THE SAVVY SHOPPER

Chanel's L.A. To Paris Makeup Palette

2012-02-16T17:49:00.025-05:00

Thank goodness, I'm not an emotional buyer. Because ... I see something from Chanel I want. But if I got everything I liked, I'd be broke. Plus I'd live in a cluttered home. Thinking about the most horrifying show on television, Hoarders, will keep me in line!

That said, when you really do need a product, you should invest in quality. And when it comes to makeup where rich pigments matter, Chanel is the gold standard. Makeup that contains good pigments will stay on you face all day, so you won't have to touch up as often.

Chanel created an all-in-one makeup palette. It has everything a woman needs in one lightweight compact. Called “L.A. – Paris,” the plum harmony kit consists of 2 lip glosses, a wine red lip color, 2 cream concealers, cream blush, and 3 powder eyeshadows. With individual applicators, the universal colors flatter most skin tones.

This excusive palette is ideal for travel since it's the only makeup you'll need to pack. Now ... be still my heart and go away temptation.  Cost: $85.

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Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-12T13:10:00.016-05:00

Aren't you glad you have a partner in life who watches your back? Valentine's Day is just another day to let him/her know you care. Everyone likes a few surprises, to feel appreciated and to know their mate enjoys spending time with them. Here are a few of my favorite surprises. And certainly, I'm not alone in liking them!

White and dark chocolates

Sparkle: diamonds and crystals and rhinestones

A nice dinner
(Douse mine with gravy♥)

A heartfelt note

The right gift is thoughtful, but one you can afford. Your goal is to make someone happy. Enjoy the gift of a loved one's company. If you are single, spend the day with your friends. Happy Valentine's Day.

Click the first link below to know how the ♥day♥ became celebrated.

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The Goodness Of Peanut Butter

2012-02-09T09:41:00.101-05:00

Peanut butter is delicious. It is economical, filling and nutritious. Peanut Butter is a good source of protein, resveratrol [a substance studies suggest may extend the life of cells], vitamins B3 and E, plus magnesium, folate and fiber.

Once you develop a taste for fresh peanut butter, made with only one ingredient, namely roasted peanuts, it's very addicting. Many health food stores have peanut butter makers, and just like George Washington Carver, you can grind your own.

Peanut better is scrumptious combined with so many foods, from a peanut butter and jelly sandwich washed down with a cold glass of milk to a ripe banana with a dollop of peanut butter on each and every bite. Peanut butter is a perfect snack, whether you eat it, as is, off the spoon, or spread on a saltine cracker.

And of course, you can cook and bake with it. I like to make a simple peanut sauce to pour over noodles. Here is my recipe for one large or two regular servings:

Prepare 5 ounces of spaghetti according to the box directions and transfer to a bowl. Save the salted pasta water.

For the peanut sauce:

1) Pour ¾ cup of the salted pasta walter into a 10 inch skillet on a stove top, and bring to a boil.

2) While simmering add about 1 ½ tablespoons peanut butter, and stir until smooth.

3) Next add 1 tablespoon vinegar to the hot mixture.

4) Season with soy sauce, garlic, red pepper flakes, sesame seeds and parsley to taste. I eyeball the seasonings. Sometimes I also add sesame oil and a sprinkle of Worcestershire sauce.

5) If the peanut sauce gets dry, add a bit more of the pasta water, but just a little at a time. You don't want a runny consistency.

6) When the sauce has thicken, it is done; turn off the heat. Throw the pasta back in the pan to coat with sauce, then return the noodles to the bowl.

7) Optional: Top with shredded lettuce, carrots and scallions for crunch.

Voilà, you are ready eat!

**********

Baking with peanut butter is quick and easy too. My Reese's cup-inspired cookie bars are always a big hit.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients:

2 cups peanut butter

2 eggs

¾ cup sugar

12 ounces chocolate

Directions:

1. Mix the peanut butter, eggs and sugar together and spread on a cookie sheet.

2. Bake at 350 degrees F until golden brown 25 - 30 minutes.

3. Remove from the oven and lay the chocolate on top. I slide the tray back into a warm oven with the heat turned off. Allow the chocolate to melt, then spread.

4. Cool and cut into bars (while still slightly warm).

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TotalBeauty: 3 Lipsticks That Flatter Every Woman

2012-02-06T00:00:00.010-05:00

Savvy Shoppers strive to make smart decisions. The goal is to live well while spending less, as well as, avoiding mistakes. Do you buy lipsticks that are all wrong for the undertones in your skin? It's disappointing when a new color doesn't work for your completion.

After consulting celebrity makeup artists, then testing their recommendations on women of varying skin tones, TotalBeauty came up with three no-fail lipstick shades, which flatter everyone, regardless of a woman's (cool or warm) undertones, or her (fair, medium or dark) coloring.

The three universal lipsticks are:

1. Light pink: Prestige Lipstick in Passion, $6.50.

2. Coral: Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lip Color in Coral Lustre, $7.49.

3. Wine Red: Two Faced Lip Of Luxury in Drop Dread Red, $16.

So you can reduce and save. Get rid of all those other lipsticks you never wear, and spruce up your look with just three, mistake proof, hues. Now ... that's savvy shopping at it's core.

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Who Shares The Shape Of Your Face?

2012-01-30T09:00:00.039-05:00

Charlize Theron is an oval.

Do you know the shape of your face? Figuring it out can be confusing, but once you do, you can select hairstyles, eyeglasses and sunglasses to flatter your best features and hide any flaws.

Here are charts showing the possibilities of face shapes:

---------------Male---------------

---------------Female---------------

Gisele is a Rectangle.

Now, let's determine the shape of your face. (It's easier to tell if you pull your hair back away from your face):

1. Oblong – Your face is a lot longer than wide. The sides of your face are straight – the forehead, cheeks and jawlines are the same width, and you have a round chin. Examples of oblong faces include Liv Tyler, [Anchorman] Lester Holt, Cher, Terri Hatcher and Elle Macpherson.

2. Rectangle – Your face is long ... i.e. oblong, with an angular, or square chin like Sarah Jessica Parker, Stephanie Seymour, Ricky Martin, Eminem and Gisele Bundchen.

Cameron is a round.

3. Round – Your face is as wide as it is long. You have full cheeks and a wide jawline Your face will maintain a youthful appearance longer than the other shapes. Lucky you! Cameron Diaz, Christina Ricci, Emma Stone, Kristen Dunst, Daniel Craig and Mariska Hargitay all have round faces.

4. Square – Your face is nearly as wide as it is long. Your forehead, cheeks and jawlines are the same width. You have an angular, or square chin. Examples of a square face include, Sandra Bullock*, Jessica Simpson, David Beckham, Ryan Seacrest, Keira Knightley and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Reese is a heart.

5. Heart – Your face is slightly longer than wide. Your forehead (or brow) is wide, and your jawbone, or chin is narrow. Reese Witherspoon, Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer Lopez, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ashley Judd and Leonardo Decaprio are heart shapes.

6. Triangle – Your forehead is tapered, i.e. narrow. Your jawline is the widest part of your face, like how a pear expands. Academy award winner, Geena Davis, Minnie Driver, Kathy Ireland, Tiffani Thiessen and Justin Tumberland have triangle faces.

Rihanna is a diamond.

7. Inverted Triangle – Your face is slightly longer than wide. It's a heart-shape, without a peak at the forehead. Your jaw and chin are slender, or pointy like Jennifer Love Hewitt, Victoria Beckham, (The Dixie Chicks') Natalie Maines, Ethan Hawk, Johnny Depp and Tyra Banks.

8. Oval – Your face is longer than wide, but has symmetry. You have prominent cheekbones and a rounded chin. An oval face has the balance to wear almost any hairstyle. Examples of ovals include Uma Thurman, Amanda Peet, Heidi Klum, Megan Fox, Matt Damon and Sharon Stone.

9. Diamond – You have an oval face with high cheekbones, but possess a more angular, or pointed chin like Rihanna, Elizabeth Hurley, Felicity Huffman, Nicole Kidman, Pete Wentz and (24's) Kim Raver. {By the way, Nicole Kidman's husband, Keith Urban and their 2 daughters are triangles.}

*Sandra is a square.

Have you found your face yet? I'm an oval.

Notice how an oval face is more balanced, but not more beautiful. Yes, Charlize Theron, an oval, is beautiful, but so is Reese Witherspoon, a heart. As is Sandra Bullock, a square and Liv Tyler, an oblong. Yep. The variety of faces is interesting ... and spectacular. I love the differences!

After you discover the shape of your face, you can find styles to help you look your fabulous best. For a short lesson, click here.

Your homework is to find one face, from real life or on television, to match each of the shapes on the charts. Be sure your face fills in one slot, and share your answers under comments, if you'd like.

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Help For Crippling Migraines

2012-01-25T00:11:00.003-05:00

Migraines are debilitating. In addition to intense headaches, symptoms can include nausea, vomiting and a sensitivity to light, sounds or odors. They can last from two hours, or up to three days. And the pain can be on one side of the head, or on both sides.

Many people who think they suffer from sinus headaches are actually experiencing migraines. According to Dr. Michael Chandler, who specializes in allergy and immunology, a way to tell the difference is, sleep will alleviate a migraine but not a sinus headache.

Although migraines do run in families and there is a relation between hormones and migraines, there is much doctors don't know about what causes and how to prevent them. It's hard to figure out causes because there are so many, and it varies from one person to the next. Triggers can include red wine, chocolate, cheese, processed food, soy, yeast, MSG, stress and not getting enough sleep.

Doctors think the cerebral cortex, an outer layer of neural tissue, is the area that is sensitive, when people suffer from migraines.

Treatment varies from avoiding the triggers to alleviating the pain.

Often common pain relievers like aspirin, acetaminophen and naproxen sodium [Aleve] do little to stop the pain.

But there are a few effective treatments to try, so you don't waste a day curled up in bed in a dark room:

1. Feverfew – Some people claim 380 mg a day of the herbal supplement works to lessen the frequency of migraines and relieves them, if one starts.

2. Rizatriptan benzoate – Manufactured as Maxalt and available by prescription. It is taken at the onset of a migraine. There are a variety of prescription drugs to relieve pain, as well as, to make the brain less sensitive to the triggers. Patients work with a headache specialist to find which medication works for them. The most commonly prescribed drugs are triptans, which stop pain by narrowing blood vessels in the head.

3. Botox – Looks promising in stopping chronic migraines. There are doctors, who specialize in treating migraines with botox injections.

4. Battery powered plaster* – Available in England, delivers medicine directly into the bloodstream. The British call a band-aid, or patch "plaster.'' The treatment helps sufferers who can't keep oral medication down. The single use patch is put on the upper arm as soon as a person feels an attack coming on. In a study, 59% of sufferers were pain free within two hours of treatment.

*Source: Roger Dobson from the UK's Daily Mail.

With the care of a knowledgeable doctor, relief could be a treatment away.

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5 Dollar Dinners Cooked in 5 Minutes From Top Chefs

2012-01-18T10:14:00.016-05:00

Why not start a new year by learning some new dishes you can prepare at home? Cooking at home can be healthy, inexpensive and fun. Quick and easy, here are two dishes that can go from a stovetop to your plate in 5 minutes flat. Simple like ordering a pizza. Costs about $5 a serving. Eat like this for 30 days and as a bonus, you could lose 5 pounds.

Michael Symon's Grilled Salmon With Carrot Peanut Salad

Ingredients:

4- 6 ounce pieces of salmon

salt and pepper

4 ounce extra virgin olive oil plus extra for salmon

3 medium organic carrots

1 tablespoon cumin seed

1 bunch scallions

1 cup mint leaves

1/2 cup toasted peanuts

2 ounce red wine vinegar

Directions:

1. Season the salmon with salt, pepper and olive oil.

2. Grill for 2 minutes. Now may be a good time to invest in a cast iron skillet.

3. While the salmon is grilling, shave the carrots, toast the cumin seeds, thinly slice the scallions and tear the mint leaves.

4. Place the carrots, cumin seeds, scallions and mint in a large mixing bowl with the peanuts.

5. Whisk together the oil and red wine vinegar and add to the shaved vegetables. Season liberally with salt and pepper.

6. Place the salmon on a platter and top with the shaved carrot salad.

This is delicious served with fresh spinach and wild rice.

Bobby Flay's Low Calorie Filet Mignon

Ingredients:

For the Vinaigrette --

3 tablespoons white wine vinegar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

½ small shallot, minced

2 tablespoons reduced fat mayonnaise

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons chopped tarragon

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Touch of clover honey

4 filet mignon steaks (2 1/2 inches thick each) – or lean steaks of your choice, i.e. whatever goes on sale.

Canola oil – I use extra virgin olive oil.

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Bobby Flays Steak Rub*

Tarragon sprigs, for garnish

Parsley leaves, for garnish

Directions:

1) For the vinaigrette, combine vinegar, lemon juice, shallot, mayonnaise, mustard, tarragon, salt and pepper in a blender and blend until smooth.

2) With the motor running, add the oil until emulsified.

3) Add honey if needed.

4) Then, remove the steaks from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking and let sit at room temperature.

5) Heat a large cast iron pan over high heat until almost smoking.

6) Take each filet - brush both sides with oil and season with salt and pepper.

7) Season one side with the rub.

8) Place the steaks in the pan, rub-side down and cook until golden brown and a crust has formed, about 2 minutes.

9) Flip over and continue cooking until cooked to medium-rare doneness (internal temp of 135 degrees F).

Serves 4. It tastes great with potatoes and a green salad.

*To make your own steak rub:

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon cumin

1 tablespoon paprika

1 tablespoon granulated garlic

1 tablespoon granulated onion

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon brown sugar

2 tablespoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon white pepper

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.

Bon appétit!

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Crystal Heels For Glamour

2012-01-11T00:16:00.013-05:00

I saw a cute line for these: "Pardon my back."

I love shoes with glitter. Because I rarely wear heels, I only have 2 pairs of pumps. But both pairs have glimmer heels. One pair is a little flashier than the other. On occasions when I pull my glitter heels out of my closet, I get lots of compliments. I think everyone likes sparkle. Since many designers include them in their collections, they are available at every price point. Crystals are more expensive than rhinestones.

You will find bejeweled ballet flats too. Shimmer can take you from the office to a night out on the town without having to change your attire. Rhinestone-and-crystal footwear pushes a casual smart look up a notch and jazzes up an otherwise understated outfit. You look dressy without trying too hard. Worn with a little black dress, chiffon gown, or black velvet paints, the look is classic with a little extra pizzazz. Stepping out with glitter accented feet adds a bit of glamour all year around. It's a vintage look that never goes out of style.

Places to shop include: Zappos, Nordstrom and Endless.

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Eating And Pilates Sure Beat A Cleanse

2012-01-05T13:15:00.021-05:00

Brett Howard, center, is a master teacher

Many celebrities go on a cleanse diet designed to remove toxins and reset their bodies. Frankly, I think it's a bunch of bunk. Everything I read says there's no benefit to it whatsoever. Your liver does a stellar and complete job of purifying your system, without the aid of packaged powders or unproven nutrients. Why not save big bucks and instead eat a balanced diet of real food? It's tastier! Follow the new USDA guidelines and eat meals consisting of a serving of protein, a portion of whole grains, 2-3 servings of fruits and vegetables, plus a serving of dairy. A portion of food is about the size of a clenched fist. Eat 3 balanced meals everyday and not only will you be healthy and feel fabulous, you will probably lose some weight. I think people who go on a cleanse are just trying to lose weight quickly, but eating healthy meals is a better way to sustain your proper weight. Why deprive yourself with expensive gimmicks when it's not necessary?

If you need to lose a few pounds, eat more fruits and vegetables and cut back on sugar, butter and rich foods until you reach your desired weight.

Nutritionists claim that artificial sweeteners sabotage our efforts to drop a few pounds, so watch your intake of diet soda. As it turns out too much diet soda robs your body of nutrients. When I drank diet soda daily, it also made my teeth sensitive.

Another way to drop a few pounds is to energize the New Year with more physical activity. I don't think it matters what you do, as long as you find something you enjoy and stick with it. Personally, I like walking and classical Pilates. You may like to run, swim or kick box. Some people need to mix it up, or they will lose interest and quit. Just be sure to do something athletic 4-5 times a week. I like walking because I can easily fit it into my schedule, while getting to where I have to go. And I like Pilates because no matter what level you are, it keeps your mind active and your body challenged. With Pilates, you never get sore. The idea is not to go-for-the-burn, but to master a series of exercises flawlessly. Pilates strengthens your core (waist, belly and butt) and helps you stay flexible.

Perhaps you favor Yoga, dance, or going to a gym. The key is to select an activity you like, that's close to your home (or office) and one you can afford, so that you can do it several times a week. I purposely pursue exercises I should be able to do all the decades of my life. How depressing to have to hang it up once I get good at it. Because I've had success with classical Pilates, I can recommend 2 instruction books and 3 excellent DVDs, which help you do it correctly:

Books:

1. The Pilates Body (2000) by Brooke Siler

2. The Pilates Method (1999) by Sean P. Gallagher, Romana Kryzanowska and Steven Speleois -- Illustrated

DVDs:

1. Classical Pilates Technique: The Complete Mat Workout Series (2002) by Peter Fiasca (Start with this one.)

2. Classical Pilates Technique: The Complete Universal Reformer Series (2004) by Peter Fiasca

3. Classical Pilates Technique: Magic Circle Mat Series & Reformer Mat Workout (2003) by Peter Fiasca

The rest is up to you. What exercises do you enjoy?

Bonus: Sign up here to get 30 days of tips, recipes and sweepstakes from Hungry Girl and Tyson, who have joined forces to motivate you to get fit.

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Welcome A New Year: 2012

2011-12-31T11:25:00.032-05:00

Practices I started in 2011 and will continue in 2012

This list is in no particular order and a bit uneven in significance:

1) Enjoy rich foods as a treat instead of a staple: If I want to eat foods like cookies, biscuits and gravy, or french fries I have to make them myself.

2) Eat foods my grandparents would recognize as food. [Thanks, Michael Pollan.] For the most part, I've replaced boxed cereals with whole grains (such as oats, millet and quinoa) and canned soups with fresh made soup. For convenience I buy canned whole tomatoes or beans, not tomato or bean soup, then make my own soup. It's wickedly delicious and freezes well as single serves.

3) Wear the shoes and clothes already hanging in my closets before buying new things.

4) Use up scented soaps, lotions and personal care products before bringing more home.

5) Deciding not to spend money on storage containers. The Container Store is very appealing, but even better: Either have a place for it, use the stuff, or give it away.

6) Not taking the people who sell fruit, newspapers, flowers, shine shoes and deliver your groceries, or mail, or pass out flyers for granted. Realize that the folks who work at a fruit stand get up at 3 AM to buy their produce, plus stand outside in the cold, wind, or rain day-after-day earning their living. Far from being faceless, these human beings have families and are pursuing the American dream. Each worker is someone's son, father or brother. Ever wonder what their lives are like over a 24-hour day? You just may be their face of kindness. Treat these workers with courtesy and respect. Look them in the eye and smile.

A little bit of change matters. No step in a positive or humane direction is too small.

As Oprah once said, "Cheers to a new year and another chance to get it right." And Benjamin Franklin said, "Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." Have a Healthy and Happy New Year everyone. Let's enjoy life!

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What Is A Snood?

2011-12-29T13:17:00.023-05:00

Wearing a snood the high fashion way

Is it: A) a person with a disagreeable personality; B) a Dr. Seuss character; C) a foot condition; or D) an article of clothing. Still not sure? Well then, read and learn.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A hot fashion trend this winter will also keep your neck warm. Instead of traditional scarfs, men and women are wearing bulky, woven neck rings. They are known by many names: an infinity scarf, a cowl, a shrug, or a snood. They are loops of wool or cashmere, usually knitted, which slide over your head and fit snugly around the neck. Designers say they are popular because of their versatility. A snood is easy to wear and looks great with, or without a coat. Last year I spotted them at the Banana Republic, and this year many more designers have come out with them. How do you like the look? Here are a few styles from different retailers:

1. Burberry Check Snood
2. Marles Super Chucky Nick Ring
3. Nordstrom's Infinity Scarfs
4. Aubin & Wills Ramlet Cashmere-blend Fair Isle Snood
5. Edie O'Hara Chucky Knit Infinity Snood

Classic elegance

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Merry Christmas Everyone

2011-12-24T21:01:00.068-05:00

The Monkees sing a lovely rendition of Riu Chiu.

Merry Christmas to you. Have a festive holiday and much peace and love.

A Spanish Carol (1550s)

The English Translation

Riu, riu, chiu...

La guarda ribera

Dios guarde el lobo

De nuestra cordera.

Refrain: Riu, riu, chiu...

El lobo rabioso la quiso morder,

Mas Dios poderoso la supo defender;

Quisole hazer que no pudiesse pecar,

Ni aun original esta Virgen no tuviera.

Refrain: Riu, riu, chiu...

Este qu'es nascido es el gran monarca,

Cristo patriarca de carne vestido;

Hanos redimido con se hazer chiquito,

Aunqu'era infinito, finito se hizera.

Refrain: Riu, riu, chiu...

Muchas profecias lo han profetizado,

Y aun en nuestros dias lo hemos alcancado.

A Dios humanado vemos en el suelo

Y al hombre nel cielo porqu'er le quisiera.

Refrain: Riu, riu, chiu...

Refrain: Riu, riu, chiu (nightingale's sounds)

The river bank protects it,

As God kept the wolf

from our lamb.

Refrain: Riu, riu, chiu...

The rabid wolf tried to bite her,

But God Almighty knew how to defend her,

He wished to create her impervious to sin,

Nor was this maid to embody original sin.

Refrain: Riu, riu, chiu...

The newborn child is the mightiest monarch,

Christ patriarchal invested with flesh.

He made himself small and so redeemed us:

He who was infinite became finite.

Refrain: Riu, riu, chiu...

Many prophecies told of his coming,

And now in our days have we seen them fulfilled.

God became man, on earth we behold him,

And see man in heaven because he so willed.

Refrain: Riu, riu, chiu...

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Holiday Books, Bill Clinton's Picks

2011-12-20T11:06:00.030-05:00

Someone should hire former President Bill Clinton to be a regular book reviewer. Regardless of politics, he has a brilliant mind, loves books, and is excellent at reviewing them. And the fact that The Today Show, a news program, as opposed to, just another entertainment show, calls Clinton's selections "smarty pants" choices revels how often real news and issues are being dumbed down. Too many interviews with celebrities and reality stars does that. Now I enjoy gossip just as much as the next person [Heck, yeah!], but when I read or watch the news from (what is supposed to be) the legitimate press, I want stories about important world issues ... and I want balance ... and the reporters to interview sources ... plus thoroughly do their homework. Hopefully, the folks who write, edit and produce the news, themselves, read compelling books. By the way, Ann Curry was terrific this morning anchoring the segment. It was the website -- probably a cyber editor trying to be cute -- that labeled Clinton's books a "smarty pants" list.

Listening to Bill Clinton review books on The Today Show this morning reminds me what critical thinking is. There are many world issues and worthy ideas, which are bigger than politics and celebrity. There are subjects and topics that say something about the human condition and help us understand who we are.

Clinton explains why books are important and make great gifts: Books "make you think" and "feel." Reading "gives you time" [that's] "intensely personal, but you're completely involved. It's a wonderful way to get away from the helter-skelter of your life ..." [plus] "you can always be growing." [It keeps] "your mind open and thriving."

Here are Bill Clinton's book recommendations:

Penned: Back To Work

1. Jerusalem

By Simon Sebag Montefiore (Knopf)

2. Lincoln

By David Herbert Donald (Simon & Schuster)

3. Meditations

By Marcus Aurelius (Simon & Brown)

4. The Way of the World: From the Dawn of Civilizations to the Eve of the Twenty-First Century

By David Fromkin (Knopf)

5. The Cure at Troy: A Version of Sophocles' Philoctetes

By Seamus Heaney (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

6. One Hundred Years of Solitude

By Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Harper Perennial)

7. King Leopold's Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror and Heroism in Colonial Africa

By Adam Hochschild (Mariner Books)

8. Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny

By Robert Wright (Vintage)

So if you have any last minute holiday shopping, head over to the bookstore.

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Eggnog, An Old Holiday Tradition

2011-12-17T13:01:00.056-05:00

Eggnog has oodles of calories, too many to mention. But since we only drink it once a year, I want the real thing. Down through history, people weren't afraid of fat or sugar, they just didn't overdo it. Processed foods didn't exist until modern times, and the majority of people weren't rich enough to be couch potatoes. So let's learn a lesson from our ancestors. Enjoy a few holiday treats, but in moderation. And whenever possible, make them yourself using the finest ingredients. Trust me, if you prepare eggnog from stretch, you won't get fat, because you won't make it that often!

Eggnog comes to us from England, although some historians think it aquired its name in the New World. The drink became popular with the British upper class, who could afford milk and eggs in an age before refrigeration. They mixed it with brandy, Madeira wine or sherry. When the beverage crossed the Atlantic, the colonists, in an effort to avoid a wine tax, used rum and later bourbon to make the brew. Egg and grog (i.e. spirits, rum) got shortened to eggnog. Ha! Alcohol has that effect!

In Great Britain, Canada and the US, eggnog is served to celebrate Thanksgiving [USA], Christmas and New Year's.

Traditionally, it is a social drink. When quality matters, and you want to give your guests the very best, make this recipe:

Old Fashioned Eggnog

Ingredients:

6 pasteurized eggs {sold at 7 Eleven, C-Town, Associated, Whole Foods and many grocery chains. Or pasteurize the raw eggs yourself. Here's how.}

¾ cup sugar

4 cups whole milk

4 cups {whipping} cream

½ cup brandy

½ cup rum

3 tablespoons vanilla extract

½ cup confectionery sugar

sprinkle cinnamon

sprinkle nutmeg

Directions:

1. Separate the eggs: yolks and whites.

2. Beat the yolks, then add ¾ cup sugar, a little at a time.

3. Add in the brandy, rum and vanilla. Beat, beat, beat.

4. Next add and whisk in the milk and half of the cream.

5. Set aside until serving.

6. Then beat the egg whites until stiff, and fold the whites into the eggnog mixture.

7. Combine the rest of the cream and confectionery sugar, and whip until thick.

8. Pour the eggnog into 8 glasses, and top each serving with the {whipped} cream.

9. Garnish with cinnamon and nutmeg. (Extra points if you grind your own.)

++++++++

I also make a tasty, easy, low-fat eggnog custard.

Ingredients:

6 eggs

¼ cup sugar

12 ounces evaporated skim milk

3 cups skim milk

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:

1) Combine all the ingredients into a mixing bowl, one at a time, and beat with an electric mixer.

2) Pour into a sauce pan and heat on the stovetop, stirring continuously.

3) Simmer about 5 minutes until it thickens.

4) Let the custard cool a bit before pouring the mixture into a blender and mix for a minute or so. This step produces a light custard.

5) Pour into 8 custard dishes. Serve it warm, or refrigerate and eat cold.

You can turn this custard recipe into a low-fat eggnog drink by not cooking it, but be sure to use pasteurized eggs. To make a beverage, you also have to separate the eggs; whisk the yolks and whites, separately, as well as, slowly add in, then beat each ingredient. Enjoy!

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Gift Food Baskets For The Holidays

2011-12-13T00:00:00.027-05:00

Gift giving is about thoughtfulness, meeting needs and making people happy. So giving someone a basket of favorite eats is perfect.

A tower of edible gifts can make someone feel like s/he hit the jackpot. They make smart holiday gifts for several reasons:

1) Retailers offer deals and special combos, making pricy gourmet foods more affordable than at other times of the year.

2) It's a gift few people buy for themselves, but most like receiving.

3) They help you avoid some of the craziness of the holiday rush. – No need to beat back the crowd, nor stand in long lines to buy. Order online and have it delivered. Look for coupon codes for free shipping too. Codes here.

4) There is a food basket to suit every taste and budget.

5) They are the perfect gifts to send out of town. – And talk about convenience: Via a phone call - delivered right to a friend's door on very short notice. If you forget a relative, it may be the only way to get gifts to a destination by Christmas.

6) Food baskets are festive. – They make a beautiful presentation. And nothing says "I care" like giving a load of special treats.

7) They can help someone in need – Can you imagine getting a big basket of meats, cheeses, fruits and nuts, if you're a working mother of young children, or a family who has fallen on hard times? It's a considerate-sneaky-way to help. You can give a gift of generosity without the embarrassment of charity.

8) And last but not least, giving food baskets highlights the spirit of Christmas. – Your recipient will have delicacies to share with family and friends, who drop by to spend time together. And isn't that what it's all about? Does anyone really need another blouse or necktie?

Here are a few merchants to consider for your edible gifts:

Harry And David's - Lots of ribbons and bows, nice selection.

Omaha Steaks

Hams and Jams - The Loveless Cafe's mail order business.

Whole Foods Markets

Fairway Market

Zabar's

Wine Country Gift Baskets

William Sonoma - Wine club.

Williams-Sonoma - Seafood or The Butcher Shop.

GourmetGiftBaskets - Plenty of choices, including healthy ones.

And check your local supermarkets -- many offer a gift basket service, including delivery -- for savings and peak fruit. If you have a favorite retailer for luxury food baskets, please leave a comment.

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Calling All Dog Lovers

2011-12-07T10:00:00.034-05:00

This pooch looks like our old family dog.

Do you get nostalgic around the holidays? Recently I stumbled upon a video, which made me think of my family dog. He looked and behaved just like this dog. He was independent and smart. He liked to lay under furniture to rest. And when he was bored, watch out. He was too smart.

We had to stay one step ahead of him, or he'd try to take over the leader of the pack role.

When he was 6 months old, my aunt came for a one week visit, bringing her 4 young children. Our dog must have felt displaced by having company in the house, so while we all slept, he found our guests' shoes and chewed up one shoe of each pair. He didn't touch any of our shoes. The next day we had to shop for new shoes, so our relatives would have something to wear for the rest of their vacation.

On that visit, our dog was put in the bathroom after he got underfoot. Usually, he had the roam of the house. So he climbed up to where there were folded towels and washcloths and pulled every last one of them down. And when we opened the door to let him out, the bath towels were so scattered, we couldn't even find the dog.

This breed is supposed to yodel, instead of bark, but ours barked -- only when necessary -- but he never yodeled, so he must have been a mutt, though, he had the same features as the basenji in the video.

After he was several years old, on a Saturday night, we were trying to watch a television program. It was Easter weekend, and there was a Special airing, but we could not get him to stay away from a widow in the front room of our house. It overlooked a street. We could barely enjoy our program and were so annoyed! For what seemed like forever, we admonished him for barking, making him come away from the window, into the living room, time and again. But he was stubborn and crept right back to the window. So we scolded him yet again, saying: You come back in here! ... WHAT HAS gotten into you!?!

Well, the next morning we decided to go to church and found out as soon as we stepped outside onto the porch. Our car was missing from the front of our house where we had parked it. It had been stolen! And the dog had watched the thieves hot-wiring the car and tried to warn us, while we sat engrossed in our program! We never made that mistake again.

You learn so much from your first.

There are many benefits to owning pets. Studies show that having a dog can improve your mood, cure loneliness, lower blood pressure and reduce stress. Dog owners exercise more than non-pet owners. Our dog loved to snuggle and always greeted us with unconditional love.

Pet ownership is a responsibility. But if you don't mind the work, you get joy, laughter and a loyal friend in return. There are many cute kittens and pure breed dogs at animal shelters and dog rescue organizations who need families. Look there before buying anywhere else. It will cost less -- usually around $50 for shots and spaying -- as well as, save the life of a furry friend. Black dogs and cats, an unpopular color, are especially hard to place in loving homes.

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Panorama Views: Take A Look At The World

2011-12-01T11:46:00.041-05:00

Central Park, New York, Photo: Ed Yourdon

You may have noticed. THE SAVVY SHOPPER is primarily a writer's blog, not a design/photography blog. But that doesn't mean I won't share a clever design, or pictures when they come along. I am always impressed with how technology has opened up the world to us. These days if you are not well-traveled, you can still experience, or get a feeling for what you will see if you ever go on your dream vacation. The internet pushes you out of your comfort zone by showing you places on the globe where you may never think to step foot. And I mean, show you from your eyeball's point of view, as if you were standing there. Perhaps you'll be inspired to plan a real trip to see the sights one day. So take a few minutes out of your hustle-bustle, not-enough-hours-in-a-day life to explore these magnificent 360 degree images. The pictures move horizontally and vertically, and with a click, you can travel up and down, plus zoom in and out. The image of the Sistine Chapel below can be magnified, so you can study Michelangelo's masterpiece in detail. Get ready to be blown away … and enjoy!

1. Sulphur Creek in Capitol Reef National Park

2. Double Arch in Arches National Park

3. Payson Canyon, Uinta National Forest, Utah

4. Puebloan Granaries, Aztec Butte, Canyonlands

5. Grand View Point, Canyonlands National Park

6. The Sistine Chapel, The Vatican, Rome -I did not have this good a view in person!

7. Montmartre, Paris, France (Hit "shift" to zoom in and "control" to back away.)

8. Rue Montorgueil, Paris, France

To continue sightseeing, click here [includes breathtaking views of du Louvre] and here [the landmarks of London].

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Precise Portions' Dinnerware For Healthy Meals

2011-11-28T19:04:00.015-05:00

Eating healthy just got simpler. Recently the USDA replaced the old food pyramid with a new MyPlate icon. Most of us should be eating smaller amounts of food, as well as, making healthier choices. Precise Portions, a new line of porcelain dinnerware takes the guesswork out of figuring out what and how much food to put on your plate. It's not that we can't enjoy an occasional treat; but we should be eating more fruits and vegetables, a portion of starch or whole grains, proteins and dairy most of the time. Designed by a dietician, the dinnerware follows the new USDA guidelines. It shows you what a portion is [usually the size of a clinched fist], and reminds you what a balanced diet looks like.

It's easier to be a mindful eater when the information is right there on your dinner plate staring you in the face. A shocking percentage of children and adults in the US are not just overweight ... but are obese. This set makes a great gift for families trying to instill healthy habits.

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Happy Thanksgiving From The Savvy Shopper

2011-11-24T00:00:00.031-05:00

The Secret Sisters singing a song written by Hank Williams. They can sing anything ... and do. Click here.

Thanksgiving. What a lovely holiday, centered around family, great food, (music in our house), and perhaps a little reflection and tradition.

According to historians, Native Americans and early colonists [in Jamestown and New England] were accustomed to holding days of prayer and celebrations, thanking God for blessings, such as safe travel, victory in battles, or a successful harvest. In the New World thanksgiving services were quite common.

Well folks, here we are again, observing a tradition, which lives on into the 21st century. So as you take a moment to gather around and remember your blessings, enjoy the day! As one of my buddies said, "Get out the pajama jeans!" You're sure to need the stretch.

According to my readings, Native Americans ate a diet of maize, beans and squash. One of their Thanksgiving dishes consisted of a large pumpkin stuffed with buffalo or deer stew. It was baked in an oven, then cut in wedges and served. Doesn't it sound delicious?

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Hot Sales ... And Great Gifts At Williams-Sonoma

2011-11-22T13:24:00.027-05:00

Calphalon Nonstick Covered Fry $39.95-$49.95

Vinturi Wine Aerator $39.95

Williams-Sonoma is, hands down, my favorite store for kitchenwares and home furnishings. I love the specialty foods too. Since the goods are expensive, I must be careful not to empty my wallet shopping there. [If only I had Ivanka Trump's budget, I could have the entire line. And join the wine club. Dream on here. Hand-picked wines make a sure-to-please gift for someone special.] The company was started in 1956 by Chuck Williams, who appreciated the institutional/restaurant quality of French cookware and wanted to make it available to Americans. Williams bought a hardware store in Northern California and restocked hardware with imported French cookware. Now there are over 260 retail stores across the USA and Canada.

The pots, pans and utensils are high end. Buy one of the store's prime culinary tools, and you'll never have to replace it. Watch for sales to get unbeatable values and great gifts for under $50. I love giving, as well as, getting gifts (and gift certificates) from Williams-Sonoma. I'm just saying … for anyone interested. The holidays are fast approaching!

Everyone needs one non-stick skillet to fry eggs. Black Friday and Cyber Monday begin early. Now is a great time to find some deals.

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Are You Ready Boots?

2011-11-17T10:37:00.015-05:00

Victoria's Secret Collection
(The marks are the alphabet on a scanned page.)

Autumn is boot season. Tall or short, high or low, zip-up or lace-up, there's a fashion, fit and function to flatter every foot and pair of legs. Boots can complete an outfit, while protecting you from the elements. Whether you are angling for a polished look, or trying to keep old man winter at bay, there's a choice and length of boot to help you look your fabulous best. My picks are very often low heels and working boots. I walk for miles on concrete, so my boots have to withstand the punishment of city streets, as well as, be kind to my feet. I don't want to develop bunions or hammer toes, but won't sacrifice on style. With choice galore, there's no reason we can't be chic and comfortable, simultaneously. And REAlly, boots are made for walking ... so why settle for less. When your feet are happy, you are happy.

Retailers offering lots of boot style and value include:

1. Victoria's Secret Catalog - Ultra posh, ultra cute!

2. Uggs - Warm, durable, casual style.

3. Endless - A large inventory and discounts.

4. Macy's - Best department store selection, a range of price points.

5. Overstock - Super quality and quantity; up to 70% off and $2.99 shipping.

6. Merrell - Orthopedic boots with smart casual style.

7. Lands' End - Exceptional snow boots (and winter outerwear).

8. Zappos - Free shipping both ways, great customer service, and they stock every boot imaginable.

Now get your game boots on and start walkin'. For Nancy Sinatra's 1966 hit song click here. It features some sizzling hot, umm ... uhh, boots.

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Doctor's Orders: Is It Time For A Checkup?

2011-11-11T08:30:00.039-05:00

Good Health is priceless, and preventive medicine pays. It's always easier to nip a medical problem in the bud, than to treat a chronic disease. If detected early, skin cancer can be removed in a doctor's office, and breast cancer treated as outpatient surgery. Sometimes a doctor's advice about diet and exercise can even stop a patient from developing an illness, which would then require medicine or surgery to treat. In our 20s we may feel invincible, but hopefully, we know better as we mature. A trusted doctor is important to have, and regular checkups can help you maintain optimal heath. Below is a cheat sheet for the checkups you need and at what age to begin (i.e. add a new exam):

Your 20s

Men and Women:

1. Internist or family doctor – Go once a year for a general checkup: Your doctor draws your blood (so you may have to fast) and takes urine and stool samples to check your general health and screen for an assortment of diseases. My doctor checks my reflexes, breathing, heart, blood pressure and a host of other things. He has me follow beams of light with my eyes. Looks in my mouth and ears. We discuss diet and exercise. He gives annual flu and booster shots, such as tetanus, as needed. He checks to see if patients have immunities to childhood diseases like mumps, measles and rubella and will vaccinate, if necessary. He examines my glands and makes sure everything looks normal.

2. Dentist – Go every 6 months. Cleans and does an oral exam. Checks for oral cancers and fills cavities if you have any.

3. Dermatologist – Go once a year if you have a family history of skin cancer, or immediately if you see suspicious moles, or have a lesion that won't heal.

4. Women: Gynecologist – Go once a year. Screens for breast, cervical and ovarian cancers. If you have multiple or a new sex partner, you should also be screened for STDs.

Your 30s, add

Men and Women:

5. A cholesterol screening – This is usually done during your yearly visit with your internist. When the doctor draws your blood, s/he will send it off to the lab to be tested. It's why you fast before you go.

6. In your late 30s or early 40s – Doctors may begin doing stress tests/echocardiograms on your heart, if you have a family history of heart disease.

Your 40s, add

6. Women: A mammogram – Early detection saves lives. Women should talk to their doctor, but I think we've come a long way in curing breast cancer because of the ability to detect and treat it at an early stage. Beginning at 40, a mammogram once a year seems sensible to me. [Some doctors say you can wait until age 50; I wouldn't.]

7. Women: After 45, ask about a bone density scan – Especially if you are small-framed, or carry a low weight.

8. Men: A rectal exam and PSA blood test to check for prostrate cancer.

9. Men: A screening for testicular cancer [routine, done during your yearly physical, but the 40s is a time to be vigilant; don't skip exams].

10. Men and Woman: An eye exam with an ophthalmologist – At least every two years to check for glaucoma.

Your 50s, add

11. Men and Women: A colonoscopy – Every 5 years. Polyps are removed during the examination, including ones that can develop into colon cancer if left untreated.

Your 60s and beyond, add

12. Men and Women: Visits with your primary care doctor to monitor any medications you take and problems that creep up. As we age, cataracts can steal vision, but treatment from an eye doctor can save it.

Fortunately, I have fabulous doctors, who are knowledgeable, compassionate and good listeners. They are thorough without being alarmists. With regular checkups and by following doctor's orders, I hope to stay healthy for a very long time. Care to join me? If you know it, do you do it?

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The Simple Way To Apply Your Own Makeup

2011-11-03T16:44:00.057-04:00

Gwyneth Paltrow gets the credit for today's post. On her blog, GOOP, she has her London makeup artist, Emma Lovell, show us how to apply makeup. To be sure, it's excellent advice, but too many steps for me. And it's unlikely most woman will buy all the recommended products. So I reduced the steps and added my own spin from tips makeup artists have shared with me over the years. Admittedly, it's still a case of do what I say and not as I do since, I rarely use foundation, mascara, or an eyelash curler. And, people may be thinking that I should use all of them. If you are thinking it, be nice! Below are my Emma Lovell-inspired tips on how to do your own makeup ... along with recommendations for products to save a few bucks.

Always lovely, Lauren Graham

For daytime:

1. Start with a clean face and neck. You can use witch hazel.

2. Moisturize your face, neck, and lips. During the day, use a moisturizer with sunscreen like Olay Complete and any lip balm.

3. If you use foundation, match the color to your neck. Pour the foundation into the palm of your hand. Dab a bit at a time to your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin; gently rub it in. The Body Shop makes fabulous foundation.

4. Next apply concealer under your eyes. Applying concealer with a brush works best. I like Max Factor.

5. Curl your naked eyelashes, then apply mascara a little at a time. Maybelline or L'Oreal are unbeatable.

6. Fill in your eyebrows. Use a tint slightly lighter than your natural color. Eyebrows define the whole face. Sephora makes inexpensive brow pencils, with attacked bristles for blending.

7. Next apply blush: For staying power double up: Use a cream blush and go over it with powder blush. Try NARS or The Body Shop.

8. On lips, apply a quality gloss like L'Oreal Colour Juice with a hint of color.

9. Set your makeup by dusting loose powder all over your face. The makeup will last longer. None better than The Body Shop's or Origins'.

For nighttime:

1) Add an eyeliner to emphasize your eyes. Buy cheap: Any brand.

2) Blend eyeshadow on your lids. To stay fresh longer, confine eyeshadows to the lids alone. I like Chanel and sister company, Bonjour, or Laura Mercier.

3) At night, you can apply additional shimmers to your eyelids and even cheeks, if you wish. Inexpensive brands are fine.

4) Wear lipstick under lip gloss at night. For lipstick slurge: Bobby Brown, or Chanel. You can also use it as cheek color in a pinch. (And save: When you don't mind reapplying.)

To figure out the most flattering colors to wear, I say, use the trial and error method. You know pretty when you see it. Visit a few makeup counters, and let the cosmetologists do your makeup.

In reading the advice from a professional makeup artist, I am reminded of the following: (1) Looking good starts with clean, healthy skin; (2) makeup is best applied, slowly, by layering it a little at a time and; (3) when you do a good job applying makeup, people don't think your makeup looks good. They think YOU look good. And that should always be our goal.

I have to give a shout out to an amazing California makeup artist, Lea WhiteFeather. She is so talented! Watch her YouTube channel to be mesmerized by her many star transformations.

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Steaming Hot Cincinnati Chili

2011-11-01T00:01:00.017-04:00

A four-way served at Skyline Chili

If you order chili in Cincinnati, Ohio be prepared to answer the following question: "Would you like a two-way, three-way, or five way?" The inquiry refers to ingredients. Intrigued?

As it turns out, Cincinnati is the chili capital of the world. There are over 100 chili parlors in the greater metropolitan area, more than any other city in America. And the chili in Cincinnati is unlike chili in other parts of the country. Cincinnati chili is always served piping hot and spicy, but never, ever jalapeno pepper hot. It's about blending spices and creating delicious, subtle flavors, not about setting your mouth on fire.

Cincinnati chili probably started in 1922 when Tom and John Kiradjieff, brothers of Macedonian origin, begin serving it over spaghetti at their hotdog stand. Tom modified an ethnic stew to attract more customers. Eventually, the brothers opened Empress Chili. [Their hotdog stand was next to the Empress Theater, a burlesque on Vine Street.] Soon their chili was copied and tweaked by other restaurateurs, including immigrants from Greece, who began Skyline Chili, as well as, 4 brothers from Jordan, who opened Gold Star Chili.

Somehow my father learned how to make Cincinnati chili and taught my European mother how to prepare one of her first American dishes. On dates, they ate at a well-liked parlor called The Chili Bowl. My Mama said when she first came to the States every business she walked into had Elvis Presley singing on the radio. Below is a winning recipe.

-Cincinnati Chili

Ingredients:

1 pound ground sirloin

1 large onion

A sprinkle of seasoned salt

2 28 ounce cans whole tomatoes

1 15 ounce can red kidney beans

1 bell pepper, any color

1 stalk celery, with leaves

1 bay leaf

4 cloves garlic

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

2 tablespoons unsweetened baking chocolate

2 teaspoons red chili powder, or to taste (Dark chili powder is milder.)

½ teaspoon black pepper, or 12 turns of the pepper mill

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon allspice

2 beef bouillon cubes

A pinch of parsley, cilantro, cloves and nutmeg

optional: 1 cinnamon stick, a sprinkle of liquid smoke and 1 teaspoon whole mustard seeds

Directions:

1. Sprinkle the ground sirloin with seasoned salt and cook until golden brown in a pan. Dice and sauté the onion in the pan.

2. Transfer to a large sauce pot, or a dutch oven.

3. Add the tomatoes, red kidney beans, bell pepper, celery, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, chocolate and spices.

4. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 1 hour.

Extras:

Spaghetti

Shredded cheddar cheese

oyster crackers

peanut butter sandwiches (use extra fresh bread)

milk

Cook the spaghetti, separately, according to the package directions and set aside.

And now back to our intriguing question: Ordering Cincinnati chili is based on ingredients. The number before the "way" determines which ingredients you are requesting. Here's the lingo:

1) Bowl - chili in a bowl

2) Two-way - chili and spaghetti

3) Three-way - chili, spaghetti, cheddar cheese

4) Four-way - chili, spaghetti, cheddar cheese, diced onions

5) Five-way - chili, spaghetti, cheddar cheese, diced onions, beans

It is also customary to eat Cincinnati chili topped with saltine crackers and a mild hot sauce. Oyster crackers are used because they are thicker and stay crisp.

A peanut butter sandwich (made with very fresh bread) and paired with an ice cold glass of milk is especially tasty served with a big bowl of Cincinnati chili. It's comfort food at its best.

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Halloween Tricks And Treats

2011-10-25T14:47:00.036-04:00

Oh, won't you come a little closer? ... click here.

Do you enjoy Halloween like you did as a child? Now that I'm an adult, I still love dressing up to celebrate. Give me an excuse, or a party to attend and I'm in. We never grow too old to wear costumes for some frightfully-good fun. So I want to get you in the spirit with today's spooky post.

The tech wizards/geeks who come up with these greetings are so clever. First sketching, then painstakingly syncing image, music and sound effects seamlessly together to tell a short, eerie story. It takes hours to build. What a great age we live in to experience such creativity and magic with the click of a mouse [or a touch on a screen]. Boo!

Let's also do a roundup: What are your favorite Halloween candies?

Mine include Peanut M&Ms, Bit-O-Honey, Cry Babies, SweetTarts and Smarties. How about you?

Here are some ways to save on Halloween sweets:

1) Use the coupons printed in newspapers for Halloween candy.

2) Look for stores offering 2 for 1 deals and sales, such as Walgreens, Target, and Walmart.

3) Buy candy your family doesn't like, so it won't get eaten.

4) Mix expensive chocolates with cheaper lollipops, bubblegum and Jolly Ranchers. It's the sugar kids like, and variety is nice.

5) Save your receipts. You can return unopened bags of candy for full price. It will be half price the day after Halloween. I've never done this, but these are thrifty times, so I can understand returning candy you don't want to eat.

If you want to know how many calories are in those fun-size, tempting treats, click here.

Happy Halloween, everybody! For a history and costume ideas, see the post below.

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