CNN's list of where homes are affordable had me checking my vision and questioning for typos. Property actually costs this much? Land with actual houses that come with roofs and indoor plumbing?!?
After all of the housing woes lately, I didn't know this was still possible. Mind you, these are median prices for liveable houses, not just the one fixer-upper with shag carpeting and the creepy neighbors. Condos aren't even factored in to the median, meanins from of these towns have condos that cost less than some people pay for cars in L.A. Madness, I tell you. Madness!
1. Northbrook, Ohio - Median home price (2006): $83,760
2. Blacklick Estates, Ohio - Median home price (2006): $83,480
3. Tonawanda, New York - Median home price (2006): $74,878
4. Shiloh, Ohio - Median home price (2006): $79,722
5. West Mifflin, Pennsylvania - Median home price (2006): $81,113
6. North College Hill, Ohio - Median home price (2006): $80,761
7. Maple Heights, Ohio - Median home price (2006): $84,597
8. Kenmore, New York - Median home price (2006): $93,413
9. Penn Hills, Pennsylvania - Median home price (2006): $84,915
10. Brentwood, Pennsylvania - Median home price (2006): $86,878
11. Depew, New York - Median home price (2006): $90,149
12. Irmo, South Carolina - Median home price (2006): $119,003
13. Corning, New York - Median home price (2006): $83,198
14. Lancaster, New York - Median home price (2006): $98,883
15. Bellevue, Ohio - Median home price (2006): $91,322
16. Gates-North Gates, New York - Median home price (2006): $99,612
17. Cheektowaga, New York - Median home price (2006): $88,239
18. Cheviot, Ohio - Median home price (2006): $92,038
19. Boardman, Ohio - Median home price (2006): $103,175
20. Lincoln Park, Michigan - Median home price (2006): $96,579
21. Melvindale, Michigan - Median home price (2006): $90,302
22. Storm Lake, Iowa - Median home price (2006): $85,830
23. Garfield Heights, Ohio - Median home price (2006): $93,116
24. Kokomo, Indiana - Median home price (2006): $87,148
25. Harper Woods, Michigan - Median home price (2006): $110,486
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Allergy Labels
Once kids start day care, school, or the like, they have to start bringing certain things along with them. Mabel's Labels is a website that sells labels for stuff, but more clever than that, labels that identify allergies. If your kid has an allergy, it's best to make the warning obvious for other care providers. They say the labels "withstand the dishwasher, microwave, UV Rays and hard wearing children," so they should last a while.
At $16 for 20 labels, if containers and cups tend to get lost outside of your home, it might not be worth the investment in the durable labels. A cheaper option might be to buy some address labels and print the necessary information on a full sheet for a fraction of the price. You'd have to re-apply after washing, but you'd still end up saving money.
Another alternative is using a label maker, if you have one. The label would last longer on the container than a paper label because it won't dissolve in water, though I don't know how it would react in a microwave.
At $16 for 20 labels, if containers and cups tend to get lost outside of your home, it might not be worth the investment in the durable labels. A cheaper option might be to buy some address labels and print the necessary information on a full sheet for a fraction of the price. You'd have to re-apply after washing, but you'd still end up saving money.
Another alternative is using a label maker, if you have one. The label would last longer on the container than a paper label because it won't dissolve in water, though I don't know how it would react in a microwave.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Recipe: Country Rhubarb Cake
I got this recipe from Gourmet magazine. It's ridiculously easy, and a great opportunity to take advantage of rhubarb while it's in season. It's more common in Ireland (my point of reference) than here, and it reminds me of the cranberry because it's too tart to eat without a significant amount of sugar. The cake is essentially a receipe for a biscuit, which means that you don't want to overwork the dough. Just mix it until the batter comes together or you'll get a tough bread.
This is home cooking that makes us gluttonous to a fault. It's a delicious combination of tart and sweet. Once we take a bite, we literally can't stop until it's gone. That said, you could easily substitute the rhubarb for another fruit with equal success. We're just too smitten to try any alternatives, yet. I would suggest that if you make the cream, consider omiting the sugar. The cake is sweet enough, and you're looking for the velvety quality of the cream, not the added sugar. Besides, cream whisked with whiskey is impossibly delicious, but that's just me.
Country Rhubarb Cake
Serves 6-8
Active time: 35 minutes
Start to finish: 1 1/4 hour
For cake
1 lb fresh rhubarb stalks, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (3 cups) or 3 cups frozen rhubarb, thawed after measuring
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 cups cake flour (not self-rising), sifted
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup granulated sugar (optional: 2 additional tablespoons to sprinkle on cake)
1 stick (1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/3 cup whole milk
2 large eggs (1 separated)
For whiskey cream
1 cup chilled heavy cream
2 tablespoons confectioners sugar (optional)
1 tablespoon whiskey (preferably Irish)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Make cake:
Put oven rack in the middle position and preheat oven to 400F. Butter a 10-inch glass or ceramic pie plate or a 2 1/2-quart oval gratin dish and chill.
Toss rhubarb with brown sugar in a bowl until coated.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a large bowl until combined well. Blend in butter with a pastry blender or your fingertips until mixture resembles damp sand.
In a small bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together milk, whole egg, and yolk.
Make a well in center of flour mixture and add milk mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon to gradually incorpporate flour and form a soft, sticky dough.
Transfer half of dough to chilled pie plate and pat out over bottom and halfway up side with well-floured hands, then spoon rhubarb and any juices onto dough. Using a tablespoon, spoon remaining dough in small mounds evenly over top.
Optional: Lightly beat egg white with a few drops of water, then lightly brush cake with egg wash. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar over top.
Bake cake until top crust is golden and rhubarb is tender, 30-40 minutes. Transfer to rack to cook, about 30 minutes.
Make whiskey cream:
Beat cream with confectioners sugar, whiskey, and vanilla in a bowl with an electric mixer until it forms stiff peaks (whipped cream peak that hold its shape and clings tightly to the end of the beater or whisk).
Serve cake warm or at room temperature with whiskey cream.
Cooks' note:
Cake can be made 4 hours ahead and cooled completely, then kept, wrapped well in plastic wrap, at room temperature. Reheat if desired.
The Image of Fast Food
As I consider dinner this evening, something a friend sent me comes to mind:
The Reality of Fast Food
If that doesn't make you eat in, I don't know what would.
The Reality of Fast Food
If that doesn't make you eat in, I don't know what would.
Being Organized Pays
So in case you haven't noticed, I'm a fan of being organized. I prefer investing the time and effort up front, which allows for less stress on the back end. 43 Folders' post on his organizational pursuits reminded me of the nuances of getting and staying organized. If you have limited storage space, which we do, being organized is crucial. It means you don't have to spend hours trying to find and retrieve something (barring the occassional keys snafu). 43's lightbulb moment came when he realized that he was organizing, but not eliminating. That's a huge part of being organized, though. Shuffling useless stuff throughout your home can be easy, unfortunately.
Possible thoughts:
(1) It's still good - I'm sure it is. Aunt Glinda gave you that coffee maker, but you already had one. You kept it because you didn't want to hurt her feelings, but you've never used it. Sure, it's still good, but guess what. Not to you. I have trouble discarding things that are "still useful," too, which is why we make periodic donations to local charities. You might consider eBay, freecycle, or charities like Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or local shelters.
(2) You might use it again - You bought that dress with good intentions, but you wore it once and it no longer fits. If you hold on to something like clothes waiting for them to fit again or to come back into fashion, you're just avoiding the inevitable. I'm not trying to be a pessimist here, but it's important to be rational. And we're beyond that...we're ruthless. If you haven't worn it in a year, assuming it's not seasonal (e.g., ski clothes), why is it taking up precious space? If you're really hesitant, put it in a box out of sight for a year. If you forgot it even existed, come on! Give that dress a new life on someone else ;-)
(3) It was expensive and you don't want to have to buy it again if you find out you need it - If you didn't use it the first time, you won't use it the second time.
I'm sure there are many other reasons to keep things that you can't bear to part with, but the point is to evaluate your reasoning and examine your logic. Are you keeping things for emotional reasons? Do you have enough space for the stuff you've accumulated? Even if you do, is the extra clutter and maintence (e.g., cleaning around stuff) necessary and worth it to you?
The interesting side effect of purging our closets is a mental shift that has resulted in saving money. I don't impulse buy (as much) because I'm much more conscious of the ramifications of my purchase. The big questions I ask myself when shopping are:
(1) Can I afford the expense? - Is it worth the price? Will it put a dent in my budget?
(2) Can I afford the space? - Where will I put it? Will it create clutter? Will I have to get rid of something else in order to keep this? Is that worth it to me? I find this question especially useful with toys because I want to give our little guy everything, but he hardly cares. He'll play with a cardboard box just as well as an expensive toy. We can only store so many toys, and he's usually happier playing with one of us than the stuff we buy him. Added bonus.
(3) Do we need it?- Better yet, will we use it? Do I do things that require this tool (e.g., if I didn't bake, I wouldn't need a stand mixer--and yes, I need my stand mixer). Unitaskers are lame. Do I have something else that could substitute for this (e.g., paella pans are for people who don't know you can make paella in a pot)? It doesn't matter how small or cheap something is if I won't use it. It's just taking up needed space, which defeats my organizational efforts.
On that note, a friend suggested to think about purchases for a month, and if you still want/need it, get it. Stopping to think about purchases really keeps your budget in check.
Whatever you decide to keep, store it wisely. Personally, I like storage boxes, space bags (when the seal works, which has been a nuisance), and my trusty label maker. You can fit more in a box with space bags, and if you label things, you don't have to rummage to find anything. Put little sachets of I'm a virgo and a little OCD, in case you haven't noticed.
Do you have any tips to share?
Possible thoughts:
(1) It's still good - I'm sure it is. Aunt Glinda gave you that coffee maker, but you already had one. You kept it because you didn't want to hurt her feelings, but you've never used it. Sure, it's still good, but guess what. Not to you. I have trouble discarding things that are "still useful," too, which is why we make periodic donations to local charities. You might consider eBay, freecycle, or charities like Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or local shelters.
(2) You might use it again - You bought that dress with good intentions, but you wore it once and it no longer fits. If you hold on to something like clothes waiting for them to fit again or to come back into fashion, you're just avoiding the inevitable. I'm not trying to be a pessimist here, but it's important to be rational. And we're beyond that...we're ruthless. If you haven't worn it in a year, assuming it's not seasonal (e.g., ski clothes), why is it taking up precious space? If you're really hesitant, put it in a box out of sight for a year. If you forgot it even existed, come on! Give that dress a new life on someone else ;-)
(3) It was expensive and you don't want to have to buy it again if you find out you need it - If you didn't use it the first time, you won't use it the second time.
I'm sure there are many other reasons to keep things that you can't bear to part with, but the point is to evaluate your reasoning and examine your logic. Are you keeping things for emotional reasons? Do you have enough space for the stuff you've accumulated? Even if you do, is the extra clutter and maintence (e.g., cleaning around stuff) necessary and worth it to you?
The interesting side effect of purging our closets is a mental shift that has resulted in saving money. I don't impulse buy (as much) because I'm much more conscious of the ramifications of my purchase. The big questions I ask myself when shopping are:
(1) Can I afford the expense? - Is it worth the price? Will it put a dent in my budget?
(2) Can I afford the space? - Where will I put it? Will it create clutter? Will I have to get rid of something else in order to keep this? Is that worth it to me? I find this question especially useful with toys because I want to give our little guy everything, but he hardly cares. He'll play with a cardboard box just as well as an expensive toy. We can only store so many toys, and he's usually happier playing with one of us than the stuff we buy him. Added bonus.
(3) Do we need it?- Better yet, will we use it? Do I do things that require this tool (e.g., if I didn't bake, I wouldn't need a stand mixer--and yes, I need my stand mixer). Unitaskers are lame. Do I have something else that could substitute for this (e.g., paella pans are for people who don't know you can make paella in a pot)? It doesn't matter how small or cheap something is if I won't use it. It's just taking up needed space, which defeats my organizational efforts.
On that note, a friend suggested to think about purchases for a month, and if you still want/need it, get it. Stopping to think about purchases really keeps your budget in check.
Whatever you decide to keep, store it wisely. Personally, I like storage boxes, space bags (when the seal works, which has been a nuisance), and my trusty label maker. You can fit more in a box with space bags, and if you label things, you don't have to rummage to find anything. Put little sachets of I'm a virgo and a little OCD, in case you haven't noticed.
Do you have any tips to share?
Monday, July 16, 2007
Making the Grade: Child Care Centers in Los Angeles
While we're not currently in need of child care, we don't know what the future holds. Besides, I'm always on the lookout for interesting and progressive programs that exist to help families in an era when being disconnected from family is so routine. In Los Angeles in particular, so many residents are transplants. A city like this needs as many resources as possible.
The Santa Monica Daily Press reported that Los Angeles County will begin a pilot program in 9 select cities in which a trained researcher will assess the quality of service of each provider and make that information available on the Web to parents. Steps to Excellence Program (STEP), similar in concept to the county's restaurant rating system, intends to measure the following 6 areas:
-Regulatory Compliance
-Teacher/Child Relationships
-Learning Environment
-Identification and Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
-Staff Qualifications and Working Conditions
-Family and Community Connections
The county's goals are to:
-Provide parents with clear, concise information on the quality of individual child care settings
-Create incentives and supports for programs to meet and maintain higher program standards
-Distinguish programs that are meeting these higher standards
-Provide benchmarks to determine if the quality of care in individual programs or communities is improving over time
The pilot phase, which began June 22, 2007, will last 3 years and is both free and voluntary. At an estimated annual cost of $500K, the program will begin posting results on their website in January 2008. They hope to recruit 200+ child care centers and 400 family child care homes in the following communities:
-Inglewood
-Palmdale
-Pomona
-Florence/Firestone
-Pacoima/Arleta
-Wilmington
-Long Beach
-Pasadena
-Santa Monica
Locally, Connections for Children, a non-profit resource and referral agency, will pilot the Santa Monica centers. So if you live or work in the area, you should consider contacting them for further information and assistance.
The Santa Monica Daily Press reported that Los Angeles County will begin a pilot program in 9 select cities in which a trained researcher will assess the quality of service of each provider and make that information available on the Web to parents. Steps to Excellence Program (STEP), similar in concept to the county's restaurant rating system, intends to measure the following 6 areas:
-Regulatory Compliance
-Teacher/Child Relationships
-Learning Environment
-Identification and Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
-Staff Qualifications and Working Conditions
-Family and Community Connections
The county's goals are to:
-Provide parents with clear, concise information on the quality of individual child care settings
-Create incentives and supports for programs to meet and maintain higher program standards
-Distinguish programs that are meeting these higher standards
-Provide benchmarks to determine if the quality of care in individual programs or communities is improving over time
The pilot phase, which began June 22, 2007, will last 3 years and is both free and voluntary. At an estimated annual cost of $500K, the program will begin posting results on their website in January 2008. They hope to recruit 200+ child care centers and 400 family child care homes in the following communities:
-Inglewood
-Palmdale
-Pomona
-Florence/Firestone
-Pacoima/Arleta
-Wilmington
-Long Beach
-Pasadena
-Santa Monica
Locally, Connections for Children, a non-profit resource and referral agency, will pilot the Santa Monica centers. So if you live or work in the area, you should consider contacting them for further information and assistance.
Travel: Cordoba, Spain
CNN's recent travel article got me to reminiscing...
Traveling is divine. There's something so romantic about wheels touching ground in a foreign country, one where you have no history or connection. Everything is new and exciting; an experience in the making. Just getting off the plane is a thrill, with the unknown staring you down: poster ads, text messages, strangers hugging. But sometimes you find a place that's an entirely new level of magic. The summer streets of southern Spain are seering hot with even shelter in the shade allowing little reprieve. The weather begs for a siesta in a cool, dim room for a long afternoon. If that can't be arranged, you would settle for a cold drink in a dark corner with delicious little tapas. Simple, and yet so perfect.
We traveled to Cordoba in 2003, and it was one of the best trips we've had. It was hot everywhere, but the nights were deliciously warm. The narrow streets steeped in history. The whitewashed homes with spectacular tile, wrought iron, and oasis courtyards gave off such a refreshing aura. And the piece de resistance, the Mezquita, a vast mosque with a cathedral built in its middle. It's such a collection of conflict, harmony and history that it makes you reconsider yourself and the history you know.
With only 4 days in Andalucia, we only spent a day exploring in Cordoba, a day in Carmona, and two days in Sevilla. Just enough to whet our appetites for more.
Traveling is divine. There's something so romantic about wheels touching ground in a foreign country, one where you have no history or connection. Everything is new and exciting; an experience in the making. Just getting off the plane is a thrill, with the unknown staring you down: poster ads, text messages, strangers hugging. But sometimes you find a place that's an entirely new level of magic. The summer streets of southern Spain are seering hot with even shelter in the shade allowing little reprieve. The weather begs for a siesta in a cool, dim room for a long afternoon. If that can't be arranged, you would settle for a cold drink in a dark corner with delicious little tapas. Simple, and yet so perfect.
We traveled to Cordoba in 2003, and it was one of the best trips we've had. It was hot everywhere, but the nights were deliciously warm. The narrow streets steeped in history. The whitewashed homes with spectacular tile, wrought iron, and oasis courtyards gave off such a refreshing aura. And the piece de resistance, the Mezquita, a vast mosque with a cathedral built in its middle. It's such a collection of conflict, harmony and history that it makes you reconsider yourself and the history you know.
With only 4 days in Andalucia, we only spent a day exploring in Cordoba, a day in Carmona, and two days in Sevilla. Just enough to whet our appetites for more.
Enjoy Eating In and Save Time & Money to Boot
For more on food, see a guest post I wrote on Free Money Finance titled "Enjoy Eating In and Save Time and Money to Boot."
Sunday, July 15, 2007
An Irish Summer
If the rain continues through Wednesday, it will have rained 50 consecutive days in Dublin, Ireland.
We'll be flying over soon, leaving behind the golden California sun for an Irish summer. It's not too bad for me because having been raised in Los Angeles, I long for seasons. Rain is a nice distraction, in moderation, of course (translate = please, no more land slides). So, maybe I'm spoiled. But my poor husband...he's the one I feel for. When it rains here, he literally looks depressed. You get the feeling that he feels robbed. He moved all the way over here for sun, not rain. So on those 3 days out of the 365, there's a definite blue tint to his him. But it's all fair when in Ireland because he knows the rain there. Much like the Irish in this article, he has low but hopeful expections.
"While we can tend to be a downbeat people on the surface, the Irish people actually have the basically hopeful disposition of the idealist. We're happy to trudge through the 10 months, once we feel there will be sun some time."
and even more amusing...
"We're starting to think that maybe this is not an aberration, that this is just how it is from now on, that with the luck of the Irish we got the sh**ty end of the stick when it came to global warming."
All we can ask for is a dry day on his sister's wedding. Just one dry day.
We'll be flying over soon, leaving behind the golden California sun for an Irish summer. It's not too bad for me because having been raised in Los Angeles, I long for seasons. Rain is a nice distraction, in moderation, of course (translate = please, no more land slides). So, maybe I'm spoiled. But my poor husband...he's the one I feel for. When it rains here, he literally looks depressed. You get the feeling that he feels robbed. He moved all the way over here for sun, not rain. So on those 3 days out of the 365, there's a definite blue tint to his him. But it's all fair when in Ireland because he knows the rain there. Much like the Irish in this article, he has low but hopeful expections.
"While we can tend to be a downbeat people on the surface, the Irish people actually have the basically hopeful disposition of the idealist. We're happy to trudge through the 10 months, once we feel there will be sun some time."
and even more amusing...
"We're starting to think that maybe this is not an aberration, that this is just how it is from now on, that with the luck of the Irish we got the sh**ty end of the stick when it came to global warming."
All we can ask for is a dry day on his sister's wedding. Just one dry day.
PVC Leggings
No seriously, PVC leggings. Apparently, they're back. From what? I have no idea. But some people considered celebrities are apparently wearing them, so they must be back. Either that, or Victoria Beckam isn't the icon she thinks she is. Gasp!!
If that's not enough entertainment, here are some tips from the Independent on how to wear them without requiring a visit to the Emergency Room.
Tips for wearing PVC/latex leggings
1 Some people will argue that this trend is for the size zeros only.
I disagree. If you don’t want a totally fitted look, then opt for a size bigger than you would normally choose.
2 Use a good dousing of talcum powder both on your legs and the inside of the leggings, then bunch them up like you would with stockings to pull them carefully up your legs.
3 Some latex leggings come with a spray that’s supposed to make them all shiny. Spray them all over and wipe down with a cloth.
4 Providing you don’t have any trapped air bubbles, they are actually surprisingly comfortable to wear.
5 Latex leggings are pretty subdued in sound. But be warned, the squelchy noise problem does arise when wearing PVC leggings.
6 When removing them, roll your legging down to slip them off and try not to pull them too much.
They forgot to say "don't exhale." After all, oxygen is sooooo yesterday.
If that's not enough entertainment, here are some tips from the Independent on how to wear them without requiring a visit to the Emergency Room.
Tips for wearing PVC/latex leggings
1 Some people will argue that this trend is for the size zeros only.
I disagree. If you don’t want a totally fitted look, then opt for a size bigger than you would normally choose.
2 Use a good dousing of talcum powder both on your legs and the inside of the leggings, then bunch them up like you would with stockings to pull them carefully up your legs.
3 Some latex leggings come with a spray that’s supposed to make them all shiny. Spray them all over and wipe down with a cloth.
4 Providing you don’t have any trapped air bubbles, they are actually surprisingly comfortable to wear.
5 Latex leggings are pretty subdued in sound. But be warned, the squelchy noise problem does arise when wearing PVC leggings.
6 When removing them, roll your legging down to slip them off and try not to pull them too much.
They forgot to say "don't exhale." After all, oxygen is sooooo yesterday.
We Call Them Vanilla Plates
No Limits Ladies posted an interesting suggestion. Save time, money, and stress buy using white dishes.
Time - The time required to find replacement dishes for certain patterns is great.
Money - The cost in replacing broken dishes in a specific pattern can be high.
Stress - Where are you going to find that discontinued pattern? Will your mother-in-law notice? Neighbors? Jones'?
A few very good reasons to go white. She also points out that white is better than other colors because it's hard to find the wrong shade of white, which isn't the case with red.
I fully agree with all of these points, though I hadn't thought about it until I saw her post. The interesting thing is we were gifted with pottery dishes that we love, but they're porous so they're not great in the microwave, and they're bulky so they're not great in the dishwasher. So we were at IKEA one day and found white dishes at 50 cents each. I'll say it again...50 CENTS! We stocked up.
Our primary reason was one not mentioned on her blog. We believe that the food, not the dishes, are to be highlighted. Any color other than white diffuses the brilliance of the food being served. So at a minimal expense, we got a nice collection of dishes that allows us to see our food, without fear of the consequences. We can also use a dish to take cookies and muffins to a friend's house, and not feel like eegits for leaving one behind.
Time - The time required to find replacement dishes for certain patterns is great.
Money - The cost in replacing broken dishes in a specific pattern can be high.
Stress - Where are you going to find that discontinued pattern? Will your mother-in-law notice? Neighbors? Jones'?
A few very good reasons to go white. She also points out that white is better than other colors because it's hard to find the wrong shade of white, which isn't the case with red.
I fully agree with all of these points, though I hadn't thought about it until I saw her post. The interesting thing is we were gifted with pottery dishes that we love, but they're porous so they're not great in the microwave, and they're bulky so they're not great in the dishwasher. So we were at IKEA one day and found white dishes at 50 cents each. I'll say it again...50 CENTS! We stocked up.
Our primary reason was one not mentioned on her blog. We believe that the food, not the dishes, are to be highlighted. Any color other than white diffuses the brilliance of the food being served. So at a minimal expense, we got a nice collection of dishes that allows us to see our food, without fear of the consequences. We can also use a dish to take cookies and muffins to a friend's house, and not feel like eegits for leaving one behind.
Dads in their 40s
Oh, how my husband's going to hate to see this post.
An article on fathers in their 40's caught my attention. As women are becoming parents later in life, so are men.
Per the article, fathers between 40 and 44 were up almost 18 percent from a decade ago while birth rates of children with fathers in their 20s dropped about 15 percent in that same period. "Two major trends in the dynamics of the modern family drive these statistics: Many men are waiting longer to have children as they pursue career goals, and many others, divorced or widowed, are remarrying and starting new families."
We know several men who became fathers for the first time after the age of 40, my husband included. Personally, I think he's much more mature and involved as a parent than he would have been a few years ago. He doesn't feel as compelled to work until 10 nightly, including weekends. He relishes in the time he spends with our son, whether it's changing diapers, giving baths, or playing peek-a-boo.
The article states that "by this point in some men's lives, a softer, easier temperament prevails." I didn't know my husband when he was 20, but I suspect that he's a bit more mellow now. Or so I hear ;-) He certainly doesn't overreact to things or obsess over nonsense, which I've seen plenty of maturity-lacking parents do. The article goes on to address a concern over age-sensitive issues like sports, though that was never a concern because my husband's never been the soccer/football/marathon type. That wasn't going to happen now or 20 years ago. He does however love mountain biking, and though I'm not excited about seeing them share that sport, I'm willing to let it happen...I just won't watch. It's something they can share, which can make one more mature, while keeping the other young. Which is which? Hmmm....
I suspect kids keep us all young, and sometimes, dare I say it, even I need a bit of youthful silliness to keep the wrinkles at bay.
An article on fathers in their 40's caught my attention. As women are becoming parents later in life, so are men.
Per the article, fathers between 40 and 44 were up almost 18 percent from a decade ago while birth rates of children with fathers in their 20s dropped about 15 percent in that same period. "Two major trends in the dynamics of the modern family drive these statistics: Many men are waiting longer to have children as they pursue career goals, and many others, divorced or widowed, are remarrying and starting new families."
We know several men who became fathers for the first time after the age of 40, my husband included. Personally, I think he's much more mature and involved as a parent than he would have been a few years ago. He doesn't feel as compelled to work until 10 nightly, including weekends. He relishes in the time he spends with our son, whether it's changing diapers, giving baths, or playing peek-a-boo.
The article states that "by this point in some men's lives, a softer, easier temperament prevails." I didn't know my husband when he was 20, but I suspect that he's a bit more mellow now. Or so I hear ;-) He certainly doesn't overreact to things or obsess over nonsense, which I've seen plenty of maturity-lacking parents do. The article goes on to address a concern over age-sensitive issues like sports, though that was never a concern because my husband's never been the soccer/football/marathon type. That wasn't going to happen now or 20 years ago. He does however love mountain biking, and though I'm not excited about seeing them share that sport, I'm willing to let it happen...I just won't watch. It's something they can share, which can make one more mature, while keeping the other young. Which is which? Hmmm....
I suspect kids keep us all young, and sometimes, dare I say it, even I need a bit of youthful silliness to keep the wrinkles at bay.
Tips on Traveling Light
As I've mentioned before, my favorite tip for travel is don't overpack. It makes your trip much more enjoyable because you're not spending extraordinary efforts in lugging useless stuff. Being smart and efficient about what you pack requires a close analysis of what you'll need, and research on choosing the best multi-tasking tools.
Lifehacker led the way to Tim Ferriss' list of how he travels the world with under 10 pounds. You may agree or disagree with some of his choices, but it's a great starting point. It seems very specific to warmer climates, so if you're going to Chile this month, you might need a few more things. The same goes for traveling with kids, but...well, duh.
Much like with anything, great packing also requires a bit of organization. I like to make a master list of things to travel with, so I can pare it down as needed for any kind of trip. And we usually take an electronics bag because we are who we are. Included are a laptop, iPod, camera, various chargers, and headphones. The laptop might seem a waste, but we check in on life every now and then, book flights and hotels (safer than strange computers), have scanned images of passports and other needed documents, and we upload photos daily from our camera to see progress during our trips. On a 3-week trip to Asia a few years ago, we literally took over 1,000 shots, and it was great to see them at the end of each day as we wound down. We also use it for video clips, which results in great short clips of our wee one, eliminating our *need* for a video camera.
Lifehacker led the way to Tim Ferriss' list of how he travels the world with under 10 pounds. You may agree or disagree with some of his choices, but it's a great starting point. It seems very specific to warmer climates, so if you're going to Chile this month, you might need a few more things. The same goes for traveling with kids, but...well, duh.
Much like with anything, great packing also requires a bit of organization. I like to make a master list of things to travel with, so I can pare it down as needed for any kind of trip. And we usually take an electronics bag because we are who we are. Included are a laptop, iPod, camera, various chargers, and headphones. The laptop might seem a waste, but we check in on life every now and then, book flights and hotels (safer than strange computers), have scanned images of passports and other needed documents, and we upload photos daily from our camera to see progress during our trips. On a 3-week trip to Asia a few years ago, we literally took over 1,000 shots, and it was great to see them at the end of each day as we wound down. We also use it for video clips, which results in great short clips of our wee one, eliminating our *need* for a video camera.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Los Angeles Restaurants: Prix Fixe Menus
More on restaurants in Los Angeles. Gayot keeps a list of special and ongoing resautants events (e.g., set menus). Personally, I find that taking advantage of a great restaurant's prix fixe menu is a fun way to get an outrageously good meal at a fraction of the price of the a la carte menu. The menu's usually clever, well thought out, and delicious. One of our most memorable meals was a Hawaiian meal at Lucques that cost us less than half of what it would have cost otherwise. Careful with the drinks though...that's where they can get ya ;-)
Gayot's list isn't comprehensive, but I found a posting on Chowhound that has a few more fun listings, though you might want to call ahead to assure the special is still running since it was posted in Feb 2007. I've posted our current favorites, along with ones we're seriously considering, and I've included updated prices and other information. Additionally, given our current requirements, I noted whether or not they have high chairs, which every restaurant had except for Josie, for which I am very disappointed. Also, if we've been to the restaurant and had a good experience as a party of 3, I've noted that we found it kid-friendly (with a well-behaved infant). That said, I have not listed any restaurants where we've ever had a bad experience.
The following are a few favorites:
MONDAY
CAMPANILE Monday Night Dinner - 3 courses for $40pp. Family style meals using "season's finest ingredients." The month's menu is posted online at the beginning of the month. High chairs available, kid-friendly. 624 La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles (323) 938-1447
JIRAFFE Monday Night Bistro Night - 3 courses for $35pp. They go a little casual with paper table cloths, candle lamps, lighter meals, and carafes of wine. Menu updated weekly online. High chairs available. 501 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica (310) 917-6671
TUESDAY
CUIDAD Paella on the Patio - 3 courses for $29pp, including appetizer, salad, and your choice of paella. Spanish wines and sparkling White Sangria are available by the glass. High chairs available, kid-friendly, and a good level of ambiant noise (e.g., not too quiet). 445 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213) 486-5171
eat. on sunset 3 courses for $22pp. Formerly known at Pinot Hollywood, which we loved. High chairs available. Menu updated weekly. 1448 N. Gower St., Hollywood (323)461-8800.
VIOLET "7 before 7" - Tuesdays through Thursdays, Violet chef Jared Simons is offering seven dishes before 7 p.m. for $7 a piece. We've heard nothing but good things, but we haven't been yet. Menu looks excellent. High chairs available. 3221 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 453-9113
WEDNESDAY
JOSIE 3 course prix fixe menu features food purchased at the Farmer's Market that morning. Prices average $30-35, but vary depending on the ingredients. Menus tend to focus a bit more on game, but if you're willing to try it, I'm sure you'll be impressed. High chairs are NOT available. 2424 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405 (310) 581-9888
THURSDAY
ANGELI CAFE Thursday Night Dinners - Food's served family style at long tables, and dinner starts at 7PM. The chef/owner Evan Kleinman loves food and hosts KCRW's Good Food Saturday mornings. $30pp; special dinners may run higher. High chairs available. 7274 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood (323) 936-9086
CAMPANILE Grilled Cheese Thursday nights - Variety of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. Book ahead as it gets pretty busy. High chairs available, kid-friendly. 624 La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles (323) 938-1447
SUNDAY
LUCQUES Sunday Night Supper - 3 courses for $40pp. Great food, expensive drinks. Menu updated weekly online. High chairs available. 8474 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles (323) 655-6277
VIOLET Sunday Night Dinner - 3 courses for $25, plus a bottomless glass of wine for $10 extra. Simons is also serving complimentary cookies and milk to end each meal. High chairs available. 3221 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 453-9113
CUIDAD Tapas Night - An all tapas night and Spanish wines by the glass. Great Latin food. High chairs available, kid-friendly, and a good level of ambiant noise (e.g., not too quiet). 445 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles (213) 486-5171
DAILY
PATINA Business Lunch - 2 courses for $25pp. Available Monday-Friday only. 141 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles (213) 972-3331
JOE'S Daily 3-course prix fixe lunch menu (closed Mondays), is a great deal at $17pp. 3-course prix fixe dinner menu also availalbe, but runs a bit pricier (~$65). 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice (310) 399-5811
Gayot's list isn't comprehensive, but I found a posting on Chowhound that has a few more fun listings, though you might want to call ahead to assure the special is still running since it was posted in Feb 2007. I've posted our current favorites, along with ones we're seriously considering, and I've included updated prices and other information. Additionally, given our current requirements, I noted whether or not they have high chairs, which every restaurant had except for Josie, for which I am very disappointed. Also, if we've been to the restaurant and had a good experience as a party of 3, I've noted that we found it kid-friendly (with a well-behaved infant). That said, I have not listed any restaurants where we've ever had a bad experience.
The following are a few favorites:
MONDAY
CAMPANILE Monday Night Dinner - 3 courses for $40pp. Family style meals using "season's finest ingredients." The month's menu is posted online at the beginning of the month. High chairs available, kid-friendly. 624 La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles (323) 938-1447
JIRAFFE Monday Night Bistro Night - 3 courses for $35pp. They go a little casual with paper table cloths, candle lamps, lighter meals, and carafes of wine. Menu updated weekly online. High chairs available. 501 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica (310) 917-6671
TUESDAY
CUIDAD Paella on the Patio - 3 courses for $29pp, including appetizer, salad, and your choice of paella. Spanish wines and sparkling White Sangria are available by the glass. High chairs available, kid-friendly, and a good level of ambiant noise (e.g., not too quiet). 445 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213) 486-5171
eat. on sunset 3 courses for $22pp. Formerly known at Pinot Hollywood, which we loved. High chairs available. Menu updated weekly. 1448 N. Gower St., Hollywood (323)461-8800.
VIOLET "7 before 7" - Tuesdays through Thursdays, Violet chef Jared Simons is offering seven dishes before 7 p.m. for $7 a piece. We've heard nothing but good things, but we haven't been yet. Menu looks excellent. High chairs available. 3221 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 453-9113
WEDNESDAY
JOSIE 3 course prix fixe menu features food purchased at the Farmer's Market that morning. Prices average $30-35, but vary depending on the ingredients. Menus tend to focus a bit more on game, but if you're willing to try it, I'm sure you'll be impressed. High chairs are NOT available. 2424 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405 (310) 581-9888
THURSDAY
ANGELI CAFE Thursday Night Dinners - Food's served family style at long tables, and dinner starts at 7PM. The chef/owner Evan Kleinman loves food and hosts KCRW's Good Food Saturday mornings. $30pp; special dinners may run higher. High chairs available. 7274 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood (323) 936-9086
CAMPANILE Grilled Cheese Thursday nights - Variety of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. Book ahead as it gets pretty busy. High chairs available, kid-friendly. 624 La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles (323) 938-1447
SUNDAY
LUCQUES Sunday Night Supper - 3 courses for $40pp. Great food, expensive drinks. Menu updated weekly online. High chairs available. 8474 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles (323) 655-6277
VIOLET Sunday Night Dinner - 3 courses for $25, plus a bottomless glass of wine for $10 extra. Simons is also serving complimentary cookies and milk to end each meal. High chairs available. 3221 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 453-9113
CUIDAD Tapas Night - An all tapas night and Spanish wines by the glass. Great Latin food. High chairs available, kid-friendly, and a good level of ambiant noise (e.g., not too quiet). 445 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles (213) 486-5171
DAILY
PATINA Business Lunch - 2 courses for $25pp. Available Monday-Friday only. 141 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles (213) 972-3331
JOE'S Daily 3-course prix fixe lunch menu (closed Mondays), is a great deal at $17pp. 3-course prix fixe dinner menu also availalbe, but runs a bit pricier (~$65). 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice (310) 399-5811
Friday, July 13, 2007
Ratatouille: The Movie vs the Food
Given my pleasure I derive from movies and from cooking, I was pretty excited about Ratatouille (pronounced rat-a-too-wee), a cute Pixar movie about a rat who wants to be a chef. We saw a few minutes advertised on our Tivo, and it was great. However, I'm having a hard time getting past the whole "rat touching my food" thing. I'm sure the rat has washed it's little rat hands and is the model of cleanliness, but it's still hard to reconcile. So while I wish we could go see it, I'm also slightly glad that we can't. Of course, we'll get it on DVD eventually, but at least I can close my eyes or forward easier than if we were at a theatre.
The movie does seem very meticulous. I heard an interview on KCRW's The Treatment with director Brad Bird, and he said the animators actually worked at Thomas Keller's legendary French Laundry in order to learn the nuances and shortcuts taken by professional chefs (e.g., efficiency via minimal movements). Mr. Keller designed the movie's stylized ratatouille, and even appears in a cameo role as the voice of a patron at Gusteau's, per IMDB.
That said, every time I see an ad for the movie, the thing I want the most...is ratatouille. It makes me hungry. My husband makes a delicious version, and it's so easy.
Ratatouille
The prep time is minimal since nothing is chopped up finely. I prefer small eggplant because you want to leave skin on each cube to avoid having it dissolve to mush. Besides that, we're pretty loose with the ingredients. If you don't like zucchini, use more squash. Add some more color with different bell peppers. Whatever you do, make a lot because it's great for leftovers and freezing.
Olive Oil
salt
2 onions, roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 summer squash, cubed
2 bell peppers, cut into thin strips,
2 small or 1 large eggplant, cubed
2 zucchini, cubed
2 cans of diced tomatoes
Italian seasoning (optional)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Heat the olive oil in a large pot. Add the diced onions with a pinch of salt and sweat for about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes. Add all of the vegetables at once, followed by the tomatoes and the tomato paste. If the diced tomatoes are not seasoned, add the seasoning and salt to taste. Don't stir, just let everything steam on low heat for about 20 minutes (or until the vegetables are to your liking). Longer than that might result in overcooked (aka mushy) vegetables.
The movie does seem very meticulous. I heard an interview on KCRW's The Treatment with director Brad Bird, and he said the animators actually worked at Thomas Keller's legendary French Laundry in order to learn the nuances and shortcuts taken by professional chefs (e.g., efficiency via minimal movements). Mr. Keller designed the movie's stylized ratatouille, and even appears in a cameo role as the voice of a patron at Gusteau's, per IMDB.
That said, every time I see an ad for the movie, the thing I want the most...is ratatouille. It makes me hungry. My husband makes a delicious version, and it's so easy.
Ratatouille
The prep time is minimal since nothing is chopped up finely. I prefer small eggplant because you want to leave skin on each cube to avoid having it dissolve to mush. Besides that, we're pretty loose with the ingredients. If you don't like zucchini, use more squash. Add some more color with different bell peppers. Whatever you do, make a lot because it's great for leftovers and freezing.
Olive Oil
salt
2 onions, roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 summer squash, cubed
2 bell peppers, cut into thin strips,
2 small or 1 large eggplant, cubed
2 zucchini, cubed
2 cans of diced tomatoes
Italian seasoning (optional)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Heat the olive oil in a large pot. Add the diced onions with a pinch of salt and sweat for about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes. Add all of the vegetables at once, followed by the tomatoes and the tomato paste. If the diced tomatoes are not seasoned, add the seasoning and salt to taste. Don't stir, just let everything steam on low heat for about 20 minutes (or until the vegetables are to your liking). Longer than that might result in overcooked (aka mushy) vegetables.
Dare to love Kozo
The Law of Keys
When one has a limited, non-negotiable amount of time to complete a task outside of the home (i.e., errand), keys will disapparate. They will not be in one's usual "key place," nor will they be in one's purse, pockets, man bag, or fanny pack. They will not be near one's wallet, in the cushions, hooked on the diaper bag, or near yesterday's mail. They will have vanished. When one realizes and accepts that one no longer has time to accomplish said task, the keys will apparate in a perfectly logical place. This will require many expletives (silly ones if children are present).
Happy Friday the 13th...Mwua, ha, ha
triskaidekaphobia \tris-ky-dek-uh-FOH-bee-uh\, noun:
A morbid fear of the number 13 or the date Friday the 13th.
Dictionary's word of the day
A morbid fear of the number 13 or the date Friday the 13th.
Dictionary's word of the day
Damien Rice at the Greek
If you love music, how can you not love Damien Rice? He's an intelligent, passionate musician, and we just can't get enough of him. We've seen him in concert 3 or 4 times, possibly more, and each time has been superb. The most impressive show was at the Troubadour, where his several hours included a jam session with Herbie Hancock shortly after their recording session for Possibilities.
Anyway, in an attempt to live vicariously through others, Damien et. al. will be in show at the Greek Theatre on 9/20, and tickets go on sale tomorrow, 7/13. If you've never been to the Greek, it's definitely worth a visit. It's an outdoor amphitheatre like the Hollywood Bowl, but much more intimate. Parking's pricey and stacked though, so carpool and bring some patience.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Groove Armada Concert
Just to shake things up, I'm sharing some info on getting on the list to see Groove Armada on the rooftop at The Standard, Downtown next Tuesday, 7/17 @ 9PM. Its free, but you have to be on the list!
Go to Giant Club
Click on the box under "Contact"
Enter your details
Chill out and groove.
Have a mojito for me ;-)
Courtesy of Metropolis
Go to Giant Club
Click on the box under "Contact"
Enter your details
Chill out and groove.
Have a mojito for me ;-)
Courtesy of Metropolis
Laundry Tip - Wash Fabric Toys
My son has been dealing with teething issues for months. So ya, he drools a lot. And ya, he likes to chew on anything he can get into his mouth. He likes fabric toys, which I'm happy enough to give him. However, some say that they're not intended for washing (e.g., plush rattle dolls like those found on Tiny Love activity gyms). Well, the whole *soaked in saliva* thing is enough for me to toss it in the washer, though I let it air dry. They come out in perfect condition, ready to sop up any new drool. So I now wash all of his fabric toys, and if one doesn't survive (which hasn't happened yet), I'd sooner toss it than harvest bacteria. I'm just saying.
We've also gotten great use out of a set of books I found at Costco by Soft Play ($10 for 2 cardboard, 2 cloth, 1 waterproof). He destroyed the cardboard ones in minutes...literally, minutes...with drool...ever-powerful drool. But the others are in great condition.
Aquarium Event for Toddlers
The Aquarium of the Pacific is definitely on my list of things to do soon, but it hasn't happened yet. It's in Long Beach, which just feels like a long drive, though in LA, that's often times just a one-way commute.
Go City Kids event list includes a current toddler event at the aquarium, and it sounds great:
Sea Life Stroll
View the Aquarium before it opens! Parents can bring children in strollers for a close-up look at the exhibits, including personalized time touching the animals. Designed with toddlers in mind, this class features an Aquarium tour and a craft. Register in advance; adult attends with child.
Ages: 0-3
Time: 8:30am-9:30am
Cost: Members $14; Non-members $20
Aquarium of the Pacific
Long Beach, CA
(562) 951-1630
Directions
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Chinese Goods in an American Market
Despite being cautious after so many recalls of Chinese goods recently, I realize there's no way we would be able to eliminate Chinese products without a great deal of hassle or expense. Buying locally raised foods helps keep that concern to a minimum. But besides that, you don't always know what ingredients are in the foods you purchase, as I was reminded by a segment on ABC World News.
They interviewed Sara Bongiorni, author of A Year Without "Made in China": One Family's True Life Adventure in the Global Economy. She convinced her family to go cold turkey on Chinese goods for a whole year, which meant giving up a lot of conviences and stocking up on Lego for the kids.
I'm not sure that we could do it. We'd probably go a little scatty before long. Though in a strange twist, despite things being more expensive on an individual basis, I'm guessing we might save money because of the limitations on the products we could actually buy. Hmmm...I think I'll start taking a closer look at the "made in ..." sticker to see the viability of this project.
On that note, I wonder where the book was made.
They interviewed Sara Bongiorni, author of A Year Without "Made in China": One Family's True Life Adventure in the Global Economy. She convinced her family to go cold turkey on Chinese goods for a whole year, which meant giving up a lot of conviences and stocking up on Lego for the kids.
I'm not sure that we could do it. We'd probably go a little scatty before long. Though in a strange twist, despite things being more expensive on an individual basis, I'm guessing we might save money because of the limitations on the products we could actually buy. Hmmm...I think I'll start taking a closer look at the "made in ..." sticker to see the viability of this project.
On that note, I wonder where the book was made.
Tips on Picking & Remembering Passwords
Lifehacker's advice on choosing and remembering passwords is a great system. The company I worked for required employees to have several different passwords and change them frequently (i.e., every 3 months or so), so I had to come up with a system that worked for me. I came up with something very similar. It was a combination of letter and numbers, where the numbers were based on when the password was last changed (e.g., Feb 2007 = 0207) and the letters were based on what the password was for (e.g., human resources = HR). I've also used a foreing language as the letter-based digits, which also came in handy.
This works pretty well for personal passwords, too, since they should be changed frequently to maximize security. For those rarely used passwords, I use Mac's Keychain instead of saving them in a Word or Excel document, which is simply unsafe. I don't know of any other such alternatives, but a commenter on Lifehacker recommended KeePass, which seems to serve the same purpose.
This works pretty well for personal passwords, too, since they should be changed frequently to maximize security. For those rarely used passwords, I use Mac's Keychain instead of saving them in a Word or Excel document, which is simply unsafe. I don't know of any other such alternatives, but a commenter on Lifehacker recommended KeePass, which seems to serve the same purpose.
iPhone: Will It Blend
There was a Border Grill stand at the farmers' market today, and I couldn't pass it up. I got a chile tamale, which was delicious!! Washed it all down with a minty lime cooler, which is a lot like a virgin mojito.
Beautiful summer day if I ever saw one.
Then a friend told me about this site, and I thought "surely that's not what I think it is." Oh, but it was. And guess what happened. It worked...kind of.
It just kinda made me sad. Well, not that sad. I've moved on, after all.
Sip, sip...ahhhhh
Beautiful summer day if I ever saw one.
Then a friend told me about this site, and I thought "surely that's not what I think it is." Oh, but it was. And guess what happened. It worked...kind of.
It just kinda made me sad. Well, not that sad. I've moved on, after all.
Sip, sip...ahhhhh
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
When I'm Bored, I Purge to Organize
I don't know what it is about when my husband's out of town, but I'd swear this place feels messier because I'm overcome by this overwhelming urge to organize something. Today, it was the closet in our spare room. The focus of my tirade: a box of notes from college. OMG...I can't belive I kept some of that stuff. What was Life Sciences 15, anyway?!? Funny thing is we're really not pack rats. In fact, we're quite merciless when it comes to keeping stuff. If we won't use it, it's gone. But there's an emotional connection to notes that required so much effort, concentration, and time. It took a while to finally realize that I will never...ever, ever, ever need them again. Once you can admit that to yourself, it really makes detaching so much easier. And the extra room, which we happen to need, is fabulous. Besides, when it comes to donations, I'm happier knowing someone else can use something if we know we won't.
As for today's purge, the recylcling bin is gonna be pretty full tomorrow.
As for today's purge, the recylcling bin is gonna be pretty full tomorrow.
Stuff That Makes Our Bathtime Successful
Life would be so much harder without this stuff:
- Little waterproof books for bath time. My son puts everything in his mouth and chew, chew, chews.
- When he started pulling himself up (~8 months), bathtime became a bit more dangerous. We knew we had to get rid of the tiny bath, but he wasn't ready for the full bath. So we got a Munchkin mini bath that was somewhere in the middle. It inflates to fit nicely in the bathtub and has high, cushy sides. It also has a cushy bottom which makes him less likely to stand, and if he does, there's slightly more protection than with the tiny tub. Added bonus: it's in the shape of a rubber ducky, and it quacks!!
- We have a soft rubber ducky (just like Ernie's), but he prefers the hard one that doesn't squeek because it provides more resistance when he chews.
So when bathtime rolls around, as long as we have this stuff, bathtime is great!
- Little waterproof books for bath time. My son puts everything in his mouth and chew, chew, chews.
- When he started pulling himself up (~8 months), bathtime became a bit more dangerous. We knew we had to get rid of the tiny bath, but he wasn't ready for the full bath. So we got a Munchkin mini bath that was somewhere in the middle. It inflates to fit nicely in the bathtub and has high, cushy sides. It also has a cushy bottom which makes him less likely to stand, and if he does, there's slightly more protection than with the tiny tub. Added bonus: it's in the shape of a rubber ducky, and it quacks!!
- We have a soft rubber ducky (just like Ernie's), but he prefers the hard one that doesn't squeek because it provides more resistance when he chews.
So when bathtime rolls around, as long as we have this stuff, bathtime is great!
Monday, July 9, 2007
First Word, Certainly Not The Last
Although our son has been saying "mamamamamamamama" and "dadadadadadadada" for a while without rhyme or reason, we think he audibly spoke his first word today. Meta Daddy walked into the bedroom and Meta Son said "da da."
You win this round, Meta Daddy.
You win this round, Meta Daddy.
iPhone's Battery Woes
We love Apple stuff. The computers are great. Easy to use, intuitive, seamless...you're more likely to overthink a problem than with another computer. So we generally love their products and as a result, we're faithful customers.
The iPhone is a cool toy, but we're not fooled. It's a toy...an expensive toy. Besides, it's the first generation, which means there will be serious quirks and shortcomings that should be fixed in future models (e.g., no IM chatting). As faithful Apple customers, we know better. Apparently, the guy interviewed in this article doesn't. Harvey Rosenfield, founder of Foundation for Consumer and Taxpayer Rights, a consumer advocacy group "has expressed outrage over Apple Inc.'s battery replacement program for the iPhone." In a letter to Apple and AT&T, he wrote that customers were "left in the dark about the procedure and cost of replacing the gadget's battery."
Seriously? Apple's notoriety with iPods and their battery replacement system didn't cross this guy's path? The battery doesn't last forever, and because it's a sealed box, you can't change the battery yourself. You have to take it in, they'll change the battery at a cost of $79.95, plus 6.95 for shipping, and you get it back in 3 business days. If you *need* a phone in the meantime, you can get a loaner for $29. This might seem expensive if you just got a free phone for signing up with your carrier, but that's not what happened. If you're in this pickle, you just dropped $500-600 on a new phone, which means you're hardly the frugal type. And just to put it in perspective, all phones will eventually have to have their batteries changed, and a new battery will likely cost in excess of $50 regardless of the manufacturer. That said, few people bother to keep their phones that long. Carrier's promotions often make it more cost-efficient to get a new phone rather than replace a current phone's battery.
But the kicker for me was when Rosenfeld said "the cell phone industry is notorious for not being consumer-friendly while Apple has a fairly good reputation, so for Apple to stand on a technicality of a hidden disclosure that's going to cost the user as much as 20 percent of the purchase price I think will prove to be a colossal mistake."
LOL.
Like I said, we love Apple products, which is why we keep coming back. They provide a stellar out of the box experience that makes you feel like a kid at Christmas every time you open one of their boxes. But their customer service is lousy. I've called and emailed and come to similar conclusions on either occasion. They're short, if not rude, unresponsive, and seemingly indifferent. In fact, it all makes sense now, Apple's venturing into the cell phone market.
Anyway, research your purchases well so you don't turn into bitter people like poor Mr. Rosenfield.
The iPhone is a cool toy, but we're not fooled. It's a toy...an expensive toy. Besides, it's the first generation, which means there will be serious quirks and shortcomings that should be fixed in future models (e.g., no IM chatting). As faithful Apple customers, we know better. Apparently, the guy interviewed in this article doesn't. Harvey Rosenfield, founder of Foundation for Consumer and Taxpayer Rights, a consumer advocacy group "has expressed outrage over Apple Inc.'s battery replacement program for the iPhone." In a letter to Apple and AT&T, he wrote that customers were "left in the dark about the procedure and cost of replacing the gadget's battery."
Seriously? Apple's notoriety with iPods and their battery replacement system didn't cross this guy's path? The battery doesn't last forever, and because it's a sealed box, you can't change the battery yourself. You have to take it in, they'll change the battery at a cost of $79.95, plus 6.95 for shipping, and you get it back in 3 business days. If you *need* a phone in the meantime, you can get a loaner for $29. This might seem expensive if you just got a free phone for signing up with your carrier, but that's not what happened. If you're in this pickle, you just dropped $500-600 on a new phone, which means you're hardly the frugal type. And just to put it in perspective, all phones will eventually have to have their batteries changed, and a new battery will likely cost in excess of $50 regardless of the manufacturer. That said, few people bother to keep their phones that long. Carrier's promotions often make it more cost-efficient to get a new phone rather than replace a current phone's battery.
But the kicker for me was when Rosenfeld said "the cell phone industry is notorious for not being consumer-friendly while Apple has a fairly good reputation, so for Apple to stand on a technicality of a hidden disclosure that's going to cost the user as much as 20 percent of the purchase price I think will prove to be a colossal mistake."
LOL.
Like I said, we love Apple products, which is why we keep coming back. They provide a stellar out of the box experience that makes you feel like a kid at Christmas every time you open one of their boxes. But their customer service is lousy. I've called and emailed and come to similar conclusions on either occasion. They're short, if not rude, unresponsive, and seemingly indifferent. In fact, it all makes sense now, Apple's venturing into the cell phone market.
Anyway, research your purchases well so you don't turn into bitter people like poor Mr. Rosenfield.
Oh, How I Hate to Nag, but...
Gretchen Ruben's article on the Huffington Post is a good reminder of how to communicate successfully.
Her 8 tips on how to stop the nagging:
1. Answer, to show that you've registered what was said. "Okay, I need to stop at the store on the way home."
2. Commit to a deadline. "I don't have time today or tomorrow to deal with the car insurance, but it's on my calendar for Friday, and I'll take care of it then."
One unpleasant thing about being nagged is hearing the nag, nag, nag voice in your ear.
3. Find a WORDLESS way to be reminded to do a chore. Ask the nagger to put light-bulbs on the counter if the light-bulbs need to be replaced.
4. Ask to be reminded in writing, with notes or emails. This method is also more efficient and helpful.
Instead of just ignoring the nagging, explain why you're not responding:
5. If you're being nagged to take an umbrella, eat breakfast, or put on a coat, remind the nagger that you are a grown-up, and you choose not to do so.
6. If, in truth, you simply aren't going to do something, tell the nagger that you're not going to do it. A nagger would prefer to KNOW that you won't do it rather than to be kept in frustrated suspense -- especially because often, your stalling makes the task ultimately more difficult to accomplish.
Remove the prompt for the nagging:
7. Sometimes we have an aversion to a particular chore. If you're always being nagged to do the dishes because you HATE doing dishes, try saying, "For some reason, I hate doing dishes. Is there something else I could do, as a substitute?"
8. Throw money at the problem. Marital happiness is a high life priority. Instead of buying a new kitchen table, spend the money to hire a teenager to mow the lawn.
************************************************
Clever list. In our relationship, I'm usually the nagging offender. But as you can see from this list, it's not a one-sided equation. Both parties are responsible for maintaining the lines of communication. I might think I'm reminding him to do something that he keeps forgetting about, but he's actually avoiding the task for some particular reason, so he just thinks I'm nagging. I do it because I'm concerned (e.g., did you take your vitamin), and as far as I can tell, he prefers avoiding the confrontation caused by "no, I haven't booked the tickets, yet." And it goes both ways. I've gotten my fair share of "have you eaten lunch?"
One *quiet* thing that's helped us is Backpack. We share a "to-do" list, and either of us can add things as needed, or check them off as completed. A nice, quick way to communicate without the confrontation. And all I have to say is "have you checked our list?"
Her 8 tips on how to stop the nagging:
1. Answer, to show that you've registered what was said. "Okay, I need to stop at the store on the way home."
2. Commit to a deadline. "I don't have time today or tomorrow to deal with the car insurance, but it's on my calendar for Friday, and I'll take care of it then."
One unpleasant thing about being nagged is hearing the nag, nag, nag voice in your ear.
3. Find a WORDLESS way to be reminded to do a chore. Ask the nagger to put light-bulbs on the counter if the light-bulbs need to be replaced.
4. Ask to be reminded in writing, with notes or emails. This method is also more efficient and helpful.
Instead of just ignoring the nagging, explain why you're not responding:
5. If you're being nagged to take an umbrella, eat breakfast, or put on a coat, remind the nagger that you are a grown-up, and you choose not to do so.
6. If, in truth, you simply aren't going to do something, tell the nagger that you're not going to do it. A nagger would prefer to KNOW that you won't do it rather than to be kept in frustrated suspense -- especially because often, your stalling makes the task ultimately more difficult to accomplish.
Remove the prompt for the nagging:
7. Sometimes we have an aversion to a particular chore. If you're always being nagged to do the dishes because you HATE doing dishes, try saying, "For some reason, I hate doing dishes. Is there something else I could do, as a substitute?"
8. Throw money at the problem. Marital happiness is a high life priority. Instead of buying a new kitchen table, spend the money to hire a teenager to mow the lawn.
************************************************
Clever list. In our relationship, I'm usually the nagging offender. But as you can see from this list, it's not a one-sided equation. Both parties are responsible for maintaining the lines of communication. I might think I'm reminding him to do something that he keeps forgetting about, but he's actually avoiding the task for some particular reason, so he just thinks I'm nagging. I do it because I'm concerned (e.g., did you take your vitamin), and as far as I can tell, he prefers avoiding the confrontation caused by "no, I haven't booked the tickets, yet." And it goes both ways. I've gotten my fair share of "have you eaten lunch?"
One *quiet* thing that's helped us is Backpack. We share a "to-do" list, and either of us can add things as needed, or check them off as completed. A nice, quick way to communicate without the confrontation. And all I have to say is "have you checked our list?"
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Post Secret: The Little Things That Make People Different
Post Secret is a website where people mail in their "secrets" on a post card, and they're posted on the site. It's intriguing. Voyeuristic. Salient. Exciting. Heartbreaking. Hopeful. So many things.
I'm not sure why I read it, but I do. I like seeing what other people have to say, and I'm not alone. Post Secret says Technorati rates it the 9th most popular blog in the world, though I just checked and it looks like it's now the 7th largest.
You find statements that people would never verbalize. You find comments that parallel your own thoughts. You find questions that you've never been able to answer, either. And sometimes, you get insight into the little things that make people different. I'm more than happy to open my own door if that means my husband's going to help me make dinner or give our son a bath. Everyone's idea of perfect is different, I suppose.
I'm not sure why I read it, but I do. I like seeing what other people have to say, and I'm not alone. Post Secret says Technorati rates it the 9th most popular blog in the world, though I just checked and it looks like it's now the 7th largest.
You find statements that people would never verbalize. You find comments that parallel your own thoughts. You find questions that you've never been able to answer, either. And sometimes, you get insight into the little things that make people different. I'm more than happy to open my own door if that means my husband's going to help me make dinner or give our son a bath. Everyone's idea of perfect is different, I suppose.
Trader Joe's Amazing Chocolate Cupcakes
It doesn't matter how much you like baking if you want dessert, and there just isn't time. It's just not going to happen.
I'm addicted to Trader Joe's chocolate cupcakes. Don't look at the nutritional content...just split it with someone and pretend it's good for you. Good luck with that ;-)
I'm addicted to Trader Joe's chocolate cupcakes. Don't look at the nutritional content...just split it with someone and pretend it's good for you. Good luck with that ;-)
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Financial Calender per Money Magazine
As Q2 has just ended, how's your desk looking? Between work and family, it's hard to stay organized. And when it's warm and lovely outside, who cares! Well, before you completely forget, here's a list of things from Money magazine's December 2006 issue to keep you on your toes. An annual planner to help you keep your financial affairs and such in order.
Here are a few that you might still be able to take advantage of.
2nd Quarter
Empty your desk drawers - Prune your papers by ditching 2006's pay stubs, undisputed medical insurance claims, monthly credit-card and brokerage statements, and credit-card and ATM receipts. Hang on to year-end investment records indefinitely and tax records for at least seven years.
Weather the storm - Rates for homeowners insurance are expected to climb 4% nationally in 2007, far more in coastal areas. You may get a discount if you install storm shutters and take other steps to hurricane-proof your home. Plus, update your home inventory by videotaping your belongings.
Do It Now:
-Get a big tax refund? Adjust your W4 withholding by adding another allowance.
-Free up time in 2007. Sign up for online bill pay at your bank.
-Lower your risk of ID theft by stopping credit-card solicitations. Call 888-567-8688. (Note: you have to supply your Social Security Number)
-Cut down on unwanted catalogues (and save a few trees). Pay $1 to have your name removed from mailing lists at DMA consumers.
Stuff that you should start looking at over the next few months.
3rd Quarter
Save your energy - Unless Congress acts, this is the last year certain energy-friendly home upgrades, such as installing new windows and insulation, will entitle you to a federal tax credit worth up to $500 (find details at ASE). Even if you can't claim the credit, plugging drafs, adding insulation and switching to compact fluorescent bulbs can save you hundreds on utility bills this winter.
Hit the seas - For the best berth and price, you generally have to book cruises nine to 12 months in advance. But you can find a cheap spot on a repositioning cruise on much shorter notice. These trips often go from Europe to the Caribbean between late September and mid-December, as cruise companies move their ships to warmer spots for the winter. Repositioning cruises offer discounts of 75% or more on high-season prices, and with fewer families crowding the ships, you might nab an upgrade, too.
Fund a 529 - Money in these college savings plans grows tax-free, and you won't pay taxes on the withdrawals now that Congress has made that perk permanent.
Insure your life for less - Rates on term life insurance are expected to drop 4% in 2007. If you have a policy and you're in good health, you may be able to save by shopping around. Compare prices at insure.com and quickquote.com.
Tally your medical bills - If you've already spent most of your health insurance deductible, try to advance some of next year's doctor visits and procedures into the second half of 2007 so that your insurer will foot the entire bill.
Plan Ahead:
-Order your second credit report of 2007 in July here.
-Have your furnace inspected; once cold weather hits, repair pros will be busier.
-Buy a bike. Most manufacturers ship next year's models in September. To clear out 2007 inventory, stores may knock 15-25% off the price.
-Look for computer deals. With the early 2007 wide release of Microsoft's Vista and faster chips from Intel, older models should be discounted
Stuff to think about in a few months.
4th Quarter
Look in on your investments - Once a year you should make sure your stock and bond allocations match your plan. If not, sell winners and buy losers to restore your optimal mix. You can rebalance any time of year, but fall is an especially good time if you invest outside tax-sheltered retirement accounts. That's because you can sell dud investments before year-end and cut your 2007 tax bill. If your losses outstrip your gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 worth of losses against ordinary income.
Spread holiday cheer - Donate to your favorite charity by 12/31. Starting in 2007, you'll need a receipt for all cash gifts, no matter how small. That could be a letter from the charity, a canceled check or a credit-card statement. Plus you'll need an appraisal for any donated item worth more than $500.
Read all e-mails from HR - Typically, November is open-enrollment season, and once again you may see new choices like a health savings account, which lets you put away pretax money for medical costs. To fund an HSA, you must pick a high-deductible insurance plan (at least $2,200 for families).
Grab tax breaks at work - Depending on your company's policies, you may be able to stash several thousand dollars pretax in a flexible spending account that you can tap to pay for medical expenses; you can put aside another $3,000 for day-care costs;$105 a month for mass transit and $205 for parking.
Hit your boss up for cash - Pay raises are expected to average 3.7% in 2007 (about the same as last year). Raise your chances for more dough by asking in fall, when the head honchos are tinkering with the 2008 budget.
Beat the clock:
-If you filed for an extention on your taxes in April, your new deadline is October 15.
-If you are 65 or older, re-enroll for the Medicare drug plan for 2008 between November 15 and December 31.
-You can give up to $12,000 tax-free to any number of people by December 31. A couple can together give $24,000.
-Order your last free credit report of 2007 in December here.
-Shop online for gifts before December 14 to get free shipping from major e-tailers.
Here are a few that you might still be able to take advantage of.
2nd Quarter
Empty your desk drawers - Prune your papers by ditching 2006's pay stubs, undisputed medical insurance claims, monthly credit-card and brokerage statements, and credit-card and ATM receipts. Hang on to year-end investment records indefinitely and tax records for at least seven years.
Weather the storm - Rates for homeowners insurance are expected to climb 4% nationally in 2007, far more in coastal areas. You may get a discount if you install storm shutters and take other steps to hurricane-proof your home. Plus, update your home inventory by videotaping your belongings.
Do It Now:
-Get a big tax refund? Adjust your W4 withholding by adding another allowance.
-Free up time in 2007. Sign up for online bill pay at your bank.
-Lower your risk of ID theft by stopping credit-card solicitations. Call 888-567-8688. (Note: you have to supply your Social Security Number)
-Cut down on unwanted catalogues (and save a few trees). Pay $1 to have your name removed from mailing lists at DMA consumers.
Stuff that you should start looking at over the next few months.
3rd Quarter
Save your energy - Unless Congress acts, this is the last year certain energy-friendly home upgrades, such as installing new windows and insulation, will entitle you to a federal tax credit worth up to $500 (find details at ASE). Even if you can't claim the credit, plugging drafs, adding insulation and switching to compact fluorescent bulbs can save you hundreds on utility bills this winter.
Hit the seas - For the best berth and price, you generally have to book cruises nine to 12 months in advance. But you can find a cheap spot on a repositioning cruise on much shorter notice. These trips often go from Europe to the Caribbean between late September and mid-December, as cruise companies move their ships to warmer spots for the winter. Repositioning cruises offer discounts of 75% or more on high-season prices, and with fewer families crowding the ships, you might nab an upgrade, too.
Fund a 529 - Money in these college savings plans grows tax-free, and you won't pay taxes on the withdrawals now that Congress has made that perk permanent.
Insure your life for less - Rates on term life insurance are expected to drop 4% in 2007. If you have a policy and you're in good health, you may be able to save by shopping around. Compare prices at insure.com and quickquote.com.
Tally your medical bills - If you've already spent most of your health insurance deductible, try to advance some of next year's doctor visits and procedures into the second half of 2007 so that your insurer will foot the entire bill.
Plan Ahead:
-Order your second credit report of 2007 in July here.
-Have your furnace inspected; once cold weather hits, repair pros will be busier.
-Buy a bike. Most manufacturers ship next year's models in September. To clear out 2007 inventory, stores may knock 15-25% off the price.
-Look for computer deals. With the early 2007 wide release of Microsoft's Vista and faster chips from Intel, older models should be discounted
Stuff to think about in a few months.
4th Quarter
Look in on your investments - Once a year you should make sure your stock and bond allocations match your plan. If not, sell winners and buy losers to restore your optimal mix. You can rebalance any time of year, but fall is an especially good time if you invest outside tax-sheltered retirement accounts. That's because you can sell dud investments before year-end and cut your 2007 tax bill. If your losses outstrip your gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 worth of losses against ordinary income.
Spread holiday cheer - Donate to your favorite charity by 12/31. Starting in 2007, you'll need a receipt for all cash gifts, no matter how small. That could be a letter from the charity, a canceled check or a credit-card statement. Plus you'll need an appraisal for any donated item worth more than $500.
Read all e-mails from HR - Typically, November is open-enrollment season, and once again you may see new choices like a health savings account, which lets you put away pretax money for medical costs. To fund an HSA, you must pick a high-deductible insurance plan (at least $2,200 for families).
Grab tax breaks at work - Depending on your company's policies, you may be able to stash several thousand dollars pretax in a flexible spending account that you can tap to pay for medical expenses; you can put aside another $3,000 for day-care costs;$105 a month for mass transit and $205 for parking.
Hit your boss up for cash - Pay raises are expected to average 3.7% in 2007 (about the same as last year). Raise your chances for more dough by asking in fall, when the head honchos are tinkering with the 2008 budget.
Beat the clock:
-If you filed for an extention on your taxes in April, your new deadline is October 15.
-If you are 65 or older, re-enroll for the Medicare drug plan for 2008 between November 15 and December 31.
-You can give up to $12,000 tax-free to any number of people by December 31. A couple can together give $24,000.
-Order your last free credit report of 2007 in December here.
-Shop online for gifts before December 14 to get free shipping from major e-tailers.
Did Robin Hood Steal Your Credit Card?
Keeping tabs on your credit rating is hard. You pay your bills on time and take tedious steps to keep your profile looking good. But what about the stuff you have no control over? After some research, I signed up to Triple Alert because for $5 per month, it monitors activity that might impact my credit reports on a daily basis and emails me in the event of any key changes (e.g., someone checked my credit report). I was already checking my credit reports annually, but I felt that with the speed of techonology these days, and the ease in which identities can be stolen, the sooner I knew about a problem the better. If I noticed a problem on my credit report one year after the fact, what kind of impact would that cause? I don't want to find out.
My husband is equally concerned about such safety issues. He frequently checks our credit card activity online and has even caught theft activity before our credit card company. We don't know how someone got our credit card information, but at least we were able to stop it from being used extravagantly. And for that, we certainly don't thank Citibank.
A Newsday article reported on another technique thieves have been using which is just as effective, but less likely to be detected. Your credit card is used to make a small charitable donation, serving to verify the card. They can charge more for a stolen card if it's been verified, so they're inclined to test them. "The verification method has become popular because the monitoring software at credit-card companies may not question donations to charities." Apparently, the Red Cross refunded 700 fraudulent credit-card transactions last month. "That figure doesn't include the transactions the charity blocked because they appeared fraudulent."
So check your credit card activity often, and scrutinize every charge, especially the ones you don't recognize. There's no such thing as being too cautious.
Via Slashdot
My husband is equally concerned about such safety issues. He frequently checks our credit card activity online and has even caught theft activity before our credit card company. We don't know how someone got our credit card information, but at least we were able to stop it from being used extravagantly. And for that, we certainly don't thank Citibank.
A Newsday article reported on another technique thieves have been using which is just as effective, but less likely to be detected. Your credit card is used to make a small charitable donation, serving to verify the card. They can charge more for a stolen card if it's been verified, so they're inclined to test them. "The verification method has become popular because the monitoring software at credit-card companies may not question donations to charities." Apparently, the Red Cross refunded 700 fraudulent credit-card transactions last month. "That figure doesn't include the transactions the charity blocked because they appeared fraudulent."
So check your credit card activity often, and scrutinize every charge, especially the ones you don't recognize. There's no such thing as being too cautious.
Via Slashdot
"Could This Be Me?"
Every time we have a decision to make, the hardest part is narrowing down our options. In fact, we're more likely to add options to our list.
What do you want for dinner?
How about Italian?
Ooo...or Thai. I could go for Thai.
Sushi sounds kinda good, too.
O.K. Italian, Thai, or sushi. Or we could BBQ? Won't take any time to grill up something nice.
*sigh*
So any tips to help us streamline our decision-making process are welcome. Steve Pavlina suggests a simple question: "is this me?"
Don't know if this is a catch-all question. Sometimes, you have to push the envelope to grow and develop, which means asking "could this be me?"
Via Lifehacker
What do you want for dinner?
How about Italian?
Ooo...or Thai. I could go for Thai.
Sushi sounds kinda good, too.
O.K. Italian, Thai, or sushi. Or we could BBQ? Won't take any time to grill up something nice.
*sigh*
So any tips to help us streamline our decision-making process are welcome. Steve Pavlina suggests a simple question: "is this me?"
Don't know if this is a catch-all question. Sometimes, you have to push the envelope to grow and develop, which means asking "could this be me?"
Via Lifehacker
Friday, July 6, 2007
Our Reasons for Homemade Baby Food
While I was pregnant, we decided to try to feed our infant homemade baby food. We believed that the nutritional aspects are great enough to warrant the additional effort involved. So when we went in for his 6 month appointment, I was really excited at the prospect of starting him on solids. Our pediatrician said that we should start feeding him pureed fruits and vegetables, and to make sure to get him to try various different ones like broccoli and brussels sprouts. I asked why starting babies on cereal was traditional, and he said it's primarily based on the notion that babies need more iron, but he's seen studies that refute that point. In his many years, he's found that starting babies on a diet of fruits and vegetables is much more successful, and we should introduce cereal later. As for allergies, he asked that we not feed him the usual suspects (e.g., honey, eggs, milk) as well as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and strawberries. Other than that, don't be too concerned about introducing foods slowly to watch for allergies. Often, pediatricians suggest introducing a new food every 4 days so that only one new food is in the babies system at any given time. Watch for allergic reactions and if none develop, continue on to try another food. Since our doctor redlined allergens to be concerned with, we were granted a carte blanche.
Done.
That week I started steaming and mashing food. He didn't like it. I tried a blender, a hand blender, and a food mill. We suspect he thought we were trying to poison him.
I don't know where he gets this paranoia from. *sigh*
I figured the texture was a bit chunky for him, so on a whim I tried a couple of store brands like organic Gerber, Homemade Baby, and Earth's Best. I also called the pediatrician's office to see if they could suggest anything, and they said that since he's already getting all of the nutrition he needs from breastmilk, just keep trying until he gets used to the texture. Finally, between some of my food and some of the store bought food, he started to eat. His favorite by far was Piwi, a combination of pears and kiwi. I continued with a bit of store bought food for a while longer until one day we compared the color of homemade peas to store bought peas. Then we remembered why we wanted to feed him homemade food.
We want him to eat fresh, organic food - If I make his food, I can regulate the ingredients and be sure of the state of the food before it's pureed. I want fresh, organic food for health and nutritional reasons, so I buy produce from our local farmers' market. If we know what he's eating and how it's prepared (e.g., steamed), we can be sure that he's getting more nutrition out of the food he eats. Besides, I'm convinced that the reason I couldn't get my food to the same texture as the food I bought is because they add other ingredients. That's enough of a reason for me to question the ingredients label. Again, I'm paranoid, and there's nothing anyone can do to change that.
His food should taste good - We like good food. if we don't eat processed foods, why should he? We watch cooking shows for fun. We've traveled to countries because we like the local food. In essence, we've been willing to spend more to get better quality ingredients, and nothing's changed. So now that we're feeding him, we want to give him food that we would eat. Sorry Gerber...you just don't do it for us.
We want him to broaden his palate by exposing him to many foods - Even if we didn't have a problem with store bought foods, the flavors available are few in number, and we really wanted to feed him a wide variety of foods. I was a picky eater until...well, until I met my husband. I liked food, but I was only comfortable in a safe zone. He helped me try more foods and flavors, and over time I've become a much more adventurous eater. However, I wish I'd been less apprehensive before because I missed out on a lot of culinary experiences and growth as a result. We don't want that to slow our little slugger down.
We want him to eat what he's given - We don't want a picky eater, and we'd like to nip it in the bud if we can. If we're willing to eat it, son, you're gonna have to eat it, too.
That's the gist of it, though I'm sure I missed a few other good reasons. In the end, we just want him to be happy, healthy, cooperative and well-rounded. If we can start teaching him these fundamentals in the form of food, we figure we're off to a good start.
Done.
That week I started steaming and mashing food. He didn't like it. I tried a blender, a hand blender, and a food mill. We suspect he thought we were trying to poison him.
I don't know where he gets this paranoia from. *sigh*
I figured the texture was a bit chunky for him, so on a whim I tried a couple of store brands like organic Gerber, Homemade Baby, and Earth's Best. I also called the pediatrician's office to see if they could suggest anything, and they said that since he's already getting all of the nutrition he needs from breastmilk, just keep trying until he gets used to the texture. Finally, between some of my food and some of the store bought food, he started to eat. His favorite by far was Piwi, a combination of pears and kiwi. I continued with a bit of store bought food for a while longer until one day we compared the color of homemade peas to store bought peas. Then we remembered why we wanted to feed him homemade food.
We want him to eat fresh, organic food - If I make his food, I can regulate the ingredients and be sure of the state of the food before it's pureed. I want fresh, organic food for health and nutritional reasons, so I buy produce from our local farmers' market. If we know what he's eating and how it's prepared (e.g., steamed), we can be sure that he's getting more nutrition out of the food he eats. Besides, I'm convinced that the reason I couldn't get my food to the same texture as the food I bought is because they add other ingredients. That's enough of a reason for me to question the ingredients label. Again, I'm paranoid, and there's nothing anyone can do to change that.
His food should taste good - We like good food. if we don't eat processed foods, why should he? We watch cooking shows for fun. We've traveled to countries because we like the local food. In essence, we've been willing to spend more to get better quality ingredients, and nothing's changed. So now that we're feeding him, we want to give him food that we would eat. Sorry Gerber...you just don't do it for us.
We want him to broaden his palate by exposing him to many foods - Even if we didn't have a problem with store bought foods, the flavors available are few in number, and we really wanted to feed him a wide variety of foods. I was a picky eater until...well, until I met my husband. I liked food, but I was only comfortable in a safe zone. He helped me try more foods and flavors, and over time I've become a much more adventurous eater. However, I wish I'd been less apprehensive before because I missed out on a lot of culinary experiences and growth as a result. We don't want that to slow our little slugger down.
We want him to eat what he's given - We don't want a picky eater, and we'd like to nip it in the bud if we can. If we're willing to eat it, son, you're gonna have to eat it, too.
That's the gist of it, though I'm sure I missed a few other good reasons. In the end, we just want him to be happy, healthy, cooperative and well-rounded. If we can start teaching him these fundamentals in the form of food, we figure we're off to a good start.
Annoying Food Terms
From the Delicious Life, Sarah's list of 20 food words that annoy her. I'm amused and/or offended by several of these, which I find oddly entertaining. She reminds me of a friend of mine...actually, several friends. Hmmm.
If I were to eliminate all of these from my vocabulary, food would just be a series of ingredients. Unctuous is such a useful word precisely because it has no meaning. In fact, even if I could define it for you, I wouldn't.
#8 is right on, though. Right on.
Top 20 or So Food Words and Phrases That Are Annoying for One Reason or Another
to die for – No food is worth dying for. Not even Flamin’ Hot Cheetos dipped in Blue Cheese dressing and hand-fed to me by a half-naked Tyler Florence.
food of the Gods – No such thing. God doesn’t eat. That skinny bitch.
incredible – People use the word incredible when they really mean to say “really really good,” but incredible means unbelievable. This is just a nit because it doesn't really say much about what's being eaten other than maybe you didn't eat it, maybe you did. We don't know what to believe.
like crack – What you mean to say is “highly addictive.” Is there something wrong with saying “highly addictive?” It has the same number of words. And what's wrong with heroin? I think heroin is a lot more addictive (for the record, I have never used heroin, crack, or otherwise).
toothy – This makes me think that whatever I’m eating has teeth. That’s gross. And scary. Like it might bite me back. According to the dictiosaurus, “toothy” means appetizing. There is nothing appetizing about a a slice of bread that might rip my tongue out. And by the way, toothy does mean it has teeth.
earthy – The only thing that tastes earthy is earth. Earth is another word for dirt. If it tastes like dirt, it probably is dirt, or still has dirt on it. That’s nasty. Truffles are often described as earthy. Guess what? They taste like dirt.
gourmet – Ever since French’s bloody slaughtered the word “gourmet,” and re-assembled it into GourMayo, something like the completely and utterly horrifying way a cute little farm animal’s unmentionable machine-separated parts are “re-assembled” into a hot dog, I hate this word. Besides, it has the word “gore” in it.
foodie – I don’t think I need to explain myself on this one. "Foodie" is snob for "someone who eats."
flavor profile – That’s foodie for “taste.”
melts in your mouth - Ice melts. Butter melts. This cliche is so overused it makes me nauseous.
bursting with flavor - Another one that's hackneyed.
smooth and velvety - Banal.
food coma – Trite. Oh god, I can't go on.
sublime – Sublime is a pchem thing. Something about solid turning directly into gas.
unctous – Does anyone know what this really means? Yeah, thought so.
___-alicious – Really? Do you really want to be like Fergie? Okay, well, yes. I do. The Dutchess is the only one who can use this. If I see another form of -alicious like yumalicious, smackalicious, fuckalicious...
to perfection – Whose perfection? Yours? Mine? This is stupid.
steaming hot – Redundant. If it’s steaming, it’s hot. If it’s hot, it’s probably giving off steam. Unless you’re in the Amazon, in which case, never mind and buy my something off my wishlist. Oh god, redundancy is so confusing.
tastes like crap – Unless you have eaten feces, you can’t say this.
EVOO – I will hit you. I will. I will domolecularlize myself and travel through the interwifi to come and slap that Yum-o Joker smile off your face. And if you ever say this out loud as “ee-voo,” as in rhymes with "review," and not as the acronym, I will puke.
If I were to eliminate all of these from my vocabulary, food would just be a series of ingredients. Unctuous is such a useful word precisely because it has no meaning. In fact, even if I could define it for you, I wouldn't.
#8 is right on, though. Right on.
Top 20 or So Food Words and Phrases That Are Annoying for One Reason or Another
to die for – No food is worth dying for. Not even Flamin’ Hot Cheetos dipped in Blue Cheese dressing and hand-fed to me by a half-naked Tyler Florence.
food of the Gods – No such thing. God doesn’t eat. That skinny bitch.
incredible – People use the word incredible when they really mean to say “really really good,” but incredible means unbelievable. This is just a nit because it doesn't really say much about what's being eaten other than maybe you didn't eat it, maybe you did. We don't know what to believe.
like crack – What you mean to say is “highly addictive.” Is there something wrong with saying “highly addictive?” It has the same number of words. And what's wrong with heroin? I think heroin is a lot more addictive (for the record, I have never used heroin, crack, or otherwise).
toothy – This makes me think that whatever I’m eating has teeth. That’s gross. And scary. Like it might bite me back. According to the dictiosaurus, “toothy” means appetizing. There is nothing appetizing about a a slice of bread that might rip my tongue out. And by the way, toothy does mean it has teeth.
earthy – The only thing that tastes earthy is earth. Earth is another word for dirt. If it tastes like dirt, it probably is dirt, or still has dirt on it. That’s nasty. Truffles are often described as earthy. Guess what? They taste like dirt.
gourmet – Ever since French’s bloody slaughtered the word “gourmet,” and re-assembled it into GourMayo, something like the completely and utterly horrifying way a cute little farm animal’s unmentionable machine-separated parts are “re-assembled” into a hot dog, I hate this word. Besides, it has the word “gore” in it.
foodie – I don’t think I need to explain myself on this one. "Foodie" is snob for "someone who eats."
flavor profile – That’s foodie for “taste.”
melts in your mouth - Ice melts. Butter melts. This cliche is so overused it makes me nauseous.
bursting with flavor - Another one that's hackneyed.
smooth and velvety - Banal.
food coma – Trite. Oh god, I can't go on.
sublime – Sublime is a pchem thing. Something about solid turning directly into gas.
unctous – Does anyone know what this really means? Yeah, thought so.
___-alicious – Really? Do you really want to be like Fergie? Okay, well, yes. I do. The Dutchess is the only one who can use this. If I see another form of -alicious like yumalicious, smackalicious, fuckalicious...
to perfection – Whose perfection? Yours? Mine? This is stupid.
steaming hot – Redundant. If it’s steaming, it’s hot. If it’s hot, it’s probably giving off steam. Unless you’re in the Amazon, in which case, never mind and buy my something off my wishlist. Oh god, redundancy is so confusing.
tastes like crap – Unless you have eaten feces, you can’t say this.
EVOO – I will hit you. I will. I will domolecularlize myself and travel through the interwifi to come and slap that Yum-o Joker smile off your face. And if you ever say this out loud as “ee-voo,” as in rhymes with "review," and not as the acronym, I will puke.
Tips for Traveling with Infants
Urban Baby got Christina Chan, author of "101 Baby Travel Tips," to share a few tips on flying with an infant.
Smart Booking: Bulkhead seats are a favorite of parents traveling with kids because of the extra legroom and the ability to hook up airline bassinets. The drawback? No storage under the seats.
--Bulheads are great, but if you're traveling at a busy time of year, odds are you won't get it. Your options are to (1) buy a seat for the baby (usually at a slight discount) or (2) hold the squirming monster (the name develops over the course of the flight, trust me). If it's a short flight, you might be willing to save on the extra seat. If it's a long haul flight, or if you have a particularly energetic child, consider how you'll cope for 10 hours. Are you flying alone? Will the baby be able to sleep in your lap? Will the baby wake up easily if you have to move or get up? Will you be able to sleep if you're holding the baby. If you do decide to hold your baby, consider getting one of these. It's much safer than the strap the airline provides you with, and only $30.
International Expeditions: Check out the website for the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs for info on finding American doctors in a foreign country, travel safety, and legal issues concerning traveling out of the country with children.
Supplies: Heading to a major city? No need to schlep dozens of diapers when there is a drugstore on every corner. Large Ziploc bags to toss in messy diapers, dirty spoons and the like are a must, as is an extra change of clothing for the baby.
--My sister-in-law's expert tip: consider a change of clothes for yourself on the flight if you don't want to smell like throw-up for 10 hours. Another thing to consider is changing diapers on the plane. It's not easy, and it's worse if the bathroom doesn't have a changing table. A friend's tip: bring your changing pad and lie it on the closed toilet lid. It's the closest you'll get to a reasonable surface. If you're truly exceptional or looking for a challenge, try changing your little one while in your arms :-P
That's Entertainment: Bring two toys – one that's an old favorite, plus a new one that's just begging to be explored.
--You don't want to carry too much stuff because...well...you have to carry it. Be conservative with space in your carry-on so you'll be able to manage it once you get on the flight. Even moreso if you're traveling alone with a child. Have what you *need,* but don't bring too many "just in case" items. Besides, engaging your child can be much more effective than just shaking a toy at him.
Car Seats: Taxis usually don't have car seats, but many car rental companies and car services will supply one for a small fee. Reserve the car seat when booking, and give the company your child's age and weight. Ask the year and make of the car seat, as well as the criteria for replacing it.
--If you decide to get a seat for your child, which isn't necessary until s/he is two years old, you can use your car seat in the airline seat for an added level of safety. Make sure that it's FAA certified, though. Transporting it can be a challenge between luggage, carry-ons...oh ya, and the baby. I've found two products that simplify the challenge. First, the gogo Kidz Travelmate, which allows you to wheel your own car seat throughout the airport and beyond while your child is strapped in. We've already traveled a few times with our little guy, so we decided to invest in a sit 'n' stroll. It's a car seat that transforms into a stroller, it's FAA approved, and it fits in the airline seats with the arms raised (always a question with other car seats). The stroller's handles pull out from the back of the seat and are a bit wonky, so I wouldn't use it as a primary stroller, but it works in a pinch. With either option, you have a car seat once you arrive at your destination, resulting in one less concern when you land achy and bleary-eyed.
If you're unsure about policies, I'd suggest calling the airline prior to your trip.
Metaboy finally fell asleep after a long, long flight to Ireland.
Baby Proofing: Call the hotel before the trip to ask about baby proofing (some offer this service). Pack extra outlet covers (masking tape works in a pinch), or pipe cleaners to secure drape cords. Inspect the room for dangerous objects that could be within a baby's reach.
--I like the masking tape idea for quick and cheap baby proofing. It sounds all-purpose, too. You can tape cabinets shut, wind up drape cords, and safeguard various other traps without leaving a damaging film or sticky residue.
My favorite travel tip: Don't overpack. Unless you're going to a third world country, you should be able to find most of what you need if you either run out or forgot something at home. Make a list beforehand and stick to it. As for toilettries, bring small bottles filled with your needed products (e.g., cleanser, lotion, hair product, etc.) and put them in a zip-top bag. If they leak, they won't detroy your wardrobe. And they'll be easy to find once you need them. And remember that you're only allowed 3 ounces on flights these days, so don't bother bringing anything larger.
Smart Booking: Bulkhead seats are a favorite of parents traveling with kids because of the extra legroom and the ability to hook up airline bassinets. The drawback? No storage under the seats.
--Bulheads are great, but if you're traveling at a busy time of year, odds are you won't get it. Your options are to (1) buy a seat for the baby (usually at a slight discount) or (2) hold the squirming monster (the name develops over the course of the flight, trust me). If it's a short flight, you might be willing to save on the extra seat. If it's a long haul flight, or if you have a particularly energetic child, consider how you'll cope for 10 hours. Are you flying alone? Will the baby be able to sleep in your lap? Will the baby wake up easily if you have to move or get up? Will you be able to sleep if you're holding the baby. If you do decide to hold your baby, consider getting one of these. It's much safer than the strap the airline provides you with, and only $30.
International Expeditions: Check out the website for the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs for info on finding American doctors in a foreign country, travel safety, and legal issues concerning traveling out of the country with children.
Supplies: Heading to a major city? No need to schlep dozens of diapers when there is a drugstore on every corner. Large Ziploc bags to toss in messy diapers, dirty spoons and the like are a must, as is an extra change of clothing for the baby.
--My sister-in-law's expert tip: consider a change of clothes for yourself on the flight if you don't want to smell like throw-up for 10 hours. Another thing to consider is changing diapers on the plane. It's not easy, and it's worse if the bathroom doesn't have a changing table. A friend's tip: bring your changing pad and lie it on the closed toilet lid. It's the closest you'll get to a reasonable surface. If you're truly exceptional or looking for a challenge, try changing your little one while in your arms :-P
That's Entertainment: Bring two toys – one that's an old favorite, plus a new one that's just begging to be explored.
--You don't want to carry too much stuff because...well...you have to carry it. Be conservative with space in your carry-on so you'll be able to manage it once you get on the flight. Even moreso if you're traveling alone with a child. Have what you *need,* but don't bring too many "just in case" items. Besides, engaging your child can be much more effective than just shaking a toy at him.
Car Seats: Taxis usually don't have car seats, but many car rental companies and car services will supply one for a small fee. Reserve the car seat when booking, and give the company your child's age and weight. Ask the year and make of the car seat, as well as the criteria for replacing it.
--If you decide to get a seat for your child, which isn't necessary until s/he is two years old, you can use your car seat in the airline seat for an added level of safety. Make sure that it's FAA certified, though. Transporting it can be a challenge between luggage, carry-ons...oh ya, and the baby. I've found two products that simplify the challenge. First, the gogo Kidz Travelmate, which allows you to wheel your own car seat throughout the airport and beyond while your child is strapped in. We've already traveled a few times with our little guy, so we decided to invest in a sit 'n' stroll. It's a car seat that transforms into a stroller, it's FAA approved, and it fits in the airline seats with the arms raised (always a question with other car seats). The stroller's handles pull out from the back of the seat and are a bit wonky, so I wouldn't use it as a primary stroller, but it works in a pinch. With either option, you have a car seat once you arrive at your destination, resulting in one less concern when you land achy and bleary-eyed.
If you're unsure about policies, I'd suggest calling the airline prior to your trip.
Metaboy finally fell asleep after a long, long flight to Ireland.
Baby Proofing: Call the hotel before the trip to ask about baby proofing (some offer this service). Pack extra outlet covers (masking tape works in a pinch), or pipe cleaners to secure drape cords. Inspect the room for dangerous objects that could be within a baby's reach.
--I like the masking tape idea for quick and cheap baby proofing. It sounds all-purpose, too. You can tape cabinets shut, wind up drape cords, and safeguard various other traps without leaving a damaging film or sticky residue.
My favorite travel tip: Don't overpack. Unless you're going to a third world country, you should be able to find most of what you need if you either run out or forgot something at home. Make a list beforehand and stick to it. As for toilettries, bring small bottles filled with your needed products (e.g., cleanser, lotion, hair product, etc.) and put them in a zip-top bag. If they leak, they won't detroy your wardrobe. And they'll be easy to find once you need them. And remember that you're only allowed 3 ounces on flights these days, so don't bother bringing anything larger.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Tips On Keeping Cool
I don't like hot weather. It makes me uncomfortable and cranky. At this time last year, I was very pregnant and the heat was my enemy. Though I'm usually the type to wear a sweater, I found myself warm all of the time. On my drive to work, I was so hot I had to open all of my car windows. I'm talking 65 degrees.
I'm glad I'm not pregnant now.
Real Simple has some quick tricks to cool down. Drinking enough fluids and eating light meals are a couple of tricks that keep me happy. Making sure your home is well insulated is also a great investment (e.g., thermal pane windows)
1) Try a desert trick
2) Block the sun
3) Make a makeshift air conditioner
4) Give your A/C some TLC
5) Close the fireplace damper
6) Close windows and doors whenever the outside air is hotter than the inside air
7) Fan strategically
8) Spritz yourself with cool water
9) Simultaneously run a fan and an air conditioner on low
10) Turn on the vent in the bathroom
11) Let your computer take a nap
12) Use a personal fan
13) Skip the drying cycle on the dishwasher
14) Dress right
15) Go barefoot
16) Eat spicy foods
17) Drink enough fluids
18) Eat light
19) Don't use your oven
20) Keep the lights off or change the bulbs
21) Don't use your clothes dryer
22) Make a cold compress
23) Take a mental getaway (e.g., read a book about cool weather)
I'm glad I'm not pregnant now.
Real Simple has some quick tricks to cool down. Drinking enough fluids and eating light meals are a couple of tricks that keep me happy. Making sure your home is well insulated is also a great investment (e.g., thermal pane windows)
1) Try a desert trick
2) Block the sun
3) Make a makeshift air conditioner
4) Give your A/C some TLC
5) Close the fireplace damper
6) Close windows and doors whenever the outside air is hotter than the inside air
7) Fan strategically
8) Spritz yourself with cool water
9) Simultaneously run a fan and an air conditioner on low
10) Turn on the vent in the bathroom
11) Let your computer take a nap
12) Use a personal fan
13) Skip the drying cycle on the dishwasher
14) Dress right
15) Go barefoot
16) Eat spicy foods
17) Drink enough fluids
18) Eat light
19) Don't use your oven
20) Keep the lights off or change the bulbs
21) Don't use your clothes dryer
22) Make a cold compress
23) Take a mental getaway (e.g., read a book about cool weather)
What On Earth is a Soy Decaf Latte and Why Are You Drinking It???
When I started nursing my son, the whole process went pretty well, considering. I was recovering from a c-section, but I was fortunate enough to heal pretty well. I got a ridiculous case of mastitis, which healed after a few different approaches. However, the most challenging part was his spitting up.
The night we brought him home, he didn't sleep and he threw up so much milk that at 6 or 7 that morning, we called our pediatrician's office and left a message asking what to do. Someone called back in about 30 minutes and asked what he was doing now. What was he doing? He'd fallen asleep. "He's sleeping." What kind of response does a trained medical person give you? "Sounds like he's doing fine, then." The doctor went on to explain that babies will spit up and as long as they continue to gain weight, there isn't much to worry about. Our son was born at 7.11 lbs, and when we left the hospital 4 days later, he was already back to his birth weight (usually takes 2 weeks). At 2 weeks, he was approaching 10 lbs. He was NOT losing weight, so we just tried to deal with the spitting up. After doing some research and asking the doctor again, it seemed like changing MY diet could have a positive impact. So I tried eliminating chocolate. Nothing...except a little sadness from me. I tried a few more things. Nothing. Eventually, hoping that it wouldn't work but knowing it probably would, I gave up dairy. And wouldn't you know it, he stopped spitting up. It was great, and yet, so very depressing. I've never craved dairy more in my life than those first few months after he was born. So, I replaced milk with soy milk, and stopped eating any foods that had milk or cream as a big and/or uncooked ingredient (e.g., quiche, custard, ice cream). Cheese, butter, yogurt, and other foods low in lactose were not a problem. His feedings used to be followed by a messy amount of spit up, but they virtually stopped once my new diet kicked in.
Today, since I'm still nursing him, I usually abstain from dairy. Every now and then I might have a little bit, but he doesn't react unless I consume a certain amount. And if I do ever have any non-dairy desserts, they're usually accompanied by a soy decaf latte.
The joys of motherhood :-D
The night we brought him home, he didn't sleep and he threw up so much milk that at 6 or 7 that morning, we called our pediatrician's office and left a message asking what to do. Someone called back in about 30 minutes and asked what he was doing now. What was he doing? He'd fallen asleep. "He's sleeping." What kind of response does a trained medical person give you? "Sounds like he's doing fine, then." The doctor went on to explain that babies will spit up and as long as they continue to gain weight, there isn't much to worry about. Our son was born at 7.11 lbs, and when we left the hospital 4 days later, he was already back to his birth weight (usually takes 2 weeks). At 2 weeks, he was approaching 10 lbs. He was NOT losing weight, so we just tried to deal with the spitting up. After doing some research and asking the doctor again, it seemed like changing MY diet could have a positive impact. So I tried eliminating chocolate. Nothing...except a little sadness from me. I tried a few more things. Nothing. Eventually, hoping that it wouldn't work but knowing it probably would, I gave up dairy. And wouldn't you know it, he stopped spitting up. It was great, and yet, so very depressing. I've never craved dairy more in my life than those first few months after he was born. So, I replaced milk with soy milk, and stopped eating any foods that had milk or cream as a big and/or uncooked ingredient (e.g., quiche, custard, ice cream). Cheese, butter, yogurt, and other foods low in lactose were not a problem. His feedings used to be followed by a messy amount of spit up, but they virtually stopped once my new diet kicked in.
Today, since I'm still nursing him, I usually abstain from dairy. Every now and then I might have a little bit, but he doesn't react unless I consume a certain amount. And if I do ever have any non-dairy desserts, they're usually accompanied by a soy decaf latte.
The joys of motherhood :-D
Save the Cookies!!
Megnut has an excellent tip on keeping cookies fresh. Once your fresh, chewy cookies have started to get stale, add a slice of bread to freshen them up again. Does this really work? Where have I been? I haven't made cookies in a while since I haven't had a big enough group to feed and my husband and I can only eat so many desserts. And cookies aren't as much desserts as they are scrumptious little morsels to be accompanied by tea, coffee, milk, or a soy decaf latte.
via Lifehacker
via Lifehacker
Venice's New Hidden Kitchen
While we've never been ones to dine out every night, and we're definitely less likely to do so these days, I still like to hear news on local restaurants. LA Eater was tipped off about Hidden, a new restaurant opening in the old Schatzi space by the owners of Via Veneto (great Italian) this month. It sounds like they're going to be taking a bit from many, many different cultures. I like to call it eclectic, though it might just be visually noisy...can't tell yet.
LA Eater says:
"The indoor/outdoor space will have cabanas, firepits, Asian wall coverings, and Italian rugs, and at least four distinct cuisines will be served. We actually count five, with just as many chefs:
Bianconi has lined up a roster of top chefs and a kitchen helmed by Ruben Vasquez, the Executive Chef at Via Veneto who is versed in Italian cuisine as well as regional delicacies from his native Mexico. Michael Bao Huyhn, James Beard Tastemaker and acclaimed chef and owner of New York’s Mai House, brings serious pedigree and great flavors to the kitchen’s Vietnamese creations; superfresh sushi is artfully presented by Master Sushi Chef Minori Fujita, formerly of LA’s cult-favorite The Hump; Gianfranco Rega, a Master Pizzaiolo from Naples, prepares authentic Italian pizza in custom built wood-burning ovens; Tapas are prepared by Danele Lai, an international chef who comes from The Eden Rock Hotel in St. Barths."
Those are some impressive chefs collaborating in the kitchen, though they're only consulting on the menus. Read: other people will actually be making your food. But isn't that always the way.
LA Eater says:
"The indoor/outdoor space will have cabanas, firepits, Asian wall coverings, and Italian rugs, and at least four distinct cuisines will be served. We actually count five, with just as many chefs:
Bianconi has lined up a roster of top chefs and a kitchen helmed by Ruben Vasquez, the Executive Chef at Via Veneto who is versed in Italian cuisine as well as regional delicacies from his native Mexico. Michael Bao Huyhn, James Beard Tastemaker and acclaimed chef and owner of New York’s Mai House, brings serious pedigree and great flavors to the kitchen’s Vietnamese creations; superfresh sushi is artfully presented by Master Sushi Chef Minori Fujita, formerly of LA’s cult-favorite The Hump; Gianfranco Rega, a Master Pizzaiolo from Naples, prepares authentic Italian pizza in custom built wood-burning ovens; Tapas are prepared by Danele Lai, an international chef who comes from The Eden Rock Hotel in St. Barths."
Those are some impressive chefs collaborating in the kitchen, though they're only consulting on the menus. Read: other people will actually be making your food. But isn't that always the way.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Save Yourself a Trip to the Kwik-E-Mart
A Flickr user graciously posted all of the pictures you'll ever need of a 7-11 posing as a Kwik-E-Mart.
Whew...temptation averted.
Whew...temptation averted.
Going Green with Enron?
I like the idea of going green. I always have. However, it's a costly transition riddled with time and patience drains. CNN's article Eco-decorators for your home discusses a new start-up company that audits your home and gives you the best options for you and your home in your particular area (e.g., solar panels vs. wind turbines, installation costs, state rebates, federal tax credit).
I love this. Despite the up-front cost, this kind of investment can pay off over time. Getting assistance from someone experienced in the process can make the transition much smoother, resulting in fewer unknown expenses and delays, while taking full advantage of all state and federal incentives. What isn't a motivation is the $30K price tag for the service. Or knowing that the founder of the company referenced in the article is a former Enron energy trader. Eep!!
So while I still like the idea of someone providing this type of service for big (i.e., expensive) greening projects, I think I'll pass on this one.
I love this. Despite the up-front cost, this kind of investment can pay off over time. Getting assistance from someone experienced in the process can make the transition much smoother, resulting in fewer unknown expenses and delays, while taking full advantage of all state and federal incentives. What isn't a motivation is the $30K price tag for the service. Or knowing that the founder of the company referenced in the article is a former Enron energy trader. Eep!!
So while I still like the idea of someone providing this type of service for big (i.e., expensive) greening projects, I think I'll pass on this one.
Parental Myths That No Parent Will Tell You About
I don't have anything to add to this list. It just made me laugh, and cry a little. May you be as lucky ;-)
Parental Myths That No Parent Will Tell You About
Thanks to Thingamababy
Parental Myths That No Parent Will Tell You About
Thanks to Thingamababy
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Long Work Days
Trying to meet up with some of my co-workers for lunch is like trying to find a pair of cute, comfortable women's shoes.
Sometimes, I forget how much time I actually spent at the office. Work comes in a different bottle these days.
Sometimes, I forget how much time I actually spent at the office. Work comes in a different bottle these days.
Fireworks in LA
A friend brought this list to my attention. Fireworks displays around Los Angeles and surrounding counties.
Get there early, bring a picnic, and brace yourself for sparklers at dusk.
Get there early, bring a picnic, and brace yourself for sparklers at dusk.
What's the Weather? Ask A Cricket
A story on ABC World News about crickets was so fascinating, it kinda blew me away. When the male snowy tree cricket, which is common in the US, chirps, the number of chirps correlate with farenheit temperatures. Since the cricket is sensitive to temperature, the warmer it is, the faster it chirps.
Dolbear's Law
Per ABC, count the number of chirps in 14 seconds then add 38 to get temperature.
Example: 39 chirps + 38 = 77° F
Next time we find a cricket hiding behind the dryer, maybe we'll test it out before grabbing for the vacuum.
Dolbear's Law
Per ABC, count the number of chirps in 14 seconds then add 38 to get temperature.
Example: 39 chirps + 38 = 77° F
Next time we find a cricket hiding behind the dryer, maybe we'll test it out before grabbing for the vacuum.
Monday, July 2, 2007
The Simpsons, Coming to a Kwik-E-Mart near you
If I didn't have a deep seeded prejudice against all foods lacking any nutritional content whatsoever, I would go out and raid my local Kwik-E-Mart for my fair share of Krustee-Os and Squishees.
7-11 will be "making over eleven of its stores in the U.S. and one in Canada as Kwik-E-Marts, in honor of the store owned by beloved Simpsons character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon." What? Not enough? How about this: They will be "sponsoring a contest where the winner will be animated in a future episode of the show."
In fact, the movie will have several corporate tie-ins, including Jet Blue, which has become the official airline of Springfield. The Simpsons' well hated Mr. Burns, in another of his crazy stunts, has even taken over Jet Blue founder David Neeleman's blog.
"I had Smithers hack your interwebular chronicle so I may set you straight, because lately, David Neeleman, your business practices really chafe my bed soars.
I believe customers have the right to keep quiet as I pluck every penny from their upturned pockets, but you insist on charging honest fares AND offering free TV and unlimited snacks. Mind your profit margins, man. Your rates make a mockery of the corporate greed our great confederacy was built upon. Who taught you to be a robber baron? Mother Theresa?"
Eeexcellent!
7-11 will be "making over eleven of its stores in the U.S. and one in Canada as Kwik-E-Marts, in honor of the store owned by beloved Simpsons character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon." What? Not enough? How about this: They will be "sponsoring a contest where the winner will be animated in a future episode of the show."
In fact, the movie will have several corporate tie-ins, including Jet Blue, which has become the official airline of Springfield. The Simpsons' well hated Mr. Burns, in another of his crazy stunts, has even taken over Jet Blue founder David Neeleman's blog.
"I had Smithers hack your interwebular chronicle so I may set you straight, because lately, David Neeleman, your business practices really chafe my bed soars.
I believe customers have the right to keep quiet as I pluck every penny from their upturned pockets, but you insist on charging honest fares AND offering free TV and unlimited snacks. Mind your profit margins, man. Your rates make a mockery of the corporate greed our great confederacy was built upon. Who taught you to be a robber baron? Mother Theresa?"
Eeexcellent!
World's Most Expensive Cities 2007
Free Money Finance brought my attention to Mercer's recent release of stats on the world's most expensive cities. If you ask my husband, Dublin will forever be number 3 (behind London and Tokyo). This is primarily because having been raised there, he understood prices to be at a certain level. So when we visit, he's continually shocked and indignant at the cost of living. In fact, we might not be able to afford property there if we ever decide to move. Aw, shucks!
Back from my tangent, I'm sure he'll be shocked and indignant all over again to hear that Dubin ranks 16, which is actually up 2 places from 2006 when it ranked 18.
Personally, I love London, but prohibitively expensive, which means that we'll just have to have a quick visit the next time we pass through Dublin ;-) Unfortunately, we'll be going this summer for my sister-in-law's wedding (that's not the unfortunate part...we're really looking forward!). What isn't great is the current exchange rate. We're going to get creamed...again.
At least we won't be going to Moscow any time soon.
Back from my tangent, I'm sure he'll be shocked and indignant all over again to hear that Dubin ranks 16, which is actually up 2 places from 2006 when it ranked 18.
Personally, I love London, but prohibitively expensive, which means that we'll just have to have a quick visit the next time we pass through Dublin ;-) Unfortunately, we'll be going this summer for my sister-in-law's wedding (that's not the unfortunate part...we're really looking forward!). What isn't great is the current exchange rate. We're going to get creamed...again.
At least we won't be going to Moscow any time soon.
Keeping a Well Stocked Pantry
A great way to assure that you’ll get the most use out of your kitchen and enjoy the results enough to keep coming back is to have a well-stocked pantry. It’s easy to make a list of great broad spectrum items that will allow you to cook quick, delicious, and healthy meals without significant effort. Our opinions of what some of those ingredients are might differ, however. For example, we love Spanish food, so we always have sweet and smoked paprika, Spanish chorizo, and a lot of garlic on hand, but you might have different preferences. Depending on your tastes, you can add or eliminate items to give yourself a well-rounded pantry that’s ready for anything.
Pantry Staples – Some of these are a question of preference, but it’s a good starting point. Personally, I use all of the following frequently, and since they have a long shelf life, I’m inclined to have them on hand all the time.
Virgin olive oil (extra virgin can be much stronger in flavor), balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, maple syrup, broth (chicken and/or vegetable), canned garbanzo beans, canned cannelloni beans (aka white kidney beans), canned black beans, Tomatoes (chopped, pureed, paste), canned tuna and/or salmon, rice (long & short grain), quinoa, cous cous, lentils, pasta (sauce clings better to textured pasta), dried mushrooms, mustard (regular & dijon), peanut butter & jam (for those emergency snacks), dried fruits (personal preference…apricot, raisin, cranberry), nuts, vermouth, red wine, sherry
Baking Pantry Staples – I love to bake. As a result, I have a huge stash of different flours and sugars. But if you really want the basics that will keep you productive, here’s a good start.
All purpose flour, sugar (granulated, dark, and powdered), baking powder (lasts for about a year), baking soda (lasts forever), pure vanilla extract, unsweetened cocoa powder, chocolate chips (assuming you like chocolate…as I assume everyone likes chocolate :-)
Other Pantry Staples – Now these are very much a question of preference. You might not care for these, but consider what flavors you do like and remember that if you maintain a pantry well-stocked with flavors that you truly enjoy, you can replicate recipes in your own home that make you enjoy food.
Soy sauce, clam juice, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, black bean sauce, toasted sesame oil, fish sauce, ponzu sauce, curry paste, marsala wine, anchovies (I detest them, but my husband loves them, and they do melt away in dishes while adding some saltiness), capers in salt (less acrid than in vinegar; keeps well in the pantry)
Dried Herbs & Spices – Dried herbs & spices lose flavor after 6 months. For better flavor, you can replace ground spices every 6 months, or get whole spices and grind as needed. You can use a coffee grinder or mortar & pestle to grind small spices like fennel, cumin, and coriander, as well as cinnamon sticks. A microplane grater also works well for nutmeg or smaller amounts of cinnamon. If you use a coffee grinder, you can clean it buy grinding up some uncooked rice.
If you don’t have much space to keep spices, or if you just want to have a small portion of a herb or spice on hand, fill a small zip top bag with it and label.
Kosher Salt, peppercorns (in a grinder), whole coriander, whole cumin, whole rosemary, whole fennel, whole nutmeg, cinnamon stick & ground, dried mustard, saffron strands (ground tends to be cheaper, but tends to be less pure), Paprika (smoked & sweet), dried thyme, dried oregano, dried sage, bay leaves
Refrigerator Staples – Some of these items might seem unnecessary, but it depends on your preferences. Plain yogurt and whipping cream are great if you bake, but might be a waste otherwise.
Milk, eggs, plain yogurt, butter (we prefer salted; can be used in baking, just reduce/eliminate adding salt separately), cheese, whipping cream (for baking & desserts), chorizo (lasts well and great in many dishes; we prefer Spanish), chunk parmesan cheese, bacon or proscuitto, fresh ginger (for Asian meals), pesto
Freezer Staples – The freezer is wonderful for home cooking. If you make a large batch of pesto (much better than store bought and quick and easy with a food processor), freeze small portions in small zip top bags and defrost as needed. If you open a can of tomato paste, instead of tossing the unused portion, put the rest in a zip top bag, flatten out, and freeze. When you need more, just break off a chunk. Or make an extra large meal today and freeze the rest for future easy meals (great for soups, stews, casseroles).
Fruit (smoothies, pies, stewed fruit), peas (better than fresh because the sugar breaks down very quickly and frozen peas are frozen just after picking), bread (freeze a loaf, toasts perfectly as needed), bread crumbs, pie crust (great for pie or quiche).
Basic Produce – These are the basics that keep me in business. I feel at a loss if I’m ever out of any of the following. Sure there are other things I like to have around, but when it comes down to it, these are the fundamentals that make flavor and substance possible.
Potato (my husband’s Irish), lemon, garlic, onion, tomato, celery, carrot, bell pepper, lettuce, bananas (green ones get ripe quickly in warm weather), fresh herbs
Pantry Staples – Some of these are a question of preference, but it’s a good starting point. Personally, I use all of the following frequently, and since they have a long shelf life, I’m inclined to have them on hand all the time.
Virgin olive oil (extra virgin can be much stronger in flavor), balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, maple syrup, broth (chicken and/or vegetable), canned garbanzo beans, canned cannelloni beans (aka white kidney beans), canned black beans, Tomatoes (chopped, pureed, paste), canned tuna and/or salmon, rice (long & short grain), quinoa, cous cous, lentils, pasta (sauce clings better to textured pasta), dried mushrooms, mustard (regular & dijon), peanut butter & jam (for those emergency snacks), dried fruits (personal preference…apricot, raisin, cranberry), nuts, vermouth, red wine, sherry
Baking Pantry Staples – I love to bake. As a result, I have a huge stash of different flours and sugars. But if you really want the basics that will keep you productive, here’s a good start.
All purpose flour, sugar (granulated, dark, and powdered), baking powder (lasts for about a year), baking soda (lasts forever), pure vanilla extract, unsweetened cocoa powder, chocolate chips (assuming you like chocolate…as I assume everyone likes chocolate :-)
Other Pantry Staples – Now these are very much a question of preference. You might not care for these, but consider what flavors you do like and remember that if you maintain a pantry well-stocked with flavors that you truly enjoy, you can replicate recipes in your own home that make you enjoy food.
Soy sauce, clam juice, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, black bean sauce, toasted sesame oil, fish sauce, ponzu sauce, curry paste, marsala wine, anchovies (I detest them, but my husband loves them, and they do melt away in dishes while adding some saltiness), capers in salt (less acrid than in vinegar; keeps well in the pantry)
Dried Herbs & Spices – Dried herbs & spices lose flavor after 6 months. For better flavor, you can replace ground spices every 6 months, or get whole spices and grind as needed. You can use a coffee grinder or mortar & pestle to grind small spices like fennel, cumin, and coriander, as well as cinnamon sticks. A microplane grater also works well for nutmeg or smaller amounts of cinnamon. If you use a coffee grinder, you can clean it buy grinding up some uncooked rice.
If you don’t have much space to keep spices, or if you just want to have a small portion of a herb or spice on hand, fill a small zip top bag with it and label.
Kosher Salt, peppercorns (in a grinder), whole coriander, whole cumin, whole rosemary, whole fennel, whole nutmeg, cinnamon stick & ground, dried mustard, saffron strands (ground tends to be cheaper, but tends to be less pure), Paprika (smoked & sweet), dried thyme, dried oregano, dried sage, bay leaves
Refrigerator Staples – Some of these items might seem unnecessary, but it depends on your preferences. Plain yogurt and whipping cream are great if you bake, but might be a waste otherwise.
Milk, eggs, plain yogurt, butter (we prefer salted; can be used in baking, just reduce/eliminate adding salt separately), cheese, whipping cream (for baking & desserts), chorizo (lasts well and great in many dishes; we prefer Spanish), chunk parmesan cheese, bacon or proscuitto, fresh ginger (for Asian meals), pesto
Freezer Staples – The freezer is wonderful for home cooking. If you make a large batch of pesto (much better than store bought and quick and easy with a food processor), freeze small portions in small zip top bags and defrost as needed. If you open a can of tomato paste, instead of tossing the unused portion, put the rest in a zip top bag, flatten out, and freeze. When you need more, just break off a chunk. Or make an extra large meal today and freeze the rest for future easy meals (great for soups, stews, casseroles).
Fruit (smoothies, pies, stewed fruit), peas (better than fresh because the sugar breaks down very quickly and frozen peas are frozen just after picking), bread (freeze a loaf, toasts perfectly as needed), bread crumbs, pie crust (great for pie or quiche).
Basic Produce – These are the basics that keep me in business. I feel at a loss if I’m ever out of any of the following. Sure there are other things I like to have around, but when it comes down to it, these are the fundamentals that make flavor and substance possible.
Potato (my husband’s Irish), lemon, garlic, onion, tomato, celery, carrot, bell pepper, lettuce, bananas (green ones get ripe quickly in warm weather), fresh herbs
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Finding Coupons for Online Merchants
I've gotten into the habit of a quick and simple routine to save on online purchases. If I see something I'd like to buy, besides comparison shopping, I type "coupon codes" into google along with the name of the merchant (e.g., Home Depot Coupon Code). Usually, several websites come up offering coupons if there are any circulating on the net. If not, you might want to save your purchase for another day or try a differnt website.
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