So I have heard a lot of talk the past few months about eating Quinoa. Basically “quinoa is a grain-like crop grown primarily for its edible seeds. Quinoa also has become highly appreciated for its nutritional value, as its protein content is very high (12%–18%). Unlike wheat or rice (which are low in lysine), and like oats, quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete protein source among plant foods.[5] It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest.”
Sounds like it should be good for you, no?!
As I have been trying to eat healthy I thought I would give it a try. I get that you can use it in place of dishes with rice and Josey over at My Cheap Version of Therapy had a few great sounding recipes for quinoa meals! But I made a batch tonight and I have to admit, it is a little bland on its own and I am not sure how to use it in a healthy way for lunch. I googled some recipes and there were a few that sounded really good but I like stuff with lots of flavor and not just veggies but also something lighter for lunch.
SO before I go experimenting, has anyone ever used it before and/or have some good and easy lunch ideas to share?! Any thoughts on quinoa & recipes?
Monday, August 30, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Really?! – Cell Phone Picture Edition
So here are a few pictures taken the past couple weeks on my cell phone that make me just think….Really?! (Yes, Like Seth & Amy on SNL)
Really Antique Mall in Findlay, Ohio?! You felt that you just had to put creepy porcelain doll wall paper up in your bathroom? I know you sell antiques and all, but what about finding wall paper with old books or antique toys without faces or I don’t know anything else aged that ISN’T a creepy doll? Or hey, even better, how about just some fancy design like normal businesses have? I mean really, do you not want people to use your restrooms? Or maybe you literally want to scare the shit out of people when they are using your facilities as some sick joke. What kind of creep does that?! I mean come on, really. That wall paper is one of the scariest things I have ever seen….I felt those creepy dolls, along with that little clown, were peering into my soul. Really.
Really Yoplait? “Thick & Creamy”?! I know this isn’t new or anything, but I have always had a problem with it. Thick and Creamy. Was that the best name your marketing company could come up with? I mean really?! Were you all snickering as you came up with this or did you really think making a Thick and Creamy product line was an awesome way to sell your product. Yes, I know I usually “go there” and love a good sexual innuendo, but come on….who wants to stare at those words while trying to enjoy a tasty, 100 calorie snack. I mean really.
Really cats? Did you not think we would notice the curtain hanging off the door window when we got home? And what were you three up to that would cause the curtain to “fall” down? Did you think you could look out the window? Did you want to scare the mail-ma'am? I mean really, what were you trying to accomplish with this besides making more of a mess in the house? I get it, the curtain isn’t that great but that is no reason to jump up and attempt to rip it down. Come on cats, at the best stretched out you are each no more than 3 feet and you do not have thumbs….so I do not know how you did this but there is nothing you need with that curtain. Really cats.
Really Antique Mall in Findlay, Ohio?! You felt that you just had to put creepy porcelain doll wall paper up in your bathroom? I know you sell antiques and all, but what about finding wall paper with old books or antique toys without faces or I don’t know anything else aged that ISN’T a creepy doll? Or hey, even better, how about just some fancy design like normal businesses have? I mean really, do you not want people to use your restrooms? Or maybe you literally want to scare the shit out of people when they are using your facilities as some sick joke. What kind of creep does that?! I mean come on, really. That wall paper is one of the scariest things I have ever seen….I felt those creepy dolls, along with that little clown, were peering into my soul. Really.
Really Yoplait? “Thick & Creamy”?! I know this isn’t new or anything, but I have always had a problem with it. Thick and Creamy. Was that the best name your marketing company could come up with? I mean really?! Were you all snickering as you came up with this or did you really think making a Thick and Creamy product line was an awesome way to sell your product. Yes, I know I usually “go there” and love a good sexual innuendo, but come on….who wants to stare at those words while trying to enjoy a tasty, 100 calorie snack. I mean really.
Really cats? Did you not think we would notice the curtain hanging off the door window when we got home? And what were you three up to that would cause the curtain to “fall” down? Did you think you could look out the window? Did you want to scare the mail-ma'am? I mean really, what were you trying to accomplish with this besides making more of a mess in the house? I get it, the curtain isn’t that great but that is no reason to jump up and attempt to rip it down. Come on cats, at the best stretched out you are each no more than 3 feet and you do not have thumbs….so I do not know how you did this but there is nothing you need with that curtain. Really cats.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
2010 – The Year of Busted Stuff
So I try not to complain too much (though my husband may respectfully disagree) but there is a trend I am noticing for this year and I have to say that I am not so much a fan of it.
So what is the trend? All our shit is breaking!
Yep, I believe 2010 is the year that all our crap breaks….and is also the year of the Tiger (of the Tiger getting caught with a couple dozen mistresses…say what!)
Now it is common for things to break here and there….but this year it seems to be almost like some running joke in our house, albeit a sick joke that makes me want to cry and eat a bag of pretzels and Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream, but a joke nevertheless. Now I am not looking for sympathy with this post (though please feel free to send donations c/o HOWARD RELIEF 2010 and in the memo – “Busted Stuff”) so please do not take it that way. But because of the absolutely absurd amount of crap that has broke not even 9 months into the year I feel it is my duty (teehee) to share because seriously, it is just crazy.
Stuff is just reaching that time where things naturally need fixed. My car is a 2001 Honda and is AMAZING (I heart Hondas) but as it approaches 10 years old it needs some basic fixes to keep it going another 10 years. Terry’s car is a 1991 VW (T. hearts VW’s) and it needs work to keep it going a few more years. The house was built in 1980 and has many original items, and therefore all that stuff is starting to need a little work…..kind of like me. Stuff just be getting old. Plus I would much rather all this happen this year then next when T. is gone. And after 2010 is over we should seriously be all fixed up for awhile….and what isn’t fixed is getting duct taped.
So what is on our list this year of shit that decided to stop working?
1. Heater broke. Yep, on a very cold evening in January we lost heat. Brrrrrrr. Furnace = Fixed.
However a new furnace will be needed in about 3 years. = sigh
New coils were also fixed in the basement as they were starting to go bad and they were there to fix it then.
2. Volkswagen needed some new belt thing = Fixed
3. VW needs brakes, shocks & struts and rotors turned = Waiting to be fixed
4. Honda air conditioned broke this summer = Fixed
5. New battery for Honda = Fixed
6. Back shocks and struts on Honda needed replaced = Fixed
7. Front shock and struts on Honda need replaced = Waiting to be fixed.
8. New tires on Honda before November = Waiting to be fixed.
9. Honda started making a new noise when braking = Next on list to be fixed
10. There was a recall on the Honda for a switch that needed fixed. = Fixed…FOR FREEEEEE!
11. Computer’s power supply broke = Fixed
12. Dishwasher broke = New dishwasher with the help of my awesome parents! THANK YOU!!!
13. Air conditioned just started making this horrible noise when it shuts off and needs looked at = Waiting till Fall to look at it.
14. 17 year old washer decided to stop working 2 weeks ago…mid cycle of course = New washer purchased
15. Got a call from T. Monday saying that as he was heading to lunch his axel & some kind of ball joint thing on his car fell off and basically his tire was barely hanging on. (For the record can I just say I do NOT care about the car in this case and just that T. was in a parking lot at work and not on the highway going to class. My stomach turns thinking what might have happened if this would have broke even 20 minutes later. Losing a wheel on the highway at 70 mph. I seriously feel sick.) = Fixed.
16. After that little scare T. asked the shop to inspect the car thoroughly and see what else needs updated. We got a list that includes a few more things not previously mentioned above like a new exhaust, tires, and a couple other smaller items. = Waiting to be fixed
The thing is our cars are actually really great cars, though from the sounds of it I am sure no one wants to ride with us! It is just stuff that happens over time and needs taken care of. The good thing about all the car stuff is that 1) Terry works at NAPA and can get parts there for a deal 2) he has worked with some of the shops in town for nearly 15 years and that is nice because they don’t always charge for all the BS (like buying parts)…just their labor, 3) if we can invest some money now it will allow us to not have to make a car payment for at least 2 years until after he graduates from CCMS which is going to be huge, and 4) Terry can do some of this stuff himself which saves money.
YES it is VERY frustrating having this all happen at once but at the same time what can we do about it. Shit happens; and in our case shit happens and then breaks. So you fix it an move on. But if you cannot get ahold of me, please check any of the local repair shops in the area….or the ice cream section at Meijer.
This is ONE year. ONE FLIPP’N YEAR. Nuck’n Futs, right?!
Being a grown up is sooooo much fun :)
So what is the trend? All our shit is breaking!
Yep, I believe 2010 is the year that all our crap breaks….and is also the year of the Tiger (of the Tiger getting caught with a couple dozen mistresses…say what!)
Now it is common for things to break here and there….but this year it seems to be almost like some running joke in our house, albeit a sick joke that makes me want to cry and eat a bag of pretzels and Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream, but a joke nevertheless. Now I am not looking for sympathy with this post (though please feel free to send donations c/o HOWARD RELIEF 2010 and in the memo – “Busted Stuff”) so please do not take it that way. But because of the absolutely absurd amount of crap that has broke not even 9 months into the year I feel it is my duty (teehee) to share because seriously, it is just crazy.
Stuff is just reaching that time where things naturally need fixed. My car is a 2001 Honda and is AMAZING (I heart Hondas) but as it approaches 10 years old it needs some basic fixes to keep it going another 10 years. Terry’s car is a 1991 VW (T. hearts VW’s) and it needs work to keep it going a few more years. The house was built in 1980 and has many original items, and therefore all that stuff is starting to need a little work…..kind of like me. Stuff just be getting old. Plus I would much rather all this happen this year then next when T. is gone. And after 2010 is over we should seriously be all fixed up for awhile….and what isn’t fixed is getting duct taped.
So what is on our list this year of shit that decided to stop working?
1. Heater broke. Yep, on a very cold evening in January we lost heat. Brrrrrrr. Furnace = Fixed.
However a new furnace will be needed in about 3 years. = sigh
New coils were also fixed in the basement as they were starting to go bad and they were there to fix it then.
2. Volkswagen needed some new belt thing = Fixed
3. VW needs brakes, shocks & struts and rotors turned = Waiting to be fixed
4. Honda air conditioned broke this summer = Fixed
5. New battery for Honda = Fixed
6. Back shocks and struts on Honda needed replaced = Fixed
7. Front shock and struts on Honda need replaced = Waiting to be fixed.
8. New tires on Honda before November = Waiting to be fixed.
9. Honda started making a new noise when braking = Next on list to be fixed
10. There was a recall on the Honda for a switch that needed fixed. = Fixed…FOR FREEEEEE!
11. Computer’s power supply broke = Fixed
12. Dishwasher broke = New dishwasher with the help of my awesome parents! THANK YOU!!!
13. Air conditioned just started making this horrible noise when it shuts off and needs looked at = Waiting till Fall to look at it.
14. 17 year old washer decided to stop working 2 weeks ago…mid cycle of course = New washer purchased
15. Got a call from T. Monday saying that as he was heading to lunch his axel & some kind of ball joint thing on his car fell off and basically his tire was barely hanging on. (For the record can I just say I do NOT care about the car in this case and just that T. was in a parking lot at work and not on the highway going to class. My stomach turns thinking what might have happened if this would have broke even 20 minutes later. Losing a wheel on the highway at 70 mph. I seriously feel sick.) = Fixed.
16. After that little scare T. asked the shop to inspect the car thoroughly and see what else needs updated. We got a list that includes a few more things not previously mentioned above like a new exhaust, tires, and a couple other smaller items. = Waiting to be fixed
The thing is our cars are actually really great cars, though from the sounds of it I am sure no one wants to ride with us! It is just stuff that happens over time and needs taken care of. The good thing about all the car stuff is that 1) Terry works at NAPA and can get parts there for a deal 2) he has worked with some of the shops in town for nearly 15 years and that is nice because they don’t always charge for all the BS (like buying parts)…just their labor, 3) if we can invest some money now it will allow us to not have to make a car payment for at least 2 years until after he graduates from CCMS which is going to be huge, and 4) Terry can do some of this stuff himself which saves money.
YES it is VERY frustrating having this all happen at once but at the same time what can we do about it. Shit happens; and in our case shit happens and then breaks. So you fix it an move on. But if you cannot get ahold of me, please check any of the local repair shops in the area….or the ice cream section at Meijer.
This is ONE year. ONE FLIPP’N YEAR. Nuck’n Futs, right?!
Being a grown up is sooooo much fun :)
Monday, August 23, 2010
Shameless Plug or Fun Invitation?! Tastefully Simple is in the House!!
Beer Bread and Mixes and Desserts....OH MY!!!
So my wonderful cousin who lives in my hometown has decided to become a Tastefully Simple consultant. Now as my cousin is gracious enough to drive 3 hours and I have been considering becoming a consultant up here, cannot turn down a party, and can definitely NOT turn down a party all about FOOD I am going to be hosting a party of my own on Saturday, September 25 at 2:00p.m.!
I am sending out an open invitation (so you can get an invitation) to anyone who would like to come over to my house for a few delightful Tastefully Simple treats or would like to order something in anticipation of the Fall and Winter months!
Just so you know, the new Fall-Winter Catalog will be out very soon and since I saw a sneak peek I can say it is jammed packed with all of your old favorites as well as SOOOO many tasty treats specifically for the colder months! Plus there are over 25 NEW products available! Not to be bias, but the Fall catalog is my favorite…as it is hard to go wrong with Oh My! Chia, Pumpkin Patch Bread Mix, and Creamy Potato Soup! *drool*
So if you are looking for some delicious and easy items to help you through the holidays, gift ideas for friends/family, or just want to try some delectable food please let me know!
Please feel free to comment on the blog and leave your email or email me at jennperko@hotmail.com if you are interested in receiving an invitation to the party so you can hang out with me and eat some fun food or if you would like a link so you can purchase stuff online!! I have a list already started, but just so I do not forget anyone please let me know by Sunday as I will be sending out invitations then!!
So my wonderful cousin who lives in my hometown has decided to become a Tastefully Simple consultant. Now as my cousin is gracious enough to drive 3 hours and I have been considering becoming a consultant up here, cannot turn down a party, and can definitely NOT turn down a party all about FOOD I am going to be hosting a party of my own on Saturday, September 25 at 2:00p.m.!
I am sending out an open invitation (so you can get an invitation) to anyone who would like to come over to my house for a few delightful Tastefully Simple treats or would like to order something in anticipation of the Fall and Winter months!
Just so you know, the new Fall-Winter Catalog will be out very soon and since I saw a sneak peek I can say it is jammed packed with all of your old favorites as well as SOOOO many tasty treats specifically for the colder months! Plus there are over 25 NEW products available! Not to be bias, but the Fall catalog is my favorite…as it is hard to go wrong with Oh My! Chia, Pumpkin Patch Bread Mix, and Creamy Potato Soup! *drool*
So if you are looking for some delicious and easy items to help you through the holidays, gift ideas for friends/family, or just want to try some delectable food please let me know!
Please feel free to comment on the blog and leave your email or email me at jennperko@hotmail.com if you are interested in receiving an invitation to the party so you can hang out with me and eat some fun food or if you would like a link so you can purchase stuff online!! I have a list already started, but just so I do not forget anyone please let me know by Sunday as I will be sending out invitations then!!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That
As I seem to be having difficulty of late writing any sort of blog post interesting or otherwise, I thought in an attempt to make an effort to blog more frequently I would do a completely haphazard blog of things that I am thinking and feel like sharing. So please enjoy these few tasty morsels of randomness.
- See that little girl with me? I love her and she makes me smile.
Her name is Macey and she is ADORABLE, HILARIOUS, and SO STINK’N SMART! (So is the girl next to her…but we already knew that.) I also love her mommy very much too and was SOOOO excited when a couple weekends ago my cousin, her husband and their daughter Macey spent the entire weekend in our house!! We colored, played, watched kids shows I had never heard of!!! Having a child in the house was awesome, hilarious, eye opening, and tiring….I loved it.
- Sowe my sister got a another cat. Another cat you say? Don’t you already have two too many? Egad…I can’t believe you would say that!! In a moment of weakness for cute kittens and so I could nurture something I agreed to let Kristen get a kitten. (For the record T. agreed too and said “I don’t care, she can do whatever the hell she wants but I am not going to f@$k’n take care of it for her. Oh and she better pick one that is cute and gets along with our cats." Translation: “I really want another kitten so of course.”)
He is a pet of Lucifer bit of a handful, but when he is asleep and not moving he is adorable…and a cuddlier, which is purrrfect. (sorry)
- I bought this nail polish from Rite Aid a few backs back and I have to say I LOVE IT. It is from Sally Hanson and called Complete Salon Manicure. The idea is that all 5 steps of a manicure are in a bottle. (Base Coat, Strengthener, Growth Treatment, Color, Top Coat.) Now for the record I bought this stuff only for the color below (Fairy Teal….awesome) and I still used a base and top coat because, well I didn’t even realize it was a 5 in 1 until a couple days after I used it. Top coat or not this stuff goes on beautifully, comes in SO many fun colors, lasts a long time (mine lasted nearly 3 weeks…but I cleaned with bleach which didn’t help), isn’t clumpy or thick, and has really fun nail polish names! It also has a different design of a brush, which I wasn’t sure of at first but then thought was rather brilliant. I also got Commander in Chic which I will be trying this weekend.
- I bought these gaucho pants at Target.com for $10! Yep, very comfy and just something to lounge around in or wear out to do errands. I enjoy them a lot. The material is a bit on the thinner side, so take that into consideration when buying them….but remember they are only $10 so you can’t beat that for lounging pants! But seriously, if you have any cellulite (and so help the person who says they do not) you may want to avoid white as I am sure it will show everything. But black and brown, like I got, are well worth it!
- These are my other cats. They saw I put something on here about Charlie and got pissed and tried to ship him to Bali so I promised I would put pictures of them on the blog if they unwrapped him from the bubble wrap….or at the least poked holes in the box.
- See that little girl with me? I love her and she makes me smile.
Her name is Macey and she is ADORABLE, HILARIOUS, and SO STINK’N SMART! (So is the girl next to her…but we already knew that.) I also love her mommy very much too and was SOOOO excited when a couple weekends ago my cousin, her husband and their daughter Macey spent the entire weekend in our house!! We colored, played, watched kids shows I had never heard of!!! Having a child in the house was awesome, hilarious, eye opening, and tiring….I loved it.
Her and her new friend Ivan! It is hilarious watching two 3 year olds interact.
Here they are being crazy.
Basically because they wouldn't just lay there for a real picture!
And here they are teaching my sister a lesson.
Don't worry, she was ok and only suffered minor injuries.
- So
This is Charlie. (He is waving hello)
This is him trying to figure out why he can now lay flat.
It is because they just took his little kitten balls from him.
"Someone get me my evening paper, cigar, and warm glass of milk!!
I had a hard day and wish to relax....is that too much to ask for?!"
"What about now? Is this sexy?"
He is a little cuddle bug....I enjoy that and he enjoys how soft and squishy I am. He can stay!f
- I bought this nail polish from Rite Aid a few backs back and I have to say I LOVE IT. It is from Sally Hanson and called Complete Salon Manicure. The idea is that all 5 steps of a manicure are in a bottle. (Base Coat, Strengthener, Growth Treatment, Color, Top Coat.) Now for the record I bought this stuff only for the color below (Fairy Teal….awesome) and I still used a base and top coat because, well I didn’t even realize it was a 5 in 1 until a couple days after I used it. Top coat or not this stuff goes on beautifully, comes in SO many fun colors, lasts a long time (mine lasted nearly 3 weeks…but I cleaned with bleach which didn’t help), isn’t clumpy or thick, and has really fun nail polish names! It also has a different design of a brush, which I wasn’t sure of at first but then thought was rather brilliant. I also got Commander in Chic which I will be trying this weekend.
Pretty
I heart these colors.
Funky brush but works wonderfully.
- I bought these gaucho pants at Target.com for $10! Yep, very comfy and just something to lounge around in or wear out to do errands. I enjoy them a lot. The material is a bit on the thinner side, so take that into consideration when buying them….but remember they are only $10 so you can’t beat that for lounging pants! But seriously, if you have any cellulite (and so help the person who says they do not) you may want to avoid white as I am sure it will show everything. But black and brown, like I got, are well worth it!
- These are my other cats. They saw I put something on here about Charlie and got pissed and tried to ship him to Bali so I promised I would put pictures of them on the blog if they unwrapped him from the bubble wrap….or at the least poked holes in the box.
Sebastian being fancy for the camera.
This was Belle being dramatic.
She was laying over the steps looking down and meowing and then.....
......She pretend to fall down the step. Drama queen.
- I have officially lost 50 pounds in a year. I am excited as it is about a pound a week, but really wanted to lose more as I still have a ways to go. Slow and steady right?! At this rate I should be at my ideal weight right before I hit menopause! But seriously, I am excited…hopefully by this time next year I will be at my goal weight.
- I have always been indifferent about The White Strips but lately I cannot stop listening to them. Their music can be rough and sound like a mess, but it is actually fantastic. I watched their documentary on Showtime called Under Great White Northern Lights that came out last year and it is awesome. My husband also told me to watch It Might Get Loud with Jimmy Page, The Edge & Jack White. Suh-weet.
A little random fact….their song “We're Going to be Friends” is the song played at the beginning of Napoleon Dynamite.
Ok, that is it. I think I have bored you enough!
Monday, August 16, 2010
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLEE!!
Someone very special to all of us is having a birthday today!!! (And may also find out the gender of her newest pretzel!)
Happy Birthday to Kylee over at TwoPretzels.
Kylee, I think everyone would agree with me in saying that you are one of the kindest, funniest, most creative, stylish, beautiful people we know…seriously you are just wonderful. And besides being such an awesome person with fantastic hair, you are an amazing mother and a truly wonderful friend. Oh, and your blog just rocks.
I am soooo glad to have met you that fateful day at OCC and am truly inspired by the strong, confident and amazing women you are!
Happy Birthday my friend!!
Sending HUGS to you today. Love you
Monday, August 02, 2010
Geico....You are Some Funny People
I am not a big fan of many commercials because they are just boring and I am glad 85% of the T.V. we watch is recorded so we can fast forward through commercials that are not funny (sorry commercials, I wish you were funny for both of our sakes). But I have to say that one of the few commercials I stop at and will actually rewind to watch are the newer Geico commercials. They are WHO-larious!
You know which ones I am talking about right...click here.
Does Elmer Fudd have troubles with the letter R? "Wabbits. Wabbits. Ah this director is wubbing me the wong way."
Does a former drill sergeant make a terrible therapist?...."Tissue? (Throws box) Cry Baby."
Or how about the Honest Abe commercial?! Is honest Abe really honest? "Does this dress make my backside look big? (insert uncomfortable expressions) Perhaps a ...."
So have you seen the newest one?! Oh my gosh, I watched it four times because I couldn't stop laughing.
Did the little piggy cry wee wee wee all the way home?
Genius. I really believe I would like the people who come up with these Geico commercials as I love funny people. It is simple but very clever humor. LOVE. IT.
Any favorite commercials?
You know which ones I am talking about right...click here.
Does Elmer Fudd have troubles with the letter R? "Wabbits. Wabbits. Ah this director is wubbing me the wong way."
Does a former drill sergeant make a terrible therapist?...."Tissue? (Throws box) Cry Baby."
Or how about the Honest Abe commercial?! Is honest Abe really honest? "Does this dress make my backside look big? (insert uncomfortable expressions) Perhaps a ...."
So have you seen the newest one?! Oh my gosh, I watched it four times because I couldn't stop laughing.
Did the little piggy cry wee wee wee all the way home?
Genius. I really believe I would like the people who come up with these Geico commercials as I love funny people. It is simple but very clever humor. LOVE. IT.
Any favorite commercials?
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