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Archive for August, 2009

August 19th, 2009

smoothies for kids

So I have this obsession with healthy food. I love finding creative ways to make things like fruit and veggies taste good enough that everyone will want to eat them. Personally I need no coaxing – yes, I was that child: I loved all things veggie and fruity. A couple of years back I discovered that if I acted really excited about some food I was preparing that I could usually peak the interest of at least one of the boys. And so it came to be: Bianca’s dinner time smoothies (previously known as Bianca’s Banana Drinks).

Recently while making the drinks for the boys I told Ryan he should pick out some fun glasses for us to enjoy the drinks in. Here’s what he came back with:

the boys drinking at dinner

I had to snap a pic because words alone cannot explain the fact that 3 children under the age of 10 are all holding mixed drink cups full of an unidentified (other than it looks like a frozen mixed drink) substance. To which I feel I must say: Yes, parents, this is my secret to getting your children to sleep through the night! You can thank me later! Mwahahhahahaaha!

August 16th, 2009

Mystery Munch

The other day I was craving some crunchy goodness. So I opened a bag of chips in the kitchen and started snacking. Then, for no apparent reason, I felt compelled to look inside the bag. Ok, so maybe I was compelled to find the biggest chips pieces I could, rather than the little crumbs I was grabbing. Immediately my mind told me, “One of these things is not like the other.” Uh oh. What was it? I have to admit, I was so grossed out that I used a spoon to get it out of the bag. At this point the mixture of confusion and horror on my face silenced even the boys. Ryan asks, “What is that?”
To which I reply: I have NO idea.

So dear readers, I ask you: What is this? (Please note, after careful inspection I have deduced that is it NOT a burnt chip as you might be inclined to guess.)
what is this

August 15th, 2009

Cheap sunscreen is cheap for a reason

I’m on a budget. These days, who isn’t?  The other day I went to Wal-Mart to pick up some essentials.  While I was there I passed the aisle and decided to invest in some sunscreen – one because you can never have too much, right? And secondly, I’ve reached what I like to call my-maximum-brownness for the summer.  With a trip to Puerto Rico coming up in in days, I need to make sure I don’t get any more tan than I am, or else I will not be able to fully enjoy the sun and beaches there…but alas, I digress.

First, when did sunscreen start costing an average of $10 a bottle?  Oh, maybe it was once the companies realized they could cash in on cancer. Hmmm, something about that is just SO wrong.

ANYWAY – I was perusing the aisle trying to find the least expensive brand, but one I still had some confidence in.  In the end however, cheap won over brand name and I went with Wal-Mart’s Equate brand, which I was to compare to: Coppertone SPF 30 Continuous Spray.

I will compare.  First, is sunscreen supposed to sting when you put it on? Hmmm, didn’t think so.  Secondly, should I have had to double check the label because I thought maybe I had accidentally bought a can of OFF Bug Spray? Because I did check it. Twice.  Thirdly, can’t you usually feel the barrier created by sunscreen? I usually can – with this stuff I can’t – I don’t know if that’s a plus or if maybe it really didn’t create a barrier?

My final verdict? Pay the extra $4 and put your mind at ease. Sheesh.

August 14th, 2009

Mother Earth

Yesterday as I was walking through town I was abruptly greeted by a young girl holding a clipboard.

“Hi!”

“Hey!” I think I took her for surprise because I actually responded back.  I’m sure you know she must get ignored all day long – that clipboard definitly outs her as not-your-normal-pedestrian.  And if that wasn’t enough to clue you in – what she did  next definitely broadcasted to not only me, but to those nearby, that she was on a mission.

After our shallow salutations, the girl then proceeds to look me up and down, taking her time and then retorts, “So, you look like you love your planet!”

To which I reply, “(Insert long pause as I try to decide how I’m supposed to answer this)….ummm…ye….no…well….I guess so, I mean I live here on it!”

Smiling, and I’m not sure if it was a courteous smile or a patronizing one, she says, “So let’s chat!”

By this time I realize the predator has set the trap for the prey (me).  This is it folks. Fight or Flight.  I look up and see my friends walking away – they’ve abandoned me in the field.  What to do, what to do???

I casually point at my friend and say, “Uh, yeah, I can’t.  See I’m with my friends and they are leaving.”

I then yell “Sorry” as I jog off, proving I wasn’t as iron-willed as I gave myself credit for.  But seriously, what did she expect me to do? Get left behind to talk about Planet Earth while she sized me up?