Monthly Archives: May 2010

Pesticides Kill Living Organisms…So We Eat Pesticides Anyway?

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Something about the fact that pesticides kill living organisms makes me wonder what effect they have on humans.  Of course, they’re not going to kill us, but logic tells me they can’t be good for us.  It only makes sense to me that they would affect us negatively in various ways.   When you read articles online, there is a considerable amount of concern about high levels of pesticides being on some of our food.

According to the Environmental Working Group’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides, there are twelve produce items they call the “dirty dozen” because of the high amount of pesticides on them.  This list was based on test data from the USDA.  If at all possible, the EWG says to buy these 12 in organic form or buy in a very limited quantity from time to time.  If organic is too expensive, then choose something off the “Clean 15” list on the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides.  Here is a list of what they consider to be the twelve worst fresh produce items as far as the amount of pesticides on them:

  • Celery
  • Peaches (check farmer’s markets and ask if pesticides were used)
  • Strawberries (I watch for Krogers to put organic on sale)
  • Apples  (I buy organic either at Target or Brookshire’s.  The peeling is so healthy, and it defeats half the reason for eating apples if they have to be peeled because of pesticides.)
  • Blueberries (we buy organic at Sam’s)
  • Nectarines
  • Bell Peppers  (I buy organic at Central Market or when Krogers puts them on sale)
  • Spinach (we buy organic on sale either at Central Market, Krogers or Tom Thumb)
  • Kale
  • Cherries
  • Potatoes (I try to buy organic at Central Market, whichever kind of organic potato is the best price)
  • Grapes (imported)  (I don’t buy imported, only domestic)

Organic produce can be expensive, but if you watch the grocery ads then you can usually find it on sale, especially during the summer, at one of the grocery stores that carries organics.

We have been so busy, but our plans are to start a small garden using something similar to the Square Foot Gardening Method.  We hope to plant potatoes, okra, zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, and green beans.  So, we’ll see how that goes!

A Healthy Diet

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I weighed last week and was happy to see that I have lost all of the weight I put on during the Christmas holidays.  I won’t need any thermogenic fat burners, but I will continue to try to eat healthy and still allow myself treats now and then.  White flour products are rarely eaten, and mostly whole grain products are in my diet as well as low-fat meats, extra-virgin olive oil, and lots of fruits and veggies.  That’s a healthy diet!

Clothing

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Now that I’m doing substitute teaching, I’m slowly trying to build up my wardrobe for work.  Before, when I worked from home and did volunteer work, I wore jeans most of the time.  But now I can’t do that!  If  I get a full time teaching job, I will definitely need to get some new clothes.  I won’t be looking for urban clothing, but I will be looking for suitable work clothes.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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“Happy Mommy’s Day” is what our son guesses that his nephew, J (our grandson), is probably saying today.  I can imagine J saying that.

To all of you mothers out there, hope everyone has a Happy Mother’s Day and can enjoy being with family.  To all of you young mothers like our daughter, Christi, there is hope for sleep in the future.  I was thinking this morning how Christi has not had a full nights sleep in the past two and a half years (actually 33 months) except for maybe a dozen times.  (Is that accurate, Christi?)  That shows the love and commitment of a mother.

Mother & Daughter, Now & Then

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Here’s a picture of Christi (Frugal Novice) and me taken a couple of weeks ago.  Thought it would be appropriate to have a picture of mother & daughter bloggers for Mother’s Day. Thinking about Mother’s Day brings back happy memories not only of my own mother but also thoughts of how proud we are of our own two children and son-in-law.  They’re all such a blessing!  Our daughter, Christi, is a mother herself of two of the most adorable, most precious little boys (our grandsons). And that reminds me of a song my husband used to sing before Christi was born and throughout her life.  I must admit the song brings tears to my eyes sometimes.  Here’s part of the song:

Where are you going, my little one, little one

Where are you going, my baby my own.

Turn around you’re two, turn around you’re four

Turn around and you’re a young girl going out of the door.

Turn around, turn around,

Turn around and you’re a young girl going out of the door.

Where are you going, my little one, little one.

Where are you going, my baby my own.

Turn around… you’re small, turn around… you’re grown.

Turn around and you’re a young wife with babes of your own.

Turn around, turn around

Turn around and you’re a young wife with babes of your own.“

Here’s a picture of Christi and me taken 28 years ago.  Isn’t she precious!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL THE MOTHERS WHO ARE READING THIS!

Starbuck’s Frappuccinos Half-Price this Friday, 3-5 PM

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For those of you who enjoy a cold Frappuccino from Starbucks on a warm day, be sure to note that this Friday, May 7th, you’ll be able to get one half-price between 3 & 5 p.m.  Starbucks will be doing this again on May 16th.

I remember my first Frappuccino many years ago when our daughter was getting her hair cut (during her college years) .  Christi’s friend, Amber, and I didn’t want to wait at the Salon, so we went to a nearby Starbucks where Amber quickly  recommended a Creme Caramel Frappuccino.  It was so delicious!!  And I imagine it had zero calories.  (notice I said “imagine”)   I haven’t had very many of them because they really aren’t that healthy, but every once in a while I will have one for a special treat!

Nursing Uniforms

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Nowadays, nursing scrubs are stylish and come in many different colors and styles, and they are cute enough to wear out running errands after work.   It would be easy to have a cute scrubs outfit to wear each day for two weeks without wearing the same one twice.  But with today’s economy that might be hard for some people to do.   However, Nursing Uniforms has good prices on their uniforms, and they offer free shipping on orders over $100.   And not only do they have the largest selection of uniforms online which makes them a “superstore,”  but they carry quality merchandise.  The owners come from medical professional families, and so they know what’s durable, affordable, and stylish at the same time.  They carry brands such as Medcouture, Katherine Heigl, Stat Wear, Peaches Uniforms, and Izzy Scrubs.   Not only do they carry scrubs, but they also have a nice selection of lab coats in various styles.

Whenever I order something online, I look to make sure that the company has good customer service and a money back guarantee.  They do!  They state that they will answer inquiries within 24 hours, and they have a 30-day satisfaction money back guarantee.  So not only can you shop anytime 24-7, but you can get style, quality and durability with a money back guarantee if not satisfied.

*Sponsored by Nursing Uniforms

Menu Plan Monday: 5-3-10

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I am really getting in a rut.   Didn’t feel good over the weekend and was dragging at work this morning.  Felt better after lunch, but energy level has been low all day.  So…I stopped and picked up a rotisserie chicken at the grocery deli.   We really like them a lot, as you can tell since we’ve had them now for three weeks in a row.  It’s a great deal for $5 since we can make three meals out of it.  And it’s already cooked!!   So here goes our menu:

Monday Rotisserie chicken with left-over spinach casserole from yesterday, steamed broccoli (I know it’s lots of green veggies but I wanted to use the broccoli before it started turning light green)

Tuesday Left-over rotisserie chicken with corn and lima beans (frozen veggies)

Wednesday Homemade soup using the rest of the chicken.  It will be a spur-of-the-moment recipe.

Thursday Homemade Chef Salad

Friday Not cooking tonight!

Saturday I’m thinking maybe Easy Cheesy Beef Enchiladas and refried beans.

Cinco de Mayo Recipes Including Easy Cheesy Beef Enchiladas plus Chipotle Recipes

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Pictured above:  Easy Cheesy Beef Enchiladas

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef  (hormone free, if possible)
  • 1/2 – 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1  14-ounce (medium-size) can Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce, Medium Red (or if you like lots of sauce like us, then 1 large can or 2 small cans)
  • 1 package corn tortillas
  • 1 package shredded sharp cheddar cheese, reduced fat

Directions:

Cook chopped onion and ground beef until no pink is left in the meat.  Warm tortillas either briefly in the microwave (this can be done by inverting a dinner plate on top of another one to make a “tortilla warmer”) or in a skillet so they will roll without breaking.  Place ground beef/onion mixture in a line down the middle of a tortilla and spoon a couple of tablespoons of enchilada sauce over it.  Roll to make tortilla and place in casserole dish.  Repeat until all the meat mixture is used up.  Pour remaining sauce evenly over tortillas and top with shredded cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Are you a Chipotle fan?  Here are their own Chipotle original recipes.

Here are more recipes you might enjoy:

AND…for an awesome Cinco de Mayo desserts:

ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: Cinco de Mayo: Origin, Activities, & Books for Children

READ MORE RECIPES

Savvycents Wallet Giveaway at Frugal Novice

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Christi is giving away this cool wallet, valued at $24.95 and designed by Melinda at Savvycents.  Melinda designed the wallet so there would be different categories for cash which is great for those who are using the “Envelope System” for budgeting money.  But the wallet is also great for those who are not and for those who use coupons or just like to be organized.  This giveaway runs through midnight on May 6, so if you’re interested then sign up at Frugal Novice.  And while you’re there, be sure to check out her site.   It’s great!  (and it just happens to have some absolutely adorable pictures of our little grandsons)     GIVEAWAY IS OVER!