How to Survive a Kitchen Remodel

or not, the story is in the process of being told.

Today is the day before the kitchen remodel is scheduled to begin.  I haven't heard from my contractor regarding arrival time but I hope to get an answer tonight.  I've spent a lot of time leading up to this day doing a ton of work.  What started out in my mind to be a one stop shop for a contractor to handle it all turned into me doing most of it myself.  I don't know what I was thinking especially considering how I am that I thought I could just turn this over to someone else and have it happen.  After doing my research and learning more than I cared to learn in the beginning.  I've purchased what I could, made decisions that the contractor will take care of, I emptied the rooms, packing up everything in the kitchen, family room, dining room, hall, entry and laundry room, I set up a kitchen in the garage for possible semi food prep and cooking and now I wait.  At some point tomorrow it will get underway.  The large furniture will be moved out of the rooms and I assume demo will begin.  Wish me luck.  Hopefully I haven't forgotten anything too important.

I've shopped and purchased my

• appliances
• plumbing supplies (sink 9/18, garbage disposal 9/16)
• granite (this took me over 10 visits to the granite shop)
• door handle (9/16)

After getting several bids or looking around I chose

• contractor
• cabinet maker, the design, door type and stain
• windows model and type
• flooring
• front door

I still need to do the following:

• Finalize my tile choice and purchase what is needed
• Choose the glass for some of the cabinet doors
• Choose and purchase knobs
• Discuss the lighting situation (can lights 5" or 6" and should their be 4" cans over the sink)
• Choose and purchase kitchen/family room paint
• Choose and purchase office paint

Phase 2 and beyond:

• Round two have contractor install office closet door
• Get office painted.
• Purchase new screen door (32 1/4 x 74" inside dim; 35 11/16" x 77 6/16" outside dimensions; 1 7/8" frame)Purchase:  kitchen rugs (sink and runner), family room rug, couch & love seat, coffee table, end table, lamps, sofa table and rubber trim for shower door.

 

 

 

My Year in 2011

2011

• January:  North Beach tour 5*, Dinner Monticitini J&J
  
• February: Superbowl party, Wine tasting Napa
• March:  Dinner Monticitini M&D
  
• April: SF tours begin; Rock of Ages play, "Sunday's a Drag" show at the Sir Francis Drake, Dinner with neighbors, Napa w/J
• May: Derby Party, Cars concert with J&J, PA visit 24-29: Bridesmade, Hangover 2, Totem by Cirque de Sole, Lunch with friend on bday
• June: New recipes- my version (Stuffed Pepper Soup from PA), Chicken cakes, cold cucumber soup, carmelized onion jam, Wine tasting:  tried 4 new wineries,  Lunch with friend on bday, 1st day in pool
• July: Alameda county fair with A&D, Grad party, Terabuddies picnic
• August: Sonoma wine tasting with J&J, Cuda Ridge Livermore new release party, Port Costa car show, Sour Flour bread class, New fence installed, FL friends visit in SF (Nob Hill tour and The Boulevard restaurant
• September:  SF tours, Charlotte NC vacation, New recipes:  Plum Rosemary jam - too sour, sundried tomato jam, CA State fair with J&J
• October:  Octoberfest - Clayton, Stroke 9 concert at the Parlour, Sour Flour Bread Baking class, Halloween Party
• November:  PA for Thanksgiving, drove down to TN from PA to visit relatives
• December:  Monday night football with friends, Christmas:  Mission Impossible movie and Japanese food with A&D.  Wine tasting with M&D after Christmas.  Christmas breakfast with JB crew, New Years Eve spent in SF, scouting out new bars, comedy club with Greg Proops, dinner at Perry's and fireworks on the Embarcadero with J&J.  Dinner with friends J&J and D&M.  Monday night football at Masses with J&J&J.  December was a good month for visiting friends.

?  Some months were just a blur looking back.  I'm not quite sure what happened.  New years resolution:  Take better notes!

2011 Resolutions I accomplished were spending more time with family and friends, trying and mastering some recipes, got a bit more organized, kept up the walking, did new things and visited new places, Yelper, Examiner writer, Blogger, became more green, ate better until the holidays hit.

2012 brings new resolutions and new challenges.  I hope to continue the good work I put in place in 2011 and develop some new good habits like meditating, learning a new skill and as always loose a few pounds.

Life and this weekend's happenings

This weekend was packed full of different people.  We stopped by a new winery in Livermore called the Big White House and I fell in love with the Peach Champagne.  It is my new replacement for my Little Valley Raspberry Champagne.  When I get new neighbors I like to bring over something and introduce myself.  I found that the Raspberry Champagne was a good thing to bring.  Some are white wine drinkers and some are red but mostly everyone celebrates at some point or another with a bottle of champagne and the flavored champagnes make it more palatable for those who don't drink.  The Big White House was not big or white but instead was a small brownish red barn, not very impressive when your expecting the big white house.  Once inside the walls were lined with paintings and the servers were friendly.  The paintings were done by the daughter of the wine maker and the cool thing was that they use some of these paintings as their wine labels.  So when giving a bottle as a gift, art is also represented.  My most recent favorite song is "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry and they had a painting that reminded me of it, a lady in white floating on the water on water lily's.  The artist should do another rendition with roses instead of lily's and send a note to the band.  She might get some recognition that she is not getting now with  her paintings hanging in the winery or maybe the band would want to commission it.  By the way the tastings are $5 but are returned if you purchase a bottle.  (I rate this place a R3.5; champagne and people 4, wine 3)

Next stop was Concannon winery, again $5 tasting, beautiful grounds but I wasn't crazy enough about the wine to purchase any.  It was a bit busy so you didn't get the personal attention I like when going wine tasting.  It however was improved from the last time we went, many years ago.  They have it now broken into three sections, tastings, reserve tastings and then wine and tapas bar.  Outside a guitar playing was strumming his songs so if I could find a wine I like my preferred choice would be to have a glass outside, listen to the music and give the tapas a try.  Last but not least they had the best smelling bathroom I've ever been in.  I rate this place R3 (3 out of 5 stars).

We have been to almost all of the Livermore wineries, under 20 left to do so we should finish them this year and I'll be able to go back to my ratings list to see if they stood the test of time and would I rate them the same.   For my complete list, click here.

Last stops of the day were visiting a couple of friends at the local pubs but unfortunately that wasn't too exciting so home we went. 

On Sunday we went to Chucks Annual ASP picnic which consists of mostly old Zehntel / Teradyne people from Walnut Creek, this is where I come in.  I had been looking forward to my BBQ hot dog all year and it didn't disappoint.  Come to find out it was a Kirkland Beef Frank from Costco and it is now my new favorite hot dog, bye bye Ball Park Franks.   It is so nice of Chuck and Harold to put on this BBQ every year.  You get to see people that you only see once a year which is nice.  It's a family reunion.

My Year in 2010

I hate the question, What have you been up to? I immediately draw a blank and feel a little useless and I hate that. I can never remember what I have been up to or what I have done recently be it fun, interesting or just simply the day to day stuff. I never know what to say. I want to be able to answer this question and feel good about my answer.

Last year I wrote down on a monthly basis what I did that was fun or something I might want to tell that person who asked the dreaded question, What have you been up to? I don't know if it made it better because I probably never had the list handy but looking back on 2010 I feel pretty good now and this is probably not even a complete list. This year I would like to have a picture to associate with each of the items and I'll post it so I can look back at my post and remember the fun times. Even looking back at what is below reminded me of things I forgot about and I am happy. I hope for an even more interesting and exciting 2011 even though it is almost half over there is still time.

2010

• January:  Trip to Reno 16-19
• February:  Trip to New Orleans 4-8; Caveman play 12; Birthday
• March:  Worked on Rental property (no fun)
• May:  Trip to Florida
• June:  SF tours begin (Haight and North Beach)
• July:  Pleasanton Fair (Tonic and horse races); Giants Games (Marlins and Dodgers)
• August:  49er Football game
• October:  Halloween Party
• November:  Visit to PA; Annie play, Thanksgiving at Aunt Nonie's
• December:  Christmas:  Made cinnamon rolls from scratch (great), movie The Fockers and Chinese dinner with Deb, Rosemary and hubbies.

Bucket List

I think it is necessary to have goals and for me a list or "lists" work best.  I'm a chronic list writer.  I have lists for everything.  I thought I would publish my bucket list to have a tiny bit of accountability for me and just to know I've put it out there and hopefully I will be able to cross off some things over time.  As life changes so might my bucket list so some things may never happen and that is OK but it will be nice to see how it goes.  As I complete the item I'll date and put in in italics.  Posted:  4/11/2011. 

1. Travel the world
     a. Ireland: Dublin, Cork, Galway, Mayo
     b. Italy:  Milan, Naples, Verona, Turin, Bologna, Perugia, Genoa
     c. Greece:  Athens
     d. Australia
     f.  New Zealand
     g. Alaska
     h. Sweden
     i.  Norway
     j. Switzerland
     k. Scotland
     l.  South of France
    m. Fiji
    n.  African Safari
    o.  Stonehenge:  England
    p.  Great Wall of China
    q.  Pyramids
     r. Amsterdam
    s. Dutch tulip garden in April/May
2. All 50 States (minus the one's I've been to) plus the Grand Canyon: AZ, Yellowstone: WY, White house: DC, Hollywood sign: CA, Mt. Rushmore: SD, HI (Volcanoes National Park), Mackinac Island, Graceland-Memphis TN, 911 Memorial-NY
3. Singing lessons
4. Cooking lessons
5. Meat physic John Edward
6. Scuba Certified
7. Do a Zip line.  Sonoma Canapy Zip is the one I want to try.
8. 10-12 day cruise (I've realized I'm not a cruiser, feel trapped and need more to do but eat buffets, gamble and sit by the pool)
10. Glass Blowing or fusing and slumping class at Public Glass in SF or in Berkeley at Revere Glass School.
11. Learn a foreign language (French fun, Spanish practical)
13. Kayak on a lake
14. Publish my cookbook
16. Mosaic class (do again to gain confidence and complete projects)
17. Refinishing class (do again to gain confidence and complete projects)
18.  Jet Pack Adventures in Key West (90 min ride over the water for $250)
22.  Green Thumb (successful yearly vegetable gardener)
23.  Master my camera settings and photoshop
25.  Learn to Golf (take a class with a girlfriend JB)
26.  Drive a Segway
27.  Drive a GoCart like the one's in SF
28.  Hit my goal weight
29.  Learn to meditate and practice it regularly
30.  Learn to make wine
33.  Burnng Man in Black Rock Deert (Aug/Sept).  Buy tix early, they sold out in July for 2011.
34.  The Great Jack O Lantern Blaze in NY
35:  Rocky Horror Picture Show (1st Sat of month in Livermore, CA)

Since my bucket list is continually growing I thought I would move my accomplishments off the list to make it more clear.

• Palates class  - 2011
• "Sunday's a DRAG" the drag queen show at the Sir Francis Drake (5/1/2011)
• American Idiot:  July 5, 2012
• Priscilla:  Queen of the Desert
• Stained glass class
• Canning all types of foods
• Master all my favorite recipes/foods - WIP
• New restaurants and bars, monthly (on my list) - WIP
• Get to know SF like I got to know Boston (more than just where the tourists go)
• Painting class 2014
• Take a pottery class 2014
• Cher 7/2/2014
• Photography class 2014
• Caribbean (Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay & Nassau 2016, one and done)
• Rome, Venice, Florence, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Coliseum (2017)

Sadly #2 had to be removed from my Bucket list because it is no longer an option

• Oprah show 2011 (check site for lottery times)

Good Posture is Important

I know this first hand and I never thought I had bad posture.  Sure I cuddle up on the couch and I may not sit properly at my desk but I am aware when I am hunched over at a restaurant or bar because I notice how bad or how much of a lump people look like when they slump over and don't sit up straight.  It also makes you look heavier and just less attractive.

So when my hip started hurting I visited my doctor.  I ended up in physical therapy.  They told me my lower back was the problem, not my hip.  After spending over $300 in copay the end result was sit up straight.  So now I'll try and save you from wasting $300.  Try sitting up straight and not sitting too much.

Here are some other things I have read:

• Take the wall test.  Stand with your head, shoulder blades and buttocks touching a wall with your heals 2-4 inches away from it.  Slide your hand behind the curve in your lower back.  You'll feel about one hand's thickness of space between your back and the wall.  If there's too much space, tighten your abdominal muscles.  If there's too little space, arch your back.  Walk away from he wall and maintain this posture.
• Keep your body in alignment when sitting.  Rest both feet flat on the floor while keeping your knees level with your hips.  Sit with your back against the chair, suing a cushion if you need support.  Stretch you head toward the ceiling and tuck your chin in slightly.  Keep your upper back and neck straight and shoulders relaxed (not rounded or pulled backward).
• Exercise to strengthen your core.  Start with easy stretches and exercises.  Check out AARPs site.  Work up to taking classes in Pilate's, yoga and strength training.  If you already have back or other physical problems, talk to your doctor before you start a program, and work with a physical therapist or personal trainer (briefly for exercises you can do at home).
• Keep your bones strong:  Maintain a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.  To prevent osteoporosis, do weight bearing exercise such as walking, jogging and climbing stairs.  Strong bones and good muscle support will help you make correct posture a habit.

Happy New Year and a Wish for a GREAT 2011

Resolutions don't always go as planned but I always set some.  I don't always complete my resolutions but it is imperative for me to have goals, no matter how small and if I have a few at least one will get completed.

• Loose 15 lbs
• Master a list of homemade foods
• Spend more time with friends
• Manage the budget better and do I dare say.......
• Get a job? #$%;* Writing it down is even scary :)

Now that the holidays have come to a close it is time for me to get focused and figure out how I want 2011 to be.  I started my planning of what I want out of 2011 the first of the year but it wasn't officially kicked off until two weeks ago and not to the best of my ability until this Monday. The daily walk, check, grocery shopping while watching my budget not to go overboard so I don't waste food, check, better healthy choices (this coming Monday) and I applying for various jobs each week, check.  Not a bad start so far but now here I sit on the computer.  The computer is probably something I need to curtail, not waste too much time on it.  Maybe this is another resolution I should add. 

• Don't waste a lot of time on the computer.  Set time limits per day to 1 hour max, not including job stuff.

What I need to do is focus on what I really want out of life.  So many of us do, do, do but don't realize that want we are doing doesn't fulfill us.  I know there are things that will never give me any fulfillment, like cleaning the house or doing laundry, but I know it must be done and after it is done I am glad if a guest pops over.  Beyond the chores we all must do things to sustain our self, I want to spend the rest of my time doing things that make me happy, fulfill my life, my passions and not spend time on stupid things that are not appreciated by me or anyone else.  What are those things, that is what I really need to figure out.  OK another resolution.

• Figure out what fulfills me
• Spend my time doing things that make me happy, fulfill my life and my passions.

One thing I know is I love to write.  I love going to and learning about new places, meeting new people and entertaining, trying new dishes and mastering a favorite dish at home.  Maybe my blog this year will be more about me.  Towards the end of the year it was all about shopping.  I became obsessed.  It was a great shopping tool for me and I think going forward when I need to purchase a present this will be a great resource to start my shopping adventures but I would like to get out of the spending money mode now.  The other side benefit of posting my shopping finds was it gave me less paper clutter, another new years resolution.

• Get more organized and stay that way.

So follow me along my adventures of 2011 as I discovers what works and what doesn't, what I love and what I hate, who I spend time with and who gets cut from the list, where we spend our money and what we can live without, etc., etc., etc.

I am going to try do my best at least most of the time.

The first  week of January was a slow start for me.  Hubby's finally back to work so I can get back into my regular routine.  It's funny how when he is home I feel that I must sit by him and entertain him.  Even when that is not what I actually do "entertain him".  But for some strange reason, I feel I can't do what I would normally do.  It's strange because it's nothing he does to make me feel this way I just feel I can't do what I would normally do.  I guess I feel this way when guests are over also.  I must entertain or at least be in the room with them doing nothing.  Week two went pretty good, cooking, looking for a job and accomplishing most of my daily/weekly action items.  What I didn't do is cook healthy enough.  We had mac and cheese, short ribs with mashed potatoes and heavy cream, broccoli beef with spinach and rice.  Some of these were not too bad but beef two times in a week is something I try and stay away from and mac and cheese although my favorite is something I try and not do too often.

Now it's week three, as I make out my weekly menu today I'll try and do healthier options.  Wish me luck!

RANT: Are you connected or just think you are

I am amazed at how people are so "connected" now a days but in reality they are truly disconnected.  They have their cell phones, texting, Facebook, Twitter, email, Blogs, Farmville, Cityville, and what ever alternate universe you want to live in besides the real world. 

People have tons of friends on Facebook yet did you hear about the girl who said she was going to commit suicide and none of her so called "friends" went over to her house to help her.  So sad.  If you don't see your friends, talk to them on the phone, plan face to face time with them or help them when they need you,  you are not really friends or at least not as good as friends as you could be. 

Up until now I have not been texting but I am about to embark on this new phase of "being in touch" with my friends.  As each new phase enters I hope that this will help keep me in touch with people but I don't believe it actually works like I hope it will.  I will keep my "stupid texts" to Facebook.  I will not pay to just chat.  I plan on using texting to tell people what we are doing so they can join us if they like.  I will see how this works out.  I refuse however to pay over $60 for a plan to help me stay connected that doesn't really connect me so instead I will keep my plan to a minimum $30 with minimal minutes and texting and instead spend this extra money on getting together with people and going out.

Using Facebook as an example.   I thought how great especially for those friends who live across the country who I can't see very often.  It would give me a chance to keep up to date on what's going on in their life's without having to put a ton of effort into it.  When I said this I should have realized that THIS is the key.  Friendship requires effort and without it you are merely acquaintances, coworkers or passerby.  But to keep things positive when I first started facebook I realized that I was learning about some people that I wouldn't normally call to talk.  Some I'm related to so it gave me an opportunity to get to know them better and in turn I think they are getting to know me better.  Then I learned that some FB friends are just looky loos.  I think they may feel like big brother is watching so they don't want to clue you in on what's going on in their life's so unfortunately I find that I talk but no one else does.  Sadly I haven't learned a lot about these friends.  I would like to feel more in touch with those who I can't stay in touch with on a regular basis and for those that never say something, speak up.

I did go dark for about a week on Facebook and decided to try Twitter but this was even more odd.  I was telling strangers what was going on.  People follow you and they don't even know you.  I don't even understand how they found me and why.  This lasted for about a week and back to Facebook I went.  I still tweet every so often if it is an informative tweet, nothing personal.

After awhile I decided to go dark on FB and try Twitter.  When it came about I grabbed my name but never really gave it a try.  I gave it a try for about a week and found that it was similar to FB in the fact that I talked but no one else did and in this case I was talking to total strangers.  Why did these people decide to follow me since after a year of not saying anything I decided to talk.  Are there automatic programs out there that glob onto new Tweets, hoping to find out something they can screw you over on.  Now I became paranoid.  I don't understand why someone would follow a nobody like me.  I can kinda understand it with celebrities, some people like to know what celebrities are doing, or with companies so you can get a discount or even with a tweeter who has knowledgeable things to say and you find that what they say makes sense or helps you through your day but me, with my limited tweeting, of nothing, doesn't make any sense.  After a week I gave up tweeting and went back to FB.  At least here those "friends" who are stalkers are friends or people I know and don't mind them knowing what's going on in my life.  They are more than acquaintances and maybe through FB some will become more than that.  I can only hope and I will continue to do it for simply the satisfaction it gives me.  When someone asks what I've been up to  I can say "follow me on FB and find out" because my memory is SHOT!

RANT - Comcast Cable Service

I am so sick of the crap that Comcast Cable Service continues to pull on their loyal customers.  They run what they call promotions (I call scams) that give you a break if you have all three services for short periods of time.  If you don't remember to stay on top of them and call them before your promotion expires they quickly jack up you bill (mine went from 79 to 89 to 110 in the past three months.  When I called and asked what the deal was they were quick to put me back on the promotion I had before when I told them I wanted to cancel my service.  I do not want a service that I have to call every six months to get on the latest promotion or get screwed by a new price each month.  If each time I call you give me the promotion price then it's not really a promotion it is what you should be charging me and instead you hope and pray I forget so you can screw me with a higher bill.  This isn't right.  It isn't good business practices so I cancelled my phone and cable TV service.  Unfortunately in San Ramon, CA there doesn't seem to be another option for high speed Internet connections.  You need at last 6Mbps for Netflix.  We currently have 12-14 which is very slow at times so I don't see how one can survive with less when 12-14 will sometimes hang up Netflix.  I hate the monopoly called Comcast Cable.

Funny thing is (well maybe not so funny to me) that when I cancelled two of the three services I had I only saved $10/month.  I will still be paying $65 vs the $73.52 I was paying "promotion price".  If you have more services, the Internet is only $44.95+5.00 but for only one service your punished with a higher price of $60+5.  No matter how long you have been a loyal customer.

I also wrote to 7 on your side who forwarded my letter to Comcast who called me.  You can see that rant on Yelp.

Funniest thing, when I published this post the following Google Ad came up on my page.  AHHHHH, what a load of crap!

Comcast - Official Site

Sign Up for Comcast Digital Cable Only $29.99/mo/1 Yr With 6 Mos HBO
www.Comcast.com

MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIES

It is my tradition to watch all my favorite Christmas movies during the month of December.  I try and start on December first but if I forget my reminder is when I see the first cartoon advertised on TV.  Do you remember the Shick Razor commercial where Santa rode the razor down the snowy mountain.  I use to love that commercial, classic.

I'm sure most of you have seen these cartoons/movies but if not rent it and give it a try.  Maybe it will become one of your favorite holiday shows.

• Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
• Frosty the Snowman
• Santa Claus is Coming to Town
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• A Year Without a Santa Claus
• Santa Clause 1, 2, & 3 with Tim Allen (#1 is my favorite)

Toxic Chemicals found in Seafood Imported from Asia - Join the Boycot

I can't believe this video from the Today Show.   I will no longer be purchasing any seafood from China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia or from my local supermarket, bulk food store (like Costco) or restaurants that doesn't say or they can't tell me the country of origin.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Going forward, do every US citizen including your own family a favor and purchase fish from US fishermen, raised in US fisheries or from US waters.  You will not only be supporting our economy, your local fishermen, but you will be avoiding toxic chemicals that are being found in seafood from Asian countries.  These chemicals are known to cause cancer, anemia and birth defects.  Per the clip from the Today show the seafood with the worst records are:  shrimp, catfish, crab and talapia.  We are purchasing this seafood from local supermarkets or consuming it at local restaurants.  This seafood imported from China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia or Indonesia can be from toxic waters, filled with sewage, contain toxic antibiotics or US banned drugs. 

This is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.  Let your politicians know that this is not an acceptable practice and the FDA needs to have higher standards for us.  If they don't start testing more than 2% of the imported seafood, when we import tons of it, importers will continue getting away with shipping us toxic seafood just like they have with toxic children's toys.  Until they are able to tell us that NONE of our imported seafood contains toxic materials we will no longer purchase it.  These countries don't care about the health of United States citizens but our government should. 

Currently 80% of fish and 90% shrimp comes from other countries.  Out of the 2% that the FDA tests they have found that 8% of fish from China and 16% of fish from Taiwan is tainted.  Yet we keep importing it.  Let them export it to other countries but NOT the USA.  If other countries care about the well being of their citizens they will join us in this ban.

If you haven't seen the movie "THE COVE" you need to see it.  Here, Japan labels dolphin as other fish and sells it locally to their own citizens.  Dolphin is not edible because of the large amounts of mercury in it.  If they don't care about the toxic fish they are feeding their own citizens of course they wouldn't care about what they ship to us.

Christmas is Coming

As I look back at where my time has been spent lately it's definitely been in catalogs.  All my most recent posts are gift and purchase related.  I love Christmas but I hate last minute shopping so maybe all these shopping blog posts will help me find the right gifts easily.  Also when I get money for Christmas I will be able to look back on these posts to determine what I want for myself.  Well that's the thought pattern at least.  Worst case I will have wasted time inputting these but my paper pile will be less.  That's not so bad.

So as I continue to search through catalogs for that perfect gift for that unknown someone I'll continue to share what I find for you and myself.  Happy Shopping.

Cholesterol: Know your levels

Awhile back my husband found out his cholesterol was a bit high.  Later I found out mine was also getting high so I decided to make some changes.  Below is a list I was given providing me better choices.  If your cholesterol is getting high here is some helpful tips.

Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, Nuts (up to 5 oz. of meat, poultry, fish per day)
Choose:  Lean cuts of meat, chicken and turkey without skin, fish, egg whites, beans and tofu
Go Easy on:  Shellfish, duck, egg yolks, nuts
Avoid:  Processed meats, such as bacon and bologna and hot dogs

Milk, Yogurt, Cheese (2 or more servings/day; 3-4 for pregnant or breast-feeding women)
Choose:  Fat free or low fat dairy products; skim or 1% milk, cheeses with no more than 3g of fat per ounce, low fat yogurt.
Go Easy On:  2% fat milk, sour cream
Avoid:  Whole milk, Swiss, American, Cheddar cheese and cream cheese

Fats and Oils (approximately 5-8 teaspoons per day)
Choose:  Corn, olive, canola, sunflower and safflower oils.
Go Easy On:  Avocados, olives, peanut oil
Avoid:  Butter, lard, bacon fat, coconut oil, solid shortening

Breads, cereals, pasta, rice (6-11 servings per day)
Choose:  whole grain breads, whole wheat pasta, whole grain rice and plain baked potato
Go Easy On:  Granola, biscuits, muffins and cornbread
Avoid:  Croissants, pastries, egg noodles and doughnuts

Fruits and Vegetables (3-5 servings per day)
Choose:  Fresh, frozen and dried fruits
Go Easy On:  canned fruit in syrup
Avoid:  Coconut and vegetables prepared in butter or cream

Snacks:  (in limited amounts)
Choose:  Sorbet, low fat frozen yogurt, plain popcorn, pretzels, fruits and vegetables
Go Easy On:  homemade cakes, cookies and pies prepared with unsaturated oils and baked chips
Avoid:  Ice cream, chocolate, potato chips, buttered popcorn

Expholate your Skin

What I learned today: 

• The most important thing you can do for ALL your skin is to exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate.
• Do it 2 times per week.
• Use a papaya and pineapple based exfoliator.
• Exfoliating your armpits can reduce or eliminate a darker color in this area.  Sometimes your armpits can become darker in color, removing the dead skin cells can help.
• An apricot based product on your face is too harsh.

Since I only have an apricot exfoliator in my shower I need to go shopping.

Coconut Oil: Expeller Pressed Virgin Organic

I got a tip from a friend to put coconut oil in my hair and let it sit for 20 minutes before washing it out.  It is now my newest beauty treatment.  My hair is in good shape but this gave it extra softness and shine.  I was told she got this tip from an Indian lady who says they use it all the time and when I think of their hair I think long, black, shiny and not frizzy.  What a hidden secret they had but now it's out.

One great thing about the coconut oil is you don't have to refrigerate it which is nice because the last thing I need is another condiment in my fridge.  It's solid at room temperature but liquid over 70 degrees so you just warm it up in your hands and rub it in your hair. 

I purchased mine from Whole Foods, on sale for $7.99 since I didn't know the difference between the varieties they carry. The brand is 365 which I believe is the Whole Foods brand.  It is Expeller Pressed Virgin Organic Coconut Oil.  Per a post on the Whole Foods website "I like Jarrow’s and Spectrum’s, but you should try a few and find the one that suits you best… taste is pretty subjective!"  I would think you will notice a difference only if your cooking with it.  For beauty the one I bought was just fine.  I also read to use it as a lotion after you get out of the shower I'll try this next.

Just like olive oil, look for cold or expeller pressed.  The extra virgin is better for cooking or dressing dishes at lower heat temperatures, while the naturally refined can be used for frying and other high heat activities because it is going to have a bit higher of a smoke point. If you want to pan-fry with it.

Although I use it for my hair it is a food product so I read up on other things you can do with it.  You can fry eggs and potatoes, use it in place of butter on toast or a baked potato, when making popcorn, or toss it in cooked vegetables just before serving.  Once I try cooking with it I'll let you know how that goes.  If it's good for me I'm willing to give it a try.

Be Happy

I am half way through the book "Wise Mind, Open Mind" by Ronald A. Alexander PhD.  I am finding useful relatable things.  Biggest reason I started reading this book was to quite my mind and learn to meditate.  Sometimes the thoughts just won't stop and a lot of the time they are not useful, focused or true. 

Yesterday I saw "Eat, Pray, Love".  In the beginning I found some similarities with the book I am reading and related to a few of the things she was going through but by the end you just want to say "get over it, be happy with what you have and where you are in your life, and stop frantically searching for something more because your missing the present".

Then this morning I saw a video clip on FB called "Be Happy".  I could have saved $9 at the movies and just watched this short.  I loved it and think if you focus on these items life will be better.  I have a great life and I just need to quit stressing out and searching for more of a purpose without work.  The powers at work are trying to tell me something...am I listening?  Below is what the video listed.

BE HAPPY

• Be happy
• Show up
• Follow your heart
• Find a new perspective
• Have a sense of wonder
• Find people you love
• Set goals
• Help others
• Dance
• Pamper yourself
• Face your fears
• Go to a museum
• Exercise
• Limit TV
• Get in touch with nature
• Lighten up
• Have a good nights sleep
• Read books
• Buy yourself flowers
• Don’t compare yourself to others
• Don’t beat yourself up
• Be open to new ideas
• Don’t focus on the negative
• Focus on creating what you desire
• Keep romance in your life
• Make a gratitude list
• Love mother earth
• Want what you have
• Be true to yourself

Hello and Welcome to my blog

I love to write and document things I learn.  I have been contemplating starting a blog for way too long.  I'm not sure if it will be the right thing for me but instead of thinking about it any longer I decided to jump in and just do it.  Be nice to me I'm new at this.  I want this to be a positive experience for me and I hope it will take me in a new direction.

I'm creating this blog is to share my love of food & drink, being green & healthy, travel, photography, shopping, helpful hints and cooking tips with those that share my same passions.  I hope you will find my posts interesting, helpful or funny but not boring. 

Initially I thought I would post specific things on specific days but as my interests change or as life happened it was hard for me to stick to a schedule so hopefully that has been OK.