Stuff on the Huffington Post

I like reading the Huffington Post, but honestly, the number of daily posts can be a bit overwhelming. I read a few in a moment of madness, and here are some that jumped out at me.

2008 Tax Rebate Checks: What Does a Bush-Hating Liberal Spend Hers On? - OK, politics aside, I think she makes some interesting and novel suggestions on how to use your rebate checks. Personally, I like all three.

Activism Made Easy: Choosing UPS - We ship very few packages/envelopes, but after reading this, I think we'll be using UPS exclusively from now on. I had no idea Fed Ex is such an evil dictator of an *employer*. They save an estimated $400 million per year by treating their *employees* as independent contractors, who then have to purchase their own delivery trucks, insurance, fuel, tires, and maintenance. UPS, on the other hand, treats all of their *employees* as...well, as employees. Benefits, social security, and a truck with gas are some of the perks they get over Fed Ex workers.

I know I've had pretty mediocre customer service and delivery experiences with them in the past, and I wonder how much the treatment of their employees plays into that. On one occasion, I was informed by Fed Ex ground that they have no way of knowing when a delivery person will actually make a delivery, but they have until 10PM (or something like that...it was a while ago) to do so. So the delivery guy could show up at 9:30 and wake my barely sleeping infant, and that was my problem. Gee, thanks.

Sexualizing Miley: Are Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus Letting Her Be The New Lolita? - This reminds me of how much easier it was to be a kid when I was young. Maybe it's just me, but I don't remember being obsessed by confused pop idols or short, revealing clothes. My vice? Debbie Gibson vanilla (ya, ya...we all make mistakes). Personally, it scares me how obsessed young girls are with Hannah Montana, the Disney character played by Miley Cyrus. We know 6 and 7 year-old girls who idolize her, so the kind of adult behavior displayed in Vogue is jarring. These days, I'm constantly hearing from friends of how difficult it is to find non-scandalous clothes for young girls, nevermind dodging media messages. When an obviously under-aged celebrity poses provocatively for a magazine, is this something we want relayed to kindergarteners? Why didn't her parents prevent the shot from being approved for the layout? I would be fuming if someone took a shot like that of my *innocent* 15 year-old. Am I really supposed to believe that two people with such a vested interest in their child's career didn't get to approve the photos beforehand? Really?

Fixing Your Credit Report

A while back I found an error on my Transunion credit report, but it wasn't on the Equifax or Experian reports. Dummy that I am, I didn't fix it right away.

Ugh.

So, it was an account that I did not recognize from a bank that I have had an account with. More suspicious, it was an installment account for an amount that didn't make any sense to me. I'm pretty good about knowing about my accounts, so I knew this wasn't mine. It was on my list of things to do, but dang it, it just fell clean off one day for no good reason.

I have an old credit card with Providian, now Washington Mutual. I never use it, but I keep it open because they provide my Transunion credit score for free. One day I check it and see that my 800 score has dropped by 100 points.

UGH!!!

So, I got my 3 credit reports and saw that Transunion and Equifax now had this unknown account, and it has become delinquent. I contact the bank and ask them about it. But I only had a partial account number as provided on the credit reports. I provided my name, address, and social security number, but they still couldn't find anything. So I had to submit an inquiry, which takes about one month to complete. I kept calling to get an update from the bank, and I ended up having to submit my inquiry twice. Eventually, I got someone really helpful on the phone who suggested I submit another inquiry with them, and one with Transunion and Equifax. The credit reporting agencies, she told me, are required to provide information on the item on my credit report or, if they can't, remove it. Better yet, they have to do one or the other within 30 days.

So within 30 days, I got a notice from both agencies telling me that the item was removed from my credit report.

Woo Hoo!!

My Transunion credit score is now back to the 800 range.

Lessons learned:

• If you see an error on your credit report, fix it right away.
• The longer you take in fixing the problem, the wider it spreads. The wider it spreads, the more tedious it is to fix.
• Don't just call the bank that the erroneous credit item is with. Call the reporting agencies as well, which unlike banks, are required to resolve the disputed item in a set amount of time.
• If you see an unexpected dip in your credit score, something bad has happened.

Want some fore info on credit scores? Check out PBS. More info than you knew existed on credit scores, including it's rather biased history.

Avoid Identity Theft

Identity theft is an ever-prominent danger that people should be wary of whether they spend a lot of time online or not. Shopping with a credit card at a shop can compromise your credit card information just as easily as shopping online. That said, the more time you spend online and sharing your information, the more susceptible you are.

Tips from ABC News: How Identity Theft Happens and How to Protect Yourself - These might just be reminders for the cautious, but good to remember.
For example, only provide financial information when you have initiated the contact. And be suspicious of shabby looking or poorly maintained websites.

A Wall Street Journal article: How to Avoid Cons That Can Lead to Identity Theft - Lists some tips of a similar nature. Also a good reminder to watch out for what are now called "social engineering scams." For example, never click on an embedded link in an email from your bank or credit card company. Open a new window and type in the URL to log in and access your account.

Both are good articles worth skimming. But nothing beats just keeping an eye out for suspicious activity.

I'm just saying.

Ben & Jerry's Freebie

OK, don't hate me. Today is Free Cone Day at Ben and Jerry's. I wait for this all year long, so I had to share.

You might want to double check their hours if you plan on going around opening or closing time because our local store tends to close early on this specific day. I was very annoyed at this time about 2 years ago. I was *pregnant* annoyed!!

Anywho, enjoy!!

What's for Breakfast?

A Dutch study found that people who skipped breakfast were more than twice as likely to be overweight, even if the breakfast eaters consumed more net calories. Isn't the logic of that frustrating? You think you're reducing your caloric intake, thereby increasing your potential of slimming down, but you're actually just shooting yourself in the foot.

This article goes a step further and points out the good, the bad, and the ugly about what you're having for breakfast. Less sugar and more protein are guidelines in keeping you satisfied longer, thus preventing mid-morning binges. Muffin, anyone?

I tend to wake up hungry these days. Well, I tend to be hungry most of the time these days. But I digress. Regardless of what I eat, I always have a cup of *coffee* made with instant decaf and soy milk (instead of water). MetaDaddy thinks instant and decaf in the same sentence with coffee are vile concepts. But me? I was raised on a pinch of instant coffee mixed with hot (not boiling) milk and a touch of sugar...so this is comfort food. It took a while to get used to the soy milk, but I had to because I had to reduce my dairy consumption while I nursed MetaToddler. Now, besides milk feeling much heavier in my "coffee" than it used to, it doesn't always sit well in my tummy, so I'm back to soy.

As for the food part of my breakfast, cereal tends to last me long enough to get around to making my real breakfast. Hence, it's rare that I even bother. Toast will only do if it's slathered in cream cheese or some nice cheese. Though it's likely accompanied by a small bowl of plain yogurt with my favorite granola. Oatmeal sounds fine, but there isn't enough protein for me and it's very slow to eat, which is tough when I have to run after you know who. Besides, it makes me gag these days. If I'm really hungry, my go to breakfast is quick and easy: two fried eggs and toast (MetaToddler's favorite). And whatever I eat, MetaToddler must eat or he gets cranky. He must get that from his daddy ;-)

MetaToddler tends to have a decent-sized breakfast himself. We still feed him baby cereal, but we mix it with prune juice and water to keep him *moving*. I can count on my hand the number of times he's been constipated, so this has been a great trick taught to us by our pediatrician. He also eats most (or all) of a banana, as well as a mix of other fruits (e.g., strawberry, blueberry, organge, sapote) that are in season at the farmers' market. Then, he moves on to nibbling my breakfast, whatever that may be. Then there's the mid-morning snack, but that's another story.

Overall, though, I agree that the most successful breakfasts are high in protein. The article does point out that some people need more protein than others, which is interesting. Find out what works for you instead of looking to compare your diet to others, pound for pound.

MetaToddler Update

An occasional update on the fun, silly, and ridiculous things the resident toddler has been up to.

I unwrapped something with plastic in the kitchen while MetaToddler was watching Blue's Clues. He obviously heard me and ran over saying "cheese, cheese!" So, I told him to go back and I promised I would bring him some. Happy toddler obliged.

We had pie one day, and asked him "can you say pie?" He did, and really well. The one thing is that it's really high pitched. He sounds like Cartman when he's trying to get something (e.g., "Mom, can I have some pie?"). So, I wear my Pie Chart t-shirt and say "what's this" all day. He now thinks my chest is called "pie."

He's become a real mimic. I didn't know how much I sighed in any given day until he started mimicking me. He also follows our lead on random things like:

• sneezing
  
• coughing
  
• wiping things down (awesome...he helps me clean!!)
  
• lying down and napping (good way to get him to relax)
  
• random words (not all, but some random sounds)

He's learning his colors with MetaDaddy. He knows a few, unless he's tired. Then, he just randomly points at objects. "Where's the yellow one?" Points at everything until something turns out to be yellow. In other words, "Daddy, just put me to bed. I'm tired!!"

He says "ta da" with a flourish. That one's all me. We practiced one night, he got it down, and he's been doing it ever since. Tee hee.

If you say "dance" when he's in the tub, he starts kicking his feet and splashing water everywhere. He usually follows that with "ta da."

Every time someone applauds (e.g., in person, radio, television), he starts maniacally applauding.

He says some words with a funny accent. He says "bear" like he's from Boston and "bye" like a southern bell. Everything else that starts with a "b" is for the most part "be" or "ba."

He starts running around signing phone whenever the phone rings. He seriously loves the phone.

Per MetaToddler, a few words:
The cow says: "mmm"
The cat says: "meee"
The sheep says: "baaaa"
The dog says: "mm mm"
The duck says: "tip tee"
The bear says: "ra"
The plane says" "eeee" (while signing plane)
The car/bus says: "beep beep"

OK. So I was typing at the laptop, which I place at the dining room table. After some research, I was finally ready to make one of the many phone calls to our insurance company. That's always fun, isn't it? Well, I needed some motivation, so I got a wee bit of chocolate (only dark would do at that moment). I have a bit, then I place the call. As I'm getting into it, the voice recognition software stops working because of the "look at me, look at me" toddler at my knees. So I quickly nip into the bathroom so the thing can hear me, then I come back out. I wasn't in there a minute, and when I came out I was on hold. Perfect. Guess who I find typing away at my computer with brown oozing out of his mouth? Fortunately, I hadn't left much chocolate on the table, but whatever was there, he inhaled it in one bite. The results:

Are Mac Users Fantabulous?

We eat organic food whenever possible, BUT I don't whiten my teeth, drive a hybrid, and drink Starbucks coffee. That said, I apparently think I'm more extraordinary than Joe, whomever he is.

"According to a new marketing study, if you own a Mac, you might want to slap yourself. Mindset Media surveyed 7,500 computer users in 20 different personality traits, such as self-esteem, pragmatism and modesty. They found that Mac owners pretty much personify the Mac guy from the commercials."

And what about that Mac guy from the ads?

"The character of the Mac guy is almost too perfectly cast. He is smug. He is condescending. He's just that uber-hipster you love to hate. It just makes you want to slap him."

LOL...OK, if you say so.

Those Mac users think they're so cool

LA Times Festival of Books

If you're looking for something fun to do in Los Angeles this weekend, look no further than UCLA. They're hosting the annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. Seriously, there's something there for everyone. Food, books, music, sunshine, picnics, speakers.

Parking's painful at $8, but admission is free. Besides, it's a nice day out :-)

Toxins in Our Environment Hurting Pets?

We all love our pets. I know we do! But unlike safety tests conducted on items for human use and consumption (e.g., food, toys), no such tests are conducted for pet products.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), which is concerned about all things toxic in our environment (heard of BPA?), is now worried about pets.

"In the first study of its kind, Environmental Working Group found that American pets are polluted with even higher levels of many of the same synthetic industrial chemicals that researchers have recently found in people, including newborns."

It goes on to conclude:

"The body burden testing conducted in this investigation is the most expansive ever published for companion animals. The study indicates that cats and dogs are exposed to complex mixtures of industrial chemicals, often at levels far in excess of those found in people. Our pets well may be serving as sentinels for our own health, as they breathe in, ingest or absorb the same chemicals that are in our environments. Exposures that pose risks for pets pose risks for human health as well."

Too vague? How about this. Dogs and cats have high levels of Teflon chemicals (e.g., non-stick coating), toxins found in plastic toys and medicines, and fire retardants, which *may* cause a variety of health risks and diseases. How these toxins affect our pets might predict how they affect humans.

Scary stuff for us and our pets.

The EWG will be sending out email updates. Sign up here if you're interested.

Around the Internet

Busy being green, are ya? Well, here are a few more things to add to your Earth Day.

Battle of the Bags: Paper vs. Plastic - An interesting video that compares the two, leaving me to question which is indeed worse for the environment. Paper consumes a lot of resources, and is a much bigger polluter, but it's much more recycled than plastic. 1-5% of all plastic bags gets recycled because it's difficult for recycling facilities to process the bags in their machines. All the more reason to ban the bag, methinks!!

Online Ridesharing Community - Like a dating service, this online service allows you to hook up with others looking to rideshare.

Greenprint - Reduce the amount of wasted paper when printing with this free software. It seeks out and removes things like banner ads and lonely URLS on that last page. I hate that page! Unfortunately, it's only compatible with PCs. Poor Macs :-(

Gadget Recycling Programs: Turn Your e-waste to $$$ - A great listing of programs available to consumers who'd like to recycle old tech gadgets (e.g., iPods, computers, cell phones), for free or at a nice money-back rates. Mmm...money back.

Shred Less - A good reminder to shred all important information, but nothing more. Shredded paper is less recyclable, so rip off and shred the part of the page with your name/address, and recycle the rest. I've been doing that, and honestly, it's no more effort. Oh, and don't forget to recycle the windowed envelopes, too.

Reducing Junk Mail...Again

I've tried a couple of different methods to reduce our junk mail. In November, we started getting an obscene number of catalogs, most of which were unknown to us. Here's what I've done so far.

1. I signed up to Catalog Choice. It's actually pretty useful because not only can you select the catalog you want to stop receiving from their list, but you can then follow the progress of the cancellation. For example, I declined Sensational Beginnings, and I can go into "my choices" from the left sidebar and scroll down to my selection. There I can see the day I entered it in Catalog Choice, and the status of the request. In this case, it has been confirmed. I haven't received any more, and I shouldn't in the future. If I do, I can select "still receiving?" for that catalog and go from there. Other status items are: customer number required, processing, delivered, unconfirmed, refused.
   
   
2. I called the companies individually and kept a detailed spreadsheet with information such as company, phone, date called, customer number, catalog code, and the name the catalog was sent to. If I have to call again for any reason, all of this information is required, and they can be picky about it. For example, if you don't know the exact name the catalog was sent to, they probably won't be able to stop the catalogs. Overall, it's annoying and tedious, but I have definitely stopped seeing the catalogs I've called about.

Overall, both methods are effective, although using Catalog Choice is much, much, much less stressful and time consuming. Another nice benefit is you can go online and cancel at any time of the day, but you're much more restricted in you're actually making the phone call. Of course, there are mailing lists that I'd prefer not to be on that can't be addressed by Catalog Choice, so I still find myself calling every now and then. These include things like unwanted credit card offers and other random mailings.

On a similar note, I recently found out about how to get off of the Value Pak mailing list. Since we never use any of the enclosed coupons, they find their way right into the recycle pile. It'd be even nicer if they never showed up in the first place. So I'll make a note of my mailing information and see about putting a stop to this one next time.

Ooo...so exciting!!


Other services/references:
Green Dimes
New Dream

Discounts on Shopping

It feels like there are some good discounts these days. More often, and occasionally impressive.

Just some random selections:

Restoration Hardware - Thru April 30, 2008, purchase $750 in stuff (excluding tax and shipping) from the store, catalog or online, and get $100 off using code HEMAP804.

JC Penney - Thru April 30, 2008, get 15% off using code APRLJCPC, with no minimum.

Banana Republic - I love getting staples at Banana. You can get a pair of nice, flattering black pants that are great for work or going out. They're not cheap, but they last and look good. If you can get their stuff at a discount, it's a great time to buy a great staple or stock up. Personally, I think the economy's hitting them hard. These days, it feels like they have a big sale every weekend. It was a bit hush, hush for a while (I'd only hear about a sale when a sales person in the store told me "did you know everything's 20% off this weekend?"), but they're getting a bit more obvious. April 16 thru April 20, 2008, use the coupon at the above link at get $20 off of $100, $15 off of $150, and $50 off of $200 both online and in the store.

American Eagle - They primarily carry young-looking stuff, but some of it's great for everyday casual wear. MetaDaddy gets shorts and shirts, and I've gotten some groovy tops. They even have some good early maternity stuff (e.g., elastic empire waist). And now, it's all an additional 15% off with the above coupon.

You Put the Lime in the Coconut?

Yup.

Now Let Me Get This Straight

Hormone Guide for Men

For pregnant women, change all references of wine to chocolate or cake...OOO...or chocolate cake!!



Don't cha love Fridays?

Geico Guidos

I used to work with a few guys from New Jersey, so this just really hit home for me. Hi-Larious!!

Word of the Day: Pin Money

I subscribe to a Dictionary.com "Word of the Day." I think I'm hoping it makes me smarter. It's um...not really working.

Anywho...

The Word of the Day from April 14th was Pin Money.

1. An allowance of money given by a husband to his wife for private and personal expenditures.
2. Money for incidental expenses.
3. A trivial sum.

Humph!! As if!!!

Funny enough. If you do a search for that same phrase on Dictionary.com, it returns the following:

1. any small sum set aside for nonessential minor expenditures.
2. (formerly) an allowance of money given by a husband to his wife for her personal expenditures.

That's right. FORMERLY. Uh huh.

April is National Grilled Cheese Month

Did you know that April is National Grilled Cheese month? Easy enough to confuse with an April Fool's gag since it starts on the first of April, but it's true! A month in which local restaurants get cheesy, if you will.

Clementine, a restaurant in Century City, has started a campaign. Go, try their sammiches, and vote for your favorite. Or as they say, "Melt the Vote." The ballots are no joke, either. Per L.A. Eater,

"They've copied a voter's sample ballot and in painstakingly great detail changed all the graphics, instructions (in multiple languages), measures, confusing explanations, amendments and bill of rights to reference grilled cheese and other cheesisms."

If that's not dedication to cheese, I simple don't know what is. Now if I can only find the time to make it over this week to try out the Chorizo con Queso (Spanish dry-cured sausage with havarti and pickled jalapenos on country white bread).


In related news, the National Grilled Cheese Invitational is April 19th from 5-9:00 PM. It's somewhere in Los Angeles, but the location has yet to be announced. Ooo...exciting!!

So, check out local cheese listings for events in your area. If you don't find any, start one! You'll be the biggest cheese on the block ;-)

Stuff I love: MD Skincare

Generally speaking, there are very few beauty products or regimens I have the time or patience for. I don't like the touchy feely aspect of facials. I'm not one to wear makeup, so it's kept to a minimum. I've had friends ask if I wear make-up at all. Indignantly, I always answer "yes,"though I do begrudgingly admit to having quite a light hand. The thing is, I have oily skin, so historically I've avoided makeup to avoid breakouts. Besides that, I have big eyes, so I don't see the need to add attention with eyeliner and such. As a result, the only thing I know to do with an eyeliner pencil is write notes on paper.

Yes, it's all wasted on me.

However, because I've struggled with my complexion and breakouts over the years, I know most products don't work. And I hate wasting my time and money on empty promises. I did find one that I really liked though. MD Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel. I swear it was well more effective than a pricey facial, with much less time and money committed. It's a bit pricey, so I tend to only use it if I have some sort of "gotta look good" commitment coming up, or if I really feel I need a pick me up, but I think it's a great rescue treat. Of course I could use a rescue treat these days, but I won't until after August. Le sigh.

Nice gift to someone. Or to yourself for that matter. And it's currently on sale with Hydra-Pure Redness Soothing Serum, which I can't vouch for because I've never used it. The regular price for the Face Peel is $75, but the MD Skincare website has both for $85. You can also get 25% off from Daily Candy if you use code MDCANDY08 at checkout. That said, it's also available at department stores, so have your pick.

I know I sound like an ad, but I wasn't paid for this. I just really like the results of the product, and I was reminded in hearing about their sale.

And if you're into that whole thing, they also currently have a discount code for Stila products (free shipping using code STILACANDY).

After all Mother's Day is just around the corner ;-)

Around the Internet

ABC news video on helping kids sleep: Parents Prolong Problem Sleepers - It turns out that it's really important to teach babies to fall asleep on their own because it impacts their sleeping habits as adults, too. It makes sense, doesn't it? From what I've learned, everyone occasionally wakes a little in the middle of the night, so it's not unusual that a baby does it. But if he can sooth himself back into sleep instead of relying on his parents, he's better off...heck, everyone is! Personally, MetaToddler's ability to self-sooth has been crucial in his tendency to sleep through the night, and we consider ourselves tremendously lucky. Especially after those first few (um...6? 9? 12?) brutal months.

Fat isn't flavor - A clever commentary negating the common phrase "fat is flavor." There are a lot of wonderful, beautiful, delicious flavors that make for mouth-watering treats. Do they replace fat? No. Does fat replace them? Duh. No.

Santa Monica to ban the bag - Santa Monica's all abuzz with the the progress to ban the one-use plastic bag and biodegradable plastic-like bags. Paper bags would still be allowed, but ideas are being thrown around to reduce their use (e.g., a small fee). A halt in the waste of the bags at supermarkets and farmers' markets alone would be a huge improvement, so I'm really looking forward to see this pass.

First Puzzles via Dooce - Oh, I so have to get these. How cute is the Peter Rabbit one!?! Um, for MetaToddler, of course ;-)

Cell Phone Camera's "Ah-Ha" Uses

Having a good camera on your cell phone is a great way to take an impromptu, if mediocre, shot of a moment. After all, we don't always have our cameras. But there are some other camera uses that are handy. A friend and I were hashing out some these. I think he was inspired by Japanese technology.

Here's what we came up with.

• Take a picture of an item in a store, which includes the price. Go home, research the item and price. Is there a better item on the market? Is that Costco price better than Amazon? Easier and quicker than writing everything down.
  
  
• Take a photo of a specific item you need to get at the store. For example, that bottle of wine you really liked, or that ice cream that you'd better get right this time, or else!!
  
  
• Similarly, if you remember something after your S.O. left for the store, take a picture and send it.
  
  
• If you're going to a busy place with your child, take a picture of him/her before you set out. That way if the unimaginable happens, you not only have a recent picture, but you have a description of what s/he is wearing.
  
  
• Take pictures of your family members (or pets, toys, trains, planes, etc.) so you can show your kid when he's bored. If you're in a line (or on a plane) with your antsy little one, this might really, really, really come in handy. It might also help him get to know family members s/he doesn't get to see often.
  
  
• Take a picture of your rental car so you remember which one is yours.
  
  
• Take a picture of where you parked your car, which includes the floor and/or area number, so you can find it again. For that matter, take a shot of your hotel room number. Though avoid carrying anything that identifies your hotel just in case you lose your card key & phone.
  
  
• Maybe you're out and you want to see if you have spinach in your teeth, or check your hair, but there's no mirror around. Take a picture of yourself and check that gleeming smile beaming back at you.
  
  
• Take a photo of notes (e.g., chalkboard or whiteboard). Great for instant recall on meetings.
  
  
• Similarly, I've taken a picture of a flier on a bulletin board. Easier than any alternatives when toting a toddler.

Movie: Young At Heart, Once

Here's a cute-looking movie. Young At Heart tagline:

Prepare to be entertained by this New England senior citizens chorus that has delighted audiences worldwide with their covers of songs by everyone from The Clash to Coldplay.

The trailer

******************************************************

We finally, finally, finally saw Once, and it was really cute. Just a sweet movie to watch. Needless to say, we loved the soundtrack.

The trailer

No Entertainment Book This Year

At full price, I don't find the Entertainment Book to be enough of a value to purchase. I just don't use enough coupons for it to pay for itself. That said, last year I bought it in April or so, and found that it more than paid for itself with the coupons we ended up using.

So when I saw that the price was $15 (including shipping), I considered it again. But to be sure, I checked the coupons in my area. Honestly, the ones I might use (e.g., Baja Fresh) aren't in there this year, so it's really not worth it this time.

If you're considering buying one, make sure to check the coupons available in your area this year. They do change from year to year, and you may find the changes don't suit your wallet.

Around the Internet

Culinary Confessions - A commenter's sin: A lollipop. A glob of peanut butter with chocolate chips sprinkled on top for that "peanut butter cup" effect. Awesome.

Can’t Grasp Credit Crisis? Join the Club via My Open Wallet - A good summary of why credit is hard to come by these days even though you have steady income, great credit, and money in the bank.

Iconic Photographs Recreated in Lego - Precious? Disturbing? All of the above?

Summer Soles via Daily Candy - Cuz women don't sweat, we glow.

Kid Gift: Cookware Set

If you're looking for a kitchen-like gift for a kid, this is a great price on a 14 piece stainless steel cookware set by Kool Toyz at Target. We don't have it, so I can't tell you about it, but it's only $5.

It's available online and in stores, but he site says "Prices, promotions, styles and availability may vary by store and online."

Via Deal Catcher

MetaToddler's Hair

Sooooo, he was looking pretty slummy when we decided it was time for his first haircut. I was scared. Real scared. I imaged tears and screaming and running and eyes getting poked out by sharp scissors. But then I read about Mama Geek's experience, and I was consoled. Maybe it's not so bad after all...? It was either that or live my days knowing I've allowed my child to sport a chullet (child mullet).



I mean, this is where he started, for crying out loud! And you can't see it, but from being in his sit 'n' stroll for so many hours on the flight to and from Ireland, he had a nasty knot in the back of his hair that was IM-POSSIBLE to get out.

BTW, if you're wondering about the face, he's eating a banana. For some reason, he can't take dainty bites of food. Food, in his humble opinion, is meant to be stuffed into one's mouth all at once. This is especially true of bananas. Give him half a banana, he will likely try to get it down in "two bites."

But I digress. We braved our local kid's hairdresser in January. She was very tolerant and quick. I'm talking in and out in 10 minutes. Why can't all hairdressers be that effective? Sure, his front was slightly crooked, but I didn't notice until we washed his hair that night because she put a small amount of product into his hair. Maybe she knew? Who cares...he didn't cry once! All that worrying over nothing. It probably helped that we went when the place was empty, so there were no other distractions to tempt him. I looked for a good "after" shot, but I just couldn't find one. Suffice it to say, I was pleased that for $10, we got a quick cut with little fuss, and I could finally look at him without wanting to apply mom spit or something.

One thing made me gasp. She said the dreaded words "my, he has a lot of hair." Oh, the curse lives on.


Two months later and his hair was starting to get long again. And as Easter and our trip to Boston approached, I figured it was a good time to get a second cut.

Ah, how foolish I was.

I naively went at a different time than we did before. It was much, much busier, but I persisted. The wait was only 5 minutes, after all. He drew on paper with crayons, eyed the coin-operated car, and practiced getting in and out of chairs. When we were called, I sat down and put him in my lap like before. I didn't bother with a smock because I realized that first time that (1) it blocked my arms and (2) his hair is so fine it just blows right off. Hardly a need for shielding myself, I say. I did, however, put a smock on him just to avoid the worst of the mess.

He went ballistic. The hairdresser and someone else did all sorts of things to get him through it. In the end, stuffing a couple of cookies in his mouth did the trick, but she was on a strict time line because he eats fast. She did a pretty good job...straighter lines than the first person. He even allowed for the buzzing of the baby sideburns, but he drew the line when she tried to blow off the excess hair with a blow drier. That should have been an obvious one, though.

But overall, Oy! I don't know if I'll be quick to take him back. Chullets aren't that bad, right?

Recipe: Buttermilk-Rhubarb Coffee Cake

I've got that moody, broody thing going on these days. I don't know why, so I'll just chalk it up to hormones. I only have 9 months to blame hormones. I'm taking full advantage.

On that note, a breakfast/dessert on Amazon (scroll down) to appease the beast (i.e., me).

I did the rhubarb variation, and it's delicious!! I baked it for the full 40 minutes in a 9-inch pan (I didn't have an 8-inch), sans nuts, and it's moist and tender. I also substituted nutmeg for cinnamon in the topping because MetaDaddy doesn't care for cinnamon in his baked goods (we all have our personal ticks ;-). If you can't get rhubarb, take a look at the original classic buttermilk coffee cake recipe and other variations.

Buttermilk-Rhubarb Coffee Cake
By Mollie Katzen

Ingredients:
2 cups chopped rhubarb (1/4-inch pieces)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (unwrap & place directly in bowl ahead of time)
2/3 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk

Topping
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Walnuts or pecans (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (325°F for a glass pan). Lightly spray an 8-inch round or square pan with nonstick spray.

Before making the batter, toss the rhubarb, 2 tablespoon sugar and 1 tablespoon flour in a bowl. Let the mixture stand while you prepare the batter.

In a large bowl, beat the butter for several minutes with an electric mixer at high speed. Add the sugar and beat for several minutes longer. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each, then beat in the vanilla.

In a second bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda, slowly mixing them together with a whisk.

Add the dry ingredients in three installments to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry (dry-wet-dry-wet-dry). After each addition, mix from the bottom of the bowl--just enough to blend--with a spoon or a rubber spatula. Don't overmix. Fold the rhubarb mixture in with the last installment of dry ingredients.

Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, spreading it evenly into place. Mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon (and optional nuts), and sprinkle this on top before baking.

Bake in the middle of the oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick or sharp knife inserted all the way into the center comes out clean. Cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving.

Makes one 8-inch round or square cake (about 6 or 7 servings).

Santa Monica Farmers' Market Feud

The Santa Monica Farmers' Market has gotten really popular recently. They've gotten a lot of press (aided by Amelia Saltsman's wonderful cookbook, I'm guessing). Sometimes, there is such a thing as too much publicity. The faithful shopping of local chefs who helped bring the market to its current state of popularity are now officially miffed.

Chefs from Vegas and New York are sending buyers to pick up the best of the best in seasonal produce. And local chefs are annoyed because they no longer get top dibs. Well, welcome to my world. If I don't show up when the market opens, I miss out on nice food I'd like, too. And I look over and see trucks (yes, trucks) from local restaurants that come empty and leave full of tasty goodies. Tasty goodies I'm missing out on! I've heard some say "Is this all you have? I'll take it all," or "Can I get 50 pounds of this?"

So, spare me your boo-hoo sob story. You're gonna keep going to the market just like I keep going. Cuz having great, seasonal produce rocks. And if you're not the top banana any more, I'm sure you'll find another way to make yourself known.

Do I seem cranky? Let's chalk it up to hormones. I'll go have some ice cream now.

1970s Cooking

If this is what light and healthy food looked like in the 1970s, it's no wonder I grew up with such a negative view of it. Seriously, this thing looks vile.

As I search around for new cookbooks with vegetarian options, I was led several times to the Moosewood Cookbook by Mollie Katzen, originally published in 1977. I finally checked it out at the library, and was pleasantly surprised. The book is very fun, with loads of drawings, and written out by hand. It feels so personal...like someone's journal. And with outrageous recipes like pesto, vegetable walnut pate, noodle kugel, mushroom moussaka, apple-honey custard pie, it's tempting, no? The funny thing is that a lot of the recipes seem so familiar now that I'm wondering how much this recipe book has influenced those that followed.

I haven't tried any recipes yet, but it looks promising. Wish me luck :-)

King Corn on PBS

Where did I hear about this? I don't remember. In any event, I'm always interested in hearing about our food supply and such. I have several posts I'm "working on," but to be honest, I have so much information that I just haven't had time to put together a post I'm happy with. It's such an important topic that I really feel I have to do it justice.

That said, King Corn will be airing on PBS this month on a series called Independent Lens.

The website summarizes it like so:

"Two recent college grads discover where America's food comes from when they plant a single acre of corn and follow it from the seed to the dinner plate.

With the help of government subsidies, genetically modified seeds and powerful herbicides, America's most-subsidized crop becomes the staple of its cheapest -- and most troubling -- foods."

And an interview with Michael Pollan from the documentary:

"'Everything on your plate is corn,' Michael Pollan says in KING CORN. The author of In Defense of Food (Penguin, 2008) and The Omnivore’s Dilemma (Penguin, 2006), Pollan can be credited for publicizing the “cornification of America” and the hidden relationships between corn, public health and agricultural policy.

Exposing just how much the industrial food chain accounts for the American diet, Pollan’s writing agitates for a return to actual food—not the highly processed fast food that’s sold these days. But what’s the alternative? Pollan’s answer boils down to seven words: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

Photoshop Express

Photoshop Express is Adobe's most recent attempt to hook consumers who aren't willing to drop a bundle on their popular Photoshop software.

I haven't tried it yet, but I'm terribly excited to. The thing is, I like taking and sharing pictures, but I'm just not as good at it is I'd like to be. The few great photos I've taken have been merely accidents. I assure you. I can use all of the Photoshop-type help I can get.

Here's what they offer:

"There's nothing sadder than a photo without a home. You hate to see that. Give your photos a free ride with Photoshop Express. just sign up, then start uploading, polishing and showing off up to 2 GB of photos on our dime."

Well...unsettling news: Complaints trigger rewrite of Photoshop Express terms

Specifically, Adobe would be granted "...royalty-free, nonexclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, and fully sublicensable license to use, distribute, derive revenue or other remuneration from, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, publicly perform and publicly display such Content..." blah blah. That hardly sounds like something I want with my photos.

Well, MetaDaddy's first reaction was "That wasn't Adobe's intention." Something about the aggressive nature of contracts paired with the ever-changing nature of technology allows for misunderstandings. That is, the folks who make the software aren't always in sync with the folks protecting it. He called it a storm in a teacup. Precious, no?

Needless to say, Adobe and their lawyers fixed their little snafu. It's now safe to jump on board again :-D

Chicken Run

I do most of the cooking in the MetaHousehold. For the most part, MetaDaddy gets home too late to really be able to cook anything. It's hard to start a meal from scratch at 6:30 when you've got to get the little critter down by 8:00. That said, there are meals he makes better than me (e.g., fish). And there are those I just really don't want to bother with, but I enjoy eating (e.g., BBQ). So I'll make a side dish and do all of the prep (e.g., chop, marinade) for his portion, he'll cook it when he gets home, and dinner's usually done within 20 minutes of his arrival with minimal stress.

Since I do most of the cooking, I do most of the meal planning as well. I ask for input, but he's pretty blase about it, so most of the selections are mine. Whenever I make something new, I ask for feedback. But I think he keeps it vanilla because he's afraid of hurting my feelings. Well, that whole thing led to the "bland stew crisis of 2006" where he finally broke down and confessed..."I don't really like your stew." I loved my stew bland because I grew up with it, but we found a way to fix the flavor to keep both of us happy. What annoyed me was that I'd made it several times, and each time he just swallowed it. Where's the honesty and communication, man?!? So, I do hope he learned his lesson and shares his opinions. Overall, he might say something here or there, but he's very cautious. Keeps me wondering, I must say.

But I digress. My point is that as the primary cooker and meal planner, the weekly menu is tainted by my palate. Since my palate is currently pregnant, we've been having a lot of chicken. I don't know why, but chicken is really good these days. And I don't mean the plastic chicken with the fake grill marks you find in mediocre salads. I want the tender, juicy chicken loaded with flavor and salt. You don't need gravy if the chicken is nice and moist. And don't you think you're keeping the skin away from me because I will hunt you down and take it back. The skin is arguably the best part.

So Tuesday, I had a chicken lunch from my favorite chicken restaurant California Chicken Cafe. Yesterday, I made a roast chicken cooked in a variety of vegetables. And today, after my chicken leftovers for lunch, I made spicy chicken drumsticks, courtesy of Simply Recipes.

I included our roasted chicken recipe below because we love the recipe, and I know some people are scared roasting a whole chicken. I know because I used to be one of those people not long ago. That recipe used to be exclusively MetaDaddy's, but it takes too long for him to make during the week, so I reluctantly took over. And honestly, it's not that bad :-)

As for the spicy chicken drumsticks, I found that recipe because I bought some drumsticks at Trader Joe's this week. Since I prefer to buy chicken that hasn't been chemically treated (e.g., antibiotics, etc.), I tend to pay more on average. Most people prefer white meat, so dark meat tends to be exceptionally inexpensive by comparison. Drumsticks were only 99 cents per pound, so I figured I'd try them out and see what happened. I went in search of a recipe, and voila! Jerk chicken with lots of flavor and kick (as much as you can handle ;-). It's quick and easy...I'd say about 40 minutes all in, including the 5 extra minutes we needed to finish the chicken.

On that note, a 4.25 pound organic chicken with farmers' market vegetables of cauliflower, wee potatoes, carrots, white beets gave us 6 portions for about $20 (~$3.33/portion). The drumsticks with a leftover salad served 2 and came to about $2.50 per portion. Interestingly, not that big a difference despite the fact that pound for pound, the whole chicken was more expensive than the drumsticks. So if you're looking to save a buck in these days of inflation, consider your recipes as well as your per ingredient cost.

Roast Chicken

The roast chicken used to intimidate me, and occasionally still does. I use gloves because I still can't manage the thought of touching a whole dead animal. I don't know why, but it's harder than touching it if it's in parts (e.g., leg, breast). I think the reality of it all is still too much for this city girl. The lemon makes the chicken insanely moist, and the paprika gives the skin beautiful golden color, as well as a nice flavor enhancer.

As for the vegetables, I change it up depending on what's in season at the farmers' market. Cauliflower, beets, potatoes, carrots, leeks, fennel, jerusalem artichokes, and so on. I lightly coat them in olive oil and add them as the chicken cooks. For example, if the veg needs 30 minutes to cook, I add them when 30 minutes remain for the chicken. Couldn't be easier.

1 chicken
1 lemon, halved
4-5 cloves of unpeeled garlic
olive oil
salt
paprika
2 onions, cut into segments

Preheat oven to 400F.

Get out your roasting pan and cover it in foil to avoid clean up. Unwrap the chicken and rinse with water in and out. Pat dry and set in the pan breast-side down. Drizzle on some olive oil and rub in. Sprinkle on some salt and paprika. Put the garlic and lemon inside the bird. Disperse the onion segments around the chicken and lightly drizzle with olive oil. Put in the oven for 15 minutes per pound, plus 10 for good measure (e.g., 5 pound chicken = 85 minutes = 1 hour 25 minutes).

Add vegetables as desired. When 30 minutes remain, turn the chicken over (should now be breast-side up) and sprinkle on some salt and paprika. Put back in the oven to finish.

So, Who's the Potty Mouth?

This story was too funny to not share.

Have you ever worried about what expletive your kid might come out with? My mother-in-law shared a story that when her daughter was young (very young), she came out one day with "ammit!" while stomping her feet, and it was in perfect context. A few other friends have similar stories, all of which have definitely made me try to watch my occasional potty mouth around MetaToddler (note: when I'm tired, hungry or late, I never know what I'm going to say...unfortunately, these days I'm usually one of those three). Fortunately, I know a few potty phrases in Spanish, which MetaDaddy finds hilarious. It can be a very reverse Lucy & Ricky dynamic at the MetaHome.

So if you're interested, amused, or scared by the thought of your precious little angel cursing up a storm, an article from NPR to entertain and inform: Why Kids Curse.

A couple of excerpts not to be missed.

Max asked in a hushed voice: "Dad, do you know what the worst swear word of all is?"

His son then went on to explain that "damn" must be the worst. When Bloom asked why, his son said, "I listen to my babysitter talk on the phone, and she uses the 'f' word, and the 's' word, but she never says 'damn!'"

And something to set the delusional parent straight:

As an experiment with his children, Bloom and his wife tried their hand at creating their own family curse words.

"So one of them was 'flep,'" says Bloom. Whenever someone would bang their foot or hurt their toe, they'd scream "flep" as if it were an obscenity.

The experiment was very short-lived.

"It was a total failure," says Bloom. "The children looked at us as if we were crazy."

The story gives one of Bloom's mentors, Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker, a chuckle.

"Children are far more influenced by peers," says Pinker. "That's why kids of immigrants end up with the accent of their peer group rather than their parents."

Back to the drawing board, I suppose. Blurg!

Boston for Easter

Give me an inch, and I take a mile. It feels like I haven't posted in months!

So, Boston was great. We saw MetaDaddy's sister, her husband, their 5 year old daughter (Cousin L), 18 month old son (Cousin E), and feisty pug. Unfortunately, Cousin L was a bit under the weather with pink eye. She got better, but was pretty miserable until the day we left. Sucks for a 5 year old who wants nothing more than to run around and play. The 18 month old had a runny nose, but that's hardly enough to keep a kid strapped down. With MetaToddler there, they were quite the pair. Running around the house, sharing sippy cups (yes, he has a runny nose now), chatting to each other, "sharing" toys, and so on. Sharing toys was entertaining because Cousin E is really easy going, while MetaToddler is rather grabby. So, MetaToddler kept taking cousin E's stuff. I say stuff because it was toys, sippy cups, food, everything. He did it innocently enough, and Cousin E didn't resist. But upon realizing he'd been duped, MetaToddler was halfway down the hall, and the tears would start to roll. Not every time, mind you, but enough.

And then we had an Easter egg hunt. Who knew kids could get so excited over chocolate?!? Personally, I didn't know about putting stuff like toys and chocolate in plastic eggs. When I was a kid, we actually looked for hard boiled eggs. Aw well, at least MetaToddler won't be deprived. My sister-in-law did a great job. She "invited" the Easter Bunny over so it could "hide" eggs everywhere. Then the kids just started hunting. Cousin L was a pro, but the boys were just wandering around amusing themselves until someone said "look, an egg. Let's open it and see what's inside!" The hiding part was hilarious. Apparently at that age, hiding means leaving the egg on the windowsill, in the corner of a sofa, or under a table. It's a good thing the Easter Bunny was managing this instead of me. Otherwise, we might still be looking for the last few eggs.

Overall, he had a marvelous time, so the trip was well worth the inconvenience of travel and jet lag. However, traveling with one toddler is tough. Between having to entertain, feed, and distract him, there was no time to rest. Maybe I've said it before, but I couldn't imagine doing the trip without MetaDaddy. And I say that because his sister has traveled many times with her toddler to Ireland from their former home in San Jose, California. And now, she's traveling from Boston to Ireland (shorter flight), but with a toddler and a 5 year old. OMG!!! I don't know how she does it. Just...OMG!!

We were also lucky enough to get to see our friends. We haven't seen them in ages, and it was wonderful catching up with them and getting to see Ellie. She's grown so much since we last saw her. All three are doing so well, it's inspiring. Dave forged a garden out of nothing in their backyard, and has managed to keep them eating well all winter (salads included!). He's also become quite the handyman doing some truly impressive projects around their house. And Kathryn wrote a book, all the while maintaining her always beautiful flowing locks. (I've actually forgotten to brush my hair before going out some mornings. Seriously.) Oh, and they maintain careers while working with Ellie non-stop. Need I say more? They make me feel like I'm moving in slow motion. In fact, I could take a nap right now.

Ellie's gorgeous, and you just can't help was stare at that beautiful little ponytail. It's just perfectly bouncy, just like her. A happy little girl :-)

So we're back. I hope you had a lovely holiday, if you celebrated. And if you didn't, I hope you had a lovely weekend. Either works ;-)

On the Road Again: Boston

So, what better time to go on a trip than when the following sync up:

• 19 weeks pregnant
• occasional morning sickness
• the start of what will be 4-5 months of unyielding back pain
• a rowdy toddler
• a MetaDaddy who thinks said toddler won't run away from us in the airport
  
• uncooperative TSA
  
• an overburdened airline system (not that it's not their fault...I'm just saying)

But hey, it's Easter. So we're going to visit family in Boston and expose MetaToddler to the joys of cousins. Cousins and a holiday that has become rooted in chocolate. What more could he ask for?

For the flight, bought some nifty flashcards that come on a loop which will hopefully provide more entertainment than a book. Downloaded some Blue's Clues and Sesame Street on iTunes for the iPod. We'll see how that goes. I suspect not well, but we'll take what we can get.

So it's all good. We'll have fun. Posting might be light, but should be back on track next week.

Have a great Easter!

L.A. Mag's March Madness

If you know Los Angeles, you might have some opinions on your turf.

Spit it out, people!!

Los Angeles Magazine's doing a March Madness of their own (dude, seriously...why is everyone hoping on this MM bandwagon?!?). But ya, you can vote in round two through March 24 (that's Monday). Ya, ya, I missed round one, but well...whatever :-)

What's being voted on? Deets

No Snorgles Here

These are precious, but if we got one, MetaToddler would probably just try to eat it. I'mm just saying. Crazy cute, though!!

MetaDaddy's Confession

"Oh, ya. He definitely got that from me"

"Say what?!?"

So, MetaDaddy recently admits in an "oh, didn't I tell you" way that he was a bit of a climber as a kid. Something about scaling walls and walking on really narrow ledges. Hardy-har-har...jokes on me, it seems.

MetaDaddy: Oh, didn't I mention that?
MetaMommy: Uh, no. I'm pretty sure I would have remembered picturing my child scaling walls and falling out of trees.
MetaDaddy: Oh well.

Soooooo, guess who's a climber.
Is it me? No.
Is it...the neighbor's dog? Don't care.
Is it MetaToddler? Yes.

I signed him up for a little gymnastics class. At first, he loved the trampoline. He was giddy with delight when he got on it, though he was having a hard time understanding the concept of jumping. The next time, he couldn't have cared less. He didn't even want to get on the trampoline. That's when the climbing started. Running away from me and climbing up and over things. He loves, loves, loves the balance beam now. He still needs a bit of help from me every now and then because he inevitably loses focus and topples. But for the most part, he does pretty well. I'd have taken pictures, but have you ever tried taking pictures of a toddler in motion?

This does not bode well for my nerves.

Starbucks Struggling for Sales

Howard Schultz built Starbucks from the ground up, left, and is back again. What's he doing? In an attempt to prevent a further decline in sales, he's considering a loyalty program. Something along the lines of free coffees or discounts to customers who use prepaid Starbucks Cards.

Fina-friggin-ly

They might also consider...drumroll please...wait for it...hold your breath...dropping prices! Well, lowering prices on food and drink combinations. Eh, it's a start.

Bloomberg via L.A. Eater

Toddler Oddities: Food

One of his most recent inclinations is to play with and suck on lemon pulp. One day, he was whining that he wanted what I had. Well, I had just squeezed the juice from a lemon, so I have him a taste. He winced, and proceeded to ask for more. So I gave him the lemon half. He played with it for no less than 10-15 minutes. (Non-toddler parents may be thinking "pssshhht...10 minutes? Whatever." But those who know...know the miracle of 10 minutes.)

Sunday at dinner, I served a lemon wedge for the asparagus. After squeezing it on, MetaDaddy gave it to MetaToddler, though mostly to elicit amusing facial expressions. Instead, much to MetaDaddy's dismay, the kid seemed to enjoy it. In fact, he started a game where he put the lemon wedge in MetaDaddy's mouth for seconds at a time, and I nearly fell over laughing at the cringe. Oh, how his devious plan failed.

So, MetaToddler not only doesn't mind lemon, he seems to like it. This goes along with my affinity for the fruit. Since childhood, I've loved eating lemons. It's terrible for your teeth (wears away the enamel), but it's oh so mouth watering...mmm...

Besides the big eyes, he's definitely ma boy :-D

Cat Humor: Simon's Cat

I suspect even people who have never had a cat will laugh out loud at these animations. But if you know what cats are like, it might bring you to tears.

Simon's Cat "Cat Man Do"



Simon's Cat "Let Me In!"

Around the Internet: Food

Advice changes for preventing baby allergies - The most recent advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding food allergies. Turns out, its not all parents' fault.

"Breast-feeding helps prevent babies’ allergies, but there’s no good evidence for avoiding certain foods during pregnancy, using soy formula or delaying introduction of solid foods beyond six months."

Maple Bacon Lollipops via Daily Candy - They're made from organic, sustainable, cured bacon and organic Vermont maple syrup. The only catch in my book? It's a maple-bacon lollipop. Ewww!!

Does Grease Taste Nicer at Feng Shui McDonald's? - You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig. I'm just saying.

Ben & Jerry's - They're fighting to label their products rBGH free (Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone). I don't know about you, but I want to know where my food comes from, and how much chemical treatment it's received. If you like knowing that your that your dairy products are rBGH free, help voice your concern on the issue of allowing producers to label their products as such.

Weening MetaMommy

I nursed MetaToddler until he was 15 months old. He weened me once I got pregnant. I've heard the milk just doesn't taste quite the same, which is possibly why he was no longer interested. And when I saw this photo on Post Secret, I couldn't help but think...


Cute baby, huh!!

Shopping on Etsy

I just love trolling Etsy for fun and new things. It's like eBay, only for handmade stuff. I think I'm more mesmerized at the thought of actually making stuff. I like crafts, but I'm not crafty by any stretch. I lack the motivation to try, really. I still haven't finished the scarf I started way, way, way back when it was still cool.

In any event, a few things I'm keen on these days.



Flirty Aprons - Doesn't this make you just want to bake something tarty?

Reusable Produce Bags - Maybe you already have your reusable large bags in order, but what about the bags to put your many onions, potatoes, and carrots? Obviously, Etsy has something for that. They come in a set of 3, and in sizes of small, medium, large, and extra-large.

Bang! Bags - I ordered one of these bags for a few reasons.

• It's very reasonable ($20 including shipping when I purchased it).
  
• It's handmade in Argentina, which means it's also shipped from there. While my *green* pursuits would keep me from happily ordering something from so far away, I also like supporting small business pursuits, especially in a country so near to my roots (i.e., Chile).
  
• I wanted something small and light to carry MetaToddler's various necessities in. This hardly weighs more than a t-shirt, but it's nice and sturdy.
  

The bag is very light, fun, and colorful. Sometimes, we all need a bit of color, no?

My current system:

• purse with everything I need, plus Cheerios and baby wipes;
• a mini-diaper bag (diapers, wipes, rash ointment, change of clothes);
• the Etsy bag with a couple of small books, sippy cup, jacket, wipes, spoon, and bib
  

I always carry my purse, I leave the mini-diaper bag in the car for emergencies, and I have the Etsy bag ready at all times (though I might add an orange or banana at the last minute), and take it if we'll be out for more than an hour (i.e., ready for emergency entertaining and feeding). As a result, I don't carry a huge bag, nor am I generally ever short of necessities for him. Though as he gets older, the number of things needed to entertain him increases. But for now, food still does the trick :-)

Emeril Green on Discovery

Looking to "green" up your kitchen routine? So is Emeril. He's got a new show on the Discovery Channel called Emeril Green where he helps "real" people do just that. If you're looking for help, or you've got a challenge that Emeril can tackle, perhaps you're one of the people the producers are looking for ;-)

"We are casting enthusiastic and fun people with creative and interesting kitchen challenges for our new show, Emeril Green, to air on Planet Green beginning in July. This could be your chance to receive cooking tips and recipes tailored specifically to your needs by Emeril Lagasse, one of America's most-beloved chefs.

"We are actively searching for real people with real cooking dilemmas: Please e-mail your basic information (name, address, age, occupation), your culinary challenge, and a recent picture to foodshowcasting [at] gmail [dot] com."

MetaToddler Update

I don't mean to bore you, but this is probably more a family update than one of my usual posts. You have been warned ;-)

Things our little Boogie has been up to lately:

• Taught MetaDaddy how to sign avocado.
• Made up a sign for monkey. Does it with the "ooo ooo, ah, ah" sound effects.
  
• Made up and taught us a sign for tissue/baby wipe.
• He'll ask for a tissue and wipes his own nose. Not very successfully, but a good start.
• He learned to kiss, and is getting a lot of joy out of it. He'll kiss either of us or blow kisses upon request.
• We take our shoes off when we get home in an attempt to avoid tracking outside dirt inside. It really does work! We tend to leave our shoes lined up near the door at the bottom of the stairs. One day, MetaDaddy took his shoes off quickly to dash after MetaToddler. When we passed the door later, we realized all the shoes were neatly lined up in their usual spot. Our little Virgo at it again :-x
• He used to go to sleep pretty easily. That is, after his night time rituals, he would lie down in his crib, thumb in mouth, and drift off into a quiet slumber. Then, for no apparent reason, he stopped. Every time we put him in his crib, he would scream, cry, etc. At first we reacted by comforting and doing what we could assuming that it was teething or something else. Then we realized he was just being stubborn. Surprise, surprise. He just didn't want to go to sleep, despite being miserably tired. Nap time was just as bad. We kept to our same ritual and slowly, things have gotten better. Then one day for nap time, I left him in his crib and said "night, night." We waved at each other, blew each other some kisses, I closed the door...and silence. Golden. I'm sooooo crossing my fingers for a trend :-D
  
• Every time he sees me use a brush or comb, he asks for it by signing brush and proceeds to "brush" his hair.
• He danced to a Madonna song. It was totally unprompted since I don't really like Madonna.
• We saw a fire truck recently, and it's wailing siren really got MetaToddler's attention. Since then, he signs car every time he hears a siren, truck, plane, etc. If we're at home, he'll run to the window and look out for the fire truck.
• Some new favorite snacks: blueberries, mango, dried fruit (e.g., cranberries, cherries, black currants).

OK, that's it for now. No really, I'm done. Whew!

Food Inflation

As inflation starts to become abundantly clear in our every day lives, I'm starting to see more people react to the changes (e.g., Cathy at Chief Family Officer). How do you react when staples like eggs, milk, and flour are steadily on the rise?

Per this article,

"Corn prices have more than doubled in commodity markets over two years, and soybeans nearly tripled, according to DTN, a commodities analysis firm in Omaha. Meanwhile, with poor harvests in major wheat-producing regions, wheat prices have more than tripled."

As corn prices have gone through the roof, so too have those of products that depend on them like milk, beef, and some sweeteners. Wheat prices impact bread, pasta, and a number of other basics that most consumer rely on. Not to mention cupcakes :-D

Perhaps another food related concern to start watching out for is the menu at your favorite restaurant. If average families are feeling the pinch with groceries, it goes without saying that a restaurant or bakery will have a significant reaction. How do they deal with rising costs? How long do they absorb the losses? Do they change the menu or raise prices?

Our favorite local Italian restaurant opted to raise prices. Ugh.


When even McDonald's has to change their Dollar Menu to "Dollar Menu & More," you know the times, they are a changing.

The Wall Street Journal reports that a lot of restaurants are opting for menu changes. Restaurants ranging from popular hot dog stands (e.g., Pink's in Los Angeles) to high-end New York eateries are adding more profitable menu items like pasta, and sometimes eliminating loss leaders (e.g., rib eye steaks). The high cost of meat has also made some restaurants reconsider how to prepare it, while making sure nothing goes to waste. Some are decreasing portion sizes (fine in my book since portion sizes are usually obscene in the first place). And the weak dollar means that European treats like extra-virgin olive oil, wines, and cheeses are far too expensive to use carelessly. In fact, some restaurants have started looking for high-quality local substitutes, which seems like a good practice for the economy and the environment.

Time Bandit

Ah, I'm not a fan of Daylight Savings. It's possibly my least liked day of the year. Why? After all, you get the benefit of longer days, brighter evenings, and that "summer" feeling from March thru November. Well, I don't like any day of the year that steals an hour of sleep from me, even if I do get it back in November (incidentally, my favorite day of the year). It's just wrong on so many levels. A lot of people like Daylight Savings. MetaDaddy is one of those people. We'll just have to agree to disagree on that one.

Of course, family and friends in other countries (e.g., Ireland) haven't lost that hour yet. Since we moved our Daylight Savings forward, they've got another few weeks of yummy sleep, as do most other countries it seems. Then again, most of MetaDaddy's family is probably looking forward to longer days of daylight.

This is a good time to remember certain things like testing and changing the batteries in smoke alarms.

Enjoy!!

Revision: In addition to changing the time on your clocks, don't forget to change the time on other things set on timers like lamps, front door lighting, sprinklers, etc. You probably don't need the light in the living room on at 5PM any more ;-)

French Laundry at Home

I have a few challenging cook books. I fell in love with each of them, which is obviously why I bought them. However, over time I've come to realize that following through with a complicated recipe is...well...complicated. You devote a lot of time, money, and energy in the simple act of shopping for groceries. In fact, I would only ever attempt these time consuming recipes on weekends back when it was just MetaDaddy and me. That was my free time. My me time.

Today, there is no me time.

Today, I got my eyebrows done. Feeling civilized once again, for a nominal fee. And I got 30 minutes where I didn't have to placate an annoyed male roommate.

(no offense, darlings)

Anyway, the marathon cooking and baking sessions from the days of yore are no more. Today, it's quick, simple, and tasty recipes, and even garnishes strike me as a bit too fussy and time-consuming. That said, a little chopped mint never hurt anyone.

Still, I look at blogs like this one and just read, and read, and read...in awe that someone would take the time to chop a "pineapple chop" (as in a pork or lamb chop), simply for the art of food. But I guess that's the challenge you set forth for yourself when you seek out to recreate the "French Laundry at Home."

Tomorrows Challenge at the MetaHome: Following through with pancakes. Ohh! Or maybe French Toast!!

Auto and Driver's Tips

How Car Insurance Works - Baffled at how your auto insurance company determines how much to charge you for your preferred mode of transportation? They combine their loss data with that of the Highway Loss Data Institute. You can view and compare some interesting data on the costs of injury, collision and theft on all sorts of different cars.

New California Law - As of July 1, 2008, California drivers may only use a cell phone "if it has a hands-free listening and speaking system." There are also a few more laws that impact teen drivers here. All good stuff, though the wording that the phone need only have a hands-free option leaves room for loopholes in my opinion. I'm also a bit disappointed at the measly little fees. Per the AAA,

"Drivers ticketed for either offense will be subject to a base fine of $20 (at least $70 after penalties are added) for a first offense and $50 (at least $175 after penalties are added) for subsequent offenses."

Watch your tire pressure! Both of our cars have tire-inflation sensors. My sensor came on recently, and MetaDaddy inflated the tires. It turns out that my tires were at about 20 psi, though they should have been closer to 35. And when he checked his tires, they were even worse, though the car's sensor didn't alert him. I usually watch out for underinflated tires (it's a quirky hobby), and ours looked fine, which really got me to thinking that your tires can be severely underinflated without being visibly obvious. And if it's really obvious, you must be in serious trouble. Per the AAA, the "tire-inflation sensors are designed to give a warning when a tire is 25% underinflated." Perhaps our sensor is on the fritz. Hmm...

Why is an underinflated tire bad? It could cause:

• A blowout
• Increased stopping distance when braking
• Sluggish handling
  
• Poor gas mileage
  

So while the sensors can be handy, don't take your tires for granted. And if you know their underinflated, go fix 'em for goodness' sake!

Around the Internet

Cooking with Coolio via L.A. Eater - This is funny, if you like a certain kind of humor. It's the potty mouth gangsta rapper comedy that reminds me oh so much of Dave Chappelle. Does Dave Chappelle make you want to change the channel? Then don't watch this "Damn Channel."

The Challenges of Having More Kids - A mathematical analysis from a family with 4 boys. Yes, FOUR BOYS!

OCD in a Restaurant - Do you watch Monk? I watch it...I love it! Nothing like a severely OCD detective to make you fee sane and normal, even during your most neurotic of habits (e.g., stair counting). But this article really makes you appreciate how debilitating OCD can be, especially when eating out.

Grand Canyon's deluge by design - In an attempt to mimic natural cycles on the river, aman-made flood was released in the Grand Canyon to help restore its ecosystem. 300,000 gallons of water per second. The result:

"The Colorado's water level rose by a couple of feet in some places and as much as 15 feet in narrower parts. After the flood ends Friday, officials hope the water will leave behind sediment and restore sandbars as it goes back to normal levels."

Cool.

Better Restaurant Experiences

Some of my favorite blogs are food blogs. And because of my insatiable appetite for Los Angeles restaurant gossip, I always find myself blog-hopping to read a blurb about this restaurant or that.

My conclusion: if you want good service, take photos of your meal. My theory is staff and owners tend to be suspicious of customers photographing their meals, and as such, offer better service. I'm sure they'd know you're not a food critic, but how do they know you're not a blogger? And as such, how can any restaurant afford to have a mediocre representation of their restaurant floating around on the internet, with photos and all?

Just a theory. I'm thinking of trying it some day. But if you beat me to the punchline, do share your experience. And if the chef comes out to greet you, tell him/her that MetaMommy says "hi."

Book Club: Yays and Woes

I like my book club. It's an opportunity to get together with a bunch of relatively like-minded women with interesting perspectives, pursuits, and backgrounds. Our reactions to books are generally all over the place, when we all manage to read the novel in question, that is. It makes for fun debates. And inevitably, we meander through topics ranging from politics to tabloid gossip to chocolate.  Always chocolate.

I felt a bit guilty not reading this month's selection, but I got a bit distracted. We had 6 weeks between meetings, and I kept thinking "I have loads of time." Then, I was down to two weeks. Then one. My only vindication was in knowing that the book was truly depressing, and as such, I probably wouldn't have finished it. I'm not good with depressing topics these days ;-)

Moving right along, I've decided to get cracking and get the selection for this month, "Places to Stay the Night" by Ann Hood. No, not a travel guide, silly. Unfortunately, my local library doesn't carry it. And since it's out of print, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, and the author's website don't carry it new, though some do carry it used. Yes, used is cheaper. However, it's the worst of both worlds, isn't it? Used AND not free. Even worse, if it turns out that I don't like it, it'll find it's way to my bookshelf until I manage to expunge it from my collection. Funny enough, if I do end up liking it, it'll be gone in no time because I'll be excited to share it with others.

The cost of literacy and socializing, I suppose :-P

Daylight Saving Appoacheth

Did you know Daylight Savings is coming up? Yup, it is. Sunday, March 9th, to be exact.

On that note, this Washington Post article on Surviving Daylight Saving Switch. The Post isn't known for comedy, but as far as I'm concerned, this is not one of those times.

When an article suggests that one start adjusting to a one hour change a few days beforehand, well, I must read on.

A few of the more entertaining tips:

• Modify your eating schedule by having dinner one hour earlier.
• Be careful when driving or operating machinery on the day of the time change.
• Keep a light schedule -- such as minimizing driving and avoiding strenuous physical activity -- on the Monday after the time change.

Seriously, if you have kids or if you've ever endured jet lag, this is precious. Who seriously follows these tips? And what did people do before this article was written?

I'm just saying.