If you've been trying to lose Holiday weight but can't, here's a list that might help. These are six foods that are usually considered healthy . . . but can actually make you gain weight . . .
#1.) Sushi. Obviously, a Philadelphia roll with cream cheese isn't the healthiest choice. But even a standard California roll can easily be five or six hundred calories. --And soy sauce is loaded with sodium, which doesn't actually make you gain weight. But it makes you retain water so you LOOK like you gained weight.
#2.) Dried Fruit. Since it's dehydrated, one cup has five to eight times more calories than fresh fruit. For example, a cup of fresh grapes has about 60 calories in it, but a cup of raisins has 460.
#3.) Bran Muffins. They have a lot of fiber, which is good. But other than that, it's basically cake. A decent-sized bran muffin can have about 20 grams of fat, 400 calories, and 30 grams of sugar. --In comparison, a Hostess Cup Cake has 7 grams of fat, 180 calories, and 20 grams of sugar.
#4.) Bottled Iced Tea. If it has sugar or honey in it, one bottle can have 150 to 200 calories, which is basically like a bottle of soda. --And too much juice can ruin a diet too. A 16-ounce glass of orange juice or apple juice has about 55 grams of carbohydrates . . . which is the same as five pieces of bread.
#5.) Rice Cakes. They're fat-free and low in calories, but they have no fiber or protein. That's why you can eat three of them and still feel hungry. And the flavored ones are almost as bad as potato chips.
#6.) Tofu. The problem is it's too bland on its own. So if you order it at a restaurant, they'll add salt, butter, or sugar to make it taste better . . .which also makes it a lot less helpful if you're trying to lose weight.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The Least Expensive and Most Expensive Cars to Insure in 2011:
A lot of things determine how much your car insurance costs, including your age, your driving record, where you live, and your credit report. But the one way you can control your rate is to make sure you're driving a car you can afford to insure.
The website Insure just released its annual list of the cheapest and most expensive cars to insure. Here's what it said.
#1.) Minivans Are the Cheapest to Insure. The four cheapest cars on the list are all minivans, including the Chrysler Town and Country, the Toyota Sienna, the Sienna LE, and the Honda Odyssey LX.
--On average, insuring each of them costs right around $1,100 a year for someone with a good driving record.
#2.) SUVs Are the Second-Cheapest. In fact, all of the top ten cheapest cars to insure are either minivans or SUVs. And all of the SUVs cost between $1,100 and $1,200 a year, on average.
#3.) Most of the Best-Selling Cars Are Also Cheap to Insure. The number one best-selling car in 2010 was the Ford F-150 pickup truck, which carries a $1,500 annual premium. But that's higher than its competition:
--The Toyota Camry . . . which was the third most-popular car in 2010 . . . costs $1,275 a year to insure, the average driver of a new Nissan Altima pays $1,370, and the Honda CR-V costs $1,155.
#4.) The Most Expensive Cars to Insure Are Probably Out of Your Price Range Anyway. All of the cars in the top 20 are made by Mercedes, BMW, Aston Martin, Porsche, and Jaguar.
--But the Mercedes SL65 AMG took the top spot. It goes from zero to sixty in 4.2 seconds . . . and the insurance costs $3,600 a year. That's if you're a GOOD driver, with no tickets or accidents on your record.
--But of course, if you can afford to buy a Mercedes SL65, you're probably not that worried about your insurance rate. The recommended retail price is just a shade under $200,000.
The website Insure just released its annual list of the cheapest and most expensive cars to insure. Here's what it said.
#1.) Minivans Are the Cheapest to Insure. The four cheapest cars on the list are all minivans, including the Chrysler Town and Country, the Toyota Sienna, the Sienna LE, and the Honda Odyssey LX.
--On average, insuring each of them costs right around $1,100 a year for someone with a good driving record.
#2.) SUVs Are the Second-Cheapest. In fact, all of the top ten cheapest cars to insure are either minivans or SUVs. And all of the SUVs cost between $1,100 and $1,200 a year, on average.
#3.) Most of the Best-Selling Cars Are Also Cheap to Insure. The number one best-selling car in 2010 was the Ford F-150 pickup truck, which carries a $1,500 annual premium. But that's higher than its competition:
--The Toyota Camry . . . which was the third most-popular car in 2010 . . . costs $1,275 a year to insure, the average driver of a new Nissan Altima pays $1,370, and the Honda CR-V costs $1,155.
#4.) The Most Expensive Cars to Insure Are Probably Out of Your Price Range Anyway. All of the cars in the top 20 are made by Mercedes, BMW, Aston Martin, Porsche, and Jaguar.
--But the Mercedes SL65 AMG took the top spot. It goes from zero to sixty in 4.2 seconds . . . and the insurance costs $3,600 a year. That's if you're a GOOD driver, with no tickets or accidents on your record.
--But of course, if you can afford to buy a Mercedes SL65, you're probably not that worried about your insurance rate. The recommended retail price is just a shade under $200,000.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Do the Colors You Wear to Work Affect Your Career?
As if you didn't have enough to worry about in this lousy economy, some experts say the colors you wear to work can affect how you're perceived. As in, wearing a black suit every day might make you seem unimaginative, depressed, or lazy. So here are ten colors and how they affect the people you work with . . .
#1.) Blue. Studies have shown that wearing a navy blue suit to an interview gives you the best chance of landing the job. -But even if you don't have to wear a suit to work, you should STILL wear blue around the office, because people associate it with loyalty. That's why so many companies . . . like Facebook and IBM . . . use the color blue in their logos.
#2.) Yellow. Just seeing the color yellow can cheer people up. So when you wear it, you're perceived as having a sunny personality . . . even if you don't. -Just stay away from dark yellows because they make most people's skin look weird and unhealthy.
#3.) Red. Wearing red shows that you're not afraid to stand out, which is also why you have to wear it in low doses. -If you wear red all the time, you'll stand out TOO much, and people might start to feel like you're not a team player. And anything that's red AND tight is probably too sexy for the office.
#4.) Beige. It's like the opposite of red because it makes you blend in and go unnoticed. So if you're trying to fly under the radar at work, beige is a good choice. -The only time it DOESN'T blend in is when guys wear beige SUITS . . . because NO ONE wears beige suits. So wearing one makes you stand out just as much as if you wore an all JEAN suit.
#5.) White. It's okay as long as you don't wear ALL white. An all-white outfit makes you look like you're in a uniform. So unless you're a painter, a nurse, or a chef, don't wear all white to work.
#6.) Pink. If you're a woman, wearing a pink shirt under a dark suit makes you seem more approachable. If you're a man, wearing a pale pink or salmon-colored shirt makes you look confident . . . because you're secure enough to pull it off.
#7.) Green. Dark greens are associated with power, class, and strength. And bright greens make you look sporty, casual, and cheerful.
#8.) Purple. People associate it with royalty. So wearing dark purple makes you seem more powerful.
#9.) Orange. Light orange is okay, and it blends well with other colors. But too much BRIGHT orange makes you look tacky.
#10.) Brown. It's a good substitute for black, but only if you accent it with another color. And brown clothes that are too baggy can make you look frumpy.
#1.) Blue. Studies have shown that wearing a navy blue suit to an interview gives you the best chance of landing the job. -But even if you don't have to wear a suit to work, you should STILL wear blue around the office, because people associate it with loyalty. That's why so many companies . . . like Facebook and IBM . . . use the color blue in their logos.
#2.) Yellow. Just seeing the color yellow can cheer people up. So when you wear it, you're perceived as having a sunny personality . . . even if you don't. -Just stay away from dark yellows because they make most people's skin look weird and unhealthy.
#3.) Red. Wearing red shows that you're not afraid to stand out, which is also why you have to wear it in low doses. -If you wear red all the time, you'll stand out TOO much, and people might start to feel like you're not a team player. And anything that's red AND tight is probably too sexy for the office.
#4.) Beige. It's like the opposite of red because it makes you blend in and go unnoticed. So if you're trying to fly under the radar at work, beige is a good choice. -The only time it DOESN'T blend in is when guys wear beige SUITS . . . because NO ONE wears beige suits. So wearing one makes you stand out just as much as if you wore an all JEAN suit.
#5.) White. It's okay as long as you don't wear ALL white. An all-white outfit makes you look like you're in a uniform. So unless you're a painter, a nurse, or a chef, don't wear all white to work.
#6.) Pink. If you're a woman, wearing a pink shirt under a dark suit makes you seem more approachable. If you're a man, wearing a pale pink or salmon-colored shirt makes you look confident . . . because you're secure enough to pull it off.
#7.) Green. Dark greens are associated with power, class, and strength. And bright greens make you look sporty, casual, and cheerful.
#8.) Purple. People associate it with royalty. So wearing dark purple makes you seem more powerful.
#9.) Orange. Light orange is okay, and it blends well with other colors. But too much BRIGHT orange makes you look tacky.
#10.) Brown. It's a good substitute for black, but only if you accent it with another color. And brown clothes that are too baggy can make you look frumpy.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Want To Get Yourself a Job? Nerd Yourself Up For the Interview
Here's a theory on why you can't seem to get yourself a job: Maybe you look too COOL.
According to a new study, you're more likely to get hired if you wear GLASSES to your interview. One out of three people say that glasses make you look more professional, and 43% say glasses make you look more intelligent. When people with 20-20 vision were told about those results, 40% said they'd consider wearing glasses with fake lenses to a job interview. BUT . . . while glasses make you more hirable, the survey basically reiterated the old stereotype that they don't make you GOOD LOOKING. Only 6% of people say glasses are fashionable and only 9% think glasses make a person more attractive.
Four Healthy Ways to Detox After the Holidays
If you're a little heavier than you were before the holidays, don't panic. You don't have to starve yourself or go on an extreme cleanse to get back to normal. Here are four HEALTHY ways to detox after the holidays . . .
#1.) Avoid Sugar and Salt. If you're still feeling bloated, go easy on sugar and salt for at least three days, and avoid refined carbs like pasta, white rice, and white bread.
#2.) Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Than Normal. Doctors typically suggest eating at least five servings of each every single day. And if you've been eating junk for the last month, you need to step it up. --Increase your intake of the healthy stuff to between seven and 12 servings. It'll help you get all the vitamins and minerals that aren't in chocolate, eggnog, and mashed potatoes.
#3.) Start Off Slowly at the Gym. Take it easy for the first week. If you're gung-ho on day one, you'll overdo it and end up being too sore to go back the next day. A lot of people make this mistake and then NEVER go back.
#4.) Drink Plenty of Water. It's the fastest way to start feeling healthier because water flushes out the toxins in your body. --So here's the easy way to make sure you drink enough: Divide your body weight by two, then drink that many ounces of water a day. So if you're 150 pounds, you should drink 75 ounces of water a day, which is just over half a gallon.
#1.) Avoid Sugar and Salt. If you're still feeling bloated, go easy on sugar and salt for at least three days, and avoid refined carbs like pasta, white rice, and white bread.
#2.) Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Than Normal. Doctors typically suggest eating at least five servings of each every single day. And if you've been eating junk for the last month, you need to step it up. --Increase your intake of the healthy stuff to between seven and 12 servings. It'll help you get all the vitamins and minerals that aren't in chocolate, eggnog, and mashed potatoes.
#3.) Start Off Slowly at the Gym. Take it easy for the first week. If you're gung-ho on day one, you'll overdo it and end up being too sore to go back the next day. A lot of people make this mistake and then NEVER go back.
#4.) Drink Plenty of Water. It's the fastest way to start feeling healthier because water flushes out the toxins in your body. --So here's the easy way to make sure you drink enough: Divide your body weight by two, then drink that many ounces of water a day. So if you're 150 pounds, you should drink 75 ounces of water a day, which is just over half a gallon.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Six Things That Cost Way More Than They're Worth
If your New Year's resolution is to start saving money, here's a list that might help. It's six things that cost WAY more than they should . . .
#1.) Coffee at a Coffee Shop. A $3 Venti at Starbucks costs about 25 cents to make at home.
#2.) Wine at a Restaurant. On average, they charge three times what it costs at the store. And it's basically the same with beer and liquor.
#3.) Hotel Minibars. The food and drinks cost four times what you'd pay in a store.
--And ordering a movie at a hotel costs twice as much as renting one at a video store. (--Or more, depending on how much SKIN you're trying to see.)
#4.) Movie Theater Popcorn. An average bag costs 12 times more than it costs to make.
#5.) Bottled Water. It's marked up by about 4,000 percent. That's why you should spend ten to twenty dollars and buy a reusable bottle with a built-in filter. The new ones filter regular tap water WHILE you drink it.
#6.) Text Messages. Sending a single text only costs your phone company about ONE-THIRD of a cent. But some providers charge up to 20 cents per text if you go over your limit. That's a 6,000 percent mark-up.
--So if you ALWAYS go over your limit, you should think about paying a little more per month and getting an unlimited plan.
#1.) Coffee at a Coffee Shop. A $3 Venti at Starbucks costs about 25 cents to make at home.
#2.) Wine at a Restaurant. On average, they charge three times what it costs at the store. And it's basically the same with beer and liquor.
#3.) Hotel Minibars. The food and drinks cost four times what you'd pay in a store.
--And ordering a movie at a hotel costs twice as much as renting one at a video store. (--Or more, depending on how much SKIN you're trying to see.)
#4.) Movie Theater Popcorn. An average bag costs 12 times more than it costs to make.
#5.) Bottled Water. It's marked up by about 4,000 percent. That's why you should spend ten to twenty dollars and buy a reusable bottle with a built-in filter. The new ones filter regular tap water WHILE you drink it.
#6.) Text Messages. Sending a single text only costs your phone company about ONE-THIRD of a cent. But some providers charge up to 20 cents per text if you go over your limit. That's a 6,000 percent mark-up.
--So if you ALWAYS go over your limit, you should think about paying a little more per month and getting an unlimited plan.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
What's More Dangerous, Your Spouse or a Serial Killer? Showers or Baths? Dogs or Snakes? Take This Quiz and Find Out
Human beings are great at exaggerating some risks and completely ignoring others. One example: More people are afraid of flying than driving, but it would take a WEEKLY plane crash to equal the amount of deaths from car accidents every year.
--The website Insure.com put together this quiz, based on insurance data, where you try to guess which of two things is more dangerous . . . and it's almost never the one that we're more afraid of. Check it out . . .
#1.) Your spouse or a serial killer? The answer is spouses, by a TON. About 2,700 people a year are killed by their spouses, versus fewer than 1,000 killed by serial killers.
#2.) Your parent or your young child? It's EASILY your parent. There's about a one in one million chance your child will kill you. But when a young child is killed, there's more than a 50-50 chance he was killed by his parent.
#3.) A dog bite or a snake bite? More people die in the U.S. every year from dog bites than snake bites . . . about 20 die from dog bites, 10 from snake bites.
--But there are a LOT more TOTAL dog bites than snake bites . . . about four million versus 45,000. Which means that even though more people die from dog bites, a snake bite is 50 times more likely to be fatal.
#4.) Being a man or being a woman? At every age, in every country, it's more dangerous to be a male. It wasn't that way 100 years ago because of childbirth deaths . . . but now that medical science is so much better, that's not a huge factor.
#5.) Showers or baths? It's baths, by a lot. Even though people slip in the shower, between drowning and electrocution, far more people die and get injured in bathtubs.
--The website Insure.com put together this quiz, based on insurance data, where you try to guess which of two things is more dangerous . . . and it's almost never the one that we're more afraid of. Check it out . . .
#1.) Your spouse or a serial killer? The answer is spouses, by a TON. About 2,700 people a year are killed by their spouses, versus fewer than 1,000 killed by serial killers.
#2.) Your parent or your young child? It's EASILY your parent. There's about a one in one million chance your child will kill you. But when a young child is killed, there's more than a 50-50 chance he was killed by his parent.
#3.) A dog bite or a snake bite? More people die in the U.S. every year from dog bites than snake bites . . . about 20 die from dog bites, 10 from snake bites.
--But there are a LOT more TOTAL dog bites than snake bites . . . about four million versus 45,000. Which means that even though more people die from dog bites, a snake bite is 50 times more likely to be fatal.
#4.) Being a man or being a woman? At every age, in every country, it's more dangerous to be a male. It wasn't that way 100 years ago because of childbirth deaths . . . but now that medical science is so much better, that's not a huge factor.
#5.) Showers or baths? It's baths, by a lot. Even though people slip in the shower, between drowning and electrocution, far more people die and get injured in bathtubs.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Blizzard on the Beach!
I'm back from my mini vacation to Atlantic City where I got to experience a first....snow on the beach! A blizzard actually. If you've never seen snow on the sand, you'll wanna check out some of the pictures below:
Monday, December 20, 2010
Cinnamon Roll French Toast
Since I'm on vacation and have time to cook breakfast, I thought I'd try out this recipe I've had for a while and been wanting to try:
INGREDIENTS
1can (12.4 oz) Pillsbury refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing
2eggs
2/3cup milk
4tablespoons maple syrup
1teaspoon vanilla
DIRECTIONS
1. Bake cinnamon rolls as directed on package. Let rolls cool completely.
2. Spray griddle or 10-inch skillet with cooking spray; heat griddle to 375°F or heat skillet over medium heat. Slice each roll in half crosswise.
3. In a shallow dish, whisk eggs, milk, 2 tablespoons of the maple syrup and the vanilla until blended. Dip each cinnamon roll slice into egg mixture, turning to coat completely. Place on griddle. Cook about 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
4. In small bowl, whisk reserved icing, the remaining 2 tablespoons maple syrup and enough warm water to create a pourable syrup consistency. I love vanilla, so I added a little to this mixture.
Serve over French toast...Jay stopped by on his way to work and he's a picky heater. This recipe passed the Jay test!
INGREDIENTS
1can (12.4 oz) Pillsbury refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing
2eggs
2/3cup milk
4tablespoons maple syrup
1teaspoon vanilla
DIRECTIONS
1. Bake cinnamon rolls as directed on package. Let rolls cool completely.
2. Spray griddle or 10-inch skillet with cooking spray; heat griddle to 375°F or heat skillet over medium heat. Slice each roll in half crosswise.
3. In a shallow dish, whisk eggs, milk, 2 tablespoons of the maple syrup and the vanilla until blended. Dip each cinnamon roll slice into egg mixture, turning to coat completely. Place on griddle. Cook about 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
4. In small bowl, whisk reserved icing, the remaining 2 tablespoons maple syrup and enough warm water to create a pourable syrup consistency. I love vanilla, so I added a little to this mixture.
Serve over French toast...Jay stopped by on his way to work and he's a picky heater. This recipe passed the Jay test!
Monday, December 6, 2010
The 5 Christmas presents that will SAVE money
Giving someone money for Christmas is weird, unless they're your kid. So it's better to do it indirectly. If someone you know is struggling financially this year, there are five Christmas presents that will save them money and here they are:
#1.) A Filtered Water Bottle. It purifies regular tap water while you drink from it, and they go for about $15 at Target. If the person you give it to normally buys one bottle of water a day, your present could save them hundreds of dollars a year.
#2.) The Belkin Energy-Saving Power Strip. TVs and computers suck up power even when they're turned off. And unlike normal power strips, the Belkin Energy Saver prevents it from happening.
--It costs about $40, which is a lot for a power-strip. But it can reduce your electric bill by about that much every year. On the downside . . . you're giving someone a POWER STRIP for Christmas.
#3.) An Electronic Thermostat. They cost $30 at Home Depot, and they're programmable, which means the person can set it to automatically adjust the temperature when no one's home.
--And according to the Alliance to Save Energy, replacing an old thermostat with a PROGRAMMABLE one can shave 10% off an average person's heating or air-conditioning bill.
#4.) A Half-Decent Coffee Maker. If the person you're buying a gift for goes to Starbucks every morning, a nice coffee-maker can save them in the high hundreds over the course of a year.
--Plus, the regular coffee they make at home will have a fraction of the calories that lattes and mochas have. You can get a cheap coffee maker at Wal-Mart for around $15, or a nice one for about $100.
#5.) The Roku. It's a little box that plugs into your TV and lets you watch thousands of HD movies online for free. They start at about $70 and go up in price. But if the person loves watching movies, it'll help them save on rentals.
--Just make sure it's not a waste of money, because if the person has a Playstation 3, an Xbox 360, or a Wii, they can already access the same movies. And the BIG catch is, they need to have a Netflix account to watch most of the free stuff.
--If you want to be extra nice this year and sign them up for Netflix TOO, subscriptions start at $8 a month, which is about $100 for a full year.
#1.) A Filtered Water Bottle. It purifies regular tap water while you drink from it, and they go for about $15 at Target. If the person you give it to normally buys one bottle of water a day, your present could save them hundreds of dollars a year.
#2.) The Belkin Energy-Saving Power Strip. TVs and computers suck up power even when they're turned off. And unlike normal power strips, the Belkin Energy Saver prevents it from happening.
--It costs about $40, which is a lot for a power-strip. But it can reduce your electric bill by about that much every year. On the downside . . . you're giving someone a POWER STRIP for Christmas.
#3.) An Electronic Thermostat. They cost $30 at Home Depot, and they're programmable, which means the person can set it to automatically adjust the temperature when no one's home.
--And according to the Alliance to Save Energy, replacing an old thermostat with a PROGRAMMABLE one can shave 10% off an average person's heating or air-conditioning bill.
#4.) A Half-Decent Coffee Maker. If the person you're buying a gift for goes to Starbucks every morning, a nice coffee-maker can save them in the high hundreds over the course of a year.
--Plus, the regular coffee they make at home will have a fraction of the calories that lattes and mochas have. You can get a cheap coffee maker at Wal-Mart for around $15, or a nice one for about $100.
#5.) The Roku. It's a little box that plugs into your TV and lets you watch thousands of HD movies online for free. They start at about $70 and go up in price. But if the person loves watching movies, it'll help them save on rentals.
--Just make sure it's not a waste of money, because if the person has a Playstation 3, an Xbox 360, or a Wii, they can already access the same movies. And the BIG catch is, they need to have a Netflix account to watch most of the free stuff.
--If you want to be extra nice this year and sign them up for Netflix TOO, subscriptions start at $8 a month, which is about $100 for a full year.
10 Secrets of Great Moms
I found this interesting list of 10 secrets of great moms from Redbook magazine. Who knew?
Gather Helping Hands. Enlist everyone you can to help you. Just because you're a mother, that doesn't mean you have to be Wonder Woman.
Help Homework Happen. As soon as your kids get home from school, set them up for homework time, with each child at his or her own station in the kitchen so that they don't mix up their papers. Then find something to do in the vicinity so that you're nearby for help if they need it, but not hovering over them.
Put Nightmares to Bed. When your child has nightmares, here's how to ward off 'monsters': Use a battery-operated handheld fan to chase them away, and fill a spray bottle with 'Go-Away Monster Spray.' Then lie in bed with your child and ask him what he'd like to dream about, suggesting pleasant things like sharing an ice cream cone or building a sand castle on the beach.
Win the Sweets War. Serve your kids whatever you plan to feed them for dinner, including a small portion of dessert, all together on those plastic sectioned character plates (Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob are their favorites). Each area has chicken, rice, salad, and a Popsicle, or something similar. I don't bug them to eat the veggies before the treat, so even if they have dessert first, it's small enough that they don't fill up -- therefore they always move on to eat a nice amount of dinner. It works like a charm.
Get Feelings Out There, Good and Bad. When there is a cranky child on your hands, swoop them into your lap and say, It's time to complain, so let's complain together. Oh, I feel so angry, or hurt, or sad,' hugging her the whole time and letting her be cranky. After a while, she felt soothed and ready to move on. Also, she learned to put words to her feelings.
Banish Boo-Boo Fears. If the sight of blood terrifies your child, use dark washcloths to clean up cuts and scrapes. Better yet, try storing the cloths in plastic bags in the freezer -- the coldness will help with pain relief.
Make Bath Time a Treat. When your kids are babies and it comes time to bathe them, drop the bottles of soap and lotion into the warm bathwater. That way, when you lather them up, they'll feel nice and warm and won't get a chill.
Prioritize Family Dinner. If you're having a tough time with your kids being rebellious, start enforcing family dinner with no TV, no phones, and no guests -- just your family. Talk about school, homework, and other concerns the kids might have, and sharing these nightly times together should really improve your kids behavior.
Sleep Easy. Put the baby bassinet in the living room during the day, especially if you have other children. Your baby will become accustomed to the noises, and then she'll be able to take a nap anywhere!
Teach the Value of Friendship. When your child is down in the dumps because a child at school doesn't like her/him, Ask them about another kid who you've noticed that's been treated poorly.
Tell them maybe they could be friends. Tell her a good friend is more valuable than any amount of popularity.
Gather Helping Hands. Enlist everyone you can to help you. Just because you're a mother, that doesn't mean you have to be Wonder Woman.
Help Homework Happen. As soon as your kids get home from school, set them up for homework time, with each child at his or her own station in the kitchen so that they don't mix up their papers. Then find something to do in the vicinity so that you're nearby for help if they need it, but not hovering over them.
Put Nightmares to Bed. When your child has nightmares, here's how to ward off 'monsters': Use a battery-operated handheld fan to chase them away, and fill a spray bottle with 'Go-Away Monster Spray.' Then lie in bed with your child and ask him what he'd like to dream about, suggesting pleasant things like sharing an ice cream cone or building a sand castle on the beach.
Win the Sweets War. Serve your kids whatever you plan to feed them for dinner, including a small portion of dessert, all together on those plastic sectioned character plates (Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob are their favorites). Each area has chicken, rice, salad, and a Popsicle, or something similar. I don't bug them to eat the veggies before the treat, so even if they have dessert first, it's small enough that they don't fill up -- therefore they always move on to eat a nice amount of dinner. It works like a charm.
Get Feelings Out There, Good and Bad. When there is a cranky child on your hands, swoop them into your lap and say, It's time to complain, so let's complain together. Oh, I feel so angry, or hurt, or sad,' hugging her the whole time and letting her be cranky. After a while, she felt soothed and ready to move on. Also, she learned to put words to her feelings.
Banish Boo-Boo Fears. If the sight of blood terrifies your child, use dark washcloths to clean up cuts and scrapes. Better yet, try storing the cloths in plastic bags in the freezer -- the coldness will help with pain relief.
Make Bath Time a Treat. When your kids are babies and it comes time to bathe them, drop the bottles of soap and lotion into the warm bathwater. That way, when you lather them up, they'll feel nice and warm and won't get a chill.
Prioritize Family Dinner. If you're having a tough time with your kids being rebellious, start enforcing family dinner with no TV, no phones, and no guests -- just your family. Talk about school, homework, and other concerns the kids might have, and sharing these nightly times together should really improve your kids behavior.
Sleep Easy. Put the baby bassinet in the living room during the day, especially if you have other children. Your baby will become accustomed to the noises, and then she'll be able to take a nap anywhere!
Teach the Value of Friendship. When your child is down in the dumps because a child at school doesn't like her/him, Ask them about another kid who you've noticed that's been treated poorly.
Tell them maybe they could be friends. Tell her a good friend is more valuable than any amount of popularity.
There's passion hidden in your soup!
The soup you slurp does more than take the chill off a cold day. Psychologists have discovered an astonishing link between what you ladle into a bowl and what kind of man will really bring your passion to a boil. A woman's choice of soup reveals her ideal fantasy man, says psychiatric researcher Miriam Douglas of Cincinnati, OH.
• French onion -- You have a daring, adventurous personality, and you're always ready for a challenge. Chances are you're attracted to men with similar tastes, and you can best bond with them by sharing some electrifying experiences.
• Chicken noodle -- You're a warm-hearted, nurturing woman who places your sweetheart at the center of your world. Smart men are a real turn-on for you, and you show your love by thoroughly pampering your honey.
• Vegetable -- You're a responsible person who looks for a man who's a true partner, sharing in all decisions. And if your sweetie gives you the high degree of devotion you crave, you'll shower him with affection in return.
• Clam chowder -- You have a habit of falling in love with love, and your taste for novelty may keep you changing partners on a regular basis. Don't be so quick to rush from man to man because you could miss your soul mate in the shuffle.
• Cream of Tomato -- You yearn for the good life, and an ambitious man with a lot on the ball is right down your alley. You're willing to work right alongside him to achieve the financial security you must have to be happy.
• Baked potato -- You're a straight shooter who demands a matching honesty from your mate. Most importantly, if a man shares your strong sense of community and volunteerism, he's sure to win your heart.
• French onion -- You have a daring, adventurous personality, and you're always ready for a challenge. Chances are you're attracted to men with similar tastes, and you can best bond with them by sharing some electrifying experiences.
• Chicken noodle -- You're a warm-hearted, nurturing woman who places your sweetheart at the center of your world. Smart men are a real turn-on for you, and you show your love by thoroughly pampering your honey.
• Vegetable -- You're a responsible person who looks for a man who's a true partner, sharing in all decisions. And if your sweetie gives you the high degree of devotion you crave, you'll shower him with affection in return.
• Clam chowder -- You have a habit of falling in love with love, and your taste for novelty may keep you changing partners on a regular basis. Don't be so quick to rush from man to man because you could miss your soul mate in the shuffle.
• Cream of Tomato -- You yearn for the good life, and an ambitious man with a lot on the ball is right down your alley. You're willing to work right alongside him to achieve the financial security you must have to be happy.
• Baked potato -- You're a straight shooter who demands a matching honesty from your mate. Most importantly, if a man shares your strong sense of community and volunteerism, he's sure to win your heart.
How to stand out at your company Christmas party
Office holiday parties are a great way to meet people, mingle and make the kind of small talk that can help advance your career. That is, unless you handle it badly. Then it could derail it. So what can you say that will make you stand out in a good way? Martin M. Antony, a professor of psychology at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario and the author of "10 Simple Solutions to Shyness," says you should reach out to someone by smiling, making eye contact and just being approachable. Show that you are open to conversation. And when the talking begins, this is what you say:
1. Give compliments -- Offer someone else a compliment, but make sure you are honest and don't overdo it. If you receive one in return and feel uncomfortable, just say "Thank you." Don't discount the praise by telling the person all the reasons why you don't deserve it.
2. Join an ongoing conversation -- At a party, it is perfectly appropriate to join an ongoing conversation. People often walk about, moving in and out of different conversations. See if you can join in with a group of people who are discussing something that interests you.
3. Be prepared -- Have some topics of conversation prepared, but make sure to actually listen to the other person rather than rehearsing what you'll say next.
4. Ask questions -- Be curious and intrigued about other people and their lives and interests.
5. Be positive -- People respond better to positive statements than negative.
6. Use active listening skills -- Reflect back that you are understanding what the other person is saying. Paraphrase what they say, ask for clarification and provide feedback.
7. Try to talk about things other than work -- Take the opportunity to get to know people on a personal level.
8. Include your date in conversations by finding common interests -- This is especially important if your date is shy or doesn't know anyone else but you.
9. Stick to neutral topics -- Just like your grandmother advised, don't talk about religion, politics or sex.
1. Give compliments -- Offer someone else a compliment, but make sure you are honest and don't overdo it. If you receive one in return and feel uncomfortable, just say "Thank you." Don't discount the praise by telling the person all the reasons why you don't deserve it.
2. Join an ongoing conversation -- At a party, it is perfectly appropriate to join an ongoing conversation. People often walk about, moving in and out of different conversations. See if you can join in with a group of people who are discussing something that interests you.
3. Be prepared -- Have some topics of conversation prepared, but make sure to actually listen to the other person rather than rehearsing what you'll say next.
4. Ask questions -- Be curious and intrigued about other people and their lives and interests.
5. Be positive -- People respond better to positive statements than negative.
6. Use active listening skills -- Reflect back that you are understanding what the other person is saying. Paraphrase what they say, ask for clarification and provide feedback.
7. Try to talk about things other than work -- Take the opportunity to get to know people on a personal level.
8. Include your date in conversations by finding common interests -- This is especially important if your date is shy or doesn't know anyone else but you.
9. Stick to neutral topics -- Just like your grandmother advised, don't talk about religion, politics or sex.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Just made the most AMAZING dinner!
Jay Long and I went to SKH and picked up some groceries to make this amazing recipe. I promise you, it's delish!
Beef Sirloin Steak with Baby Spinach
Beef Sirloin Steak with Baby Spinach
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 boneless beef sirloin steak, 3/4-inch thick (about 1 pound), cut into 4 pieces
1 large onion, sliced (about 1 cup)
1 small red pepper, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves, crushed
1 bag (about 7 ounces) fresh baby spinach
Hot mashed potatoes
Instructions
1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until well browned on both sides. Remove the beef from the skillet. Pour off any fat.
2. Heat the remaining oil in the skillet. Add the onion and pepper and cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook until the vegetables are tender-crisp, stirring often.
3. Stir the soup, water, vinegar and rosemary in the skillet and heat to a boil. Return the beef to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the spinach. Cover and cook the beef for 2 minutes for medium or until desired doneness. Serve the beef and vegetable mixture with the potatoes.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Stilettos for Yard Work? Yup!
Shoe maker Teva and New York clothing company Grey Ant have teamed up to bring us a stiletto shoe for the outdoorsy types. The fashion abomination is available in two colors (black or tan) and are currently retailing for $330.
I totally love this new invention....
It's a shirt that displays the 4th Amendment when you go through airport scanners. Love it!
In case you need a refresher, this is what the 4th Amendment says:
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
It's That Time Of Year Again, So Here's Your Holiday Tipping Guide:
It's December now, which means anyone who provides any kind of service is going to have their hand out for an extra end-of-the-year tip. Here's a guide on how much to tip each of them.
Child Care:
--Babysitter. One night's pay, plus a small gift from the child.
--Nanny. One week to one month's pay, plus a small gift from the child.
--Daycare provider. $20 to $70 each, plus a small gift from the child.
--Child's teacher. A gift.
--Coaches, tutors, music teachers, and dance teachers. A small gift from the child.
Home and Car Care:
--Housekeeper. One week's pay or more, depending on how long they've been with you.
--Garbageman. $15 to $20 each. (--Does anybody really do this one anymore?)
--Parking attendant. $10 to $35.
--Gardener. $20 to $50.
--Snow plow guy. $20 to $50.
Apartment:
--Doormen. $25 to $100 each.
--Superintendent/custodian. $50 to $300.
--Porter/handymen. $10 to $50 each.
Personal Care:
--Hairdresser. $20 to $100, plus a small gift.
--Manicurist. $10 to $50, plus a small gift.
--Personal trainer. $25 or the cost of one session.
Pet Care:
--Dog groomer. Small gift.
--Dog walker or pet sitter. Cost of one to two weeks' pay.
Delivery Services:
--Mailman. They can't accept cash gifts, so a gift under $20.
--UPS or FedEx guy. A gift under $25.
--Paper carrier. $15 to $25 for daily delivery, $5 to $15 for weekend delivery.
Child Care:
--Babysitter. One night's pay, plus a small gift from the child.
--Nanny. One week to one month's pay, plus a small gift from the child.
--Daycare provider. $20 to $70 each, plus a small gift from the child.
--Child's teacher. A gift.
--Coaches, tutors, music teachers, and dance teachers. A small gift from the child.
Home and Car Care:
--Housekeeper. One week's pay or more, depending on how long they've been with you.
--Garbageman. $15 to $20 each. (--Does anybody really do this one anymore?)
--Parking attendant. $10 to $35.
--Gardener. $20 to $50.
--Snow plow guy. $20 to $50.
Apartment:
--Doormen. $25 to $100 each.
--Superintendent/custodian. $50 to $300.
--Porter/handymen. $10 to $50 each.
Personal Care:
--Hairdresser. $20 to $100, plus a small gift.
--Manicurist. $10 to $50, plus a small gift.
--Personal trainer. $25 or the cost of one session.
Pet Care:
--Dog groomer. Small gift.
--Dog walker or pet sitter. Cost of one to two weeks' pay.
Delivery Services:
--Mailman. They can't accept cash gifts, so a gift under $20.
--UPS or FedEx guy. A gift under $25.
--Paper carrier. $15 to $25 for daily delivery, $5 to $15 for weekend delivery.
Monday, November 22, 2010
The "Real Simple" Guide To Avoiding Holiday Fights:
If you and your family members tend to bicker this time of year, here's a list from "Real Simple" magazine on how to avoid holiday fighting.
--If you REALLY want to avoid a fight on Thanksgiving, the best thing to do is keep quiet and just try to get through the night. But if you CAN'T, here's what to do with seven types of difficult family members . . .
#1.) The Slacker. If there's someone who never helps out in the kitchen and won't even set the table, don't yell. Instead, give them a specific task with specific instructions.� If they STILL won't help . . . THEN you can start yelling.
#2.) The Person Who Loves the Holidays WAY Too Much. If there's someone who wants everybody to wear pilgrim and Indian hats at the table . . . and they're over the age of 10 . . . you don't have to take part.
--But don't talk about how stupid it is, or you'll look like a jerk.
#3.) The Emotional Wreck. There's bound to be at least one person who's going through tough times this year. So make sure you give them a chance to vent about it BEFORE you sit down for dinner.
#4.) The Person Who Dominates Every Conversation. If you're the host, seat them next to people who won't care . . . like kids. And try to steer the conversation toward topics that other people are experts in.
#5.) The Person Who Does Everything, Then Makes You Feel Guilty. If someone insists on doing all the cooking, then complains about it, they're probably doing it to feel superior . . . which is why it's annoying.
--But the only thing you can do is offer to help. And if they won't let you, then all that turkey is guilt-free.
#6.) The Bully. If someone starts causing trouble, try to keep things light. For example, if they say something like "You got the beauty and your brother got the brains," say something like "Yeah, and obviously you got the charm."
--If you insult them point blank, it'll start a fight. But if you do it in a light-hearted, funny way, they'll shut up.
#7.) The Alcoholic. Talk to them ahead of time and let them know that if they get drunk, they'll have to leave. Then if they DO get drunk, you just have to make sure they get home safe.
--Telling them to leave might actually CAUSE a fight, but getting them out of the situation will avoid a BIGGER fight.
--If you REALLY want to avoid a fight on Thanksgiving, the best thing to do is keep quiet and just try to get through the night. But if you CAN'T, here's what to do with seven types of difficult family members . . .
#1.) The Slacker. If there's someone who never helps out in the kitchen and won't even set the table, don't yell. Instead, give them a specific task with specific instructions.� If they STILL won't help . . . THEN you can start yelling.
#2.) The Person Who Loves the Holidays WAY Too Much. If there's someone who wants everybody to wear pilgrim and Indian hats at the table . . . and they're over the age of 10 . . . you don't have to take part.
--But don't talk about how stupid it is, or you'll look like a jerk.
#3.) The Emotional Wreck. There's bound to be at least one person who's going through tough times this year. So make sure you give them a chance to vent about it BEFORE you sit down for dinner.
#4.) The Person Who Dominates Every Conversation. If you're the host, seat them next to people who won't care . . . like kids. And try to steer the conversation toward topics that other people are experts in.
#5.) The Person Who Does Everything, Then Makes You Feel Guilty. If someone insists on doing all the cooking, then complains about it, they're probably doing it to feel superior . . . which is why it's annoying.
--But the only thing you can do is offer to help. And if they won't let you, then all that turkey is guilt-free.
#6.) The Bully. If someone starts causing trouble, try to keep things light. For example, if they say something like "You got the beauty and your brother got the brains," say something like "Yeah, and obviously you got the charm."
--If you insult them point blank, it'll start a fight. But if you do it in a light-hearted, funny way, they'll shut up.
#7.) The Alcoholic. Talk to them ahead of time and let them know that if they get drunk, they'll have to leave. Then if they DO get drunk, you just have to make sure they get home safe.
--Telling them to leave might actually CAUSE a fight, but getting them out of the situation will avoid a BIGGER fight.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Four Secrets About The First Year of Marriage
If you recently got married, or you're thinking about it, prepare: "Brides" magazine has a list of four secrets about the first year of marriage . . .
#1.) YOUR SPOUSE WILL GAIN WEIGHT. Most people lose a few pounds for their wedding, but start gaining them back as soon as the ring's on their finger.
--And that's okay. Just don't neglect your health COMPLETELY. Studies show that people who get married and stay married live longer . . . unless they gain 50 pounds and never leave the couch.
#2.) YOU WON'T SEE YOUR FRIENDS ANYMORE. You'll still see your BEST friends, but everyone else will slowly fade away. And "Brides" magazine says to concentrate on spending time with your best friends, or you'll lose them too.
--It also helps if you each do things WITHOUT each other. If you do everything as a couple, only other couples will want to hang out with you.
#3.) YOU'LL GO TO BED ANGRY, EVEN THOUGH YOU SAID YOU NEVER WOULD. It doesn't make sense to stay up all night fighting if you have to work the next day. Just don't forget about it the next day or pretend it didn't happen.
#4.) YOU'LL HAVE TWO PAYCHECKS, BUT YOU'LL STILL BE BROKE. According to "Brides" magazine, you'll save on rent, but make up for it by spending money on setting up your new place. And if you have kids, you'll have to spend a lot more.
--But it's worth noting that the website Bundle.com did a study in New York and found that married couples spent less on just about everything, including groceries, clothing, and entertainment. And they spent almost HALF as much eating out.
#1.) YOUR SPOUSE WILL GAIN WEIGHT. Most people lose a few pounds for their wedding, but start gaining them back as soon as the ring's on their finger.
--And that's okay. Just don't neglect your health COMPLETELY. Studies show that people who get married and stay married live longer . . . unless they gain 50 pounds and never leave the couch.
#2.) YOU WON'T SEE YOUR FRIENDS ANYMORE. You'll still see your BEST friends, but everyone else will slowly fade away. And "Brides" magazine says to concentrate on spending time with your best friends, or you'll lose them too.
--It also helps if you each do things WITHOUT each other. If you do everything as a couple, only other couples will want to hang out with you.
#3.) YOU'LL GO TO BED ANGRY, EVEN THOUGH YOU SAID YOU NEVER WOULD. It doesn't make sense to stay up all night fighting if you have to work the next day. Just don't forget about it the next day or pretend it didn't happen.
#4.) YOU'LL HAVE TWO PAYCHECKS, BUT YOU'LL STILL BE BROKE. According to "Brides" magazine, you'll save on rent, but make up for it by spending money on setting up your new place. And if you have kids, you'll have to spend a lot more.
--But it's worth noting that the website Bundle.com did a study in New York and found that married couples spent less on just about everything, including groceries, clothing, and entertainment. And they spent almost HALF as much eating out.
Think that making home improvements will help you sell your house? Nope...
With the housing market still swirling around in the toilet, you might be thinking, "Well, maybe if I redo the kitchen that'll help me sell it for a decent price." The answer is . . . no, it won't.
--"Remodeling" magazine just released the results of their annual survey and found that home improvements are having LESS of an effect on selling price than EVER.
--Up until last year, the average home improvement project boosted a home's price by 86.7% of the cost of the project. In other words, if you spend $10,000 to improve your house, it adds $8,670 to the sale price.
--But in the 2009-2010 survey, home improvements only added 63.8% of their value to the home's selling price.
--The average project cost a homeowner $50,908 and only added $32,497 of value at sale time.
--The survey found that the best projects you can do to add value are exterior enhancements that might not cost that much . . . like door and window replacements. Adding an attic bedroom also helped add value to the house.
--Adding home offices, sunrooms, backup power generators, bathrooms, and garages recouped the least amount of their costs.
--"Remodeling" magazine just released the results of their annual survey and found that home improvements are having LESS of an effect on selling price than EVER.
--Up until last year, the average home improvement project boosted a home's price by 86.7% of the cost of the project. In other words, if you spend $10,000 to improve your house, it adds $8,670 to the sale price.
--But in the 2009-2010 survey, home improvements only added 63.8% of their value to the home's selling price.
--The average project cost a homeowner $50,908 and only added $32,497 of value at sale time.
--The survey found that the best projects you can do to add value are exterior enhancements that might not cost that much . . . like door and window replacements. Adding an attic bedroom also helped add value to the house.
--Adding home offices, sunrooms, backup power generators, bathrooms, and garages recouped the least amount of their costs.
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