How To Make The Best Taco Meat Ever (and lose weight doing it)

Sometimes when I'm low on groceries and feeling adventurous (and, let's face it, lazy), I try to cook dinner from only what's left in the kitchen. This helps me to use up food I have been meaning to finish, and to postpone going to the store for at least another day.

One of my favorite things to eat ever was concocted this way.

And now I will graciously share the recipe with you:

Why I Don't Drink Soda on a Regular Basis (and you shouldn't either)

I went to the movies with some friends recently - something I don't do very often.
Mostly because I am frugal (which is different than being cheap; read a supporting article here).

I don't see the point in spending $15+ to risk my view being blocked, a baby crying, or someone sneezing on the back of my neck.

It's happened.

The last movie I saw in the theater was The Muppets - which was also a fluke, because I had free passes, and still do. I guess even when it's free I'm not that keen on going.

I think the last movie I saw before that was Julie and Julia. That's a better indication.

Anyway, a friend was visiting from out of town, and another friend had a Groupon for 2 movie tickets, popcorn, and a drink for $15.

Of course, that was only for the two of them. 

Fig Newtons Now Called Newtons

original article

 Is this news?

original article

Apparently so.

That is all.

Peppermint Patties: Gateway Drug?

For Lent this year I gave up Peppermint Patties.

I know, this sounds silly compared with last year,* but my PP consumption was getting out of control (not to be confused with PP).

I started getting them regularly because they’re delicious, obviously. And they're relatively low in PointsPlus Values. I’d take 3 (one serving) to work, usually have one after lunch, and then 2 left to either snack on during the day or have on the way home.

Not terrible. 

Then I started eating 2-3 after dinner.

Also not terrible. 

Then I started bringing the bag into the living room with me after dinner and eating a few more (…and a few more). Then I started going through an entire bag over the course of a weekend.  

Terrible!

Habit Heroes Down for the Count

Did you hear about this?

An exhibit at Disney World's Epcot center, designed to "convey a positive message about healthy lifestyles in a fun and empowering way," was recently closed for redesign.

The exhibit, called Habit Heroes, was attacked for being insensitive, and for portraying overweight people as lazy and lacking will-power. Critics argued that obesity is a much more complex issue.

You can read about it here.

I can see both sides. Of course we do not want to teach our children to see all overweight people as villains. But I do think that teaching our children to do more physical activities, eat more healthy foods, and recognize that gaining weight can be directly related to our habits is a good thing.

But maybe start by evaluating the nutritional value of the different lunch options available at the park? Or perhaps opening more rides like the Huff and Puff at Knott's Berry Farm?

Disney is set to redesign the exhibit, hopefully the new version will still have poignancy without offending the masses.

What do you think? Should Disney have taken down the exhibit? Should they have put it up in the first place? What's the best way to provide constructive commentary on destructive lifestyles?

Sack of Potatoes

What do you do with a bag of potatoes that’s nearing the end of its shelf life? 

Good question. 

I am notorious for: 

1. Ignoring the question and letting the potatoes go bad. 

2. Making and eating a monosyllabic dinner (ketchup is a vegetable, right?). 

3. Giving up and making a bowl of frosting instead.*

Here’s an inventory of what I did last night: 

Saving the Earth ...kind of

Did you get your free bag at Target yesterday?

I did.