” dogs asked me my opinion. And seriously I didn’t WANT to voice my opinion because so many famous trainers are already using this terrible accident to promote their own dog training and training accessories!
However, as someone who not only works with troubled animals but OWNS a dog who has serious anxiety issues I can’t stay quiet.
First, this owner had no sense taking a dog that had had such a traumatic event less than 24 hours previously, and take it to a crowded, unfamiliar, sound stage with people who had no clue about dog behavior.
Second, this dog gave more than adequate warning that he was not only riddled with anxiety but that something about the reporter was placing him on edge.
And finally, Who gets down on a dogs level, and sticks their face in a dogs face, then reaches for its throat area, and ignores every single warning sign from the dog?
So whose fault is this? The humans. ALL the humans.
Max will be taken care of and there is no way euthanasia is in his future. However, there is a lesson here.
I myself was bitten in the face by a dog (in fact I have been bitten several times by a plethora of animals).
As soon as it happened I wanted to punch myself for being such a pushy, cocky, idiot. Dogs are not infants, they are not humans, they are dogs and as such they follow dog hierarchy, rules and behavior, not those anthropomorphic attributes we place on them
So Max, on behalf of trainers and dog lovers every where I apologize for your being put in this situation and we are on your side.
There are at least 3 people who have already agreed to take the dog and either rehabilitate him or let him live out his life in a controlled environment.
A news reporter friend who knows that I am a dog trainer who specializes in “at risk” dogs asked me my opinion. And seriously I didn’t WANT to voice my opinion because so many famous trainers are already using this terrible accident to promote their own dog training and training accessories!
However, as someone who not only works with troubled animals but OWNS a dog who has serious anxiety issues I can’t stay quiet.
First, this owner had no sense taking a dog that had had such a traumatic event less than 24 hours previously, and take it to a crowded, unfamiliar, sound stage with people who had no clue about dog behavior.
Second, this dog gave more than adequate warning that he was not only riddled with anxiety but that something about the reporter was placing him on edge.
And finally, Who gets down on a dogs level, and sticks their face in a dogs face, then reaches for its throat area, and ignores every single warning sign from the dog?
So whose fault is this? The humans. ALL the humans.
Max will be taken care of and there is no way euthanasia is in his future. However, there is a lesson here.
I myself was bitten in the face by a dog (in fact I have been bitten several times by a plethora of animals).
As soon as it happened I wanted to punch myself for being such a pushy, cocky, idiot. Dogs are not infants, they are not humans, they are dogs and as such they follow dog hierarchy, rules and behavior, not those anthropomorphic attributes we place on them
So Max, on behalf of trainers and dog lovers every where I apologize for your being put in this situation and we are on your side.
Saturday, February 04, 2012
American Bulldogs
I always say if I get another dog after Kayne Michael I will get a smaller dog. But honestly I can't imagine haviing a small dog, or any other dog than another Bully.
But since Chris is certain Kayne is immortal we won't have to worry about that for a LONG time :)
But since Chris is certain Kayne is immortal we won't have to worry about that for a LONG time :)
Saturday, December 31, 2011
working out.
So because of my spinal cord syrinx, spinal stenosis, and oseophytes in my cervical and lumbar vertibrae I was told no exertion, no lifting, no running, bouncing, jumping etc.
I am supposedly getting surgery soon and am hoping I will be at least allowed to ride my bike. I wanted to be able to run again, but doc said "not gonna happen"
So now I am saving up for a recumbent bike for inside. I am also going to start doing at least 20 minutes of stretching each morning. Doc said crunches, slow exercise like Tai Chi and pilates was ok for 20 minutes.
I need to do something, I do not want to become my mother and being worried about my health and weight makes me crave sugar.
I am supposedly getting surgery soon and am hoping I will be at least allowed to ride my bike. I wanted to be able to run again, but doc said "not gonna happen"
So now I am saving up for a recumbent bike for inside. I am also going to start doing at least 20 minutes of stretching each morning. Doc said crunches, slow exercise like Tai Chi and pilates was ok for 20 minutes.
I need to do something, I do not want to become my mother and being worried about my health and weight makes me crave sugar.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Hollah
So there are not a lot of people who read this blog. Which is good actually. More like a journal. I wanted to post this here not to complain or garner sympathy but to get it out of my head.
I have a pre-op MRI, then a pre-surgical consult for the end of this month. They are going to decide based on the damage in my neck what surgery would be best. They also want to look at doing the same surgery in my low back.
Since I knew back surgery was a something that I would have to get eventually I didn't get upset when they finally decided it was time. I am tired of having headaches 3 or more times a week. I am tired of not being able to stand in my own kitchen for more than an hour without my legs literally giving out on me. I am tired of not being able to go out with my friends because I don't know if I will get a headache and start puking, or have the nerve pain kick in and have me distracted from any fun because my hands and feet feel like they are on fire.
That said I am nervous about surgery. I know two people who have had it and said it changed their lives. However I have other people who have had it and said they wished they had just stayed on pain meds becaus there were serious complecations.
Being as I hate taking medication anyway and knowing that after surgery I could go from taking 20 pills a day to taking 5.
That alone is enough to make me want the surgery. Also I would be able to walk, and stand, so maybe I could WORK. I need to work, being in this house all day drives me crazy. On the plus side being unemployed has REALLY made me realize what is truly important and how materialistic I was when I was working three jobs. Now I look at all we have and think "we are so lucky ad blessed" things could ALWAYS be worse and have been. I will never be as much of a spoiled brat like I was 3 years ago.
So much physical, mental, and emotional pain and I came out the other side. I know there is nothing I can't do and know the type of person I want to be.
I have a pre-op MRI, then a pre-surgical consult for the end of this month. They are going to decide based on the damage in my neck what surgery would be best. They also want to look at doing the same surgery in my low back.
Since I knew back surgery was a something that I would have to get eventually I didn't get upset when they finally decided it was time. I am tired of having headaches 3 or more times a week. I am tired of not being able to stand in my own kitchen for more than an hour without my legs literally giving out on me. I am tired of not being able to go out with my friends because I don't know if I will get a headache and start puking, or have the nerve pain kick in and have me distracted from any fun because my hands and feet feel like they are on fire.
That said I am nervous about surgery. I know two people who have had it and said it changed their lives. However I have other people who have had it and said they wished they had just stayed on pain meds becaus there were serious complecations.
Being as I hate taking medication anyway and knowing that after surgery I could go from taking 20 pills a day to taking 5.
That alone is enough to make me want the surgery. Also I would be able to walk, and stand, so maybe I could WORK. I need to work, being in this house all day drives me crazy. On the plus side being unemployed has REALLY made me realize what is truly important and how materialistic I was when I was working three jobs. Now I look at all we have and think "we are so lucky ad blessed" things could ALWAYS be worse and have been. I will never be as much of a spoiled brat like I was 3 years ago.
So much physical, mental, and emotional pain and I came out the other side. I know there is nothing I can't do and know the type of person I want to be.
Sunday, November 06, 2011
Isn't it great to have a productive weekend?
So this weekend I managed to make homemade pizza that was AWESOME. Made buttermilk pancakes. Vacuum the entire house, vacuum the dog, water all the plants (and maybe save my air plant, fingers crossed!) strip the hair from my legs my legs with my Emjoi Emagine (best 70 bucks I ever spent) hair removal machine (ie the loud hand held buzz saw that rips the hair from your legs) give myself a full MyChelle Facial (with the fruit enzyme scrub and fruit fiesta peel.)
I also applied for a few jobs, but honestly? I REALLY don't want to follow up on one of the jobs because once I was away from there I promised myself I was not going back, the anxiety of even THINKING about going back is making me ill.
I think I can do better.
I am going to be starting phlebotomy school hopefully soon. I think classes start soon so I need to find out when tuition is due, whether I can get help from my Nana, and talk to Crash about the car situation. I was hoping to be working by now, maybe I will be able to get a work study job if I am taking courses?
Honestly I am going to really hope for some sign that its a good idea.
I hope everyone is well! tomorrow I am making challah bread in hopes of having french toast this week!
KJ
I also applied for a few jobs, but honestly? I REALLY don't want to follow up on one of the jobs because once I was away from there I promised myself I was not going back, the anxiety of even THINKING about going back is making me ill.
I think I can do better.
I am going to be starting phlebotomy school hopefully soon. I think classes start soon so I need to find out when tuition is due, whether I can get help from my Nana, and talk to Crash about the car situation. I was hoping to be working by now, maybe I will be able to get a work study job if I am taking courses?
Honestly I am going to really hope for some sign that its a good idea.
I hope everyone is well! tomorrow I am making challah bread in hopes of having french toast this week!
KJ
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Baking Sunday
I am nesting. Whenever nature plays its evil, painful, bit*hzilla inducing plague of the lady parts on my I start craving food like I am knocked up.
So knowing that I needed to make some easy grab and go breakfast, as well as craving short bread like CRAZY I decided to make two simple, cheap and relatively easy treats.
First off was my Nana's Russian Tea Cakes. They are basically short bread rounds, infuse with vanilla beans, lots of organic butter and chopped pecans then covered with powdered sugar.
They are by far one of the most quickly eaten cookies on the cookie trays my Nana used to make every wnter.
Nekkid bawls:
Clothed in sweet confectioners sugar:
The final thing I made was Creme Koekga. Its a breakfast cake with creme fraiche, vanilla, pecans, brown sugar, and organic eggs.
This is one of the cakes my Nana used to make us and we would get to take some for lunch desert.
Its full of yum and easy to make and the ingredients are cheap too.
Ok nap time for this tired sleepy ewok.
KJ
So knowing that I needed to make some easy grab and go breakfast, as well as craving short bread like CRAZY I decided to make two simple, cheap and relatively easy treats.
First off was my Nana's Russian Tea Cakes. They are basically short bread rounds, infuse with vanilla beans, lots of organic butter and chopped pecans then covered with powdered sugar.
They are by far one of the most quickly eaten cookies on the cookie trays my Nana used to make every wnter.
Nekkid bawls:
Clothed in sweet confectioners sugar:
The final thing I made was Creme Koekga. Its a breakfast cake with creme fraiche, vanilla, pecans, brown sugar, and organic eggs.
This is one of the cakes my Nana used to make us and we would get to take some for lunch desert.
Its full of yum and easy to make and the ingredients are cheap too.
Ok nap time for this tired sleepy ewok.
KJ
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Hike and NOTD!
So my fiance, dog, and I went for a 5 mile hike at the Clark reservation.
The last time we went the mosquitoes were so terrible we made it about a mile before literally RUNNING for the Jeep.
So this time armed with water, sandwiches, dog snacks, and Deep Woods Off we went on the Long Trail Loop with PuppyChupra Kayne Michael.
Can I just say my dog is HILARIOUS? He kept sticking his head in the rock crevices and barking, or pulling Crash to the egde of the cliff face and trying to look over.
Crash said he about had heart failure.
But Kayne LOVED climbing rocks, walking the trails, and getting to drink out of the stream. Here are some pics:
Some Scenery:
And my nails? well I tried to do UV-less gel overlays, and that didn't work out. They ended up cracking or lifting. So I said "screw it" and took them off. Then I used my Nail Magic Base coat therapy, and two coats of Beauty secrets Hardener. THEN I used 4 coats Wet and wild Meet my Magenta that I frankened with China Glaze "Strawberry Fields" and OPI "OPI Red" MMM was just too sheer by itself.
So I ended up with this color:
There is still a SLIGHT visible nail line (VNL) and I didn't do an accent nail. I have some Holographic Bar Glitter from Sally Hanson Xtreme Wear that I am toying with throwing a coat on.
But not until tomorrow.
I am REALLY trying to go at least three days before changing nail color. This is day 2, I would like to make it until Friday, I am not going to lie, I may decide to play with some striper polish, or add a coat of Fairy Dust or 9021Orange if I don't go crazy with Bar Glitter LOL.
Soon I will be posting a recipe for a super absorb-able and less greasy cuticle creme that I have been using with great success. I have been playing around with the ingredients and currently it has petroleum and I am toying with finding an alternative like Whipped Castor oil or Beeswax, though I am leery about bees wax because I feel like they need it more than I do...
So whats your opinion? Beeswax ok for us to use, or should we leave it to the bees?
KJ
The last time we went the mosquitoes were so terrible we made it about a mile before literally RUNNING for the Jeep.
So this time armed with water, sandwiches, dog snacks, and Deep Woods Off we went on the Long Trail Loop with PuppyChupra Kayne Michael.
Can I just say my dog is HILARIOUS? He kept sticking his head in the rock crevices and barking, or pulling Crash to the egde of the cliff face and trying to look over.
Crash said he about had heart failure.
But Kayne LOVED climbing rocks, walking the trails, and getting to drink out of the stream. Here are some pics:
Some Scenery:
And my nails? well I tried to do UV-less gel overlays, and that didn't work out. They ended up cracking or lifting. So I said "screw it" and took them off. Then I used my Nail Magic Base coat therapy, and two coats of Beauty secrets Hardener. THEN I used 4 coats Wet and wild Meet my Magenta that I frankened with China Glaze "Strawberry Fields" and OPI "OPI Red" MMM was just too sheer by itself.
So I ended up with this color:
There is still a SLIGHT visible nail line (VNL) and I didn't do an accent nail. I have some Holographic Bar Glitter from Sally Hanson Xtreme Wear that I am toying with throwing a coat on.
But not until tomorrow.
I am REALLY trying to go at least three days before changing nail color. This is day 2, I would like to make it until Friday, I am not going to lie, I may decide to play with some striper polish, or add a coat of Fairy Dust or 9021Orange if I don't go crazy with Bar Glitter LOL.
Soon I will be posting a recipe for a super absorb-able and less greasy cuticle creme that I have been using with great success. I have been playing around with the ingredients and currently it has petroleum and I am toying with finding an alternative like Whipped Castor oil or Beeswax, though I am leery about bees wax because I feel like they need it more than I do...
So whats your opinion? Beeswax ok for us to use, or should we leave it to the bees?
KJ
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Nails...Nails...NOTD!
LOVE this manicure! I actually wore it three days! (this is a record in case you are wondering)
It is Sally Hansen xtreme wear in CRUSHED with 9021Orange on top.
Simple but fabulous:
My nails are actually getting MAD long. I am seriously thinking maybe overlays? dunno, maybe a dumb idea. My nails are just so thin I feel like they need support! Nail Bra!
Let me know in comments what you do to keep your nails strong!
RW
It is Sally Hansen xtreme wear in CRUSHED with 9021Orange on top.
Simple but fabulous:
My nails are actually getting MAD long. I am seriously thinking maybe overlays? dunno, maybe a dumb idea. My nails are just so thin I feel like they need support! Nail Bra!
Let me know in comments what you do to keep your nails strong!
RW
Sugar busting...and food puuuurn
So I have been REALLY trying to eat low fat and no sugar. Let me tell you, going into a gas station now I am just AMAZED at the high fructose crack syrup treats that are freaking EVERY DARN WHERE!
I have finally found my body surprising me. I FINALLY don't drool when I see something sugary. I can remember how crappy I felt and NOT eat it. Still. Now if I eat an apple I am shocked at how good it is where before I would have said "An apple? I want a 'lowfat' poptart" Now, I KNOW low fat isn't necessarily healthy and I know low carb isn't either. I have just been trying to eat my daily requirements of fruit, and veg and if I am craving something I do a low calorie version. My fave?
Grilled cheese Hungry Girl style.
2 slices low carb no sugar bread (who stone ground wheat or 12 grain is good, just make sure its smaller, not those gigantic pieces!)
1 Tablespoon Brummel and Brown spread
1 piece fat free cheddar cheese
1 laughing cow light spreadable cheese. (I like bleu cheese flavor, but I love stinky food cheese)
put one half of the Brummel and brown on one slice of bread and place on hot skillet. place cheddar on bread in skillet..
Now spread the Laughing Cow Cheese on the other slice, put in n the bread in the skillet.
Use the other hald tablespoon of Brummel and brown to spread on the back of the bread slice.
Wait about a minute (med low heat) and flip, cook other side for another minute, serve with tomato wedges! ok that's just me...
I can't believe I have made these over 10 times for me and the fiance and never took a picture. But other pictures of some of my diet food creations:
Turkey burger with baked center cut bacon and reduced fat cheddar and low carb Kaiser roll:
Reduced fat vegan Caesar Dressing on Romaine with Turkey Bacon
Stuffed Green Peppers with 90% lean ground beef, and low fat part skim mozzarella string cheese
And breakfast oatmeal with flax, toasted wheat germ, sliced apples, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and splenda:
Hungry? me too!
I have finally found my body surprising me. I FINALLY don't drool when I see something sugary. I can remember how crappy I felt and NOT eat it. Still. Now if I eat an apple I am shocked at how good it is where before I would have said "An apple? I want a 'lowfat' poptart" Now, I KNOW low fat isn't necessarily healthy and I know low carb isn't either. I have just been trying to eat my daily requirements of fruit, and veg and if I am craving something I do a low calorie version. My fave?
Grilled cheese Hungry Girl style.
2 slices low carb no sugar bread (who stone ground wheat or 12 grain is good, just make sure its smaller, not those gigantic pieces!)
1 Tablespoon Brummel and Brown spread
1 piece fat free cheddar cheese
1 laughing cow light spreadable cheese. (I like bleu cheese flavor, but I love stinky food cheese)
put one half of the Brummel and brown on one slice of bread and place on hot skillet. place cheddar on bread in skillet..
Now spread the Laughing Cow Cheese on the other slice, put in n the bread in the skillet.
Use the other hald tablespoon of Brummel and brown to spread on the back of the bread slice.
Wait about a minute (med low heat) and flip, cook other side for another minute, serve with tomato wedges! ok that's just me...
I can't believe I have made these over 10 times for me and the fiance and never took a picture. But other pictures of some of my diet food creations:
Turkey burger with baked center cut bacon and reduced fat cheddar and low carb Kaiser roll:
Reduced fat vegan Caesar Dressing on Romaine with Turkey Bacon
Stuffed Green Peppers with 90% lean ground beef, and low fat part skim mozzarella string cheese
And breakfast oatmeal with flax, toasted wheat germ, sliced apples, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and splenda:
Hungry? me too!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Autumn= time for comfort food!
So Autumn to me means its time to whip out my slow cooker and make some rib sticking chili, stew, and utilize those squash before winter is upon us and fruit is a thing of the past (sigh)
So I don't know about you but the idea of throwing together some things in a pot, leaving it on, and coming home to a house smelling like food is my idea of a good day.
I know a lot of people never leave their crock pots unattended, personally I just throw it on the stove and plug it into a surge protector and the house hasn't burned down yet *knock on wood* But even so, a lot of crock pot recipes are the types that you can come home, turn on the crockpot, and then go do whatever for 4 hours and come home et voila! dinner is DONE mang.
So in celebration of the season of the crock pot I am listing a bunch of MY personal favorite recipes, in hopes that you will enjoy them.
Crock Pot Autumn Roast so easy it should be criminal. This fills the kitchen with SUCH wonderful smells. I have tried many roasts and darn it all those southern woman know their meat!
Chalupas Not taco bell! I omit the green chilis (personal taste) and use low carb tortillas to wrap these up. They are excellent as a leftovers on Taco Salad. Serve with peach salsa if you can find it.
Pumpkin Soup My Nana was southern and raised me, Thus we ate pumpkin, A LOT. It didn't help that at one point we had pumpkins hanging from our pine trees in the vegetable garden. This recipe is SO GOOD, coating the pumpkin in butter (I use Brummel and Brown) and cooking for an hour is well worth it. I also use vegetable better than bouillon to make stock, and use center cut bacon. SO GOOD.
Crock Pot Corn Chowder Diana Rattray KNOWS her recipes! I have tried several of hers and found them tastier than even my beloved church recipe cookbooks that I collect! These recipes are ones handed down from generations and hoestly you can taste the proof in the food. A fellow cookbook collector and self made culinary goddess her about.com recipes are truly unique and delicious!
Kielbasa Casserole In Minnesota we call casserole "hot dish" everywhere else in the country they look at you as if you have lost your mind. Never the less this hot dish is not only insanely simple, but I have use grated blanched sweet potatoes in lieu of frozen hash browns to make this low glycemic. Also I used cheddar soup mix halved with fat free sour cream for tasty results. Experiment! This also tastes great with browned ground turkey or low fat ground beef.
So I hope you pull out and dust off those crock pots and let the savory smells waft through YOUR kitchen this Autumn!
So I don't know about you but the idea of throwing together some things in a pot, leaving it on, and coming home to a house smelling like food is my idea of a good day.
I know a lot of people never leave their crock pots unattended, personally I just throw it on the stove and plug it into a surge protector and the house hasn't burned down yet *knock on wood* But even so, a lot of crock pot recipes are the types that you can come home, turn on the crockpot, and then go do whatever for 4 hours and come home et voila! dinner is DONE mang.
So in celebration of the season of the crock pot I am listing a bunch of MY personal favorite recipes, in hopes that you will enjoy them.
Crock Pot Autumn Roast so easy it should be criminal. This fills the kitchen with SUCH wonderful smells. I have tried many roasts and darn it all those southern woman know their meat!
Chalupas Not taco bell! I omit the green chilis (personal taste) and use low carb tortillas to wrap these up. They are excellent as a leftovers on Taco Salad. Serve with peach salsa if you can find it.
Pumpkin Soup My Nana was southern and raised me, Thus we ate pumpkin, A LOT. It didn't help that at one point we had pumpkins hanging from our pine trees in the vegetable garden. This recipe is SO GOOD, coating the pumpkin in butter (I use Brummel and Brown) and cooking for an hour is well worth it. I also use vegetable better than bouillon to make stock, and use center cut bacon. SO GOOD.
Crock Pot Corn Chowder Diana Rattray KNOWS her recipes! I have tried several of hers and found them tastier than even my beloved church recipe cookbooks that I collect! These recipes are ones handed down from generations and hoestly you can taste the proof in the food. A fellow cookbook collector and self made culinary goddess her about.com recipes are truly unique and delicious!
Kielbasa Casserole In Minnesota we call casserole "hot dish" everywhere else in the country they look at you as if you have lost your mind. Never the less this hot dish is not only insanely simple, but I have use grated blanched sweet potatoes in lieu of frozen hash browns to make this low glycemic. Also I used cheddar soup mix halved with fat free sour cream for tasty results. Experiment! This also tastes great with browned ground turkey or low fat ground beef.
So I hope you pull out and dust off those crock pots and let the savory smells waft through YOUR kitchen this Autumn!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Who do you love?
There are many blogs I subscribe to that when they have new posts I do a happy dance.
You KNOW the feeling. When your blog feed of choice shows you a new post and its like getting GOOD mail when its usually bills.
So without further ado, my blog heroines and heros:
Scrangie fellow animal lover and nail polish aficionado. I have been following her for over a year. Check her out, you won't be disappointed!!
Robin Moses I admit I was late to the game on finding her site, But now I make it my Monday, Wednesday, Friday stress relief. Not only is her art inspiring but she and her clients are HILARIOUS, you owe it to yourself to check her out.
Miss 80Millions this Canadian nail blogger never ceases to amaze me with her creativity. Her youtube tutorials are easy to follow, designs are easy but chic and are in steps so that you can stop at simple, or go elaborate.
I have two swatch homies that never cease to amaze me with the beauty and precision in which they apply color!
Enamel Girl has picture perfect nails, and lots of swatches. I may be a tad jealous.
Lextard I started stalking her on her Flickr feed. Everytime I wanted to know what a nail enamel looked like I.R.L. She usually had it. (that britch! LOL) Her application is always smooth and flawless.
Loodie Loodie Loodie She is the Mr.Science of the nail care world. All the questions and bad habits you had with your nails she answers in a totally hilarious and down to earth way. And it doesn't hurt that she loves good food, just like me!
Black Nail Polish and Lip Gloss this lady is the mother I wish I'd had! Teal hair, rocking eye makeup, long natural claws. She is funny, sweet, and a font of knowledge. A blog I cherish.
So I bet you wonder WHY you don't see your blog here. Its not that I don't follow or don't love it, I am just doing a longest subscriptions first!
Check out these awesome blogs and tell me what you think!
KJ
You KNOW the feeling. When your blog feed of choice shows you a new post and its like getting GOOD mail when its usually bills.
So without further ado, my blog heroines and heros:
Scrangie fellow animal lover and nail polish aficionado. I have been following her for over a year. Check her out, you won't be disappointed!!
Robin Moses I admit I was late to the game on finding her site, But now I make it my Monday, Wednesday, Friday stress relief. Not only is her art inspiring but she and her clients are HILARIOUS, you owe it to yourself to check her out.
Miss 80Millions this Canadian nail blogger never ceases to amaze me with her creativity. Her youtube tutorials are easy to follow, designs are easy but chic and are in steps so that you can stop at simple, or go elaborate.
I have two swatch homies that never cease to amaze me with the beauty and precision in which they apply color!
Enamel Girl has picture perfect nails, and lots of swatches. I may be a tad jealous.
Lextard I started stalking her on her Flickr feed. Everytime I wanted to know what a nail enamel looked like I.R.L. She usually had it. (that britch! LOL) Her application is always smooth and flawless.
Loodie Loodie Loodie She is the Mr.Science of the nail care world. All the questions and bad habits you had with your nails she answers in a totally hilarious and down to earth way. And it doesn't hurt that she loves good food, just like me!
Black Nail Polish and Lip Gloss this lady is the mother I wish I'd had! Teal hair, rocking eye makeup, long natural claws. She is funny, sweet, and a font of knowledge. A blog I cherish.
So I bet you wonder WHY you don't see your blog here. Its not that I don't follow or don't love it, I am just doing a longest subscriptions first!
Check out these awesome blogs and tell me what you think!
KJ
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Blingernails Give away!
So I am late to learn about this give away. The winner gets three polishes from pIcture pOlish (Awesome Aussie Brand, but again everything Aussie is awesome)
To enter go here: http://www.blingernails.com/2011/08/picture-polish-giveaway.html
Some deets from Blingernails:
"pIcture pOlish is hosting a giveaway to win THREE polishes of your choice from their own range (this doesn't include the Ozotic brand). They have a fantastic choice of shades to choose from"
pIcture pOlish is located here: http://www.picturepolish.com.au/ on the web to look at their beautiful colors.
Good luck to anyone else who enters!
Some deets from Blingernails:
"pIcture pOlish is hosting a giveaway to win THREE polishes of your choice from their own range (this doesn't include the Ozotic brand). They have a fantastic choice of shades to choose from"
pIcture pOlish is located here: http://www.picturepolish.com.au/ on the web to look at their beautiful colors.
Good luck to anyone else who enters!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
NOTD-Wet and Wild Franken
Hello readers of mass destruction.
Today I have a manicure using a slightly frankened version of Wet and Wild "How I met your Magenta" with "9021 Orange" over it and OPI "OPI Red" for accent nail art.
Nothing fancy to gussy up the WnW HIMYM, I just added 5 drops of China Glaze Strawberry Fields and 9 drops OPI "OPI Red" Then mixed the bejeebus out of it.
I like how it turned out!
The above is 2 coats WnW HIMYM Franken with 1 coat WnW 9021 Orange.
I think it turned out nice! WnW has been surprising me with the quality of their polishes. I have 6 bottles of OPI in similar colors to WnW and have to say the WnW chips a LOT less and usually only starts on day three. (Which by then I am literally panting to change my manicure) The OPI on the other hand is usually chipping for me by the end of day one. Now to be fair I am HARD on my manicures. I have 4 cats, a tortoise, a turtle, a dog, and a fiance to take care of, my nails take a BEATING.
A friend of mine suggested that I try gel polish, saying that I could still paint over the color as long as I used non acetone remover. However with the frequency in which I change my nail color, it seemed like a waste of time to me. HOWEVER, when I go out of town for 7 days in October I am SERIOUSLY considering getting a gel manicure in a neutral color so that I don't have to mess around with lugging polish.
I am doing wedding coordinating, hair, nails, and makeup for the Bride and her entire Bridal Party. So needless to say a 7 day french manicure might be just what I need so I don't obsess over chipped nails. Then I could do a review! LOL Ah the depths to justify a nail care purchase.
I need to go out and buy some more Acetone, however I was in the Emergency room all last night for a terrible migraine. They tried Toradol and Benadryl and it didn't help. So they gave me Thorazine. MAN. I instantly felt like I lowered my IQ by 20 points. Its lingering too. Then my O2 stats kept falling below 90 so they hooked me up to O2. And it was cold as a meat locker in the room. I had a minor panic attack once the doctor saw me and was in the middle of putting on my shoes and clothes and leaving (for some odd reason I had this foreboding that I was going to have a bad reaction to the IV meds, and I did) but one of the nurses who knows my sister in law came in and talked to me and got me to relax. I told him about my weird fear and anxiety (which is NOT normal for me at all) and he said if I felt like that again to tell him right away and he would walk with me around the floor, that maybe I just had nervous energy or my back may be n a bad position and be irritating my nerves.
He was wonderful.
So Today I am resting in bed, Doctor AND Fiance orders.
Hope you are well!
KJ
The above is 2 coats WnW HIMYM Franken with 1 coat WnW 9021 Orange.
I think it turned out nice! WnW has been surprising me with the quality of their polishes. I have 6 bottles of OPI in similar colors to WnW and have to say the WnW chips a LOT less and usually only starts on day three. (Which by then I am literally panting to change my manicure) The OPI on the other hand is usually chipping for me by the end of day one. Now to be fair I am HARD on my manicures. I have 4 cats, a tortoise, a turtle, a dog, and a fiance to take care of, my nails take a BEATING.
A friend of mine suggested that I try gel polish, saying that I could still paint over the color as long as I used non acetone remover. However with the frequency in which I change my nail color, it seemed like a waste of time to me. HOWEVER, when I go out of town for 7 days in October I am SERIOUSLY considering getting a gel manicure in a neutral color so that I don't have to mess around with lugging polish.
I am doing wedding coordinating, hair, nails, and makeup for the Bride and her entire Bridal Party. So needless to say a 7 day french manicure might be just what I need so I don't obsess over chipped nails. Then I could do a review! LOL Ah the depths to justify a nail care purchase.
I need to go out and buy some more Acetone, however I was in the Emergency room all last night for a terrible migraine. They tried Toradol and Benadryl and it didn't help. So they gave me Thorazine. MAN. I instantly felt like I lowered my IQ by 20 points. Its lingering too. Then my O2 stats kept falling below 90 so they hooked me up to O2. And it was cold as a meat locker in the room. I had a minor panic attack once the doctor saw me and was in the middle of putting on my shoes and clothes and leaving (for some odd reason I had this foreboding that I was going to have a bad reaction to the IV meds, and I did) but one of the nurses who knows my sister in law came in and talked to me and got me to relax. I told him about my weird fear and anxiety (which is NOT normal for me at all) and he said if I felt like that again to tell him right away and he would walk with me around the floor, that maybe I just had nervous energy or my back may be n a bad position and be irritating my nerves.
He was wonderful.
So Today I am resting in bed, Doctor AND Fiance orders.
Hope you are well!
KJ
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Who do you love? Right now.
So I posted before about how much I love certain brands of things. But there are lots of things that I am loving right now that have nothing to do with polish (I know...WEIRD)
Well. I have had time to use, and use and use and I wanted to post an updated WHAT I LOVE, now.
1. Nail Magic Base coat therapy. Available at Sally Beauty, I am on my second bottle and am going to be going back for a third. It has replaced CND Stickey and Instant Artificial's as my Holy Grail of Nail Bases. You do need to apply two coats so that your polish does not stain (If you are like me and wear dark China Glaze, Sinful Colors, and LA Colors)I love it so much I am going to be buying some for my Nana.
2. Blue Cross Cuticle Remover. Also Sally Beauty staple. I use this on my dry feet, Chris' cuticles, and oh yeah, to remove cuticles from my nails.
3.Olive Oil in an empty nail polish bottle. I actually BOUGHT a sterile nail polish bottle and put in some organic extra virgin olive oil with just a few drops of Evening primrose and vitamin e. Every time I think about it I swab it onto my cuticles (And my fiance' cuticles) and let it soak in. I use to have hangnails lke cray cray, but now not the case!.
4. Poshe Top Coat. Yes I know the old Poshe was supposedly better, and something about the new Posche people don't like. But you know what? This top coat dries like instantly and keeps my mani fresh for three days with no chipping. I don't care if it is made from the tears of lonely puppies, it works. ( I actually would care about the puppies, I love puppies, and kittens, and all baby animals.)
5. Suave Naturals Rosemary Mint Conditioner. I have used this conditioner three bottles now. My fiance Chris loves it, I love it. It doesn't weigh down the hair, rinses clean but leaves hair soft but not coated. Plus the smell is rad.
6. Wicked Scentuals (Etsy) Liquid Blue soap. This soap is so complex...like old skool blue Coast, and vanilla, and awesome. We have almost used up our sample bar and are going to buy a pound. It is cleansing but doesn't strip the skin, is a perfect face wash for me. And the scent lasts for a long time without being overwhelming. I actually caught a kid sniffing me in the grocery store and when i looked at him he says "You smell like happy" LOL.
7. My old retainer. YES I said retainer. My teeth are actually floating again and I called my orthodontist and he said "start wearing your retainer at night again" its been freaking 10 years since I wore that thing! But here I am once again wearing it. My Dentist does not cover orthodontia but my old Ortho said if I came back to MN to bring it and he would adjust it or replace it for free so my teeth would stay straight. Wearing it keeps me from grinding my teeth in my sleep too.
8. Laughing Cow Light spreadable cheese. This is the shiznit. 50 calories, 2 grams of fat, add a slice of fat free cheese and low carb bread and a tablespoon of low fat buttery spread and you have a decadent grilled cheese that is 1/8 the calories and fat of a normal grilled cheese.
9. Brummel and Brown Yogurt and Butter spread. Tastes just like butter, 65% less fat, grills up awesome, you can bake with it, perfect on a piece of toast.
10. Straight Leg Lunges. OK yeah, actually I HATE these. But I make myself do 90 a day on top of my plie squats, normal squats, Horse stance squats, and Russian Twists abs. Adding in the other weight and resistance stuff I do while watching netflix I am finally starting to loose thigh, and gain muscle. WIN.
So what are you loving right now?
KJ
Well. I have had time to use, and use and use and I wanted to post an updated WHAT I LOVE, now.
1. Nail Magic Base coat therapy. Available at Sally Beauty, I am on my second bottle and am going to be going back for a third. It has replaced CND Stickey and Instant Artificial's as my Holy Grail of Nail Bases. You do need to apply two coats so that your polish does not stain (If you are like me and wear dark China Glaze, Sinful Colors, and LA Colors)I love it so much I am going to be buying some for my Nana.
2. Blue Cross Cuticle Remover. Also Sally Beauty staple. I use this on my dry feet, Chris' cuticles, and oh yeah, to remove cuticles from my nails.
3.Olive Oil in an empty nail polish bottle. I actually BOUGHT a sterile nail polish bottle and put in some organic extra virgin olive oil with just a few drops of Evening primrose and vitamin e. Every time I think about it I swab it onto my cuticles (And my fiance' cuticles) and let it soak in. I use to have hangnails lke cray cray, but now not the case!.
4. Poshe Top Coat. Yes I know the old Poshe was supposedly better, and something about the new Posche people don't like. But you know what? This top coat dries like instantly and keeps my mani fresh for three days with no chipping. I don't care if it is made from the tears of lonely puppies, it works. ( I actually would care about the puppies, I love puppies, and kittens, and all baby animals.)
5. Suave Naturals Rosemary Mint Conditioner. I have used this conditioner three bottles now. My fiance Chris loves it, I love it. It doesn't weigh down the hair, rinses clean but leaves hair soft but not coated. Plus the smell is rad.
6. Wicked Scentuals (Etsy) Liquid Blue soap. This soap is so complex...like old skool blue Coast, and vanilla, and awesome. We have almost used up our sample bar and are going to buy a pound. It is cleansing but doesn't strip the skin, is a perfect face wash for me. And the scent lasts for a long time without being overwhelming. I actually caught a kid sniffing me in the grocery store and when i looked at him he says "You smell like happy" LOL.
7. My old retainer. YES I said retainer. My teeth are actually floating again and I called my orthodontist and he said "start wearing your retainer at night again" its been freaking 10 years since I wore that thing! But here I am once again wearing it. My Dentist does not cover orthodontia but my old Ortho said if I came back to MN to bring it and he would adjust it or replace it for free so my teeth would stay straight. Wearing it keeps me from grinding my teeth in my sleep too.
8. Laughing Cow Light spreadable cheese. This is the shiznit. 50 calories, 2 grams of fat, add a slice of fat free cheese and low carb bread and a tablespoon of low fat buttery spread and you have a decadent grilled cheese that is 1/8 the calories and fat of a normal grilled cheese.
9. Brummel and Brown Yogurt and Butter spread. Tastes just like butter, 65% less fat, grills up awesome, you can bake with it, perfect on a piece of toast.
10. Straight Leg Lunges. OK yeah, actually I HATE these. But I make myself do 90 a day on top of my plie squats, normal squats, Horse stance squats, and Russian Twists abs. Adding in the other weight and resistance stuff I do while watching netflix I am finally starting to loose thigh, and gain muscle. WIN.
So what are you loving right now?
KJ
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Fingerpaints Fall Fashionista Collection
So I just found the Finger Paints Fall Fashionista Collection in Sally. I was looking for a Sally Hanson "Eel skin" by Tracy Reese dupe.
I applied this polish and let me tell you, I can't stop looking at it!
I am going to link to the Polishaholic (who I follow and I suggest you follow too!) so you can see her swatches as my camera is broken (I will be able to fix it, I am handy with Panasonic stuff)
Follow the link and tell me what you think!
Just in case the link is broken:
http://www.thepolishaholic.com/2011/08/fingerpaints-fall-fashionista-fall-2011.html
Also, just got my paws on some POSHE top coat. Man, this stuff is damn near perfect! no tip wear, nice easy formula. Granted it has only been a week using it (three polish changes, I have a problem) But so far I think it may be the answer to my prayers!
Also, Have been using Nail Magic Base Coat Therapy for about 6 months now. I CANNOT say enough about hot much this base has helped my thin, brittle nails! Now my nails are stronger, more flexible (remember when the dog took me down the stairs and I majorly broke a nail? I have fallen down three times with long nails and although it HURT no break!)It has the added bonus of helping polish adhere so your mani last longer (but with how much I clean, cook, scrub, and type it is a miracle to make a manicure last three days, this does.)
I have to say I like this better than Instant Artificial's...Which I loved but hate that it thickens, which I have NOT had a problem with Nail Magic Base Coat Therapy.
I may actually have to see about sending my Nana a bottle since we have the same nail problems.
KJ
I applied this polish and let me tell you, I can't stop looking at it!
I am going to link to the Polishaholic (who I follow and I suggest you follow too!) so you can see her swatches as my camera is broken (I will be able to fix it, I am handy with Panasonic stuff)
Follow the link and tell me what you think!
Just in case the link is broken:
http://www.thepolishaholic.com/2011/08/fingerpaints-fall-fashionista-fall-2011.html
Also, just got my paws on some POSHE top coat. Man, this stuff is damn near perfect! no tip wear, nice easy formula. Granted it has only been a week using it (three polish changes, I have a problem) But so far I think it may be the answer to my prayers!
Also, Have been using Nail Magic Base Coat Therapy for about 6 months now. I CANNOT say enough about hot much this base has helped my thin, brittle nails! Now my nails are stronger, more flexible (remember when the dog took me down the stairs and I majorly broke a nail? I have fallen down three times with long nails and although it HURT no break!)It has the added bonus of helping polish adhere so your mani last longer (but with how much I clean, cook, scrub, and type it is a miracle to make a manicure last three days, this does.)
I have to say I like this better than Instant Artificial's...Which I loved but hate that it thickens, which I have NOT had a problem with Nail Magic Base Coat Therapy.
I may actually have to see about sending my Nana a bottle since we have the same nail problems.
KJ
Monday, August 01, 2011
OK that is just crazy sauce: Period cycle and Lunar Calander
So since I have terrible periods (we are talking emergency room, handful of vicodin, puking because the pain is so bad periods here) I am un-naturally interested in my cycle. I ALWAYS comes between the 7th and the 9th. But this month, it is coming on the 3rd! (I am pre-spotting and PMS'ing like a raving banshee.)S needless to say when friend said she was tracing her cycle online I said 'I wanna do that?!"
So after asking my fiance WHEN I had gotten my period and how heavy it had been when (he has the uncanny ability to remember me talking about mundane sh*t like "Uh I have CLOTS in my period" or me bitching about having stained ANOTHER set of panties, when will my period be over!? SO he ironically was of GREAT assistance in this endeavor!
SO what did I find out? First off? I have 26 day cycles between periods. Second my periods go from Heavy to Medium to Heavy to Light to Heavy and so on.
I also found out that two days AFTER the moon is half Risen, I get my period. Like CLOCKWORK precision here. Be it cloudy, rain or muggy my uterus can sense her Buddy.
Now I am just spotting, trying to reign in PMS and stay cool.
To get your own fascination with your Aunt Flo visit: http://www.mymonthlycycles.com/
Don't say I didn't warn you.
KJ
So after asking my fiance WHEN I had gotten my period and how heavy it had been when (he has the uncanny ability to remember me talking about mundane sh*t like "Uh I have CLOTS in my period" or me bitching about having stained ANOTHER set of panties, when will my period be over!? SO he ironically was of GREAT assistance in this endeavor!
SO what did I find out? First off? I have 26 day cycles between periods. Second my periods go from Heavy to Medium to Heavy to Light to Heavy and so on.
I also found out that two days AFTER the moon is half Risen, I get my period. Like CLOCKWORK precision here. Be it cloudy, rain or muggy my uterus can sense her Buddy.
Now I am just spotting, trying to reign in PMS and stay cool.
To get your own fascination with your Aunt Flo visit: http://www.mymonthlycycles.com/
Don't say I didn't warn you.
KJ
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Yay superflous nail post!
WHEN was the last time I got to sit down and do a great manicure AND show it off AND talk about products?
Yeah.. very excited to have things calming down in the cat cave.
First and foremost thank you Miss80Millions for patiently giving me advice on spongeing, her vids can be found HERE and HERE
So onwards! I have a fantastic mani to show y'all I used the following:
My super duper base which I recommend to EVERYONE Salon Science Instant Artificial's If you have weak nails that break easily this is your nail stuff. Available at Sally's Beauty everywhere.
"Misa "Femme Fatal", Sally Hanson Extreme Wear "Crushed", and Sally Hanson Salon "Hidden Treasure"
Topped off with Sally Hanson Strengthening top coat. Just a quick side bar, this top coat is NOT fast drying, it was the only top coat I have left because I am out of fast drying and well, I am having some issues with formulas! This is normally my French top coat only, but I have to say it IS hard, shiny, and does strengthen.
OK So the method:
I wanted a manicure that "looked" kind of batik but was shiny (of course) and had depth.
So I first applied one coat Misa "Femme Fatal" a beautiful red with a slight orange warmth.
Then I sponged on Sally Hanson Extreme Wear in "Crushed" I did two applications using the sponge method (great tutorial for it here
Make sure when doing this manicure that you apply the nail color to the sponge and then dab it once on a piece of paper. This helps to make the color apply better not gloopy.
After letting the "Crushed" color dry I applied two coats of Sally Hanson Salon "Hidden Treasure" (note NUBAR 2010 is an EXACT dupe and can be bought here AND Nfu oh has a dupe as well and can be bought here )
After applying those and letting them dry I applied my top coat and voila!
Look at that flash!
I could not stop looking at my nails:
Hope you enjoy and have a happy day!
KJ
Yeah.. very excited to have things calming down in the cat cave.
First and foremost thank you Miss80Millions for patiently giving me advice on spongeing, her vids can be found HERE and HERE
So onwards! I have a fantastic mani to show y'all I used the following:
My super duper base which I recommend to EVERYONE Salon Science Instant Artificial's If you have weak nails that break easily this is your nail stuff. Available at Sally's Beauty everywhere.
"Misa "Femme Fatal", Sally Hanson Extreme Wear "Crushed", and Sally Hanson Salon "Hidden Treasure"
Topped off with Sally Hanson Strengthening top coat. Just a quick side bar, this top coat is NOT fast drying, it was the only top coat I have left because I am out of fast drying and well, I am having some issues with formulas! This is normally my French top coat only, but I have to say it IS hard, shiny, and does strengthen.
OK So the method:
I wanted a manicure that "looked" kind of batik but was shiny (of course) and had depth.
So I first applied one coat Misa "Femme Fatal" a beautiful red with a slight orange warmth.
Then I sponged on Sally Hanson Extreme Wear in "Crushed" I did two applications using the sponge method (great tutorial for it here
Make sure when doing this manicure that you apply the nail color to the sponge and then dab it once on a piece of paper. This helps to make the color apply better not gloopy.
After letting the "Crushed" color dry I applied two coats of Sally Hanson Salon "Hidden Treasure" (note NUBAR 2010 is an EXACT dupe and can be bought here AND Nfu oh has a dupe as well and can be bought here )
After applying those and letting them dry I applied my top coat and voila!
Look at that flash!
I could not stop looking at my nails:
Hope you enjoy and have a happy day!
KJ
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Nails-complicated
So this floral design took me 45 minutes to do...
This is the left hand: (clickable)
this mess is the right: (clickable)
Thumbs:
Left:
Right:
Yeah no doubt someone is right handed!
KJ
This is the left hand: (clickable)
this mess is the right: (clickable)
Thumbs:
Left:
Right:
Yeah no doubt someone is right handed!
KJ
Friday, June 17, 2011
DIY Laundry Soap
So as many of my readers and friends know, I am broke as a joke.
Some serious costly things in our house were processed foods, cat litter and laundry soap.
So now that I make our bread, make our pizza dough, and make all baking mixes from scratch (which was a LOT easier than I thought it would be!)
We couldn't replace cat litter with the cheaper thicker grain kind (the kind that doesn't clump urine, just makes it go to the bottom of the pan...ewww) We are buying BOXES of cat litter instead at a discount place (clumping, and unscented, works for us since I clean their boxes daily)
Now for Laundry soap.
First a little background. I am sensitive to smells. I HATE the way most laundry soaps smell. I grew up hating the way TIDE, GAIN, and ERA smelled.
I used Dreft unscented for the longest time but it didn't get my clothes clean.
I even tried Ivory snow (which has a light scent) but still, clothes came out not that clean.
So I went online to an awesome Pioneer Women forum and researched laundry soap.
There were a few recipes that required liquid soap, but I was really looking for a powder. Then I saw some powder recipes but they called for castile soap, I wanted something I knew worked and smelled good (if I had to have scent I wanted it to be CLEAN smell)
So I got Fels Naptha and used that.
Once ground Fels Naptha will give you about 2 cups soap flakes.
I add 4 cups borax, and 4 cups washing soda (soda ash)
This gives me a total of 80 ounces of product. Around 145 tablespoons.
1 TBSP equals one normal sized load.
So the basic recipe is 1 cup soap flakes (you can use ivory, dr. bronners, ZOTE, Fels Naptha, or another castile soap)
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda.
Now here is the reason why my numbers are different.
I used Fels Naptha which is a heavy duty soap. So I doubled up on Borax and Washing soda.
Results? Worked perfectly.
Now the 1 cup each mixed together recipe may work perfectly if the soap you use is Ivory, or Kirk's Castile or Dr. Bronners.
But A soap like ZOTE or Fels Naptha which is specifically made to be heavy duty I find it works good to double the other ingredients.
But here is the thing: Experiment, try mixing soap flakes,such as ivory AND fels naptha, 1 and 1/2 cups each borax and washing soda. Experiment and find out which one of these recipes and conversions works best for your soiled clothes.
And note that you will be using about .05 cents per load vs. commercial detergents which cost about .25 cents a load.
I use 3 tablespoons on my fiance's work clothes, and since the commercial front loaders have 2 wash cycles I split the soap between the two and he ALWAYS has his clothes come out soft, clean, and smelling good.
Give your own recipe a try and save some time and money!
So how do you do it?
Grate the soap with a fine grater into a bowl (takes about 3 minutes)
Add your Borax and washing soda (amounts depend on which soap you use: Heavy duty laundry soap I use 1 cup soap to 2 cups each borax and washing soda. Regular soap such as Ivory or Kirk's Castile I follow the 1 bar, 1 cup each Borax and Washing soda)
After you grate the soap (and this part is optional) Mix it in with the borax,washing soda and pulse it in a food processor for about 2 minutes.
(Otherwise you can just mix everything together and have it be more chunky)
I recommend using a food processor because the smaller the soap the more quickly it dissolves.
Store in an airtight container, add essential oil scent if you wish.
KJ
Some serious costly things in our house were processed foods, cat litter and laundry soap.
So now that I make our bread, make our pizza dough, and make all baking mixes from scratch (which was a LOT easier than I thought it would be!)
We couldn't replace cat litter with the cheaper thicker grain kind (the kind that doesn't clump urine, just makes it go to the bottom of the pan...ewww) We are buying BOXES of cat litter instead at a discount place (clumping, and unscented, works for us since I clean their boxes daily)
Now for Laundry soap.
First a little background. I am sensitive to smells. I HATE the way most laundry soaps smell. I grew up hating the way TIDE, GAIN, and ERA smelled.
I used Dreft unscented for the longest time but it didn't get my clothes clean.
I even tried Ivory snow (which has a light scent) but still, clothes came out not that clean.
So I went online to an awesome Pioneer Women forum and researched laundry soap.
There were a few recipes that required liquid soap, but I was really looking for a powder. Then I saw some powder recipes but they called for castile soap, I wanted something I knew worked and smelled good (if I had to have scent I wanted it to be CLEAN smell)
So I got Fels Naptha and used that.
Once ground Fels Naptha will give you about 2 cups soap flakes.
I add 4 cups borax, and 4 cups washing soda (soda ash)
This gives me a total of 80 ounces of product. Around 145 tablespoons.
1 TBSP equals one normal sized load.
So the basic recipe is 1 cup soap flakes (you can use ivory, dr. bronners, ZOTE, Fels Naptha, or another castile soap)
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda.
Now here is the reason why my numbers are different.
I used Fels Naptha which is a heavy duty soap. So I doubled up on Borax and Washing soda.
Results? Worked perfectly.
Now the 1 cup each mixed together recipe may work perfectly if the soap you use is Ivory, or Kirk's Castile or Dr. Bronners.
But A soap like ZOTE or Fels Naptha which is specifically made to be heavy duty I find it works good to double the other ingredients.
But here is the thing: Experiment, try mixing soap flakes,such as ivory AND fels naptha, 1 and 1/2 cups each borax and washing soda. Experiment and find out which one of these recipes and conversions works best for your soiled clothes.
And note that you will be using about .05 cents per load vs. commercial detergents which cost about .25 cents a load.
I use 3 tablespoons on my fiance's work clothes, and since the commercial front loaders have 2 wash cycles I split the soap between the two and he ALWAYS has his clothes come out soft, clean, and smelling good.
Give your own recipe a try and save some time and money!
So how do you do it?
Grate the soap with a fine grater into a bowl (takes about 3 minutes)
Add your Borax and washing soda (amounts depend on which soap you use: Heavy duty laundry soap I use 1 cup soap to 2 cups each borax and washing soda. Regular soap such as Ivory or Kirk's Castile I follow the 1 bar, 1 cup each Borax and Washing soda)
After you grate the soap (and this part is optional) Mix it in with the borax,washing soda and pulse it in a food processor for about 2 minutes.
(Otherwise you can just mix everything together and have it be more chunky)
I recommend using a food processor because the smaller the soap the more quickly it dissolves.
Store in an airtight container, add essential oil scent if you wish.
KJ
Saturday, June 04, 2011
Baked and half baked goods
So First for the win:
Fauxroni, Chreeze, and vidalia onion pizza on home made dough, with home made sauce:
Amish Sweet Bread:
And...
Matzo Crack:
Don't ask me how many times I had to make each to get them perfect...
And a fail!
Cinnamon rolls:
Wait...WTH is wrong with them...Sits up pondering...didn't add freaking cinnamon.
F-it they are sweet rolls instead. Eat em.
KJ
Fauxroni, Chreeze, and vidalia onion pizza on home made dough, with home made sauce:
Amish Sweet Bread:
And...
Matzo Crack:
Don't ask me how many times I had to make each to get them perfect...
And a fail!
Cinnamon rolls:
Wait...WTH is wrong with them...Sits up pondering...didn't add freaking cinnamon.
F-it they are sweet rolls instead. Eat em.
KJ
Thursday, June 02, 2011
OPI Cajun Shrimp
These are definately summer nails. I am debating whether or not to add a coat of Sally Hanson gold flakies over it. part of me thinks "wow pretty!" the other part says "get up? its nap time biotch!"
I think nap time wins...I don't even think I have the energy to do top coat right now. At least my toes and fingers are painted and I have brushed my teeth, showered, and am resting up for laundry
Here are my nails. HORRIBLE picture:
Thats all for now. Looking up Cajun Shrimp online is better to see the color.
THis is perfect
KJ
I think nap time wins...I don't even think I have the energy to do top coat right now. At least my toes and fingers are painted and I have brushed my teeth, showered, and am resting up for laundry
Here are my nails. HORRIBLE picture:
Thats all for now. Looking up Cajun Shrimp online is better to see the color.
THis is perfect
KJ
Monday, May 30, 2011
I have Syringomyelia.
I have had it since 2004. It is post traumatic and sometimes I feel like it has completely taken over my and my fiance's lives.
I have Syringomyelia, Syringomyelia does not have me.
Syringomelia symptoms come on suddenly after a fall or minor trauma. Symptoms include but are not limited too:
Inability to regulate body temperature
Loss of sensitivity to hot and cold
Numbness and tingling
...Loss of Bowel and bladder control
Muscle weakness
Spasticity
Paralysis (in severe cases, quadriplegia)
Chronic pain
Neuropathic pain
Chronic severe headaches
I have Syringomyelia, Syringomyelia does not have me.
Syringomelia symptoms come on suddenly after a fall or minor trauma. Symptoms include but are not limited too:
Inability to regulate body temperature
Loss of sensitivity to hot and cold
Numbness and tingling
...Loss of Bowel and bladder control
Muscle weakness
Spasticity
Paralysis (in severe cases, quadriplegia)
Chronic pain
Neuropathic pain
Chronic severe headaches
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Nail crap and Nivea Soft review
So I FINALLY got my hands on some China Glaze Crackle polish!
But I do have pictures of a few other mani's to tide us all over until I can cook or try a new product.
Oh Quick review first, Nivea sent me some lotion to try for a week Nivea "Soft" for body and face.
Went on quick, absorbed fast, made my face feel too greasy but on my body was AWESOME. It worked like a thick cream without feelig greasy or taking forevr to absorb. 5 hours later and after vacuuming the whole house and spending 3 hours outside with the dog my skin is still moist and comfortable but not the least sticky.
Made me get a small bump on my chin (I have a super sensitive face!) But otherwise I think I am going to ditch my Neutrogena and buy a big bottle before they DC it!
Here is my sparkle mani:
T'Jours!
KJ
But I do have pictures of a few other mani's to tide us all over until I can cook or try a new product.
Oh Quick review first, Nivea sent me some lotion to try for a week Nivea "Soft" for body and face.
Went on quick, absorbed fast, made my face feel too greasy but on my body was AWESOME. It worked like a thick cream without feelig greasy or taking forevr to absorb. 5 hours later and after vacuuming the whole house and spending 3 hours outside with the dog my skin is still moist and comfortable but not the least sticky.
Made me get a small bump on my chin (I have a super sensitive face!) But otherwise I think I am going to ditch my Neutrogena and buy a big bottle before they DC it!
Here is my sparkle mani:
T'Jours!
KJ
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Medic alert bracelet your will WANT to wear
Thank you Michelle Vorbeek again for saving my life.
Example here
My medic alert bracelet is just over a year old and I wore it to the hospital the other day and the lady said "Ah! I like this! Where did you get it?"
Even my nana has a Michelle Vorbeek Medic alert bracelet now.
All the kewl kids are getting them for reals.
Keep cool and safe, I wonder if she can add compazine to my bracelet...???
KJ
Example here
My medic alert bracelet is just over a year old and I wore it to the hospital the other day and the lady said "Ah! I like this! Where did you get it?"
Even my nana has a Michelle Vorbeek Medic alert bracelet now.
All the kewl kids are getting them for reals.
Keep cool and safe, I wonder if she can add compazine to my bracelet...???
KJ
Sulfite allergist gives new list of "No No" foods
So I am allergic to sulfites and sulfa drugs.
I have to be seriously careful about what I eat.
So imagine my surprise to find out a new list from my allergist of no no foods.
Following foods contain Greater than 100 ppm of sulfites (very high levels, strict avoidance advised in people with sulfite allergy)
* dried fruits (prunes)
* bottled lemon juice (non-frozen)
* bottled lime juice (non-frozen)
* wine
* molasses
* sauerkraut (and its juice)
* grape juices (white, white sparkling, pink sparkling, red sparkling)
* pickled cocktail onions
Between 50 and 99.9 ppm of sulfites (moderate to high levels of sulfite, avoidance advised in people with sulfite allergy)
* dried potatoes
* wine vinegar
* gravies/sauces
* fruit toppings
* Maraschino cherries
Between 10 and 49.9 ppm of sulfites (low to moderate levels of sulfite, may cause symptoms in people with severe sulfite allergy)
* pectin
* fresh shrimp
* corn syrup
* pickled peppers
* pickles/relish
* corn starch
* hominy
* frozen potatoes
* maple syrup
* imported jams and jellies
* fresh mushrooms
* imported sausages and meats
* cordials (alcoholic)
* dehydrated vegetables
* various cheeses
* corn bread/muffin mix
* canned/jarred clams
* clam chowder
* avocado dip/guacamole
* imported fruit juices and soft drinks
* ciders and cider vinegars
The Hell? Maple SYRUP?! I freaking love maple syrup. I already use rice vinegar and am lactose intolerant anyway so the rest of this didn't bother me so much but...Corn muffin mix? Corn muffin tops are a staple in our house I make them and toast them in the toaster oven!
And if I can't have my pickle relish on my Tofu Pups I would want to pass away from it. I LOVE pickles. Hell I make my own! Can I eat those?
Ugh....sucky new list.
Crash (fiance) said "So basically you can't eat anything without risk of dying?"
Uh yeah basically that.
KJ
I have to be seriously careful about what I eat.
So imagine my surprise to find out a new list from my allergist of no no foods.
Following foods contain Greater than 100 ppm of sulfites (very high levels, strict avoidance advised in people with sulfite allergy)
* dried fruits (prunes)
* bottled lemon juice (non-frozen)
* bottled lime juice (non-frozen)
* wine
* molasses
* sauerkraut (and its juice)
* grape juices (white, white sparkling, pink sparkling, red sparkling)
* pickled cocktail onions
Between 50 and 99.9 ppm of sulfites (moderate to high levels of sulfite, avoidance advised in people with sulfite allergy)
* dried potatoes
* wine vinegar
* gravies/sauces
* fruit toppings
* Maraschino cherries
Between 10 and 49.9 ppm of sulfites (low to moderate levels of sulfite, may cause symptoms in people with severe sulfite allergy)
* pectin
* fresh shrimp
* corn syrup
* pickled peppers
* pickles/relish
* corn starch
* hominy
* frozen potatoes
* maple syrup
* imported jams and jellies
* fresh mushrooms
* imported sausages and meats
* cordials (alcoholic)
* dehydrated vegetables
* various cheeses
* corn bread/muffin mix
* canned/jarred clams
* clam chowder
* avocado dip/guacamole
* imported fruit juices and soft drinks
* ciders and cider vinegars
The Hell? Maple SYRUP?! I freaking love maple syrup. I already use rice vinegar and am lactose intolerant anyway so the rest of this didn't bother me so much but...Corn muffin mix? Corn muffin tops are a staple in our house I make them and toast them in the toaster oven!
And if I can't have my pickle relish on my Tofu Pups I would want to pass away from it. I LOVE pickles. Hell I make my own! Can I eat those?
Ugh....sucky new list.
Crash (fiance) said "So basically you can't eat anything without risk of dying?"
Uh yeah basically that.
KJ
Salted Caramel Molted Choco-cake
So I made some vegan caramels (let me tell u now, easy ingredients list but it took me two times to get the batches right! But at least I could use the first batch for Caramel Powder (Thanks Mattie!)
Salted Caramel-Filled Molten Choco Cakes
4 oz vegan dark chocolate, chopped (those dark choco candy making wafers work great, as do dark chocolate chips)
3 tbsp unsalted vegan baking "butter"
1 flax egg (1 tbsp flax meal and 2 tablespoons hot water)
1 tsp guar gum (plus 2 tsp hot water)
1/4 cup turbinado sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt
1 tbsp all purpose flour/Garam flour (garbanzo bean flour for gluten intolerant)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
6 chewy salted caramels
or 6 caramels + pinch of sea salt for each
Preheat oven to 400F. Grease and flour a 6-cup muffin tin.
In a small bowl, melt together 4-oz dark chocolate and the vegan butter.
Set aside to cool for about 5 minutes until mixture is close to room temperature.
In a large bowl, combine the flax egg, guar gum and water, sugar, vanilla and salt.
Mix with spatula until is just moist (about 2-5 minutes)DO NOT OVER MIX or your cakes will be flat and crumbly.
Sift flour over egg mixture and fold in. Add cooled chocolate/butter mixture and fold with spatula in until batter is uniform and no streaks of chocolate remain.
Divide evenly into prepared muffin tins.
Gently push one caramel into each of the muffin cups (or one caramel and a generous pinch of sea salt) and cover with batter.
Bake at 400F for 9-11 minutes,OR until the tops are just set. Let cakes cool in pan for 5 minutes. Run a knife around the edges of each pan and turn cakes out onto a large plate or cutting board. Use a spatula to transfer cakes to individual serving plates.
Cakes can be served right side up or still inverted.
Note: if you over stir the cakes will be a bit crumbly. So try to stir gently and I recommend NOT using a mixer but plain old arm work.
Salted Caramel-Filled Molten Choco Cakes
4 oz vegan dark chocolate, chopped (those dark choco candy making wafers work great, as do dark chocolate chips)
3 tbsp unsalted vegan baking "butter"
1 flax egg (1 tbsp flax meal and 2 tablespoons hot water)
1 tsp guar gum (plus 2 tsp hot water)
1/4 cup turbinado sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt
1 tbsp all purpose flour/Garam flour (garbanzo bean flour for gluten intolerant)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
6 chewy salted caramels
or 6 caramels + pinch of sea salt for each
Preheat oven to 400F. Grease and flour a 6-cup muffin tin.
In a small bowl, melt together 4-oz dark chocolate and the vegan butter.
Set aside to cool for about 5 minutes until mixture is close to room temperature.
In a large bowl, combine the flax egg, guar gum and water, sugar, vanilla and salt.
Mix with spatula until is just moist (about 2-5 minutes)DO NOT OVER MIX or your cakes will be flat and crumbly.
Sift flour over egg mixture and fold in. Add cooled chocolate/butter mixture and fold with spatula in until batter is uniform and no streaks of chocolate remain.
Divide evenly into prepared muffin tins.
Gently push one caramel into each of the muffin cups (or one caramel and a generous pinch of sea salt) and cover with batter.
Bake at 400F for 9-11 minutes,OR until the tops are just set. Let cakes cool in pan for 5 minutes. Run a knife around the edges of each pan and turn cakes out onto a large plate or cutting board. Use a spatula to transfer cakes to individual serving plates.
Cakes can be served right side up or still inverted.
Note: if you over stir the cakes will be a bit crumbly. So try to stir gently and I recommend NOT using a mixer but plain old arm work.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
African dessert
Note: there is a vegan cream called Mimicreme that woks really well here instead of dairy cream.
COUPE MOUNT KENYA
Mango Ice Cream
Yield: 1 quart ice cream
Any fruit ice cream will serve for the Coupe Mount Kenya, especially peach ice cream. Fruit sherbet may also be used. Canned pineapple may be substituted for the fresh, but it does not have the same zing.
Mash 4 or 5 RIPE MANGOS, peeled and pitted. There should be 2 cups.
Whip: 1 cup HEAVY CREAM with
1/2 cup SUGAR until stiff.
In a 2-quart bowl:
Combine: 2 cups MASHED MANGOS
2 Tbs. LEMON PEEL cut in tiny ribbons
1/2 cup CONDENSED MILK
1/2 tsp. SALT.
Fold in the whipped cream.
Pour into freezer trays or a 6-cup mold and freeze.
PINEAPPLE RUM SAUCE
Yield: 1 quart sauce mixture
In a 1-quart sauce pan:
Simmer: 1 cup PINEAPPLE JUICE (canned) and
1 cup SUGAR until it dissolves and a syrup is formed.
Add 1/2 cup WHITE RUM. Cool.
In a 2-quart bowl:
Cut 3 cups FRESH PINEAPPLE in 1/2-inch dice.
Pour the Pineapple Rum Sauce over the pineapple.
Marinate for several hours.
Place 1 scoop MANGO ICE CREAM in a 6-oz. wine glass.
Top with 3 to 4 oz. PINEAPPLE RUM MIXTURE
Garnish with 1 Tbs. PISTACHIO NUTS, coarsely chopped.
COUPE MOUNT KENYA
Mango Ice Cream
Yield: 1 quart ice cream
Any fruit ice cream will serve for the Coupe Mount Kenya, especially peach ice cream. Fruit sherbet may also be used. Canned pineapple may be substituted for the fresh, but it does not have the same zing.
Mash 4 or 5 RIPE MANGOS, peeled and pitted. There should be 2 cups.
Whip: 1 cup HEAVY CREAM with
1/2 cup SUGAR until stiff.
In a 2-quart bowl:
Combine: 2 cups MASHED MANGOS
2 Tbs. LEMON PEEL cut in tiny ribbons
1/2 cup CONDENSED MILK
1/2 tsp. SALT.
Fold in the whipped cream.
Pour into freezer trays or a 6-cup mold and freeze.
PINEAPPLE RUM SAUCE
Yield: 1 quart sauce mixture
In a 1-quart sauce pan:
Simmer: 1 cup PINEAPPLE JUICE (canned) and
1 cup SUGAR until it dissolves and a syrup is formed.
Add 1/2 cup WHITE RUM. Cool.
In a 2-quart bowl:
Cut 3 cups FRESH PINEAPPLE in 1/2-inch dice.
Pour the Pineapple Rum Sauce over the pineapple.
Marinate for several hours.
Place 1 scoop MANGO ICE CREAM in a 6-oz. wine glass.
Top with 3 to 4 oz. PINEAPPLE RUM MIXTURE
Garnish with 1 Tbs. PISTACHIO NUTS, coarsely chopped.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
vegan baking
so in an effort to get Crash to eat more veggies and to cut out meat and dairy I have begun vegan baking and cooking again.
We are predominantly veggie just because its cheaper and healthier plus if I can get away with not having to touch raw meat or eggs I am all for it!
So when I saw this recipe that used my fave ingredients and found a suitable substitution for condensed milk I jumped at the chance to try it:
http://www.veganbaking.net/vegan-recipes/brownies-and-bars/chocolate-coconut-madness-bars.html
Also try making Cashew Vegan Cream cheese too, so good on bagels and toast:
http://www.veganbaking.net/vegan-recipes/frostings-icings-and-sauces/creamy-cashew-cream-cheese.html
Its this lactose intolerant's dream cream.
KJ
We are predominantly veggie just because its cheaper and healthier plus if I can get away with not having to touch raw meat or eggs I am all for it!
So when I saw this recipe that used my fave ingredients and found a suitable substitution for condensed milk I jumped at the chance to try it:
http://www.veganbaking.net/vegan-recipes/brownies-and-bars/chocolate-coconut-madness-bars.html
Also try making Cashew Vegan Cream cheese too, so good on bagels and toast:
http://www.veganbaking.net/vegan-recipes/frostings-icings-and-sauces/creamy-cashew-cream-cheese.html
Its this lactose intolerant's dream cream.
KJ
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Weight management and spinal cord injury
So I am unsure of how many people know this but I have a spinal cord injury on top of my arthritis.
So whereas before I was running 3-5 miles a day, now it i often painful for me to get up stairs or do daily chores.
Case in point: Today I managed to clean a cat box, make muffins, make dinner for Crash, and clean the tortoise cage and take the do out twice for a short 1 block sniff and p-mail trip.
After that my legs and arms were hurting so badly I had to lie down and stretch them out.
I actually made the mistake of watching the Biggest Loser Makeover tonight and it made me feel like crap watching how hard they were working out knowing that since I was in the hospital again I have not been able to get back to the gym.
The fact is there are not a lot of personal trainers (who are affordable) who work with people who have arthritis and a spinal cord injury, they are just too worried (rightfully so!) that they are going to tell you to do something and have it blow up in your face.
I do have one personal trainer who has been working with me but since I hurt my ankle we have been seriously hindered by what exercises I can do. So I had tried to make lower fat meals at home only to have Crash bring home cookies and refuse to eat whatever low fat high veggie thing I made for dinner.
So I was talking to some online crip friends (tongue in cheek) and one of them gave me a site that talks about realistic expectations with spinal cord injury, I am not going to re-write everything they said but there was a few things I think bear repeating even if you don't have a SCI
Ultimately, it is really up to you to take control of your life. With practice, you can improve your self-talk to improve your overall health.
• Be honest with yourself.
• Do not try to be perfect.
• Avoid over exaggerations.
• Do not try to predict future.
• Keep a positive attitude.
• Do not be self-critical.
• Recognize the good with the bad.
• Pat yourself on the back for a task well done.
Reducing Stress
Managing stress is an important key to maintaining healthy behaviors because your eating behaviors often change when you’re under stress. People who constantly experience symptoms of stress are often at higher risk for serious health problems including illness, addiction and depression.
No one is going to be stress free, but you can minimize the impact of stress. There are many things you can do to feel better emotionally and physically.
• Get enough sleep.
• Eat regular, healthy meals and snacks.
• Participate in regularly physical activities because your body can fight stress better when it is fit.
• Cut down or cut out use of caffeine and tobacco.
• Seek a balance of work and play.
• Hug somebody!
• Be assertive with your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive.
• Be socially active with friends and family.
And on that note, I leave you.
KJ
So whereas before I was running 3-5 miles a day, now it i often painful for me to get up stairs or do daily chores.
Case in point: Today I managed to clean a cat box, make muffins, make dinner for Crash, and clean the tortoise cage and take the do out twice for a short 1 block sniff and p-mail trip.
After that my legs and arms were hurting so badly I had to lie down and stretch them out.
I actually made the mistake of watching the Biggest Loser Makeover tonight and it made me feel like crap watching how hard they were working out knowing that since I was in the hospital again I have not been able to get back to the gym.
The fact is there are not a lot of personal trainers (who are affordable) who work with people who have arthritis and a spinal cord injury, they are just too worried (rightfully so!) that they are going to tell you to do something and have it blow up in your face.
I do have one personal trainer who has been working with me but since I hurt my ankle we have been seriously hindered by what exercises I can do. So I had tried to make lower fat meals at home only to have Crash bring home cookies and refuse to eat whatever low fat high veggie thing I made for dinner.
So I was talking to some online crip friends (tongue in cheek) and one of them gave me a site that talks about realistic expectations with spinal cord injury, I am not going to re-write everything they said but there was a few things I think bear repeating even if you don't have a SCI
Ultimately, it is really up to you to take control of your life. With practice, you can improve your self-talk to improve your overall health.
• Be honest with yourself.
• Do not try to be perfect.
• Avoid over exaggerations.
• Do not try to predict future.
• Keep a positive attitude.
• Do not be self-critical.
• Recognize the good with the bad.
• Pat yourself on the back for a task well done.
Reducing Stress
Managing stress is an important key to maintaining healthy behaviors because your eating behaviors often change when you’re under stress. People who constantly experience symptoms of stress are often at higher risk for serious health problems including illness, addiction and depression.
No one is going to be stress free, but you can minimize the impact of stress. There are many things you can do to feel better emotionally and physically.
• Get enough sleep.
• Eat regular, healthy meals and snacks.
• Participate in regularly physical activities because your body can fight stress better when it is fit.
• Cut down or cut out use of caffeine and tobacco.
• Seek a balance of work and play.
• Hug somebody!
• Be assertive with your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive.
• Be socially active with friends and family.
And on that note, I leave you.
KJ
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Dog Massage
Yes I massage my dog. I learned from a massage therapist, took some basic anatomy courses of mammals and physiology and now I am master at massaging large animals. Because Kayne Micheal is 80 pounds, this applies.
And what do you ask, does it do massaging your dog?
Well, in the case of most over bred, or bred to look a certain way dogs, most of whom are not exercised enough, eat too much, and don't live in a place where the ground is similar to that of a forest floor...well it helps them to live longer in short.
We walk our dog almost every day on concrete, we live in a hard wood floor apartment, and on the second floor.
Needless to say Kayne Micheal had joint issues before from his nightmare of being used as a bait dog. Now that he is 4 years old what seems young to us is middle aged for him and his hard early life is showing.
Thus every night his collar comes off and the massaging wand (yes he LOVES the back massager)comes out.
He is so used to this as soon as he is done helping papa move the car to off street parking he comes bounding in and hops on the bed and gives me "The Look" ie dog speak for "what are your hands broken? get to rubbing mama!"
In fact if I don't get going, he will sit by my head and whine and paw at me until I get up, and start giving him a rub down.
Both Crash and I noticed that the massage in conjunction with him sleeping on a Serta Baby mattress (We found one used that didn't smell like pee) has him a lot more limber in the AM and sleeping through the night like a champ (before he would cry, toss and turn on his blanket on the floor bed.
His bed is so comfy now I have climbed in his cage and cuddled up next to him during thunderstorms (He is TERRIFIED of them and only being held and sung too calms him down) I ended up falling asleep with my arms wrapped around him. That's some mattress!
So go give your dog or cat or other large mammal some TLC today.
And what do you ask, does it do massaging your dog?
Well, in the case of most over bred, or bred to look a certain way dogs, most of whom are not exercised enough, eat too much, and don't live in a place where the ground is similar to that of a forest floor...well it helps them to live longer in short.
We walk our dog almost every day on concrete, we live in a hard wood floor apartment, and on the second floor.
Needless to say Kayne Micheal had joint issues before from his nightmare of being used as a bait dog. Now that he is 4 years old what seems young to us is middle aged for him and his hard early life is showing.
Thus every night his collar comes off and the massaging wand (yes he LOVES the back massager)comes out.
He is so used to this as soon as he is done helping papa move the car to off street parking he comes bounding in and hops on the bed and gives me "The Look" ie dog speak for "what are your hands broken? get to rubbing mama!"
In fact if I don't get going, he will sit by my head and whine and paw at me until I get up, and start giving him a rub down.
Both Crash and I noticed that the massage in conjunction with him sleeping on a Serta Baby mattress (We found one used that didn't smell like pee) has him a lot more limber in the AM and sleeping through the night like a champ (before he would cry, toss and turn on his blanket on the floor bed.
His bed is so comfy now I have climbed in his cage and cuddled up next to him during thunderstorms (He is TERRIFIED of them and only being held and sung too calms him down) I ended up falling asleep with my arms wrapped around him. That's some mattress!
So go give your dog or cat or other large mammal some TLC today.
Monday, May 02, 2011
Facelift!
In celebration of spring and gardening and soon upick berries and apples (My favorite time of year!!!)
I changed up the template.
Kayne Micheal and I sat outside on the porch watching people drive too fast and enjoying the lovely weather (chilly and overcast, but not raining!)
My deck garden is once again active and my plants are enjoying being outside i the fresh air. Soon the Tortoise can move to the porch to enjoy the early morning sunshine as well (when I get his pen together again...whoops)
So I am all a twitter to finally start eating local fruits and veggies but only the hydroponic and green house fruits and veggies are available until May.
I am using this calendar: http://www.pickyourown.org/NYharvestcalendar.htm
Thank goodness most intrepid NYS farmers utilize cold boxes and green houses or I would not be able to enjoy my blueberries this AM.
So in celebration of early blueberries, I give you this recipe (one of my favorites) although I admit, I hate to waste blueberries IN something when you ca just eat them by the handful instead..
http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/07/blueberry-crumb-bars/
Blueberry Crumb Bars
Adapted from AllRecipes.com by Smitten Kitchen
Recipes like this make me wonder why I don’t use AllRecipes.com more. After seeing a blueberry crumb bar on another site, I immediately wanted to make them but the first recipe seemed overly fussy. I knew there was a simpler way to do it, and lo and behold, All Recipes had it. Once I swapped the shortening for butter–of course–and dolled it up with some lemon juice and lemon zest, they were just as heavenly as the 176 commenter promised they’d be.
I could imagine easily swapping another fruit or berry for the blueberries–I’m especially thinking something tart like sour cherries or cranberries in the fall (I’d use orange instead of lemon with cranberries). But if you have blueberries on hand, do not miss a chance to make these.
These are easiest to cut once chilled, and store even better in the fridge than they do at room temperature–something unusual for cookies!
Yield: I cut these into 36 smallish rectangles
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cold unsalted butter (2 sticks or 8 ounces)
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
Zest and juice of one lemon
4 cups fresh blueberries
1/2 cup white sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9×13 inch pan.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup sugar, 3 cups flour, and baking powder. Mix in salt and lemon zest. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend in the butter and egg. Dough will be crumbly. Pat half of dough into the prepared pan.
3. In another bowl, stir together the sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Gently mix in the blueberries. Sprinkle the blueberry mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble remaining dough over the berry layer.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until top is slightly brown. (This took an extra 10 to 15 minutes in my oven.) Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Some notes by Rogue Writer: In an effort to lighten and add more nutrition:
I am a health nut, and though I cannot say for certain that it adds anything I use pure turbinado sugar (unbleached) or organic cane sugar as well as wholewheat flour usually substituting one cup Garam flour for one of the three cups of flour. Also in the topping I mix in 1/4 cup ground flax seeds (I substitute a mashed banana or 1 tbsp ground flax and water for the egg.) Its the flour sugar and butter that have the heaviness so I usually end up halving the butter and using fat free greek yogurt for half...which lends nicely for a crumble, but not so much a bar.
Editors note:
That kitchen mixtress! I told her about my hemming and hawing over the lack of nutrition and amount of fat in the bars I love and she says "Try this tart" I examined ingredients and am happy to say not only are they more nutritious but the fat is decreased and this is SUPREMELY easy to veggetize!
So without furthe ado:
http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/04/blackberry-and-coconut-macaroon-tart/
Blackberry and Coconut Macaroon Tart
Adapted from Super Natural Everyday
My attempt to swap the whole wheat flour with matzo cake meal was only moderately successful, though I’m not sure if it has to do with the baking-unfriendly bread of affliction or the fact that my coconut was “medium” not “fine” as suggested. If you’re trying it with matzo meal, it might be worth it to grind everything together in a food processor and if you need an extra tablespoon of melted butter to pull it together, go for it.
Some long-winded notes about volumes: The original recipe called for an 8×11-inch tart pan, which I did not have, or the equivalent of in volume. I ended using 2/3 of the crust recipe and 3/4 of the filling (2/3, which would have been correct, seemed like too much of a headache with 4 egg whites) to fill a 13.75×4.25-inch tart pan I have (but never use, because no standard recipes work in it!). Instead of suggesting pan sizes you probably don’t have, I’ve done what I should have from the get-go and scaled the whole recipe to 3/4 of the original volume which should nicely fit in a 9-inch round tart pan (with removable bottom) or an 8-inch square cake pan with the understanding that the first bar will probably not come out cleanly! Unless you have an 8-inch square cake pan with a springform or removable bottom, in which case, I’m jealous of how well supplied your kitchen is!
Crust
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons white whole wheat flour, spelt flour or matzo cake meal
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened finely shredded coconut
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon natural cane sugar (I used a coarse Turbinado because I had it on hand)
Generous 1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Filling
1 1/2 cups unsweetened finely shredded coconut
6 tablespoons natural cane sugar or lightly packed light brown sugar
3 large egg whites
6 ounces fresh blackberries, halved (feel free to swap any berry/cherry you can find in season)
1/4 cup pistachios, crushed
Make base: Preheat oven to 350°F with a rack in the middle of the oven. Line the bottom of a 9-inch round tart pan with a removable bottom or an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment. Generously butter parchment and sides of pan.
Combine flour, coconut, sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in melted butter until evenly distributed in dry ingredients. Press mixture firmly in the bottom of the pan to form a solid, flat layer, like a shortbread cookie base. Bake for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove and set aside to cool for a few minutes while you prepare the filling.
Assemble tart: Stir together coconut, sugar and egg whites. Evenly distribute blackberries across tart base. Using a small spoon or your fingertip, drop little tufts of macaroon filling around the blackberries, allowing them to stay at least partially uncovered.
Bake for 20 to 25 until the peaks of the macaroon filling are bronzed. Let tart cool, then garnish with the crushed pistachios (I pressed mine in just a little bit, so they’d stick better) before slicing into skinny wedges or small squares.
(Taken directly from Smitten Kitchen GO THERE NOW!)
KJ
I changed up the template.
Kayne Micheal and I sat outside on the porch watching people drive too fast and enjoying the lovely weather (chilly and overcast, but not raining!)
My deck garden is once again active and my plants are enjoying being outside i the fresh air. Soon the Tortoise can move to the porch to enjoy the early morning sunshine as well (when I get his pen together again...whoops)
So I am all a twitter to finally start eating local fruits and veggies but only the hydroponic and green house fruits and veggies are available until May.
I am using this calendar: http://www.pickyourown.org/NYharvestcalendar.htm
Thank goodness most intrepid NYS farmers utilize cold boxes and green houses or I would not be able to enjoy my blueberries this AM.
So in celebration of early blueberries, I give you this recipe (one of my favorites) although I admit, I hate to waste blueberries IN something when you ca just eat them by the handful instead..
http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/07/blueberry-crumb-bars/
Blueberry Crumb Bars
Adapted from AllRecipes.com by Smitten Kitchen
Recipes like this make me wonder why I don’t use AllRecipes.com more. After seeing a blueberry crumb bar on another site, I immediately wanted to make them but the first recipe seemed overly fussy. I knew there was a simpler way to do it, and lo and behold, All Recipes had it. Once I swapped the shortening for butter–of course–and dolled it up with some lemon juice and lemon zest, they were just as heavenly as the 176 commenter promised they’d be.
I could imagine easily swapping another fruit or berry for the blueberries–I’m especially thinking something tart like sour cherries or cranberries in the fall (I’d use orange instead of lemon with cranberries). But if you have blueberries on hand, do not miss a chance to make these.
These are easiest to cut once chilled, and store even better in the fridge than they do at room temperature–something unusual for cookies!
Yield: I cut these into 36 smallish rectangles
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cold unsalted butter (2 sticks or 8 ounces)
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
Zest and juice of one lemon
4 cups fresh blueberries
1/2 cup white sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9×13 inch pan.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup sugar, 3 cups flour, and baking powder. Mix in salt and lemon zest. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend in the butter and egg. Dough will be crumbly. Pat half of dough into the prepared pan.
3. In another bowl, stir together the sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Gently mix in the blueberries. Sprinkle the blueberry mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble remaining dough over the berry layer.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until top is slightly brown. (This took an extra 10 to 15 minutes in my oven.) Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Some notes by Rogue Writer: In an effort to lighten and add more nutrition:
I am a health nut, and though I cannot say for certain that it adds anything I use pure turbinado sugar (unbleached) or organic cane sugar as well as wholewheat flour usually substituting one cup Garam flour for one of the three cups of flour. Also in the topping I mix in 1/4 cup ground flax seeds (I substitute a mashed banana or 1 tbsp ground flax and water for the egg.) Its the flour sugar and butter that have the heaviness so I usually end up halving the butter and using fat free greek yogurt for half...which lends nicely for a crumble, but not so much a bar.
Editors note:
That kitchen mixtress! I told her about my hemming and hawing over the lack of nutrition and amount of fat in the bars I love and she says "Try this tart" I examined ingredients and am happy to say not only are they more nutritious but the fat is decreased and this is SUPREMELY easy to veggetize!
So without furthe ado:
http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/04/blackberry-and-coconut-macaroon-tart/
Blackberry and Coconut Macaroon Tart
Adapted from Super Natural Everyday
My attempt to swap the whole wheat flour with matzo cake meal was only moderately successful, though I’m not sure if it has to do with the baking-unfriendly bread of affliction or the fact that my coconut was “medium” not “fine” as suggested. If you’re trying it with matzo meal, it might be worth it to grind everything together in a food processor and if you need an extra tablespoon of melted butter to pull it together, go for it.
Some long-winded notes about volumes: The original recipe called for an 8×11-inch tart pan, which I did not have, or the equivalent of in volume. I ended using 2/3 of the crust recipe and 3/4 of the filling (2/3, which would have been correct, seemed like too much of a headache with 4 egg whites) to fill a 13.75×4.25-inch tart pan I have (but never use, because no standard recipes work in it!). Instead of suggesting pan sizes you probably don’t have, I’ve done what I should have from the get-go and scaled the whole recipe to 3/4 of the original volume which should nicely fit in a 9-inch round tart pan (with removable bottom) or an 8-inch square cake pan with the understanding that the first bar will probably not come out cleanly! Unless you have an 8-inch square cake pan with a springform or removable bottom, in which case, I’m jealous of how well supplied your kitchen is!
Crust
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons white whole wheat flour, spelt flour or matzo cake meal
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened finely shredded coconut
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon natural cane sugar (I used a coarse Turbinado because I had it on hand)
Generous 1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Filling
1 1/2 cups unsweetened finely shredded coconut
6 tablespoons natural cane sugar or lightly packed light brown sugar
3 large egg whites
6 ounces fresh blackberries, halved (feel free to swap any berry/cherry you can find in season)
1/4 cup pistachios, crushed
Make base: Preheat oven to 350°F with a rack in the middle of the oven. Line the bottom of a 9-inch round tart pan with a removable bottom or an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment. Generously butter parchment and sides of pan.
Combine flour, coconut, sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in melted butter until evenly distributed in dry ingredients. Press mixture firmly in the bottom of the pan to form a solid, flat layer, like a shortbread cookie base. Bake for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove and set aside to cool for a few minutes while you prepare the filling.
Assemble tart: Stir together coconut, sugar and egg whites. Evenly distribute blackberries across tart base. Using a small spoon or your fingertip, drop little tufts of macaroon filling around the blackberries, allowing them to stay at least partially uncovered.
Bake for 20 to 25 until the peaks of the macaroon filling are bronzed. Let tart cool, then garnish with the crushed pistachios (I pressed mine in just a little bit, so they’d stick better) before slicing into skinny wedges or small squares.
(Taken directly from Smitten Kitchen GO THERE NOW!)
KJ
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Reviews and blues
So on the rear end of my job money spiraling away, I did buy myself some treats to cheer myself up, and of course, to review.
So in no particular order:
Emjoi Emagine Epilator: I started with the Braun silk epil and was certain that epilating my legs was simply going to take less the time of shaving (1 a week vs every day) but after using the Braun I noticed that each and every time I used the machine I got ingrown hairs or it stung like the dickens!
So I invested a little money (89 bucks) and bought the emjoi Emagine.
All I can say is WOW. First of all it has twice the tweezers and is super fast and very grippy! I got done with both arm pits, my legs and my happy trail in under 15 minutes.
Although my armpits are always a tad ouchy, before was hell and the Braun Tweezers would tear at my skin and pinch. Not the case with the emjoi emagine.
I simply skin in over my skin and in one slow pass it takes out the hair, ALMOST painlessly.
Now the size makes for doing the bikini line and face a little scary (I now wax my face, I am not putting anything that loud to my lip) but as long as you twin your nether hair, the emjoi works great, just use only one side.
Now I can have smooth legs for weeks instead of hours in the time it takes to shave.
STRONGLY recommend.
Wooly Rhinoceros Yarn:
Just bought a skein of CashMerino. It feels like straight up cashmere. The test knit was a delightful pebbly texture due to the thick and thin stranding of the yarn and the dye was vibrant.
This yarn is available on Etsy at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/WoolyRhinoceros
Earth shoes sandals:
So ever since it has become warmer weather I had been eying these sandals at Wegmans.
I went online to compare the price and found that Wegmans had the CHEAPEST deals and the widest selection thus far in Earth Shoes so I snapped them up (39.95 plus tax)
Wearing these I had no "First day in new sandals" uncomfortable. Which for spinal cord injury girl is rare. The dropped heels helped with my chronic calf cramping and I found myself wearing them even inside the house because they were more comfortable than being barefoot, which if you know me is saying a LOT.
There are so many styles, it would be amiss to only mention one, so go to http://www.earthfootwear.com/ourfootwear/ourfootwearproducts/tabid/65/language/en-us/p-381-cozumel.aspx to see mine, but buy some for yourself, your feet will thank you.
OK kids, that's all for this segment,this girl went through yet another hospital visit with migraines from hell and two days in be with sunglasses.
Next? My dogs new collar, my new bling,and deck gardening for dummies.
Rogue
So in no particular order:
Emjoi Emagine Epilator: I started with the Braun silk epil and was certain that epilating my legs was simply going to take less the time of shaving (1 a week vs every day) but after using the Braun I noticed that each and every time I used the machine I got ingrown hairs or it stung like the dickens!
So I invested a little money (89 bucks) and bought the emjoi Emagine.
All I can say is WOW. First of all it has twice the tweezers and is super fast and very grippy! I got done with both arm pits, my legs and my happy trail in under 15 minutes.
Although my armpits are always a tad ouchy, before was hell and the Braun Tweezers would tear at my skin and pinch. Not the case with the emjoi emagine.
I simply skin in over my skin and in one slow pass it takes out the hair, ALMOST painlessly.
Now the size makes for doing the bikini line and face a little scary (I now wax my face, I am not putting anything that loud to my lip) but as long as you twin your nether hair, the emjoi works great, just use only one side.
Now I can have smooth legs for weeks instead of hours in the time it takes to shave.
STRONGLY recommend.
Wooly Rhinoceros Yarn:
Just bought a skein of CashMerino. It feels like straight up cashmere. The test knit was a delightful pebbly texture due to the thick and thin stranding of the yarn and the dye was vibrant.
This yarn is available on Etsy at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/WoolyRhinoceros
Earth shoes sandals:
So ever since it has become warmer weather I had been eying these sandals at Wegmans.
I went online to compare the price and found that Wegmans had the CHEAPEST deals and the widest selection thus far in Earth Shoes so I snapped them up (39.95 plus tax)
Wearing these I had no "First day in new sandals" uncomfortable. Which for spinal cord injury girl is rare. The dropped heels helped with my chronic calf cramping and I found myself wearing them even inside the house because they were more comfortable than being barefoot, which if you know me is saying a LOT.
There are so many styles, it would be amiss to only mention one, so go to http://www.earthfootwear.com/ourfootwear/ourfootwearproducts/tabid/65/language/en-us/p-381-cozumel.aspx to see mine, but buy some for yourself, your feet will thank you.
OK kids, that's all for this segment,this girl went through yet another hospital visit with migraines from hell and two days in be with sunglasses.
Next? My dogs new collar, my new bling,and deck gardening for dummies.
Rogue
Monday, February 21, 2011
Government spending and Budget Crisis
So now I learn they are going to try to cut Americorps.
http://www.change.org/petitions/save-americorps
Also they are going to cut PBS and NPR:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/budget-debates-begin-republicans-put-npr-pbs-chopping/story?id=12915626
Heating assistance for the disabled and elderly:
http://www.mariettatimes.com/page/content.detail/id/533853/HEAP-funding-may-be-cut-in-half.html?nav=5002
Which could means 3 million families that can't pay the outrageous Niagara Mohawk bill would be left without heat.
Also Environmental Protection Agency would see its budget cut by a third.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-gop-passes-61b-budget-cuts-senate-democrats/story?id=12958186
I could go on, but I won't. Here is the basic idea that I am kicking around. The average high placed senator, governor, and congressman make $70,000 to 250,000 a year. If each state governor took a 1% pay reduction we would instantly have $65,790 JUST FROM A GOVERNOR SALARY CUT.
Congress Rank-and-File Members:
The current salary (2011) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $174,000 per year.
Senate Leadership
Majority Party Leader - $193,400
Minority Party Leader - $193,400
House Leadership
Speaker of the House - $223,500
Majority Leader - $193,400
Minority Leader - $193,400
So how much is that?
In the US there are 100 senators and 435 members of the House of Representatives.
http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/congresspay.htm
Now to another idea. How about government spending on the military?
We spend billions of dollars on sending troops overseas and Military Readiness.
However many Military personnel don't make enough money to support their families, and rely on government programs for food and heat.
http://www.militaryfactory.com/military_pay_scale.asp
This has long been a peeve of mine, to ask military personnel and their families to risk life be away from family and not even pay them a living wage.
However we are at the forefront in spending for advanced weaponry, aircraft, and assault vehicle science. To make a small point U.S. military spending – Dept. of Defense plus nuclear weapons (in $billions) – is equal to the military spending of the next 15 countries combined. (Incl. The China, Russia, Britain, Japan, Germany, France and others)
http://www.warresisters.org/pages/piechart.htm
So as quick as we are to cut money, its an idea to ask those so willing to cut out funding to take a look at where a majority of our spending goes.
If you are not willing to take a budget cut personally, should you be able to cut budgets to those who need the money most?
Just a thought.
http://www.change.org/petitions/save-americorps
Also they are going to cut PBS and NPR:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/budget-debates-begin-republicans-put-npr-pbs-chopping/story?id=12915626
Heating assistance for the disabled and elderly:
http://www.mariettatimes.com/page/content.detail/id/533853/HEAP-funding-may-be-cut-in-half.html?nav=5002
Which could means 3 million families that can't pay the outrageous Niagara Mohawk bill would be left without heat.
Also Environmental Protection Agency would see its budget cut by a third.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-gop-passes-61b-budget-cuts-senate-democrats/story?id=12958186
I could go on, but I won't. Here is the basic idea that I am kicking around. The average high placed senator, governor, and congressman make $70,000 to 250,000 a year. If each state governor took a 1% pay reduction we would instantly have $65,790 JUST FROM A GOVERNOR SALARY CUT.
Congress Rank-and-File Members:
The current salary (2011) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $174,000 per year.
Senate Leadership
Majority Party Leader - $193,400
Minority Party Leader - $193,400
House Leadership
Speaker of the House - $223,500
Majority Leader - $193,400
Minority Leader - $193,400
So how much is that?
In the US there are 100 senators and 435 members of the House of Representatives.
http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/congresspay.htm
Now to another idea. How about government spending on the military?
We spend billions of dollars on sending troops overseas and Military Readiness.
However many Military personnel don't make enough money to support their families, and rely on government programs for food and heat.
http://www.militaryfactory.com/military_pay_scale.asp
This has long been a peeve of mine, to ask military personnel and their families to risk life be away from family and not even pay them a living wage.
However we are at the forefront in spending for advanced weaponry, aircraft, and assault vehicle science. To make a small point U.S. military spending – Dept. of Defense plus nuclear weapons (in $billions) – is equal to the military spending of the next 15 countries combined. (Incl. The China, Russia, Britain, Japan, Germany, France and others)
http://www.warresisters.org/pages/piechart.htm
So as quick as we are to cut money, its an idea to ask those so willing to cut out funding to take a look at where a majority of our spending goes.
If you are not willing to take a budget cut personally, should you be able to cut budgets to those who need the money most?
Just a thought.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Hydro-Aqua Running/Jogging workout examples
Aqua Running Workouts:
1. Steady-state: 10 minute warm-up, then aqua jog five to ten minutes steady at 75-80% effort. This can be repeated three to four times with one minute of easy jogging between each.
2. Tempo: 10 minute warm-up, then do 5 x 1 minute at 80-85% effort with 30 seconds of easy jogging between each. Then do 4 X 2 minutes at the same effort with 30 seconds of easy jogging between each five times. Finally, a last set of 3 X 3 minutes each at 80-85% effort with 30 seconds of easy jogging between each.
3. Intervals: warm-up 10 minutes then try intervals of 10 X 2 minutes at 85% effort or 5 X 4 minutes at 75% effort. These should be followed by easy jogging of equal recovery.
4. Strength: To build running strength, add a pair of shoes. Use either a clean old pair or footwear made specifically for the water . Shoes provide more resistance. An elastic/tether cord (aqua hitch) can also be attached to both the back of the flotation belt and pool to add more resistance or when space is limited. This tether increases resistance by pulling you back as you attempt to advance forward. There are also aqua-specific hand weights on the market that can be used for additional resistance.
5. Drills: Use a variety of range of motion drills to increase your flexibility and stride length on land. Try running with a longer stride, higher knees, and play around with stride rate (how fast or slow your legs go).
Note: There is nothing in here about temperature control. Pool temps vary. Also if I run in a lake/river I am going to be FREEZING.
Invest in a good Thermal layer/Rash Guard. Even think about a neoprene swim vest.
In the AM my pool is always so warm I am sweating and stopping frequently to wipe my face. But in the PM the pool is almost always cold as they begin shutting down for the evening.
1. Steady-state: 10 minute warm-up, then aqua jog five to ten minutes steady at 75-80% effort. This can be repeated three to four times with one minute of easy jogging between each.
2. Tempo: 10 minute warm-up, then do 5 x 1 minute at 80-85% effort with 30 seconds of easy jogging between each. Then do 4 X 2 minutes at the same effort with 30 seconds of easy jogging between each five times. Finally, a last set of 3 X 3 minutes each at 80-85% effort with 30 seconds of easy jogging between each.
3. Intervals: warm-up 10 minutes then try intervals of 10 X 2 minutes at 85% effort or 5 X 4 minutes at 75% effort. These should be followed by easy jogging of equal recovery.
4. Strength: To build running strength, add a pair of shoes. Use either a clean old pair or footwear made specifically for the water . Shoes provide more resistance. An elastic/tether cord (aqua hitch) can also be attached to both the back of the flotation belt and pool to add more resistance or when space is limited. This tether increases resistance by pulling you back as you attempt to advance forward. There are also aqua-specific hand weights on the market that can be used for additional resistance.
5. Drills: Use a variety of range of motion drills to increase your flexibility and stride length on land. Try running with a longer stride, higher knees, and play around with stride rate (how fast or slow your legs go).
Note: There is nothing in here about temperature control. Pool temps vary. Also if I run in a lake/river I am going to be FREEZING.
Invest in a good Thermal layer/Rash Guard. Even think about a neoprene swim vest.
In the AM my pool is always so warm I am sweating and stopping frequently to wipe my face. But in the PM the pool is almost always cold as they begin shutting down for the evening.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Hydro-running/Aqua Jogging
This cripples answer to hating swimming but missing running like a son of a b*tch!
I have been HYdro-Running/Aqua Jogging for two weeks and MAN. It is AWESOME!
I wish I had a running buddy and I wish that my nail polish didn't disintegrate in the pool.
Oh and I really need a new suit. My suit is like...Inappropriate. My breasicles are ready to pop out and expose.
Suit shopping will have to be done whether I want to or not.
Its February shouldn't they be on clearance now having gone one sale the day after Christmas?
LOL
I have been HYdro-Running/Aqua Jogging for two weeks and MAN. It is AWESOME!
I wish I had a running buddy and I wish that my nail polish didn't disintegrate in the pool.
Oh and I really need a new suit. My suit is like...Inappropriate. My breasicles are ready to pop out and expose.
Suit shopping will have to be done whether I want to or not.
Its February shouldn't they be on clearance now having gone one sale the day after Christmas?
LOL
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Cardio Workout log
https://www.smartsheet.com/b/publish?EQBCT=70b9e130548643558da7c011b14b8b76
Keeping tabs of my workouts for this month.
Keeping tabs of my workouts for this month.
Topiary awesomeness and Bass Lake Memories
Now I want to have a rosemary bush shaped like this. This is just the kewlest looking topiary ever.
Its a plant skeleton!
Plus, I have fond memories of hiking this trail on Bass Lake in Ely, Minnesota with my cousins and my Uncle Mike and its the same trail my uncle passed away on. Sad but I couldn't imagine a prettier place to pass away with my dog guarding me and never leaving my side.
You're a good girl Mantis.
The waterfall at the end where you can take your boots off and cool your aching feet!
KJ
Its a plant skeleton!
Plus, I have fond memories of hiking this trail on Bass Lake in Ely, Minnesota with my cousins and my Uncle Mike and its the same trail my uncle passed away on. Sad but I couldn't imagine a prettier place to pass away with my dog guarding me and never leaving my side.
You're a good girl Mantis.
The waterfall at the end where you can take your boots off and cool your aching feet!
KJ
Thursday, February 03, 2011
The Beach Bum Workout: Legs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnC6Iv6PYJI
This KILLED my legs. In a good way. Worked off my PB and Jelly sammich.
KJ
This KILLED my legs. In a good way. Worked off my PB and Jelly sammich.
KJ
Friday, January 21, 2011
Greek Yogurt Review
Greek Yogurt Review
So I have been on a no holds bar diet for the last 6 months.
No fast food, no soda, high protein, small meals, 30 minutes of aerobics every day MINIMUM (usually do 55 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of weight training 6 days a week)
But because I had three bad falls down our icy front steps and a killer bought of costochondritis I have only lost 10 pounds and gone down one size.
GRRRR!!!
So a friend of mine said I should start taking a multivitamin each morning, drinking a high protein shake and eating a greek yogurt for breakfast, and make sure I carry snacks in my workout bag.
I'd never tried greek yogurt so I got four different kinds.
First I tried Stonybrook Farms Oikos Honey flavored yogurt. This yogurt was very thick, very tart despite the honey, and I ended up adding a dollop of agave nectar to it. Despite that I did enjoy it. I love Plain yogurt with honey and granola so I was a fan of the taste, loved the texture and the serving size was perfect. Could have used a tsp more honey.
Next I tried Chobani Pineapple: This was a lowfat not a fat free yogurt. This was a perfect blend of not too sweet, not too tart. It was perfectly creamy, mixed dreamy, and left me sated for 4 hours while I walked the dog and shoveled the front walk. I will definitely be buying this again and trying the other flavors.
FAGE Total Greek Yogurt: This is the full fat ice cream like greek yogurt. Had I seen how much fat was in it before I bought it I may have reconsidered. But seeing that I hadn't had a single gram of fat today I decided it was OK to indulge for science sake. This yogurt is AMBROSIA. SUPER thick yogurt,with honey so clear its like glass, with just the right sweetness. I ate this slowly savoring each bite, and then licked the container clean much to my dog's dismay. This is BY FAR the best tasting yogurt I have ever tasted. But for 12 grams of fat and only 8 grams of protein for 3/4 cup it had better be!
So for fat content and calories to taste I think Chobani makes the best tasting Greek yogurt.
I am going to go to the local greek store to see if they have a Greek yogurt they recommend. But for now I think I will be trying some more Chobani.
KJ
So I have been on a no holds bar diet for the last 6 months.
No fast food, no soda, high protein, small meals, 30 minutes of aerobics every day MINIMUM (usually do 55 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of weight training 6 days a week)
But because I had three bad falls down our icy front steps and a killer bought of costochondritis I have only lost 10 pounds and gone down one size.
GRRRR!!!
So a friend of mine said I should start taking a multivitamin each morning, drinking a high protein shake and eating a greek yogurt for breakfast, and make sure I carry snacks in my workout bag.
I'd never tried greek yogurt so I got four different kinds.
First I tried Stonybrook Farms Oikos Honey flavored yogurt. This yogurt was very thick, very tart despite the honey, and I ended up adding a dollop of agave nectar to it. Despite that I did enjoy it. I love Plain yogurt with honey and granola so I was a fan of the taste, loved the texture and the serving size was perfect. Could have used a tsp more honey.
Next I tried Chobani Pineapple: This was a lowfat not a fat free yogurt. This was a perfect blend of not too sweet, not too tart. It was perfectly creamy, mixed dreamy, and left me sated for 4 hours while I walked the dog and shoveled the front walk. I will definitely be buying this again and trying the other flavors.
FAGE Total Greek Yogurt: This is the full fat ice cream like greek yogurt. Had I seen how much fat was in it before I bought it I may have reconsidered. But seeing that I hadn't had a single gram of fat today I decided it was OK to indulge for science sake. This yogurt is AMBROSIA. SUPER thick yogurt,with honey so clear its like glass, with just the right sweetness. I ate this slowly savoring each bite, and then licked the container clean much to my dog's dismay. This is BY FAR the best tasting yogurt I have ever tasted. But for 12 grams of fat and only 8 grams of protein for 3/4 cup it had better be!
So for fat content and calories to taste I think Chobani makes the best tasting Greek yogurt.
I am going to go to the local greek store to see if they have a Greek yogurt they recommend. But for now I think I will be trying some more Chobani.
KJ
Monday, December 13, 2010
Intermediate Hiatus: Best Nail Crap of 2010!
I am SO SORRY! As many of you know I have a Spinal Cord Injury and Connective tissue disease so I am often under the weather and even typing or staring at a white computer screen is painful.
SO if I am gone for a while without blogging, I apologize!
I have lately been rocking the French Manicure almost exclusively. But here are my Best buys of 2010.
My Manicures have been the following changed every three days:
Base: Instant Artificials by Salon Sciences available at Sally Beauty Supply.
Note: This is by far one of the BEST strengthening, quick drying, and non peeling bases for my thin, ridge riddled, peel prone nails. I use only one coat (it gets thick at the bottom of the bottle) and it provides a great base layer and my nails have gotten less stained from nail enamel.
Anchoring layer: CND Stickey By Creative Nail Design.
Note: I have tried Sally, Orly, Borghese, OPI, and other "Bonding/Anchoring" bases and found this one not only actually works the best but it doesn't get thick and difficult to use when you get to the dregs of the bottle. I have had one bottle and used it for 7 months and change my nail color FREQUENTLY and still have 1/8 bottle left. It is GREAT.
Top Coat: INM Out the Door Fast dry Top Coat. Available from Sally Beauty Supply.
Note: I tried Poshe, Seche Vite, Sally Mega Shine, Sally Insta-dry,and Opi RapiDry Top Coat and Borghese Presto. But I found that even though they dried fast the shrinkage was majorly ticking me off and tip wear was TERRIBLE! Plus the price was almost double that of a single small bottle of INM Out the door. I even went so far as to try Nubar Diamont Seal and Shine my friend had and was not impressed enough to pay the same amount of money for a .5 oz bottle when I could get a 2.5 oz bottle of INM for the same price.
Note: Sally French Tip Manicure Pen I have shakey hands. I tried to do my tips with an off white french manicure color by Orly but needed three passes and 5 minutes drying time. I am not that patient, nor do I have that steady of hands. So when I saw this I thought "Eureka!" I patiently tried it out and it works out great! One caveat I do have to mention is that unless you layer a a few coats of top coat on your tips you will have to do touch ups in 2 days because this white does chip unless you use a stickey base coat.
I actually change my nail color every three days anyways to clean, file and inspect my fingers (I am strange) but to the people who want 10 days of coverage be ready to use a stickey base, a good top coat and do touch ups and seal your edges well.
Still for 6 dollars and I have used mine for almost 7 months, its great.
Best Staying power colors of 2010:
I was expecting that when I got my expensive OPI, MAC, and Nicole polishes that I would be blown away by their staying power. I was expecting that because cheap polishes like Maybeline, Revlon, and a few 1.99 Sally polishes has given me some terrible chipped, blotchy manicures.
So imagine my surprise when I found The best polishes in application, drying time, coverage turned out not to be the pricey brands!
LA Colors Color Craze: These polishes are Big 3 free and I found them by accident in a dollar store. I got the bright polishes and took them home. They are the smoothest application, quick drying, longest wearing and brightest colors. I looked online to check out non dollar store prices and they are still only around 3-4 bucks a bottle! I was Seriously surprised and pleased by these. So much that I ended up buying and sending bottles of polish to friends in California, Texas, and Canada.
Misa Nail Lacquer: This is a polish that my friend the nail tech who goes "Ghost hunting" and "product shopping" with me swears by. He is the one who told me if he saw me using Sinful Colors again he was going to cut of my thumbs (He says they turn your nails yellow) Misa is Big three free, huge is Korea, and the laquer is a 2 polish full coverage beauty that comes in a huge array of colors and cost about 5 bucks a pop. It is Super long wearing (I wore red on my hands while making two birthday cakes and cupcakes and went to a party that evening didn't have a chip for two more days). Have to give it props. It can be a little wonky finding all its colors, a lot of nail salons have it and will sell bottles of color, but you have to ask, and also they will let you try it out on a piece of paper, but I bring a plastic nail wheel.
And my final favorite manicure aids for 2010?
Hydrogen peroxide and a q-tip for whitening your natural nail tips.
Sugar and warm water for a natural hand scrub.
Eucerin Healing Ointment on cuticles (Hands and feet knuckles) at night (I use it on my lips and eyelids too)
Hope that this update finds you all in the holidaze spirit.
XOXO
KJ
SO if I am gone for a while without blogging, I apologize!
I have lately been rocking the French Manicure almost exclusively. But here are my Best buys of 2010.
My Manicures have been the following changed every three days:
Base: Instant Artificials by Salon Sciences available at Sally Beauty Supply.
Note: This is by far one of the BEST strengthening, quick drying, and non peeling bases for my thin, ridge riddled, peel prone nails. I use only one coat (it gets thick at the bottom of the bottle) and it provides a great base layer and my nails have gotten less stained from nail enamel.
Anchoring layer: CND Stickey By Creative Nail Design.
Note: I have tried Sally, Orly, Borghese, OPI, and other "Bonding/Anchoring" bases and found this one not only actually works the best but it doesn't get thick and difficult to use when you get to the dregs of the bottle. I have had one bottle and used it for 7 months and change my nail color FREQUENTLY and still have 1/8 bottle left. It is GREAT.
Top Coat: INM Out the Door Fast dry Top Coat. Available from Sally Beauty Supply.
Note: I tried Poshe, Seche Vite, Sally Mega Shine, Sally Insta-dry,and Opi RapiDry Top Coat and Borghese Presto. But I found that even though they dried fast the shrinkage was majorly ticking me off and tip wear was TERRIBLE! Plus the price was almost double that of a single small bottle of INM Out the door. I even went so far as to try Nubar Diamont Seal and Shine my friend had and was not impressed enough to pay the same amount of money for a .5 oz bottle when I could get a 2.5 oz bottle of INM for the same price.
Note: Sally French Tip Manicure Pen I have shakey hands. I tried to do my tips with an off white french manicure color by Orly but needed three passes and 5 minutes drying time. I am not that patient, nor do I have that steady of hands. So when I saw this I thought "Eureka!" I patiently tried it out and it works out great! One caveat I do have to mention is that unless you layer a a few coats of top coat on your tips you will have to do touch ups in 2 days because this white does chip unless you use a stickey base coat.
I actually change my nail color every three days anyways to clean, file and inspect my fingers (I am strange) but to the people who want 10 days of coverage be ready to use a stickey base, a good top coat and do touch ups and seal your edges well.
Still for 6 dollars and I have used mine for almost 7 months, its great.
Best Staying power colors of 2010:
I was expecting that when I got my expensive OPI, MAC, and Nicole polishes that I would be blown away by their staying power. I was expecting that because cheap polishes like Maybeline, Revlon, and a few 1.99 Sally polishes has given me some terrible chipped, blotchy manicures.
So imagine my surprise when I found The best polishes in application, drying time, coverage turned out not to be the pricey brands!
LA Colors Color Craze: These polishes are Big 3 free and I found them by accident in a dollar store. I got the bright polishes and took them home. They are the smoothest application, quick drying, longest wearing and brightest colors. I looked online to check out non dollar store prices and they are still only around 3-4 bucks a bottle! I was Seriously surprised and pleased by these. So much that I ended up buying and sending bottles of polish to friends in California, Texas, and Canada.
Misa Nail Lacquer: This is a polish that my friend the nail tech who goes "Ghost hunting" and "product shopping" with me swears by. He is the one who told me if he saw me using Sinful Colors again he was going to cut of my thumbs (He says they turn your nails yellow) Misa is Big three free, huge is Korea, and the laquer is a 2 polish full coverage beauty that comes in a huge array of colors and cost about 5 bucks a pop. It is Super long wearing (I wore red on my hands while making two birthday cakes and cupcakes and went to a party that evening didn't have a chip for two more days). Have to give it props. It can be a little wonky finding all its colors, a lot of nail salons have it and will sell bottles of color, but you have to ask, and also they will let you try it out on a piece of paper, but I bring a plastic nail wheel.
And my final favorite manicure aids for 2010?
Hydrogen peroxide and a q-tip for whitening your natural nail tips.
Sugar and warm water for a natural hand scrub.
Eucerin Healing Ointment on cuticles (Hands and feet knuckles) at night (I use it on my lips and eyelids too)
Hope that this update finds you all in the holidaze spirit.
XOXO
KJ
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The difference between think and feel
I am a fiery person. I believe myself to be intelligent however there are a few triggers that when deployed open wide the flood gates that are my emotions and suddenly my mind is over run.
Animals, children, and the elderly. Basically anyone who is a vulnerable person or who takes great time and care of vulnerable persons who is under attack will activate my defense mechanisms faster than you can say "Houston we have a problem"
Yesterday I was lying in bed reading an article about Fran Lebowitz. An author and speaker whom I admire. She was speaking about how no one takes time to appreciate quality anymore, and no one shows courtesy or gratitude.
More importantly she said young writers and speakers will speak at great length to anyone who will listen about how they feel.
To put it simply it is what separated her from other authors and speakers, she didn't write how she felt, because she didn't want to know how we felt, she wanted to know what we thought, so she wrote what she thought.
It is what separated her as a great thinker.
In this time when everyone is in a mad rush to purchase the perfect gift. When it seems the entire focus of the holiday season has been completely lost to consumerism, it seems to this author the perfect time to think about quality and what truly matters.
I am grateful to continue to have a roof over my head, that my family is settles in their new lives. I am happy that my partner enjoys the colleagues at his job and that it pays enough, even if we have to scrape to get by.
I am excited to meet the newest family member due any day now and wonder if it will be a boy or a girl.
As for feelings? Well I feel a lot of things, but those are my own.
I know that this season only feels dreary for me because of my lack of employment. I am fully aware that any gifts we buy will be purchased with my partners money and none of my own.
With every twist of my brain I can't see any way around it, and I try to come at this point logically. In the end all I can come away with is that it is logical for one to feel beholden even if the circumstances are beyond their control.
So I will pick out all the gifts,decorate the house, budget for the new year, wrap everything up, and sign all the cards from the both of us and create a house bursting with holiday spirit.
This is our favorite holiday despite circumstances beyond our control. Its right we should shake as much happiness from it as we can.
Animals, children, and the elderly. Basically anyone who is a vulnerable person or who takes great time and care of vulnerable persons who is under attack will activate my defense mechanisms faster than you can say "Houston we have a problem"
Yesterday I was lying in bed reading an article about Fran Lebowitz. An author and speaker whom I admire. She was speaking about how no one takes time to appreciate quality anymore, and no one shows courtesy or gratitude.
More importantly she said young writers and speakers will speak at great length to anyone who will listen about how they feel.
To put it simply it is what separated her from other authors and speakers, she didn't write how she felt, because she didn't want to know how we felt, she wanted to know what we thought, so she wrote what she thought.
It is what separated her as a great thinker.
In this time when everyone is in a mad rush to purchase the perfect gift. When it seems the entire focus of the holiday season has been completely lost to consumerism, it seems to this author the perfect time to think about quality and what truly matters.
I am grateful to continue to have a roof over my head, that my family is settles in their new lives. I am happy that my partner enjoys the colleagues at his job and that it pays enough, even if we have to scrape to get by.
I am excited to meet the newest family member due any day now and wonder if it will be a boy or a girl.
As for feelings? Well I feel a lot of things, but those are my own.
I know that this season only feels dreary for me because of my lack of employment. I am fully aware that any gifts we buy will be purchased with my partners money and none of my own.
With every twist of my brain I can't see any way around it, and I try to come at this point logically. In the end all I can come away with is that it is logical for one to feel beholden even if the circumstances are beyond their control.
So I will pick out all the gifts,decorate the house, budget for the new year, wrap everything up, and sign all the cards from the both of us and create a house bursting with holiday spirit.
This is our favorite holiday despite circumstances beyond our control. Its right we should shake as much happiness from it as we can.
Monday, November 22, 2010
I'm not quite dead yet...
I am here, I am healed from surgery. I am still painting my nails like a fiend.
Right now I have on China Glaze discontinued "Wild Mink" on mah mitts. It is my favorite salmon-y pink.
I also have been doing some mad physical therapy at the local YMCA.
I am swimming twice a week and doing weights and cardio three times a week.
Needless to say I come home exhausted and the animals are like "Do you have a job, or another family?"
Suddenly not having 24/7 beck and call mommy has made them appreciate me more. Especially in the dinner, laundry, and potty department.
I on the other hand have muscles in use I had forgotten I had. And they hurt, often, and a lot too.
And this cold slimy Syracuse weather is just BEGGING for me to take a fall down our slippery ass front steps from hell.
I predict I will be falling down the front steps at least once this winer because of or in spite of the dog or the steps being slippery.
KJ
Right now I have on China Glaze discontinued "Wild Mink" on mah mitts. It is my favorite salmon-y pink.
I also have been doing some mad physical therapy at the local YMCA.
I am swimming twice a week and doing weights and cardio three times a week.
Needless to say I come home exhausted and the animals are like "Do you have a job, or another family?"
Suddenly not having 24/7 beck and call mommy has made them appreciate me more. Especially in the dinner, laundry, and potty department.
I on the other hand have muscles in use I had forgotten I had. And they hurt, often, and a lot too.
And this cold slimy Syracuse weather is just BEGGING for me to take a fall down our slippery ass front steps from hell.
I predict I will be falling down the front steps at least once this winer because of or in spite of the dog or the steps being slippery.
KJ
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
666 give away on Scandelously Polished!
Ange is having an evil give away to celebrate having 700 friends reading her blog!
And to celebrate she is giving stuff away!
To enter you need to follow her via Google friend connect.
Her Blog is here: http://scandalouslypolished.blogspot.com/
She is QUEEN of Frankens so I would check it out anyway.
XOXO peeps.
KJ
And to celebrate she is giving stuff away!
To enter you need to follow her via Google friend connect.
Her Blog is here: http://scandalouslypolished.blogspot.com/
She is QUEEN of Frankens so I would check it out anyway.
XOXO peeps.
KJ
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)