Why Target, WalMart and Radio Shack's (I only name these since I have dealt with them in the past week, but this goes for all those Gump-ass stores) Price Match Policies are Stupid.
Target will match a competitor's printed ad, but NOT if they advertise buy X product & get a gift card. This past week, Toys R Us had the Wii bundle for $124.99 plus you got a $25 TRU GC with purchase. Normally, I gravitate towards Target for spendy things such as this and I wanted to this time, figuring "hey I can get it for a good price & get $25 to use later." Did I? Nooooooo. Target, WHAT THE HELL sense does it make that you won't price match WITH the giftcard?!?!?! At the very least it would guarantee a return trip with more than the $25 spent! Needless to say, I didn't give my business to Target. Thanks Toy R Us for the giftcard that was later used to buy a game, which came with another card.
Walmart shares the same policy with Target, but in addition to that stupidity, Wal-mart (AND Radio Shack) both offer FREE SITE TO STORE shipping, but WON'T match their website prices when you are in the store and have the product in hand and ready to buy! Maybe it's just me, but it seems like Forrest Gump or Karl Childers wrote these policies. mhmm. Vitamin Shoppe, despite the website's statement, will match the website prices when you go in there. WalMart Waltons and Radio Shack- If I'm going to order products from the website, thereby RECEIVING THE WEBSITE PRICE, and pick them up in a store in a couple of hours, which would MAKE SHIPPING FREE, then WHY IN THE HELL could I not just get the website price in store WITHOUT making an online order?! Walmart, you offer price matching with no physical ad required so this makes NO SENSE! I won't even stand for the BS that online has less overhead. Walmart and Radio Shack can pull from their shelves for free, making the physical store overhead part of the deal.
This is just one thing that's been buggin' me. It probably wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the fact that I haven't been to sleep yet, then I drove to Walmart at 7 am only to come face to face with 97% of the pegs empty in the area that I was looking in and merchandise strewn about on the shelving, not to mention open packaging. There were also inconsistencies- for example, some of the HDMI cables in one brand were locked up but then right next to that peg, 20 were hanging out unsecure. Ah well, I guess I expect nothing but the best from WalMart*sarcasm/eye roll*
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
We Got The Treats Pete!!
He's super cute & would be perfect for children or grandchildren this Halloween. He dances and flops his ears. Put some candy in his little bag and he's all set!!
$19.99 buy him here!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Slim Skillet's Restaurant Memphis, TN
I love trying new restaurants. Since I live in the South, I am always on the lookout for good fried chicken places.
People in Memphis might be famliar with the commercials- both of which feature the ever-present, ever cheesy Mark "It's All Good" Goodfellow. Why they chose him as a spokesperson is beyond me.
I've driven by Slim Skillet's several times on the way to or from shopping in the Wolfchase area, but for various reasons just never stopped. After my appointment today, I decided that this would be the day that I was going to try it. I went into it with a clean palate, seeing as how I hadn't eaten all day. I walked in around 2:45 PM. Besides me, there were 2 other ladies. I didn't expect a lunchtime rush that late in the afternoon. The decor is colorful, and the atmosphere is pleasant enough. The staff was sparse. I only heard 2 voices while I was waiting, one of whom was my server, Ben. I don't know if they were short handed or what, but he wore a perma-scowl on his face and seemed exasperated when I asked for individual to go conatiners for the sides.
I ordered a 2 piece mixed meal and a sweet tea. All of their dinners come with rolls, mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, gravy and creamed corn. The food came rather quickly, probably within 5 minutes. I can only assume that the chicken was already pre-made and sitting under a heat lamp, a la KFC. The green beans, mashed potatoes & creamed corn had too much pepper. It tasted like the same seasonings were used on all 3. The mashed potatoes and green beans were too salty for my taste. It was rather disappointing, too, because I LOVE real mashed potatoes. The coleslaw had too much celery salt in it, which is new to me. I think it would be good on a Chicago-style dog, though. My meal came with a breast & thigh. The first bite filled my mouth with oil and juices. The skin had a nice, light crunch and was tastefully seasoned. The meat, tender. I only ate the thigh. I took the rest home. I didn't touch the rolls since I'm not a bread person. The sweet tea was perfect.
Unless they change the amount of seasoning and salt they use, I don't think I'll be returning. I ended up tossing all the vegetables when I got home. Also, they should update their website. I used it for a price reference and found out that all their prices have increased.
Slim Skillet's http://www.slimskillets.net/
2200 N Germantown Pkwy # 1
Cordova, TN 38016-4475
(901) 384-1690
People in Memphis might be famliar with the commercials- both of which feature the ever-present, ever cheesy Mark "It's All Good" Goodfellow. Why they chose him as a spokesperson is beyond me.
I've driven by Slim Skillet's several times on the way to or from shopping in the Wolfchase area, but for various reasons just never stopped. After my appointment today, I decided that this would be the day that I was going to try it. I went into it with a clean palate, seeing as how I hadn't eaten all day. I walked in around 2:45 PM. Besides me, there were 2 other ladies. I didn't expect a lunchtime rush that late in the afternoon. The decor is colorful, and the atmosphere is pleasant enough. The staff was sparse. I only heard 2 voices while I was waiting, one of whom was my server, Ben. I don't know if they were short handed or what, but he wore a perma-scowl on his face and seemed exasperated when I asked for individual to go conatiners for the sides.
I ordered a 2 piece mixed meal and a sweet tea. All of their dinners come with rolls, mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, gravy and creamed corn. The food came rather quickly, probably within 5 minutes. I can only assume that the chicken was already pre-made and sitting under a heat lamp, a la KFC. The green beans, mashed potatoes & creamed corn had too much pepper. It tasted like the same seasonings were used on all 3. The mashed potatoes and green beans were too salty for my taste. It was rather disappointing, too, because I LOVE real mashed potatoes. The coleslaw had too much celery salt in it, which is new to me. I think it would be good on a Chicago-style dog, though. My meal came with a breast & thigh. The first bite filled my mouth with oil and juices. The skin had a nice, light crunch and was tastefully seasoned. The meat, tender. I only ate the thigh. I took the rest home. I didn't touch the rolls since I'm not a bread person. The sweet tea was perfect.
Unless they change the amount of seasoning and salt they use, I don't think I'll be returning. I ended up tossing all the vegetables when I got home. Also, they should update their website. I used it for a price reference and found out that all their prices have increased.
Slim Skillet's http://www.slimskillets.net/
2200 N Germantown Pkwy # 1
Cordova, TN 38016-4475
(901) 384-1690
Friday, April 1, 2011
L' Oreal One Sweep Eyeshadow and Double Extend Mascara
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| Applied w/ original applicator on back of hand. |
Eyeshadow- I got the Playful for Green Eyes. The applicator is horrendous! It's the to-be-expected sponge applicator that comes with all eye shadows, BUT it's also supposed to be eye-shaped for a quick & easy application. I have Asian eyes & this didn't work. The texture of the eyeshadow is nice and silky, but there was very little color payoff in this particular palette on my skin.. not even when I applied the colors independently with makeup brushes. You can see in the picture where I applied it with the strange applicator on the back of my hand you can't really see all 3 colors. You can barely see the dark color. As I was watching TV, an idea struck me that maybe one of those cheap little brushes that cone with blush would work. I tried this in the picture labeled as such. It only came out like that only after I swiped & applied 3 times. These colors might work if you're a fair-skinned girl.
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| Applied with stock blusher brush-hand. |
As for the mascara, well the mascara end didn't do much more than the mascaras that I already have. The enhancer side might be cute for a night out, but the little sparkles were annoying in the daytime. When Cover Girl came out with theirs, I wanted to try it but never did. I thought about getting the mascara before I received them as a Bzz agent, but I'm glad now that I didn't spend the money for either one.
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| Swiped across shadow. |
Friday, March 18, 2011
I am lucky to be a product evaluator!
I am grateful for the opportunities that being a buzz agent has offered me. This week, I received my Smart & Easy Spring Cleaning products from SC Johnson. Included in my box were:
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| Lemon Pledge |
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| Glade Plug Ins Oil- Crisp Waters |
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| Glade Sparkle of Spring Limited Edition candle |
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| Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Gel |
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| Scrubbing Bubbles MEGA Shower Foamer |
So far. I have only tried the Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Gel. I remember seeing the commercials and for some reason, I thought the gel discs were pre-formed. It also seemed like the applicator was bigger than it was. Because of these misconceptions, when I pulled out the box, I thought that I was missing the applicator! After I read the box, I felt like a moron. As far as the actual product & how well it works, it's too soon to tell. I put a disc in the toilet on Wednesday but my toilet could use a liitle cleaning, so I need to do that to truly test it. To me, it smells like a typical bathroom toilet bowl cleaner. It's not too cloying. Each tube contains enough gel for 6 discs, each disc lasts about a week.
I just bought a warmer for the Glade oil and plan to put it in my bathroom to see how well it helps with the catbox odor. I used to use the Glade oils & regular plugins in the past, but haven't since Febreze came out with their air fresheners.
When I was a kid, my dad used Pledge alot, so the fragrance is connected to happy memories. I love the lemony scent & the way it makes wood look. I plan on using it on the scratched areas of my hardwood floors this weekend.
Finally, I'm undecided on the scent of the Glade candle. The description of the Sparkle of Spring scent is- Zesty Lime, Ginger & Vanilla. I haven't burned it yet to get the full effect. I DO think SC Johnson should offer a refill for the glass once the candle is gone. Most people don't recycle, so they end up in the landfills. I'm not uber green, but I think that aspect of the candle is a waste.
If it weren't for me being in this campaign, I would likely not have bought the Scrubbing Bubbles products, Glade candle or oil refill unless they were on clearance for a good price or at a discount store like Big Lots. I say this b/c I'm currently laid off and a student, so these would be more like luxurious non-necessities for me.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
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Monday, November 15, 2010
My $5.45 Thrift Store find
I'd love to go to thrift stores and get lucky enough to score all these great vintage finds, but my ADD kicks in when I walk into one and spy the long, multi-colored, overcrowded racks of clothing. At that point, I have enough patience to peruse the shelves of mismatched dishes, tchotchkes and shoes. Sometimes I manage to sift through the purses and bags. I had something to do near the Park Avenue Thrift store so I decided to drop in. They generally don't have much, probably due to the area they're in, so I wasn't expecting to walk out with anything. As I walked to the back of the store where the coats are, I happened to look up and see this robe in the men's robe section. I saw the price and HAD to get it- it even had the sash! It's made in Japan. It's a men's 100% cotton yukata and taller than me at 56" long, but I'm fine with that! These things go for $50-$75+ on different sites.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Tokidoki Ragazza Leo Print @ TJ Maxx $49.99
4220 Summer Avenue Memphis, TN 38122 Phone: 901-682-1124 Get driving directions
Sun: 11a - 8p Mon-Sat: 9:30a - 9:30p
Sun: 11a - 8p Mon-Sat: 9:30a - 9:30p
I hope I see some other prints & sizes. These are on clearance elsewhere for over $100.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Don Heffington/Heffington Management, Slumlord.
**WARNING! WARNING!! DANGER, WILL ROBINSON!!! **
I first moved to my apartment in Jan of 07. I moved here b/c someone I knew lived in these apts and I thought they were cute. For the 1st yr, this place was OK and no drama- I would call the (now) slumlord and get a response or action. Everytime someone would move out after that year, they were replaced by some shitty white trash loser. Since I live in a converted house, we have a front door- for reasons obvious to everyone except these KDRs, it's to remain locked. More often than not, I've come home to the door open. Leaving a note on the door doesn't help b/c someone tears it down. There aren't supposed to be dogs here, and now there are 2- a yippy little rat and a larger dog. They both bark constantly and the SL knows about it. SL also, at one point, tried to get me to clean up the front entryway & in turn, he wouldn't raise my rent. I did it for a month then said fuck it- I don't like cleaning up after these people, although there were a few decent ones that thanked me. They've long since gone. I also realized he couldn't use that as the basis to not raise my rent.
SL has this shit stupid lackey that he gets to relay messages.She called me to tell me he didn't want me to clean the entryway ... LOL. She also tried to tell me that he said cats can ruin hardwoord floors.. OH HELL NO!!! HAHAHAHAH!!!! Mine doesn't even have front claws!! Anywho, you can't raise rent without a notice. Because he's let these young fuckers & drunkards move in, all the decent ppl are or have left. There's a lady above me that has been here longer than me. She's nice &, but states she's moving out in Oct b/c of this shit. Previously, the cops have NEVER come here- they've been here twice & busted the door down once b/c this drunk asshole was yelling 'help me' out his window at 7am & there was nothing to help!!! The 2nd time had to do with the guy next door to me that is a complete drunk- he and his addict boyfriend were arguing- no doubt about the same thing they'd argued about before- the one accused the other of only coming over to buy drugs (which their dealers deliver in front of the bldg) with his SSN money. One Saturday, he fell down in the floor & was sitting there panting like he'd overexerted himself. I asked if he wanted help and he declined. When the lady upstairs moves, if the situation gets worse, I'm going. My shit is up Jan & I'm about to start school in the fall.. I don't need this shit! Another reason not to rent from this fucker- if you call him, he NEVER answers. You leave a msg and hope for the best. The ONLY time he ever picked up was when someone busted the front door glass & he thought maybe I heard it since I live downstairs.
I first moved to my apartment in Jan of 07. I moved here b/c someone I knew lived in these apts and I thought they were cute. For the 1st yr, this place was OK and no drama- I would call the (now) slumlord and get a response or action. Everytime someone would move out after that year, they were replaced by some shitty white trash loser. Since I live in a converted house, we have a front door- for reasons obvious to everyone except these KDRs, it's to remain locked. More often than not, I've come home to the door open. Leaving a note on the door doesn't help b/c someone tears it down. There aren't supposed to be dogs here, and now there are 2- a yippy little rat and a larger dog. They both bark constantly and the SL knows about it. SL also, at one point, tried to get me to clean up the front entryway & in turn, he wouldn't raise my rent. I did it for a month then said fuck it- I don't like cleaning up after these people, although there were a few decent ones that thanked me. They've long since gone. I also realized he couldn't use that as the basis to not raise my rent.
SL has this shit stupid lackey that he gets to relay messages.She called me to tell me he didn't want me to clean the entryway ... LOL. She also tried to tell me that he said cats can ruin hardwoord floors.. OH HELL NO!!! HAHAHAHAH!!!! Mine doesn't even have front claws!! Anywho, you can't raise rent without a notice. Because he's let these young fuckers & drunkards move in, all the decent ppl are or have left. There's a lady above me that has been here longer than me. She's nice &, but states she's moving out in Oct b/c of this shit. Previously, the cops have NEVER come here- they've been here twice & busted the door down once b/c this drunk asshole was yelling 'help me' out his window at 7am & there was nothing to help!!! The 2nd time had to do with the guy next door to me that is a complete drunk- he and his addict boyfriend were arguing- no doubt about the same thing they'd argued about before- the one accused the other of only coming over to buy drugs (which their dealers deliver in front of the bldg) with his SSN money. One Saturday, he fell down in the floor & was sitting there panting like he'd overexerted himself. I asked if he wanted help and he declined. When the lady upstairs moves, if the situation gets worse, I'm going. My shit is up Jan & I'm about to start school in the fall.. I don't need this shit! Another reason not to rent from this fucker- if you call him, he NEVER answers. You leave a msg and hope for the best. The ONLY time he ever picked up was when someone busted the front door glass & he thought maybe I heard it since I live downstairs.
Monday, September 29, 2008
I love free things
In this case, I just got $50 from Vitamin Shoppe for some class action lawsuit I had no idea of. I'm very grateful for that since I will have to buy some supplements soon.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Silk Naturals mineral makeup and Asian skin
Thanks to genetics, I inherited oily skin. It's not just a little bit, either. The forehead gets so shiny it's like I shellacked it! Talk about EWWWWWWWWW!!!
The one and only time I went to a dermatologist, he put me on Glytone Gel wash and Rejuvenate Facial lotion. The kit they put together also included Afirm 2x Retinol. This combination has cut the shininess down by like 80%. Prior to this, I didn't really have a skincare regimen per se, but I did use DHC's Acerola Kit for awhile. I didn't stick with it because it smelled like soy sauce!
I use mineral makeup when I DO wear makeup, which further helps to eliminate the shine. I don't use BareMinerals or any drugstore brand- I bought some on Ebay from SilkNaturals. It was really inexpensive and allows you to mix a little at a time in case you need to change shades or you just don't want to have a bunch just sitting there. Since the makeup comes in 2 seperate shades that you mix, it helps keeps the price low because you can just buy what you run out of. I think it's worth it, especially if you tan. From what I've heard, the commercial minerals have an ingredient that makes your skin shinier (no thanks!)and can irritate sensitive skin. A kit like the one pictured is $11.95. They have alot more products than they did when they were on Ebay. I haven't tried anything else, but I plan to. In addition to the foundation, I own their 'Date Bait' and of course, the mineral veil. I've been v
ery happy with it all so far.
Next time I order foundation, I think I will try the medium coverage next since I don't have the best skin.Sunday, August 3, 2008
Romano's Macaroni Grill Chicken Alfredo
Apparently they have this all boxed up like Hamburger Helper, but slightly more expensive. I bought it the other day at my local Kroger store for $4.99+tax. You add chicken. It's fairly simple like Hamburger Helper and pretty tasty, too! I added chicken and broccoli. The one thing I would change is the amount of liquid. They call for 1 1/4 Cups of milk. It was a little too liquidy for me so next time I think I would do 1 Cup. It comes with noodles, seasoning, creamy sauce, and cheese to top it with. I forgot about the cheese before eating..lol! Oh well, I have leftovers so I will try it later.
8-3-08
It's better the 2nd time around. I'll try shrimp next time.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
You say cheap, I say frugal.
In this day and age when EVERYTHING is going up, up, up, I've started to come up with ways to make my money go further.
1. Instead of buying snack packs of pudding, I buy a box of mix and make it per directions, then divide them into the little Gladware 1/2 cup containers. $4 for the Gladware(one time), $1.00 (est) for the pudding. You will get more or the same amount of servings as the snack packs for less - you also get more of a variety, and you can make your own flavor combos . I do this with gelatin, too. I'm going to do this with cake mix as well. Instead of buying the Betty Crocker Warm Delights bowls- I wonder if it will work? One box of cake mix at $2.50 (ish) vs. $1.99/bowl for the Betty Crocker. I'll have to get a box and see.
2. I LOVE Claussen pickles, but they can be pricey. I will buy a 1st jar, but when it runs out, I will buy a cucumber and cut it up and put it in the leftover juices. The flavor is generally more mild than the original but I still like them regardless. I started a batch of bread and butter slices last night.
3. I work from home, so I don't use as much gas as I would. I currently only put in $20 (half a tank) every week and a half. I also try not to drive around alot during the day b/c this Memphis heat isn't playing. If I do, I run the AC b/c I don't want to walk around smelling all funky, but after about 5pm, I won't run it. Since I work from home, I also don't have to spend money on clothes and whatnot.
That's all I have for now...
1. Instead of buying snack packs of pudding, I buy a box of mix and make it per directions, then divide them into the little Gladware 1/2 cup containers. $4 for the Gladware(one time), $1.00 (est) for the pudding. You will get more or the same amount of servings as the snack packs for less - you also get more of a variety, and you can make your own flavor combos . I do this with gelatin, too. I'm going to do this with cake mix as well. Instead of buying the Betty Crocker Warm Delights bowls- I wonder if it will work? One box of cake mix at $2.50 (ish) vs. $1.99/bowl for the Betty Crocker. I'll have to get a box and see.
2. I LOVE Claussen pickles, but they can be pricey. I will buy a 1st jar, but when it runs out, I will buy a cucumber and cut it up and put it in the leftover juices. The flavor is generally more mild than the original but I still like them regardless. I started a batch of bread and butter slices last night.
3. I work from home, so I don't use as much gas as I would. I currently only put in $20 (half a tank) every week and a half. I also try not to drive around alot during the day b/c this Memphis heat isn't playing. If I do, I run the AC b/c I don't want to walk around smelling all funky, but after about 5pm, I won't run it. Since I work from home, I also don't have to spend money on clothes and whatnot.
That's all I have for now...
Freezing Warts
Ok, so I know warts are gross but I'm excited that I found another way to get rid of them! I had a couple on my leg near the ankle. I heard it was from shaving, but I dunno. It was only on the one leg (left). I had one a couple yrs ago that I went to a dermatologist for. He charged me $75 to freeze it off, but a few months ago, it started to come back. I found an article on the internet about how to freeze them off yourself using liquid nitrogen ( DISCLAIMER:I don't recommend you try this at home, and if you suspect you have a wart, see a doctor/dermatologist). I followed that and successfully got rid of them, but I also had one on my thumb near the base of my nail that I wanted to get rid of. Unfortunately I was out of the liquid nitrogen, and I remembered that the computer compressed air cleaner would shoot a frozen spray if you sprayed upside down, so I sprayed some of it into a q-tip and applied it to the wart on my finger. A week later, I pulled off the scab and it was gone!
Ghetto, yes.... but when you can't afford a dermatologist - it works. The compressed air is also cheaper than the OTC freezing wart stuff and lasts longer. I'm all about stuff that serves more than one purpose and saves me money in the long run.
Ghetto, yes.... but when you can't afford a dermatologist - it works. The compressed air is also cheaper than the OTC freezing wart stuff and lasts longer. I'm all about stuff that serves more than one purpose and saves me money in the long run.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Negativity
The Negativity Police
Is your inner voice a trash-talker? If you've tried and failed to reach your fitness goals in the past, negative thoughts might have been what held you back. Want to succeed this time? Get your journal (or log on to your online Fitness Diary). It's time to get some of those thoughts out of your head and onto paper. Ask yourself the following questions:
1. Do you have a negative self-image?Do you constantly say things like "I'm fat" or "I'm ugly"? Do you pick yourself apart and beat yourself up when you look in the mirror?
2. Do you lack self-confidence?Do you doubt your ability to achieve your goals, weight-related or otherwise? Do you dwell on your perceived limits or fears? Do you doubt your ability to accomplish the things you want to accomplish?
3. Do you feel powerless?Do you feel as if you have no control over your life, or do you rely on excuses like "I'm genetically predisposed to being overweight"?
4. Do you label yourself in self-deprecating ways?Do you think and talk about your failure to lose weight as a foregone conclusion? Do you refer to yourself mockingly (or not!) as a stereotype — the happy/funny fat person in the room? Is your e-mail address "fatso@blank.com"?
Now think about your responses. How would you describe the tone of your answers? Are they affirming and constructive, or downbeat and destructive? Want to turn your thinking around? The following question will help you understand why you have been propagating these destructive thoughts and behaviors so that we can cut them out at the root.
5. How is this negativity hurting you?Is what you say about yourself really the truth? Or is it a defense mechanism? And if so, against what? Are you just making complicated excuses? How does this kind of negativity help you achieve your goals?
The answers to these questions should help you start to see what's at the root of your negative thinking.
Now go back and answer the five questions again, and force yourself to use only positive terms. It can be hard to let go of these negative thought patterns. Often, they're the result of years of self-loathing and your internalizing of the negative opinions and judgments of others, but you can do it. Remember, knowledge is power. Next time one of those negative thoughts crops up, you'll have the awareness to cut it down.
Is your inner voice a trash-talker? If you've tried and failed to reach your fitness goals in the past, negative thoughts might have been what held you back. Want to succeed this time? Get your journal (or log on to your online Fitness Diary). It's time to get some of those thoughts out of your head and onto paper. Ask yourself the following questions:
1. Do you have a negative self-image?Do you constantly say things like "I'm fat" or "I'm ugly"? Do you pick yourself apart and beat yourself up when you look in the mirror?
2. Do you lack self-confidence?Do you doubt your ability to achieve your goals, weight-related or otherwise? Do you dwell on your perceived limits or fears? Do you doubt your ability to accomplish the things you want to accomplish?
3. Do you feel powerless?Do you feel as if you have no control over your life, or do you rely on excuses like "I'm genetically predisposed to being overweight"?
4. Do you label yourself in self-deprecating ways?Do you think and talk about your failure to lose weight as a foregone conclusion? Do you refer to yourself mockingly (or not!) as a stereotype — the happy/funny fat person in the room? Is your e-mail address "fatso@blank.com"?
Now think about your responses. How would you describe the tone of your answers? Are they affirming and constructive, or downbeat and destructive? Want to turn your thinking around? The following question will help you understand why you have been propagating these destructive thoughts and behaviors so that we can cut them out at the root.
5. How is this negativity hurting you?Is what you say about yourself really the truth? Or is it a defense mechanism? And if so, against what? Are you just making complicated excuses? How does this kind of negativity help you achieve your goals?
The answers to these questions should help you start to see what's at the root of your negative thinking.
Now go back and answer the five questions again, and force yourself to use only positive terms. It can be hard to let go of these negative thought patterns. Often, they're the result of years of self-loathing and your internalizing of the negative opinions and judgments of others, but you can do it. Remember, knowledge is power. Next time one of those negative thoughts crops up, you'll have the awareness to cut it down.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.
One of my favorite sites to peruse is Exboyfriendjewelry . They have cute stuff for cheap, but the only thing I would buy would be in any category except engagement rings.
Anyways, there must be some really stupid, desperate women out there since every 4th story seems to be "my boyfriend proposed to me and picked out this ring but didn't have the money (or enough money or the credit) to buy it so I'm selling it." HELLLLOOOO!!!!!!!!! If he can't afford to buy a ring, what makes you think he can support you later? Is it any surprise, then, that they are no longer together and now she is in debt? Pfftt... I have no sympathy.
I've had some bad exes in the past... thank god it never went as far as marriage and at least they had the money/credit to buy a ring. Thanks to them, however, I know what I DON'T want in a guy.
Speaking of not so bright... I texted someone to look up a number for me b/c I didn't have free 411 left this month. The text I got back after they found it was 'And?' And how about you text the number! Now why in the hell would I ask someone to look something up for me? The same reason you call 411. For info! Ugh.
Anyways, there must be some really stupid, desperate women out there since every 4th story seems to be "my boyfriend proposed to me and picked out this ring but didn't have the money (or enough money or the credit) to buy it so I'm selling it." HELLLLOOOO!!!!!!!!! If he can't afford to buy a ring, what makes you think he can support you later? Is it any surprise, then, that they are no longer together and now she is in debt? Pfftt... I have no sympathy.
I've had some bad exes in the past... thank god it never went as far as marriage and at least they had the money/credit to buy a ring. Thanks to them, however, I know what I DON'T want in a guy.
Speaking of not so bright... I texted someone to look up a number for me b/c I didn't have free 411 left this month. The text I got back after they found it was 'And?' And how about you text the number! Now why in the hell would I ask someone to look something up for me? The same reason you call 411. For info! Ugh.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Salmon in Parchment recipe
Salmon in Parchment
4 servings
Ingredients:
8 oz. thin spaghetti
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons fresh dill or parsley, chopped
1 cup carrots julienned
1 cup zucchini, julienned
1 cup asparagus tips
1 cup red bell pepper, julienned
24 oz salmon fillet, cut into four 6-ounce pieces
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
4 large sheets of parchment paper
Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cook thin spaghetti in rapidly boiling water until al dente, drain, toss with a bit of olive oil, salt and chopped fresh dill or parsley.
3. Rinse salmon fillets and pat dry. Spread Dijon mustard evenly over the top of each one.
4. Prepare the parchment: fold each piece of parchment in half. With scissors, cut the shape of half a heart from the folded side. (Remember Valentine's you made in grade school?) Open the heart shape and place 1/4 of the pasta on the center of the paper, top with a salmon fillet, and add the vegetables. Bring the sides of the heart over the fish and fold the edges together starting at the top of the heart, overlapping the folded edge as you go. Fold the tip several times to secure it.
5. Place the pouches in the middle of the hot oven and bake for 10 minutes. Serve immediately in the sealed pouches, opening them just before eating.
Nutritional Information: Per serving:533 calories14.9 g total fat (2.8 g sat)76 mg cholesterol52 g carbohydrate46 g protein5 g fiber696 mg sodium
4 servings
Ingredients:
8 oz. thin spaghetti
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons fresh dill or parsley, chopped
1 cup carrots julienned
1 cup zucchini, julienned
1 cup asparagus tips
1 cup red bell pepper, julienned
24 oz salmon fillet, cut into four 6-ounce pieces
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
4 large sheets of parchment paper
Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cook thin spaghetti in rapidly boiling water until al dente, drain, toss with a bit of olive oil, salt and chopped fresh dill or parsley.
3. Rinse salmon fillets and pat dry. Spread Dijon mustard evenly over the top of each one.
4. Prepare the parchment: fold each piece of parchment in half. With scissors, cut the shape of half a heart from the folded side. (Remember Valentine's you made in grade school?) Open the heart shape and place 1/4 of the pasta on the center of the paper, top with a salmon fillet, and add the vegetables. Bring the sides of the heart over the fish and fold the edges together starting at the top of the heart, overlapping the folded edge as you go. Fold the tip several times to secure it.
5. Place the pouches in the middle of the hot oven and bake for 10 minutes. Serve immediately in the sealed pouches, opening them just before eating.
Nutritional Information: Per serving:533 calories14.9 g total fat (2.8 g sat)76 mg cholesterol52 g carbohydrate46 g protein5 g fiber696 mg sodium
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Seize the Moment
Seize the Moment
Maybe this sounds familiar: "I'll just have that ice cream today (or another helping of the mashed potatoes at dinner, or those chips when I need another snack, and so on)…and I'll get back on track tomorrow."
Why wait until tomorrow to eat the right foods when you can do it today? That's why a favorite mantras is "Seize the moment." Repeat this mantra to yourself throughout the day, reminding yourself that each moment counts. Every time you say no to a fatty treat, you're making yourself stronger. Every time you push yourself to walk a little farther or to do your workouts at a little higher intensity, you are getting even closer to your goals. It's all a step in the right direction!
Make the most of each moment. If you find yourself with the rare extra half hour to kill, use it to hit the grocery to get some bikini-friendly foods, or go for a brisk walk, or even take a nap — it will refresh your body so you'll be eager to stay on track (so many of us overeat when we're feeling tired). Every little bit of progress counts!
Isn't It NEAT?
Fidgeting in class may have gotten you in trouble as a kid, but maybe you should considering taking it up again — it could help you lose weight. Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) refers to those calories that we burn outside the gym or through any avenues other than exercise. This includes fidgeting, taking the stairs, even pacing the kitchen while gabbing on the phone. So fit in as many little spurts of activity into your day as you can. The more ways you can find to increase your NEAT in a day (like parking as far as you can from your office building), the more calories you'll burn and the easier it will be to lose weight.
Maybe this sounds familiar: "I'll just have that ice cream today (or another helping of the mashed potatoes at dinner, or those chips when I need another snack, and so on)…and I'll get back on track tomorrow."
Why wait until tomorrow to eat the right foods when you can do it today? That's why a favorite mantras is "Seize the moment." Repeat this mantra to yourself throughout the day, reminding yourself that each moment counts. Every time you say no to a fatty treat, you're making yourself stronger. Every time you push yourself to walk a little farther or to do your workouts at a little higher intensity, you are getting even closer to your goals. It's all a step in the right direction!
Make the most of each moment. If you find yourself with the rare extra half hour to kill, use it to hit the grocery to get some bikini-friendly foods, or go for a brisk walk, or even take a nap — it will refresh your body so you'll be eager to stay on track (so many of us overeat when we're feeling tired). Every little bit of progress counts!
Isn't It NEAT?
Fidgeting in class may have gotten you in trouble as a kid, but maybe you should considering taking it up again — it could help you lose weight. Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) refers to those calories that we burn outside the gym or through any avenues other than exercise. This includes fidgeting, taking the stairs, even pacing the kitchen while gabbing on the phone. So fit in as many little spurts of activity into your day as you can. The more ways you can find to increase your NEAT in a day (like parking as far as you can from your office building), the more calories you'll burn and the easier it will be to lose weight.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Emotional triggers and Eating
Emotional Triggers Behind Eating
You just got into a knockdown-dragout fight with your spouse. Or your kid. Or your mom. Or the guy behind you in the checkout line. Your reaction is to head for the kitchen to soothe yourself with something smooth, fattening, creamy, sugary, salty, or crunchy — pick your poison.
Sound familiar? If so, you're an emotional eater. But you've probably figured that out already. You've probably also figured out that unhealthy overeating leads not only to weight gain but to a destructive pattern of anxiety and self-loathing that's tough to break on your own. Want to break the cycle? I'm here to help.
You've got to start by facing the fact that there will never be a totally stress-free time in your life. There. That's as bad as it gets. Now on to the good news: You can stop emotional eating. The key is to identify the things that make you feel pressured, sad, angry, or anxious. Once you understand your triggers, you can break the cycle and start regaining control of when, why, and how you eat.
The best way to identify your emotional triggers is through self-examination. Face your issues. Bring them out of your subconscious and into your conscious reality. This is the most empowering thing you can do for yourself.
Leave the Past Behind
To change the present, it's essential to let go of your past. Forget about the times when you binged because you were upset, hurt, angry, or depressed. The past does not define you; the present does. Having a crystal clear vision of the future affects your behavior now. Let your daily actions be governed by your game plan for a new you. Keep that game plan in the forefront of your mind by writing about it and letting it become real. There's no deadline. Just commit to the process and take it day by day.
You just got into a knockdown-dragout fight with your spouse. Or your kid. Or your mom. Or the guy behind you in the checkout line. Your reaction is to head for the kitchen to soothe yourself with something smooth, fattening, creamy, sugary, salty, or crunchy — pick your poison.
Sound familiar? If so, you're an emotional eater. But you've probably figured that out already. You've probably also figured out that unhealthy overeating leads not only to weight gain but to a destructive pattern of anxiety and self-loathing that's tough to break on your own. Want to break the cycle? I'm here to help.
You've got to start by facing the fact that there will never be a totally stress-free time in your life. There. That's as bad as it gets. Now on to the good news: You can stop emotional eating. The key is to identify the things that make you feel pressured, sad, angry, or anxious. Once you understand your triggers, you can break the cycle and start regaining control of when, why, and how you eat.
The best way to identify your emotional triggers is through self-examination. Face your issues. Bring them out of your subconscious and into your conscious reality. This is the most empowering thing you can do for yourself.
Leave the Past Behind
To change the present, it's essential to let go of your past. Forget about the times when you binged because you were upset, hurt, angry, or depressed. The past does not define you; the present does. Having a crystal clear vision of the future affects your behavior now. Let your daily actions be governed by your game plan for a new you. Keep that game plan in the forefront of your mind by writing about it and letting it become real. There's no deadline. Just commit to the process and take it day by day.
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