save the planet: that's not trash!

save the planet: bags from toilet tissue package
That's not trash!  I'm sorry, I know big box stores are evil.  We do support local business as often as possible.  But we go crazy at costco!  I can't believe the size of the toilet paper package!  We will never buy toilet tissue again!  If you cut the end of the bag carefully instead of ripping into it like a pinata, it's the same size as a tall kitchen bag!  I love this planet..

25 for Ten Plan

Hi.  Now it's time to get serious.  Most of us have to rely on credit cards to get us out of a jam.  Everyone does it.  Hopefully the balance is at zero or close when your car didn't pass inspection and you're told you need 4 new tires.  Or you have the flu and can't work for a week and a half.  But one day I realized, there were certain habits I could do without, and I could put $25 away every week into a savings account, and I could save up $1000 in 10 months!  This may seem like a small amount of money.  It may seem like too long, nearly a year!  If it does, this story does not apply to you.  But if you are living very hand-to-mouth, this is a great plan to help you put away funds to be used later for an emergency or for a much needed vacation, or perhaps for a down payment for a car!  Just try it!  It will be there for you..

7 Minute Workout

7 min workout
Officially, no one has ANY excuse!  I love this workout, it takes only 7 minutes, as advertised.  AND it requires no props, except a chair.  It will seriously kick your booty!  I modified it a little because I CAN'T do squats properly.  And abdominal crunches just don't do it for me, my tummy needs a much higher level of difficulty. 
Here you can download a diagram and read all about it: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/09/the-scientific-7-minute-workout/?_r=0.  And here is a link to a timer, which helps you know how long to do each exercise and when to switch/rest: http://www.7-min.com/.  Like I said, it is really hard!  Make sure you:
land softly during: jumping jacks, step up onto chair and high knees running in place.
do pushups slowly, while engaging core.
during squats and lunges, don't let knee go past toes, shin should be perpendicular to floor.
suck in your gut during tricep dips and keep your shoulders back.
suck in your gut during plank to avoid lower back stress.
sweat!

Braids are becoming chic?

I was reading a piece on jezebel about how braids are getting popular(http://jezebel.com/whoa-have-you-guys-heard-about-this-cool-new-hairstyle-1443525210).  I had all my hair braided all summer and it was glorious.  Glorious!!  Freedom!!  Here's a story by author Anne Lamott about her dreadlocks, same sentiment (you have to scroll down a bit, that's not AL in the pic): http://bedust.wordpress.com/tag/anne-lamott/.  Anyway, I very much enjoyed having braids all summer, going swimming whenever I wanted, getting ready to go out in 20 minutes max.  But alas, the roots grow out and you have to remove them eventually.  The process of getting them was long, painful, expensive.  So I didn't have them re-done.  I miss them!  But I took some screengrabs from Requiem for a Dream of Jennifer Connelly.  I will print them and take them to my stylist to see if he can do me like this for an event, albeit temporary.  Meaning just for that night.  sigh

Taco Chicken Bowls


Ingredients
    •    1½ lbs. chicken breasts $2.90
    •    1 (16 oz.) jar salsa $1.99
    •    1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained $1.19
    •    ½ lb. (8 oz.) frozen corn $0.57
    •    1 Tbsp chili powder $0.15
    •    ½ Tbsp cumin $0.07
    •    ½ Tbsp minced garlic $0.10
    •    ½ tsp dried oregano $0.03
    •    ¼ tsp cayenne pepper $0.02
    •    ¼ tsp salt $0.02
    •    to taste cracked pepper $0.02
    •    2 cups dry rice $0.66
    •    8 oz. shredded cheddar $2.49
    •    ½ bunch cilantro (optional) $0.45
Instructions
Add everything except the rice, cheese, and cilantro to the slow cooker along with ¼ cup of water (for good measure). Give everything a good stir and make sure the chicken is covered in the mixture.
Secure the lid on your slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hrs.
Near the end of the cooking time, cook the two cups of rice according to the package directions (Bring the rice and 3 cups of water to a boil in a medium pot with a lid in place, as soon as it reaches a boil, reduced the heat to low and let simmer for 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving).
After 8 hours of cooking, carefully remove the lid of the slow cooker. Stir with a fork to shred the chicken (it should be super tender and will shred easily). Build the taco bowls by placing rice on the bottom, then the taco chicken mix, shredded cheese and fresh cilantro.
**'got this recipe from joybx.net.  I have made it with chicken breasts, I've made it with chicken thighs, 'doesn't matter it comes out great with either one!  'leftovers for days………………

hydrogen peroxide in ear

Good morning!  File this one under 'news of the weird': I woke up in the middle of the night and realized that I was def coming down with a cold.  I won't be graphic here but, yeah, all the signs were there.  I felt desperate, I started a new job today of taking care of a 2 month-old, and I knew her mom would not be thrilled to see a coughing, wheezing nanny at her door this morning.  Then I remembered something I had read about putting hydrogen peroxide in your ear.  Not willing to do something like that without a little research, I hobbled over to the computer and googled "hydrogen peroxide in ear" which took me to mercola.com.  The instructions were simple: put a few drops in each ear, one at a time, and leave for a few minutes, then drain.  I'm telling you I'm fine today, and I will forever do this at the first sign of a cold!

Anthro Shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love these shoes!  I just got them, they are a web-only exclusive.  I needed them for an event and rushed into anthropologie at the last minute to nab them only to find out from the tiny adorable chicka behind the counter, they don't carry them in-store.  whoopsy!  'worth the wait though!!