IddyBiddy

diy shredded tee

2009-10-14T19:07:00.000-07:00

diy feather hairpeice

2009-10-14T19:04:00.000-07:00

How-to Make a Feather Head Piece - Threadbanger

new ways to eat avocados

2009-07-25T18:59:00.000-07:00

http://www.socialworkout.com/2008/12/18/five-ways-eat-more-avocados

Faux fudge

2009-07-25T16:43:00.000-07:00

Yes I said Faux fudge! It's so good and good for you b/c it has pumpkin in it! It's from the Hungry girl recipe book. I've been getting a craving for this alot lately. It's my favorite dessert right now.
Here's a link:http://www.hungry-girl.com/chew/chewdetails.php?isid=978

My favorite hair products right now

2009-07-25T16:28:00.000-07:00

John Freida Weatherworks shampoo and conditioner are definately my favorite products right now. I've been wanting to say something about them for a while but I haven't gotten around to it yet. They have completly change my hair! I can't beleive how much more manageable my hair is now. I never thought it would ever be like this. I definately recommend them. I've also been using Garnier Fructis leave in conditioner. It's really nice and thick. I also like Herbal essences aersrol hairspray in extra hold and John Freida Hairspray ( all of them). A product that I've just recently discovered is Bed Head after party. I like alot better than any other products I've used like it in the past few years.

How can anyone be this gross?

2009-07-25T16:02:00.000-07:00

I just saw my mother in law take the cat's water bowl and put it directly onto the water dispencer in the fridge where I get my water all the time. I almost threw up. I cleaned it directly after words but I feel like I can't get my mouth clean enough. Has she been doing this the entire time I'm living here? I wonder if that's why I've been getting so sick.

Alice in Wonderland

2009-07-24T11:31:00.000-07:00

ugh

2009-07-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

I've been really sick for the past couple of days and I haven't weighed myself but I look way too skinny right now. I'm weird about my weight. I guess it's not really weird b/c most women are that way. I eat healthy but I still like to eat fast food sometimes. Right now my big weakness frito wraps from sonic. I know it sounds really gross. I don't know why I can't live without them. I do weigh myself often just to keep a check on things. Right now I'm more worried about clearing up some breakouts that i've gotten from stress and and getting myself feeling better than anything. It seems like the only thing I can eat and drink is sugar free kool aid and toast with brummel and brown. I feel better than I did a couple of days ago so I know that I'm making progress. I just wish it would hurry up!

Pyramid Stud Tote

2009-07-22T09:32:00.001-07:00

I love this bag for fall. It's from forever 21 for $35!

love these leggings

2009-07-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

I love these leggings from forever 21. they're only $14!

great idea from glamour

2009-07-21T15:06:00.000-07:00

See all blog posts

How to Make Sure You Always Have a Ponytail Holder on Hand

Tuesday, 07/21/2009 at 4:28 PM 10 Comments

I'm a girl who always has a hair tie thanks to a little thing I started doing a few years ago...

I keep a ponytail holder on my key ring. A simple move, yes, but one I highly recommend. I actually started doing it so I could slip the holder around my water bottle at the gym (and not lose my keys), and now I won't ever stop. It's been a lifesaver in many a hot situation.

Have a spot you always keep a hair tie? Do you have a whole collection in your purse? Are you always the girl trying to bum one off your friends when you go dancing? Head to the comments.

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by Beth Shapouri

The Worlds first automated handbag!

2009-07-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

I love this bag!!!!!!!!!

http://blog.avelle.com/celebrity-style/lulu-guinness-20th-anniversary-unveils-the-first-interactive-handbag/

Asperin Mask

2009-07-21T10:45:00.000-07:00

nail trends for fall

2009-07-21T09:13:00.001-07:00

I love the nail trends for fall!
http://monicarosestylist.blogspot.com/2009/07/nailpolish.html

Super cheap but good recipe link

2009-07-21T09:08:00.000-07:00

This is for something called Bodega beans. I love the name but I love the recipe even more!

http://cheaphealthygood.blogspot.com/2008/05/city-kitchen-chronicles-bodega-beans.html

useful food article

2009-07-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

This is a really useful article to help you save money on your grocery bill. Some of them weren't useful for me b/c I have a kitchen that's a little less equipped but soem of them are really good. Be sure to check the comments for more tips.

http://smallnotebook.org/2009/07/14/20-tips-to-waste-less-food/

tips for making better coffee

2009-07-21T08:51:00.000-07:00

I found this article to be useful
http://lifehacker.com/5312052/top-10-tips-and-tricks-for-better-coffee

love these shoes!

2009-07-21T08:21:00.000-07:00

These are from Steve Madden. I love these shoes for fall!

fiberfried chicken strips

2009-07-21T07:12:00.000-07:00

Late last nigt I tried another one of hg's recipes. It was low fat chicken strips. I had tried this recipe before but we were so broke we couldn't ever afford all of the ingredients at the same time (even though there's only 6). I made substitutions before and it never really tasted thaht good. But last night I had all of the ingredients so I tried again and they were delisious. I've never been one to follow exactly by the recipe but with this particular method of "fiber frying" you have to. The "fiber" refers to using pulverized fiber1 cereal instead of bread crumbs and baking them. It's really not that bad. I was skeptic but I gave it a try anyway and it was acuatlly alot for fun than actually frying chicken. If you ever start making some of the hg recipes you'll notice that some of them are kind of fun to make.

another hg recipe to try

2009-07-19T16:14:00.000-07:00

Today I tried a salad recipe from the original Hungry Girl cookbook. It was a salad called the hg special. I was a little nervous at first b/c of the strage combination of things but it really was good. I also used a lot more cheese than the recipe called for but I didn't use any dressing. The salad had so many flavors that it didn't need any. If you try to make the salad exactly by the measurmanets in the recipe, make sure to get a huge bowl! It didn't fit on my plate so I had to transfer it to a popcorn bowl jojo bought for me at movie gallery. It's so big that I usually use it as a mixing bowl. This salad says that it's one serving but it's enough for two people. I love it!

Tannehill Trade days haul

2009-07-19T16:06:00.001-07:00

There is a seasonal monthly flea market that takes place every spring,summer and fall about 10 min. away from where I live. I usually don't go on account of the rednecks but my husband convinced me to this morning. At first it was miserable b/c of the heat and the fact that I was a little hungover but I ended up leaving there with some pretty good stuff. I bought a home made candle that was made by some people that live in north alabama that smells exactly like chanel no 5! I love it so much that I'm going back next month just for another one. I also got some home made pinapple salsa and something called Alabama caviar which is some kind of spicy salsa that I think might have some black eyed peas in it. I also got a brand new pair of orange leggings for only 6$! I got two new (used) books which I will write about later after I read them, and I also got a really cute vintage necklace. All in all it was pretty good. I'm glad he made me go.

pics from paris fashion week

2009-07-19T12:54:00.000-07:00

I think this link should send you to pics from The valentino show in paris

http://customsolutions.yahoo.com/news/infiniti/?item_tab=1&item_guid=http://d.yimg.com/a/p/rids/20090707/i/r337320553.jpg?x=256%26y=400%26q=85%26sig=YkCgBJtvjtrWQ3xMQ3RX9w--

new bbq place

2009-07-18T21:17:00.000-07:00

i love really great off the beaten path cheap food places. there is this new little place that's only open one day a week. it's a little bbq stand that's owned by a bunch of crazy but lovable hicks. they won third in the bbq festival at sloss last year and their ribs and sandwiches are sooo cheap and sooo yummy. their sauce is spicy,tangy,sweet,and smokey all at the same time. if you live in my area you should visit on sat. they're hard to spot when you're driving so keep your windows rolled down as you drive through woodstock. they have such a hickish name too. i think they stole it from that movie 'life'. they are called "jangalangs" it's so stupid but the bbq is definately worth the quirkiness of the local,the characters that own it and the name.

that guy from 3rd rock from the sun

2009-07-18T20:27:00.000-07:00

I can't wait until 500 days of summer comes out. It looks kinda cheesy but I haven't seen that guy from 3rd rock from the sun since 3rd rock from the sun so i'm a little excited. i hope one of our backwoods movie theatres shows it.

new diet sunkist flavor

2009-07-18T19:57:00.000-07:00

my husband surprised me with a new diet sunkist flavor called sparkling lemonade. I love it and it tastes great in coctails! way better than any other flavor! at least that's my opinion right now

Arreseted Development the movie

2009-07-18T19:45:00.000-07:00

I've been reading rumor on the internet that there might be and arrested development movie coming out next year! I'm so excited!

weird pizza combinations

2009-07-17T18:27:00.000-07:00

I love to try new and different pizza topping combinations. Tonight we had three different pizzas w/ three differnt toppings from papa johns (it was a coupon deal). I've listed and rated them all below in case you are feeling cheaply adventurous.

handtossed pepperoni,pineapple, and jalepinos
Me and Jojo always get this at our neighborhood pizza place called papi's in woodstock ( i love that place!) and I really like papa johns but for some reason it didn't taste as good as what im used to with papi's so i really wasn't that impressed

handtossed with grilled chicken,bacon,and three cheese blend
this topping combo was my favorite!

thin crust with beef,onions,and tomatoes
this combo reminded me of a cheese burger( which i really wasn't in the mood for but if i was i'm sure it would have been fantastic!) the crust was the best part! the best thin crust ever! i've never tried thin crust there before tonight but from now on that's what i'm going to get every time i eat there!

spicy tortilla pizza mexicali

2009-07-17T18:19:00.000-07:00

Today I tried another hungry girl recipe that was a mexican pizza made with a tortilla. It was such a good snack! Part of the recipe calls for you to heat the tortilla in a skillet but since I don't have a stove, I just toasted mine in the oven first. I couldn't find the right tortilla size in the brand that she reccomends (La Tortillla Factory Smart and Delicisous Low carb/high fiber tortillas). I have to make special trips to Publix b/c that's the only grocery store that i can find them at. Well anyways I couldn't go exactly by the recipe. Mine ended up with too many toppings and the "crust" was a little burned but it still made a great lite lunch. The recipe is in the new Hungry Girl book. If for some reason you don't plan on buying the book anytime soon, leave me a comment and i'll post the recipe. But you really should buy both books. They've made a huge difference in my weigt loss.

what your handwriting says about you

2009-07-17T13:17:00.000-07:00

here's a link for a really simple quiz

http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/handwriting-101-00000000015886/index.html

natural nail tips

2009-07-17T06:27:00.001-07:00

this video is crap but if you can stand to watch it, it has some really useful info.

good idea for halloween makeup

2009-07-17T06:10:00.001-07:00

another cute updo

2009-07-15T17:43:00.000-07:00

cute half updo

2009-07-15T17:11:00.001-07:00

Spring eye makeup look

2009-07-15T16:52:00.001-07:00

Maintaining Your Weight

2009-07-15T16:37:00.000-07:00

I thought this was a really good article from cheap healthy good. It's a blog that I've been keeping up with for quite some time.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Why Weight Maintenance is Harder Than Weight Loss, and How to Help it Along

An estimated 80% to 95% of people who lose a significant amount of weight will gain it back. It sounds high, yes, but I believe it. This is because I’m slowly becoming one of those people.

Full disclosure: about four years ago, I dropped 30 pounds to get to a (too) low weight of 132. Between then and now, my scale readout has slowly crept up to about 153 pounds. (Ideally, at 5-foot-9 with fine bones and the muscle tone of a newly-hatched wren, I’d like to be somewhere between 140 and 145.)

On one hand, I think I would have gained the weight back much faster had it not been for this blog. Undoubtedly, it’s helped my eating habits change for the better. I drink water, cook at home, scarf lots of produce, and avoid processed foods like it’s my job. My heart, lungs, and various other organs are in excellent shape, and my sister gets thoroughly annoyed that we can’t eat a meal without me adding some kind of crazy vinegar or seasoning. So there’s that.

On the other hand … I’ve put on 20 pounds in four years. I’m not in crisis mode (yet), but what the heck?

I know my faults. There are ongoing issues with portion control and dining out, and my reliance on cheese has grown from an occasional treat to an everyday occurrence. I just didn’t expect those factors to make this much of an impact on the circumference of my backside.

But, as the opening statistic demonstrates, I’m far from alone. Maintaining a weight loss is difficult for everyone. In fact, I would say it’s even harder than losing the weight in the first place. Why? Well, once you’ve dropped the pounds – once you’re no longer getting measurable results on the scale, and weight loss morphs from a happy goal to a ho-hum product of the past – things change. Over time, enthusiasm fades, behaviors slack, and long-ignored temptations are indulged with abandon.

In other words, eating salad for 40 days is easy. Eating salad for 40 years is hard.

Enter the National Weight Control Registry. Comprised of PhDs, MDs, and other experts in the health and obesity field, it monitors the habits of thousands of people who have lost at least 30 pounds, and have kept it off for a minimum of one year. (The average is 66 pounds over 5-1/2 years.) Workers conduct studies, publish journal articles, and are widely considered The Authority on diet and weight maintenance. And while they don’t claim to have concrete guidelines that will keep the pounds permanently off for everyone, they have discovered a few actions common among successful maintainers. (Note that these findings imply correlation, and not necessarily causation.)

In order of popularity, they are:

1) Exercise, on average, about one hour per day.
90% of successful maintainers do this.
Far and away the most common factor for weight maintenance among respondents, exercise prevents you from binging, draws you away from the television set, and … y’know, does all the good things it’s supposed to. Movement must be for life, not as part of a temporary diet plan.

2) Eat breakfast every day.
78% of successful maintainers do this.
The researchers gave three reasons for this: “First, eating breakfast may reduce the hunger seen later in the day that may in turn lead to overeating…Second, breakfast eaters may choose less energy-dense foods during the remainder of the day. Finally, nutrients consumed at breakfast may leave the subject with a better ability to perform physical activity.” Of the 2959 successful maintainers in a 2002 NWCR study, only 4% never ate breakfast.

3) Weigh yourself at least once a week.
75% of successful maintainers do this.
The NWCR calls this “consistent self-monitoring,” and claims it allows maintainers to, “catch weight gains before they escalate and make behavior changes to prevent additional weight gain.” I have not weighed myself in over a year. This explains a lot.

4) Watch less than 10 hours of TV per week.
62% of successful maintainers do this.
In a 2003 study, the American Heart Association found a strong correlation between the amount of TV one watches, the amount of fast food ingested, and the propensity for obesity. Turning the boob tube off can help sidestep this, as it allows for more activity and less mindless grazing. (Personally, I believe this point is incredibly important for kids, since they develop habits in childhood that they’ll have for the rest of their lives. Subsequently, I’d lump video games and computer time in the same category.)

The good news is, the longer you maintain your weight, the more likely you are to keep it up in the future. So, adopting these behaviors can only help. I would also suggest that beginning the whole process with long-term intentions (“This is not a diet. This is a lifestyle change.”) makes all the difference in the world.

As for me, I have to drop some pounds again. Then, I need to concentrate on maintaining it for the rest of my life. It's gonna be tough, but I feel a responsibility to readers, the Husband-Elect, our future kids, and myself to do so. Fingers crossed, these strategies will help.

Readers, how about you? What’s been your experience with maintaining weight loss?

(Photos courtesy of the University of Maryland and Documenting Success.)

smothered pigs in a blanket

2009-07-15T10:52:00.000-07:00

last night i tried a recipe from the Hungry girl 200 under 200 cookbook. It was just awsome and it felt like I was eating so "junky". I definatly recommend the books and the website to anyone who loves to eat but also love to be thin (there's nothing wrong with a little vanity). I also want to thank my mother for the wonderful toaster oven/convection oven/rotisserie,yay! Anyways here's the recipe from the book. I don't know if I'm going to be infringing on any copyright laws or not so please just try the recipe and don't be a snitch!

1 fat free hot dog
1 serving of Pillsbury reduced fat cresent roll dough
1/2 slice fat free chedder(cut slice on a diagonal so your half is triangular shaped)
1/4 cup low fat veggie chili

Preheat oven to 375
Stretch triangle shaped dough slightly to make it a larger triangle
lay cheese on top. Place hot dog at the base and gently roll up
Place in a baking pan sprayed with pam. Bake for 12 to 14 min.
Meanwhile heat chili in microwave.
Once the piggy is cooked, smother with chili and enjoy!

why are southerners sso fat?

2009-07-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

this is a really interesting article that hit home with me.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1909406,00.html

jojo's cousin's baby sleeping

2009-07-14T11:47:00.001-07:00

sugar cookies made by sweet kids

2009-07-14T11:40:00.000-07:00

Kay Kay,Arleigh,my mother in law, and myself made and decorated some cookies. The kids played a big role in most of it. The adults were more there to clean up the mess. I couldn't take a pic of them with their cookies b/c they were so pumped with sugar they had to go outside and play on my inlaws elaborate playground (when I say elaborate I mean it! I used to work and a day care center and their playgaround is four or five times as big and safe then the one that the day care owned). But anyways here was the finished product.

Must see link!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

Apparantly there is something interesting in cottondale,al (I don't see it but whatever). Levis is shooting a commercial at the oasis bar!

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20090713/NEWS/907139985

super yummy lunch

2009-07-14T11:20:00.000-07:00

The other day me and jojo discovered an organic market in hoover called Organic Harvest. I went there in search of some herbal remedies for female cramps and pms. I found some organic asparagus. It was much thicker and shorter than I was used to. It obviously didn't last as long in the fridge either. I used a stove eye from the downstairs kitchen (yes i am currently moved in with my in laws as a result of bankruptsy), to caramelize (yes,caremelize), the asparagus. That's mine and my hubby's fave way to cook it. Just extra virgin olive oil (the good stuff if you have it) freshly gr. pepper and kosher salt. It was delisious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I also had three boneless chicken breasts that I put a home made coffe rub on. I used the one for the burgers from a previous entry. One teaspoon per chicken breasts. drizzled with olive oil. just a tiny bit (especially since most of it runs off the grill anyway), put it on a hot george forman grill that's probably like 10 years old (or however long ago he came out with those things) for 5 minutes. The simple dinner was absolutely delisious. And ofcoarse, with our unfortunate white trash heritage, we had to try it all with ketchup. It was HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

small kitchen dilema and solution

2009-07-14T11:05:00.000-07:00

My kitchen consists of a sink and a refrigerator and a microwave and no counter space. Most of our little kitchen gadgets are packed away somewhere and we haven't found them yet. when we moved, we didn't have time to be organized so we're just finding things as we go along. I needed a kitchen timer for grilled chicken and i couldn't find one but luckily our computer is also in our tiny kitchen so i found a website that worked perfect for the situation.

http://www.online-stopwatch.com/

2009-07-14T07:57:00.001-07:00

love this show!

2009-07-13T15:19:00.000-07:00

faux spaghetti

2009-07-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

Over the w/e I tried something I learned from the Hungry girl website (i love this website). I took a can of Amy's Kitchen Chunky tomato bisque and mixed it with some cooked broccoli slaw with some reduced fat parm. It was amazing! I didn't stir fry the brocccoli like she says to b/c I don't have a stove at the moment bot i did steam it in the microwave with just water. I didn't even have to add any extra seasonings! It was perfect and so low in calories.

3rd Rock from the sun link

2009-07-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

I used to love this show and I still do. It's one of my faves! Especially this one

http://www.tvland.com/prime/fullepisodes/thirdrockfromthesun/index.jhtml?episodeId=16580episodeId=16580

Tracy Anderson's new dvd

2009-07-13T07:59:00.000-07:00

I had the hardest time trying to find the new Tracy Andeson DVD. It's called "The Tracy Anderson Method presents Matt workout", . I went to every supercenter,(Walmart,Kmart,etc.), Academey Sports and outdoors, Dick's sporting goods, FYE, Suncoast, Best Buy,Called every movie stop. I went online and found that their were only three left! I went to ebay and there were some peole that had a buy it now price for 50 and even one for 100 dollars! That is rediculous. I feel sorry for anyone who buys a dvd for a hundred dollars when you could buy it on amazon for 30.

Strawberry limeaide chiller

2009-07-13T07:51:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to sonice to try their new strawberry limeaide chiller. It wasn't anything special and really wasn't even worth the money (almost three dollars for a teeny tiny small), the calories (492!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), or even my time ordering and waiting for it. It wasn't terrible but I wouldn't order it again or reccomend it to anyone else.

funny celeb link

2009-07-11T22:14:00.001-07:00

http://allieiswired.com/

new beauty link!

2009-07-11T22:09:00.001-07:00

http://www.beautysnob.com/

best hangover cure link

2009-07-11T07:04:00.001-07:00

http://www.besthangovercure.com/index.shtml

shack talk

2009-07-11T06:36:00.000-07:00

Shack Talk w/ANNA FARIS from Anna Faris

McLovin fund

2009-07-11T06:31:00.001-07:00

"The Mclovin' Fund" with Kristen Bell and Christopher Mintz-Plasse from Kristen Bell

john mayer on funny or die

2009-07-11T06:30:00.001-07:00

Makin' Music with John Mayer from John Mayer

katy perry parody

2009-07-11T06:22:00.000-07:00

Kissed a Girl by Katy Perry (Official Music Video Parody) - watch more funny videos

no air parody

2009-07-11T06:20:00.000-07:00

No Air [OFFICIAL PARODY VIDEO] - Gary Owen ft Jake Iannarino - watch more funny videos

The JARS system

2009-07-11T05:59:00.000-07:00

I think this is a really good idea. Right now would be the perfect time for us to start doing this, especially with us being so young. This seems perfect.

Learning to Budget with the JARS System

Wednesday, 8th July 2009 (by J.D.)
This article is about Basics, Budgeting, Hints and Tips

This is a guest post from Steve Martile, a life coach and the author of the personal-growth blog Freedom Education. Here he describes a budgeting system that actually reminds me of Elizabeth Warren’s balanced money formula, but with a little more detail.

Managing money doesn’t restrict freedom — it creates freedom.

That’s probably not the first time you’ve heard this. If you want to create financial abundance, you’ve got to start managing your money. I started doing so in 2006 after reading T. Harv Eker’s Secrets of the Millionaire Mind [J.D.'s review].

Before then, my wife and I were pretty random with our spending habits. We ran a pretty high tab every month and had nothing to show for it. At the time I was driving a brand new Nissan 350Z, which cost me an $800 payment each month. That didn’t include insurance or gas; that was just the payment on the car.

The JARS Money Management System
Then we started using the JARS money management system discussed in Secrets of the Millionaire Mind. What are the JARS? The JARS are just that: plastic jars. Here’s a photo of my jars from my home office:

The jars themselves aren’t actually that important. What’s more important is the money management system behind them. We actually bought the JARS as a visual reminder of where to put our money when we manage it. But we manage it from a set of bank accounts.

Managing your money reaps rewards
Once we started to manage our money, I sold the 350Z. After our first year, without any significant change in our income and all expenses being treated equal, our net worth increased by a surprising 45%. When we learned how to apply this system we realized it was very simple and it didn’t require a lot of our time.

Here are the results we produced after using the JARS for 12 months:

Our net worth increased by 45%.
We bought our first home for $337,000.
We created $800/month in passive income by renting out our one-bedroom basement apartment.
We earned $200 in interest from our savings accounts. We use ING Direct savings accounts, which were clocking at about 3.5% interest at the time.
We created more peace in our relationship because my wife and I have our own “play” money.

The real trick to managing your money is not what you do — it’s how you do it.

How to use the JARS system
Here are the jars and a short description of each one.

Necessity account (NEC - 55%): This account is for managing your everyday expenses and bills. This would include things like your rent, mortgage, utilities, bills, taxes, food, clothes, etc. Basically it includes anything that you need to live, the necessities.
Financial freedom account (FFA - 10%): This is your golden goose. This jar is your ticket to financial freedom. The money that you put into this jar is used for investments and building your passive income streams. You never spend this money. The only time you would spend this money is once you become financially free. Even then you would only spend the returns on your investment. Never spend the principal.
Education account (EDU - 10%): Money in this jar is meant to further your education and personal growth. An investment in yourself is a great way to use your money. You are your most valuable asset. Never forget this. I have used education money to purchase books, CD’s, courses or anything else that has educational value.
Long-term saving for spending account (LTSS - 10%): The money in this jar is for the bigger nice to have purchases. My wife and I have used the money from this account to go skiing in The Rockies in Whistler, BC. We also used this money last September for our trip to Italy and Switzerland. The only reason we’ve been able to make this happen is because we’ve accumulated a nice sum each month in our LTSS. A small monthly contribution can go a long way.
Play account (PLAY - 10%): This is my favorite account. PLAY money is spent every month on purchases you wouldn’t normally make. The purpose of this jar is to nurture yourself. You could purchase an expensive bottle of wine at dinner, get a massage or go on a weekend getaway. Play can be anything your heart desires. My wife and I each receive our own play money, and here’s the best part. We’re not allowed to ask what the other person spends their money on.
Give Account (GIVE - 5%): The money in this account is for giving away. Trisha and I give money every month to the Sick Kids Hospital Foundation. We also use the money in this jar to give to family and friends on birthdays, special occasions and holidays. You can also give away your time as opposed to giving away money. You could house sit for a neighbor, take a friends dog for a walk or volunteer in your community.

How the JARS work
Here is a sketch of how we use the jars. Actually, we don’t use jars at all. All of our accounts are electronic savings accounts with our necessity (NEC) account being the only exception; it’s a checking account. Trisha and I deposit all of our personal income into our necessity account. The money in our necessity account pays for all of our expenses. The remaining money is distributed into five other accounts.

I learned very early in the process that the jar percentages are not critical. To guarantee your financial success, just start using the system and build the habit. This is the key. It doesn’t have to be perfect when you start.

You could even start by splitting $10 every month into the jars. There’s an inspiring story in Secrets of the Millionaire Mind. One woman started splitting $1 into the jars every month. In her first month, she put 10 cents into her PLAY, 10 cents into her FFA, 10 cents into her LTSS, and so on. Later that month she used her play money to buy a piece of bumble gum. She received a mini comic with the bubble gum package that she bought with her play. She read the comic and got a laugh. Two years later she deposited a $10,000 dollar check into her FFA account. Now who’s laughing?

I highly recommend the JARS system to anyone who wants to make the most out of their money. If you’re looking for a simple way to budget, then start using the JARS system. Remember: Managing money doesn’t restrict freedom — it creates freedom.

You can read more from Martile at his personal-growth blog Freedom Education. He has also written a free e-book entitled The Genius Within YOU.

chilis guiltless menu

2009-07-10T21:12:00.000-07:00

Today I tried the honey mustard grilled salmon at chili's. It was on the guiltless menu. I was a little dissapointed this time. The food did not look anything like the pic on the menu. The pic looks like it's smothered in sauce and it probably only had like a teaspoon on it. The portions were super small compared to the black bean burger that I got the last time I tried their guiltless menu. I recommend that if you do order this, you definately need to ask for extra sauce and double the veggies. The veggies were actually really good so you should definately get extra so you can have leftovers for the next day. It probably will add some extra calories but what the hell, it's already 20 gr. of fat anyways (it's not really guiltless but at least it's a hell of alot better than the other stuff on their menu or anyone elses for that matter). Anyways, I don't really think I will get it again but it did give me an idea to make my own honey mustard salmon. It was a good idea in theory. I'll let you know if mine turns out any better.

Jon Gosselin on Match.com

2009-07-10T20:59:00.000-07:00

Match.com-Jon Gosselin - watch more funny videos

Kate Gosselin on Match.com

2009-07-10T20:58:00.000-07:00

Kate Gosselin Match.com Profile Video - watch more funny videos

this is me in a nutshell

2009-07-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

The lazy girl's guide to spring cleaning

BY NICOLE LYN PESCE

Thursday, March 27th 2008, 4:00 AM

Slater/Getty

Keep up appearances with minimal effort, thanks to these spring cleaning tips.

When it comes to spring cleaning, plenty of women are ready to throw in the towel.

"Let's be honest - I don't know anyone who will raise their hands in a room and say, 'I love to clean!'" says Julie Edelman, better known as the Accidental Housewife. Her latest homemaking tome, "The Ultimate Accidental Housewife: Your Guide to a Clean-Enough House," hits shelves on April 15, schooling every woman who's overworked, overstressed - or just over Martha - in how to keep a presentable home without messing up her manicure. So, before dialing your local maid service, check out Edelman's spring-cleaning tips for slackers.

1. If your boyfriend's mother is popping by for a surprise visit, just shove some cookie dough in the oven for that wholesome, baking smell while you give the living room a once-over with the Swiffer. "You're doing the minimum and getting the maximum effect," Edelman says. "We need to embrace our imperfections and come out of the broom closet."

2. Focus on high-traffic, high-visibility rooms, and employ lots of decorative decoys. "The eye goes very quickly to the big things," Edelman says. So if you're in a rush, "just fluff the pillows, empty the garbage, spray some disinfectant and, if you have time, buy some fresh flowers, too, and you're good to go."

3. House plants are nature's air fresheners. "See a gardener or someone who can give you some really good suggestions on plants that will help keep the air fresher in your house," Edelman says. Just be sure to pick up a low-maintenance plant that won't shed, and remember to water it!

4. Open your windows. "That's a great way to dust - the breeze moves it from place to place," she says. "Also, it just airs your home out." Plus, keeping bathroom windows open as it gets warmer dries out moisture and prevents mold and mildew, so you won't even have to reach for the Tilex.

5. "We all hate cleaning the toilet," Edelman says. "So plop, plop, fizz, fizz!" Drop a couple of effervescent tablets (like Alka Seltzer) or pour a can of soda into the bowl and let it fizz for 20 minutes. Then swish around with a disposable toilet brush and flush.

6. Keep disposable wipes handy. "I love disinfecting wipes," Edelman admits. "I use them like I use tissues!" Stock them all over your pad to use on a whim for on-the-spot treatment. "Just pull them out while you're yapping on the phone to your girlfriend or ordering food."

7. Learn to let go. "I use the 20/80 rule in the kitchen," she says, "meaning, we actually only use 20% of our kitchen products 80% of the time." Tossing unnecessary objects - like the pasta maker you never use - is an effortless way to organize. "And if something has been broken for more than three months, you're not using it anyway," she says.

8. Stuff magazines, multiple remotes and junk mail into pretty decorative baskets. "It's what I call reshifting," Edelman says. "If your house looks organized, people actually think it's cleaner."

9. Use all those plastic shopping bags you've got wadded up to organize your closet. "Put different bags down as 'recycling,' 'giving away,' or 'need to go on a diet,'" she says. "Those clothes you know looked good 10 years ago, but where's the magic mirror now? Give them to charity and get a tax deduction for it!"

10. Reuse your old magazines and newspapers by tearing out a couple of pages to shine faucets or chrome fixtures. Plus, old newsprint cleans windows without leaving linty residue like paper towels do.

11. Enlist little helping hands. "Children are great home-keeping tools, too - they love to vacuum - so let them help you out." Don't have kids of your own? Borrow your little cousin or nephew, or one of the neighbors'. They'll work for peanuts - or peanut butter cups - which is much cheaper than a cleaning service!

12. Last but certainly not least, pour a couple of dirty martinis. Not only are you rewarding a job well-done, but "serving a dirty martini upon entry dulls your guests' senses," Edelman says. "Everything looks much better after a couple of drinks."

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2008/03/27/2008-03-27_the_lazy_girls_guide_to_spring_cleaning.html#ixzz0Ksj1YZyf&D

Perks of being unemployed

2009-07-10T10:04:00.000-07:00

I read this article from getcrafty.com several years ago while I was attending college and i never forgot it. I thought it would be appropriate for today's problems. Mabye it will help put a possitive spin on things for those of you that are going through the same things that me and my hubby are going through right now.

The Perks of Being Unemployed

by Elizabeth Lash

You have to have a good attitude when the economy slows down. While getting a job is a noble pursuit, it's important not to lose sight of the pleasures of joblessness. Whether you're a student looking for summer work, or a grownup looking to finance the habit of adulthood, there are plenty of things that you can do when you have trouble finding (or keeping!) a job.

Go out and explore: you never know what you'll find.
After yet another fruitless temp interview in Boston's financial district I wandered around and found myself on a busy street where vendors sold frozen lemonade and hot dogs. An Andean band played under a yellow tent, haunting the streets with their wind-like sounds, while next to them a woman sold red, pink, and yellow-colored fringe blankets, faintly reminiscent perhaps of the musicians' home country.

From there I found myself in a genuine Chinatown grocery store, wending my way politely to the freezer at the back. There I found enough frozen spring rolls and cream buns to last me for several TV dinners' worth, for less than three bucks. And I didn't even have to tip the delivery man.

Find out the bargains around the city.
When I was told my new job wouldn't start for another few days, I shrugged and wandered over the pedestrian footbridge over the highway and went for a walk on the Charles. The sun shone, the pedestrians walked, the bikers biked. And the sailors sailed, as I discovered when I stumbled upon Community Boating. There I found that I could do all the sailing I wanted for 2 and a half months for $90 bucks or 1 and a half months for $60. This included use of the sailing boats, instruction by members, lessons. The same deal also applied for windsurfing and kayaking. And I found out that I could attend Rigging and Shoreline classes that evening - for free. I never wanted to sail before, but at that moment I imagined myself getting tan, fit, and well versed in nautical lore after a summer spent sailing on the Charles.

Play pranks!
On yet another day where I was told I was not needed to work, I bought myself a cream cheese on toasted bagel and walked over the footbridge to the Charles. I had a strange urge to throw something in the highway. Honest, the cars weren't that close when I dropped the bagel! And no one is the wiser (except you). Just don't do anything that will get you in jail. Life is not like Monopoly; you might have to wait a few years rather than a few turns to get out of jail.

Stay in shape.
If you're a college student and you're staying around the area, you can swim, bike, lift weights, and more just by flashing your school id at the right person: your school gym's security guard. Go in with your friends and use their ids if that fails. You also get to find out the hidden perks of your gym with all the extra time you have. I had never swum at the school gym, but one of my housemates dragged me along and now I'm hooked. It even has training schedules, and I've been following them to become buff. And as I walked down the hall from the pool one afternoon, I discovered we had a sauna. Hallelujah! Now I have a great incentive to get me to come to the gym on cold, windy days. Now if only they would install real showers and a steam room ...

Be ready for spur of the moment activities!
One of the great things about being unemployed is that you can meet with your friends, eat out, and go away for long weekends ... without angering your boss. When one of my housemates decided to pick up and leave for her family's house down at the Cape Saturday afternoon one, my other housemate and I were ready to go in 20 minutes and spent the weekend swimming, kayaking, and eating ice cream until we were sick.

Get great things for free.
Key word: barter. My housemates and I take care of their aunt's dog Bailey and she brings us good things like cookies and entertainment. Well, this aunt is the entertainment because she regales us with stories like her sudden trip to Alaska, Hong Kong, and her multiple career changes. She promised to teach me photography (she's a photography professor at Tufts and freelances as well) if I would help her build a darkroom in her apartment. We take care of this housemate's parents' kids occasionally, and they pay for a Poland Spring man to bring us fresh water every month. The parents also get us awesome seats to concerts. My housemate's dad offered to get us center seats at the Tweeter Center, four days in advance of a sold-out Aerosmith concert.

Hit the Beach -- Real or Imagined
You don't necessarily need well-connected friends or housemates to do have fun. In Boston, there's a beach that's accessible by public transport, if you're willing to get up early and switch a bunch of lines. Just bring a suit and a friend. Or if there are no beaches in your area, invite some friends over and spend the day sun-tanning, reading old beauty magazines (that you picked up for cheap at a used bookstore), and painting your toenails. And if you really crave the sounds of the beach, buy a cassette or bring a seashell to the lawn party. It'll do, just close your eyes and imagine.

Free entertainment:
There are also plenty of cheap concerts at bars with no cover required, as well as free outdoor concerts. Read the Boston Phoenix or the Improper Bostonian if you're from Boston, TimeOut NY if you're from, well, New York, or hit Citysearch.com for events in the city closest to you. You don't necessarily have to go to the biggest concerts, just the free and cheap ones. You never know; you might discover a hot new band. And then make bundles of money being their promoter! (Well, you can dream. After all, isn't that a perk of being unemployed?)

Bring your lunch on outings. You can design the sandwich any way you want; the ingredients are just as fresh as a deli's; and it's cheaper. You can save the $100 a month (at $5/lunch) and use it for membership at a sailing club or gym, or for a new guitar. Maybe even for the rent. (Nah ...)

Look for work...
Apply to Starbucks when you're feeling the urge for a caffeinated drink. Out of four times I applied to a Starbucks, twice I got a free drink. Their rationale: poor suckers, only about 100 other people have applied, I guess we could spare them a drink. They have to be nice, cause they still want you to drink their gourmet coffee at $4 a pop. It's just another gimmick, but I'm all for it if it gets me one of their new Rasberry Frappacinos.

So that's about it, folks. Go out, search for jobs, and pray you won't get them. That way you can continue to tour your city, enjoy the sunshine, go to concerts, travel on the weekends, and get drinks on the house. One more thing. Be nice to your parents and your friends, and enjoy the perks while they last. You never know when the vacation will end and you'll actually have to [gasp!] get a job.

Elizabeth Lash is a student living and working in Boston (for the time being) although at heart she is a New Yorker, baby! She loves walking around, getting lost in cities, reading, taking dogs for a walk and knitting the scarf she has been working on since February.

sorry again

2009-07-10T09:55:00.002-07:00

I don't understand why all of a sudden the videos are not wanting to fit on my blog! please someone help me!

2009-07-10T09:55:00.001-07:00

Stella McCartney and Adidas presents Tracey Anderson

2009-07-10T09:53:00.001-07:00

great new accidental find!

2009-07-10T09:47:00.000-07:00

I loved looking at this link. Using plates as a canvas was genius! I would love to have these in my own home but this was from an auction from last year. It's still worth it to take a look at these beautiful pieces!

http://www.castlehill.org/Auction%20Plates.html

sorry for my computer illiteracy

2009-07-10T09:43:00.000-07:00

I don't really know how to make the hulu screen fit my blog. can someone help me fix it without deleting the post?

Primal Fear movie link

2009-07-10T09:40:00.000-07:00

I love this movie when I'm really bored. I love watching Edward Norton. He is so talented!

great new fitness link!

2009-07-10T09:32:00.000-07:00

http://chicshaping.com/

I Love this website! It actually makes you want to workout.

SOS for Haiti

2009-07-10T07:56:00.001-07:00

this blog reminds me a little bit of this book that i've been reading,"Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. It's a very inspirational book that I highly recommend. this blog is worth your time to read.

http://www.sosforhaiti.blogspot.com/

easy melon slush

2009-07-10T06:50:00.000-07:00

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Melon-Slush-353972?mbid=rss_epinr

simple summer vegetarian recipe

2009-07-09T18:50:00.000-07:00

Roasted Ratatouille with butternut squash

Oven-cooked ratatouille is one of the summer's simplest suppers.

Instructions

1

Preheat the oven to 200ºC, gas mark 6. Place all the ingredients, except the garlic and cheese slices, in a large, deep roasting tin. Roast in the oven for about 40 minutes or until the vegetables are beginning to soften and turn golden brown. Stir occasionally as they cook.
2

While the vegetables are cooking, place 3 garlic and cheese slices in a food processor or blender and pulse into rough breadcrumbs.
3

When the vegetables are ready, remove from the oven and season with freshly ground black pepper. Sprinkle the crumbs over the ratatouille and return to the oven for a further 15 minutes or until the crumbs are golden and crispy.
4

Meanwhile, cook the bread according to pack instructions. Serve with the ratatouille and a bag of Waitrose Salad with Watercress Spinach and Rocket.

Ingredients Buy ingredients

1 Butternut Squash, peeled, deseeded and cut into wedges
1 Garlic, divided into whole peeled cloves
250g Tomatoes, quartered
15g Thyme, roughly chopped
2 Red Onions, cut into thick wedges
500g Courgettes
3 Mixed Peppers, deseeded and roughly chopped
1 Cheese & Chive Baguette
75ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Serves 4

Total time required 1 hr 15 mins

Preparation time: 20 mins
Cooking time: 55 mins

2009-07-09T18:21:00.000-07:00

In the News: Energy Products Recall

Tuesday July 7, 2009

If you use New Whey liquid or Hardcore Energize Bullet liquid products, think twice about drinking them. The FDA announced that some of these products, which are sold in vials that look like test tubes, may have been tampered with.

A utility knife blade was found in a vial of the Hardcore Energize Bullet drink and another in the New Whey. No one has been hurt, but the products have been recalled so toss them if you have them and be sure to report any problems you have with these products to the FDA.

Do you use these energy drinks or other energy drinks? There's plenty of controversy over these types of drinks because of the high levels of caffeine in them and the fact that young kids seem to be their biggest fans. What do you think about energy drinks in general? Leave a comment and tell us your thoughts.

I thought i would post this just in case anyone else that may be reading this uses those liquid energy shots. i love 6 hour power and haven't been able to find it in any of the stores around my house for at least a month. if anyone knows where i can get some, let me know.

Sweet Potatoe and Pablano Salad with honey and rosemary

2009-07-09T11:21:00.000-07:00

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Sweet-Potato-and-Poblano-Salad-with-Honey-and-Rosemary-353851?mbid=rss_epinr

coffee rubbed cheeseburgers with texas bbq sauce

2009-07-08T18:58:00.000-07:00

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Coffee-Rubbed-Cheeseburgers-with-Texas-Barbecue-Sauce-353870?mbid=rss_epinr

weight gain poll

2009-07-08T18:52:00.000-07:00

i thought this was really interesting but it did not surprise me.

http://exercise.about.com/b/2009/07/06/vote-in-this-weeks-poll-did-you-gain-weight-when-you-got-married-or-moved-in-together.htm

2009-07-07T19:37:00.001-07:00

brown rice breakfast

2009-07-07T19:34:00.002-07:00

2009-07-07T19:34:00.001-07:00

pomtini

2009-07-07T19:32:00.000-07:00

4 year old hamburger

2009-07-07T19:28:00.001-07:00

another makeup video

2009-07-07T19:20:00.000-07:00

part 2

2009-07-07T19:11:00.001-07:00

kim kardashian makeup video

2009-07-07T19:07:00.000-07:00

bbq at sloss

2009-07-07T18:53:00.001-07:00

8/21 and 8/22

♦ BBQ Competition/Music Festival: The 5th annual Stokin' the Fire BBQ and Music Festival will be held at Sloss Furnaces. More than 80 local amateur teams will compete in the categories of chicken, ribs, desserts, and burgers, plus People's Choice. In addition to the barbecue, expect salsa and Cajun dancing demonstrations and an iron pour performed by the Sloss Furnaces metal arts staff. Cowboy Mouth, as well as other local and regional acts, will provide live music, and there will be a kids' area with crafts and inflatables. Tickets range from free (kids under five) to $50 (family of four). $150 to register a team (deadline August 7, there are 20–30 team slots still open). The dessert and burger competitions will be held on Friday, and the main barbecue competition, plus live music, will be held on Saturday. Sloss Furnaces, 20 32nd Street North. Friday, 6–11p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Details: 324-1911 or www.slossfurnaces.com/stokin.

macgyver chicken parmesan

2009-07-07T18:05:00.000-07:00

My new kitchen is definately ill equipped. No stove at the moment or oven or toaster oven. I just made chicken parm with a rice cooker and a microwave. It would've tasted better if i had an oven or a toaster oven. Jojo thought it was good and he wouldn't lie so it must not have been that bad.

Stretch marks

2009-07-07T08:53:00.000-07:00

Gustto

2009-07-07T07:24:00.000-07:00

This is my most coveted bag. Her name is Andrea and her designer is Gustto. I think I'm in love b/c everytime I see her my heart skips a beat.

2009-07-06T17:57:00.000-07:00

my grandmother's kitchy decorating style

jojo

2009-07-06T17:55:00.000-07:00

this is a pic of jojo from the 4th. He's losing weight and he looks so handsome!

2009-07-06T17:50:00.000-07:00

this is a pic of my grandmother's pond. we used to play around it all the time. there were all kinds of turtle that would live there and come to shore every year to lay their eggs. i remember watching people catch catfish while me and my cousins would try to catch tadpoles and frogs. there was a stream where we would catch crawfish, and another that had fresh clay that we used to make "pottery" with.

memories

2009-07-06T17:47:00.000-07:00

this is a picture of an old box car that is on my grandmother's property that we used to play in.

Mayor

2009-07-06T17:41:00.000-07:00

This is my cousin's dachshund mix. It looks like he's growling but he was really just making noises, almost like he was trying to talk to me. His personality remind me of my dogs. I had so much fun with him on the 4th.

girly drinks

2009-07-06T17:39:00.000-07:00

http://girly-drinks.com/
try this link and tell me what you think.

Fireworks on the lake

2009-07-06T14:42:00.000-07:00

me and my hubby live right in front of a lake in a cute little suburban neighborhood. lately the lake security have gotten really strict about who can visit the lake. we haven't bought a lake card yet on a count of it being not very high on the list of important things that we have to focus on right now. we did however sneak down and hide to watch the fireworks that some of our neighbors across the lake were shooting. it was very romantic.

hair w/o heat

2009-07-03T15:11:00.000-07:00

info on the jeans

2009-07-03T07:31:00.001-07:00

in case anyone was wondering those jeans that i showed a pic of a few days ago are called Siwy jeans. They are Hannah in snowstorm. If you love them as much as I do you should go to their website siwydenim.com. they are from the spring 2009 collection. here's another pic.

2009-07-03T07:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/ci_12743609?source=rss

I read this article early this morning and I think if you read and understand not only the unfortunate decline of the sea otter but also the underlying problem here, it can be scary for someone who does not realize the crisis that is happening in the pacific ocean. It is very alarming.

2009-07-02T17:05:00.000-07:00

i am so sick of organizing and cleaning stuff. i'm stressed and i am quiting smoking and all i've had is one puff of a ciggarette. it feels like i've been moving for a year. everyday i work my ass off and feel as if i've accomplished nothing b/c it still dosn't look any where near like it should. my husband works constantly so i'm doing it alone and i am organizationally challenged and to add to that, we are living in a much, much smaller space. i'm so stressed and sleepy that i can't stop snacking. lucky for me i always have some guilt free snacks on hand. i am in desperate need for a coctail or a ciggarette or an asperin or all of the above. sorry for all the bitching. i just had to vent.

2009-07-01T20:43:00.000-07:00

i'm always up for some self improvement and constructive criticism. i strive to do my best at everything. if im in physical or emotional pain, i still try. i know a little bit about who i am and i am still learning. one thing that i have learned recently is that you can't change who you are, if it is only to make others happy. i don't care who they are. don't change your life values for anyone else. don't hold back because you are afraid of stepping on someones toes (that's not an excuse to be rude or deliberately hurt someone). if you want to surround yourself with nice things, do it(as long as you're not being self destructive, shopaholics, you know who you are). if you want to drop everything and change careers, do it. if you want to be with the man or woman you love and either your parents or their parents don't approve, fuck em. if you want to devote your life to something completely ludacris to others but it happens to be your passion, do it (again nothing destructive). don't assume you are unhappy or that you are not a good person just b/c someone else tells you so, even if they tell you repeatedly. you can always wonder why people don't like you, but don't change your life for them, no matter how many people hate you. there are different reasons for every person that feels the need to put others down. i've done it and i had my own petty reasons. i learned from the hurt feelings i caused and i strive to build others up even though that can be way tougher at times. some people do not want you to tell them how great you think they are. they would rather find more joy in telling you how wrong you are living your life. my point is, if you feel like you are on the right track or are at least making your way there, don't let any debris throw you off coarse. acheive your goals. be with who you love or be with no one at all if that's what you want. surround yourself with things that make you smile. strive for greatness. if you feel that you were put here for a purpose you probably were.