That cute blog with a funny name
This past weekend we bought my lovable nerd child (I say that as a complement) a couple of these Basher books. We bought the Astronomy one and one on the Presidents. he is LOVING them. They are a bit of a stretch for a 6 year old, but if you are willing to talk through them they are doable. They are recommended for a 10 year old, but I think around 8 is probably perfect. Can’t wait to buy more. I am holding back and trying to not just order them all. They are sooooo cool!!!
I have always had a fear of fire, and therefore cremation kind of creeps me out. But….my general “spiritual” philosophy is that of everything in the universe being connected and being part of the circle of life (to simplify and shorten my views a bunch…anyway…) So today I saw this:
Your ashes are planted along with a tree. I am sold. Bios Urn is one, and The Spirit Tree is another.
I do wonder about actually planting it though. Are there laws? Aren’t human ashes considered a bio hazard? I think you need special permission to carry them on a plane. Can I just plant myself (you know what I mean) anywhere?
What do you think? Want to live on as a tree? I do. Consider this an addendum to my will. And I will know clap twice and turn in a circle to make sure writing this post didn’t conjure up any bad juju for myself.
Folk, I have a major game changer on my hands. It has even caused me to blog. I have seen people write about cauliflower “rice” pilaf before…but I never really looked into it. Then the other day a girl in my fitness class said that she grates it (grate, food process, chop in a blender – any work) and then steams it and uses it as rice. Hearing the details sold me.
![DSC_0196[1]](http://elleinadspir.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC_01961-1024x685.jpg)
I steamed it in the microwave and then topped it with black beans, cheese, salsa and sour cream. Next time I might go crazy and add a fried egg.
![DSC_0197[1]](http://elleinadspir.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC_01971-1024x685.jpg)
The options here are endless. Endless. Next up, stir fry. And after that I want to try the pilaf version I had seen mention of on twitter and FB. I am assuming this means just pan sauteing the grated cauliflower in butter or oil with spices. At least that is my plan. I guess I could look into an official recipe, but I doubt I will.
By the way – a cup and a half of steamed cauliflower….132 calories. That means that bowl you see up there with all the goodness in it…327 calories. Bam. Sorry…I’m clearly excited.
First off….Estelle…look away from this post!! I have failed you friend. You and your eco friendly ways. So please….turn a blind eye to this post!!! (Just kidding, I know you will understand and still love me – I hope!)
About a year or more ago I switched my face care to 100% Pure products. And I have been overall happy with them…. except I have noticed that my face has been breaking out. More and more. I blamed everything except the product for as long as I could, but here is the deal. I think my face just doesn’t agree with the product. I think the fruit extracts bug me. There, I said it. I think they make me break out. This week I switched my lotion back to Neutrogena Sensitive skin and I have seen a notable difference. A few weeks ago I tried the Neutrogena Natural lotion in an attempt to go back to my old brand but stay natural…but it is pretty fruity and no go. So here is the thing, natural is fine, but then I was putting a gallon of Clearasil on nightly and kind of defeating the point. So I am throwing in the towel. Well, kind of. A few of the Neutrogena Natural line have been working for me.
I can’t find it online anywhere, but they have a version of this is their Naturals line that has been working for me. Right now I am using the Sensitive Skin lotion I have used in the past, but I am going to use this Anti Wrinkle/Anti Blemish version at least 1/2 the time to try and clear up my skin the rest of the way. I switched me spot treatment for this Neutrogena Naturals version and I like it better. Not as drying but effective.
I am not at all saying 100% Pure is bad. I love them! And this mask is still my go to. It rocks.
And while I am in confession mode here, this deodorant is the best. I’m pretty sure it causes Alzheimer’s, but I am also sure that I don’t care. I use this a few times a week at night and it is amazing. I no longer have an issues with sweating….at all. I mean, yes, I sweat still at appropriate times, but a long sleeve tee in a warm room no longer worries me. This product works for men and women….but get the solid, not the roll on. Not sure why, I haven’t tried the roll on, but that is what I was told when it was recommended to me, so there you go.
I saw this recipe for Man Pleasing Chicken on Pinterest and of course had to try it. Of course with a few changes….
So I did basically what she did – but a few minor changes. I sprinkled the chicken with salt, pepper and Italian Seasoning.
Then coated with the mix of mustard, maple syrup and rice wine vinegar.
Halfway through cooking I thought it needed more sauce, so I made another 1/2 batch and dumped that in.
Next time I will just double it from the start and be done. I baked at 425 for about 40 minutes, basting a few times. Next time I will line the pan with foil…it was a bitch to clean! But overall….thumbs up.
Things that annoy me.
In no particular order….
people who veer left before turning right
people who stand in line for 20 minutes and then look at the menu when they get to the register
people who write checks
the fact that my apartment’s beautiful windows give off so much radiant heat that even if it’s 40 out, if it’s sunny, our AC runs ALL DAY LONG
when people talk to their kids in a higher volume than necessary just so you can hear them parent
when people let their kids play on their phone in public places but do not insist they lower the volume, or turn the volume off completely (which is what we do)
that children’s Tylenol taste so good that Bonham wants it, asks for it
that other meds taste so bad that I have to force/bribe/plead with him to take them
people who say “I don’t have time to read blogs” (I could write an essay here, but I won’t since everyone reading this already gets ‘it’…but I read blogs along with magazine articles and news. It is part of my morning and evening routine. I don’t sit at the computer all day just reading away…ugh)
OK. I am done. Let’s balance it out though.
Things I love…
a care package from a sweet friend filled with bath salts that she knew I would love
unexpected texts from friends that make you smile, laugh, feel cared about, think of memories, dream of the future
a far away friend who knows that the “I’ll be over in 15 min with beer, cupcakes and a few movies” text is code for “I miss you”
hearing “I love you mommy” many times a day
a reader filled with bloggers who share similar thoughts/interests/loves as I do
new projects, possibilities and adventures
And every post needs an image…how about this lovely one that falls in the Things I love category…shirtless Adam Levine (from SNL).
Or with a shirt if you prefer (no shirt, but with a beard so it is a fair trade)…
Rad posters via Design Mom
A very well put explanation of why you should credit artists.
I’ve had my eye on this table for months. Months.
Holy cow I love these City Quits (via Design Crush.)
and on the potty talk post from a few days ago….a friend suggested I try underwear under a pull up. He can feel the sensation, but it limits the mess and saves the sheets. Genius. We are battling a bit of a sore throat over here, nothing major – but I think I’ll wait a few days for that to pass and then give this a try. Combined with taking him potty before I go to bed, I think it’ll be a good start and a barometer for where we are…then I can move to full on no pull up in a week or two, maybe over fall break. Booyah…I have a plan.
Ok folks. I need the moms (and dads) out there to help me out. I need an intervention. Bonham still wears a pull up at night. I am sorry son. I know, I know….this internet stuff will be out there for years to come. So as your 12 years old friends are googling you, they will read this. Sorry about that. Just tell them to suck it. Anyway….
He is 6. And he has been potty trained for like a million years. But he wears a pull up at night. We keep waiting for the “3 dry nights” and it isn’t happening. The kid drinks water like he is going on a safari. I try limiting it, but homeboy is thirsty at night! We have successfully limited it to where he no longer drinks at bedtime or during reading…but limiting it much before then is just not going to happen. He often has sports that take him pretty close to bedtime. We talk about him getting up to go at night, but he doesn’t ever do it. I know part of the issue has to be that he doesn’t wake up, and I know the pull up aids in that. But dude…..we went through like 4 years of not sleeping. I am soooooo not ready to just ditch the pull up and disrupt sleep with wet sheets. Is that my only option? Do I have to just bite the bullet and deal with a week of no sleep and wet sheets? I have the bed protectors you can buy, so maybe it won’t be a full sheet change every night. Still….I’m scared. Talk me through this….is it time? Do I need to just try? I know the answer is yes….so maybe this post is just to enlist cheerleaders. Tell me it will be ok and that it will be quick. Please!!!!
I have a snack bar problem. And apparently there are about 5 key words that can be printed on a box that ensures that box will make it’s way into my shopping cart.
Protein
Fiber
Chocolate/Pretzel
Coconut
90 calorie
If it has any of these words on it. I buy it. This box pretty much jumped into my cart.
Fiber, Protein AND Coconut. SOLD.
And in case you need a list of the good….
My favorite protein bars when using as a meal replacement or after work out – Clif Bar in Coconut Chocolate Chip and Zone Perfect in Chocolate Coconut Crunch or Fudge Graham.
As far as snack bars go, I love every Fiber One Bar on the market. The 90 calorie are a great snack and the protein one works well when combined with some fruit for a larger snack or a mini meal.
This week I bought this Special K Bar but I have not tried it yet. I swear – it just jumped into my arms.
Btw, the Fiber Plus Caramel Coconut Fudge Bar tastes a lot like a Samoa. I swear.
Ok….it is now clearer than clear….I have a fiber/protein/snack bar issue. Please tell me I am not alone.
A while back I complained about lingerie and the costliness of it. Well, I am back on a related topic. I went shopping last week for some new delicates. I ventured outside of Victoria’s Secret. Don’t get me wrong…I have plenty of VS in my drawer. In fact, I am a big fan of their new cheeky panty (ug, hate that word..panty.ugh) and the lacie thong is a goo alternative to Hanky Panky or a bit less money. Anyway, I ventured to a small local store to see what they had. What I found was rather alarming. Apparently the new trend in bras is UNLINED. Years ago VS had an all lace unlined bra that I LOVED. It was super soft lace and perfect for daily wear. In fact, it was a lot like this DKNY one that I tried on this weekend.
Ok….but here is the thing. Ten years ago when the unlined bra was popular and I wore one daily I was um…well….IT WAS TEN YEARS AGO! I am about the same size now as I was then…maybe on the small side verses the large size, but the same size. But the thing is that the lift element has gone away. Bye bye. The day I peed on the stick and saw I was prego I said goodbye to the lift. So unlined? Not sure I can do it. I don’t wear much padding. Just a tad…just enough to regain my lift. Anyway….are you on board with the unlined trend? Is anyone still reading this rant?
I had an image in this post but took it out (not of me!) ….images show up in the preview in my FB feed and I decided that none of the 17 year old coaches I am friends with, or my nephew needed that. Although I am sure they would have been just fine with it. Ha. Anyway…that explains the no pic.
Btw – have you checked out Aerie? Pretty good prices. Very good actually. Not sure how they are on fit though. It a line by American Eagle. Pretty sure that means I am too old for it…but maybe not.
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