A Post for Quirkyloon

The other title I was toying with was:

"Julia spends way too much time watching The Disney Channel and reading TMZ!"

Quirkyloon wrote a blog post about watching tween kids shows (i.e. iCarly, etc...). So to make her feeling better I "outed" myself as watching a lot of Disney Channel.

Her response to my comment "@Julia You're a Disney Channel junkie so maybe you can tell us..what's up with the alleged feud between Hannah and Selena? Please tell! (I'll be checking your blog for an answer!) :)"

The really sad part - I know the answer!

It has to do with the show Hannah Montana The Jonas Brothers (OK, I REALLY don't get the appeal). First, there were rumors that they were going to replace Hannah Montana with Selena Gomez and then The Jonas Brothers fueled suspicion by wearing a "Team Selena" t-shirt. Also, each of the girls have dated a Jonas Brother.

So now that I have outed myself as a "tween wannabee" (to which I reply WHATEVER with my hands raised in the "W" sign) go and check out Musings of a Quirkyloon and see what she has to say on the topic of tween shows.

Totally Awkward Tuesdays

I decided to join Tova Darling and post an awkward moment of mine for Totally Awkward Tuesday's. Of course, I am a day late (where is the eye rolling emoticon??).

I remembered my moment thanks to yesterdays post that you can read here.

When I go to work out, I always tell my monkeys that I go and workout to be fit and healthy. About a year ago, I was at Taekwondo with my oldest monkey (who was 5 at the time) and we were about to leave. We walked past a lady, who let's just say was rubenesque, sitting and waiting until her class started.

The monkey stops...turns to her...and says..."Do you take Taekwondo?"...So I say..."Look, sweet heart. She's a black belt. Isn't that cool?"...The monkey says to her..."But you're BIG...Why are you big if you do Taekwondo?"

My jaw dropped down to THE FLOOR! I was MORTIFIED. I stammered out an apology while hoping that the floor would open up and swallow me whole.

I mean what kind of mother am I?? I don't discriminate! Some of my best friends are "bigger" girls. Heck, my mom and mother-in-law are both "bigger". And I was chubby ALL through-out high school.

The woman was really nice about it. She told us that this was the only exercise she did and that she also liked to eat, unfortunately.

As we were leaving, the monkey kept talking, "But mommy, why is she so big?"

On the way home, I had to explain to her that we don't say things like that, that it wasn't nice, and if she really wanted to say something to me, she could at least do it in Russian.

How did I do? Was that awkward enough to qualify?

By the way, the monkeys know better now, thankfully!!

Baby Got Back

I was talking to one of my mom friends a while ago and she told me a story:

Her 6 year old wanted to do a ball workout DVD with her. Afterwords her daughter told her that the workout didn't work because her moms rolls were still there. The mom laughed and told her that the exercise wasn't instantaneous.

This friend also told this story to another mom we know. The other mom said that she would have been MORTIFIED if her child had told her that! My friends reply - "Why? My daughter has eyes. She knows I'm not skinny."

I feel the same way.

For a while there, both monkeys would tell me that I need to cut out my stomach roll. Then tonight, my little monkey kept smacking my butt and telling me that I had a big butt! To me it's funny. Little children are un-encumbered by our politically-correct, don't hurt our feelings ways. I definitely don't take offense.

What about you out there in the bloggy world? Do you take offense to your children making comments about you? Do you find it funny or do you get upset?

Can you lend me an ear?

Well, I wasn't really lent an ear, I was given one :) (boy do I wish there were emoticons I could use with blogger).


One of my favorite bloggers, Janna, at Janana Bee, gave me Van Gogh's ear award.

It was so nice of her. And Van Gogh is one of my favorite impressionists. I have no idea who to give it to. Every single person who reads my blog is deserving of this award. So, please, take my ear :)

By the way, I went to the gym tonight and I can definitely tell vacation is over (at least at LAUSD). All the treadmills were taken at 9:15 at night! And so were mot of the elliptical machines! I guess people's New Years Resolutions are finally kicking in to high gear.

Today was a good day

First off, thanks to Keri at It Flickers Dimly for the Honest Scrap Award. Go check out her blog, it is really good, and her boys are cuties.

I woke up this morning to the husband putting together the monkeys' trampoline! I guess he got tired of them asking every 5 minutes if he could put it together (we gave it to them on New Years Day) and me doubting him earlier this week when he said he would do it.

I've got to say, that thing looks cool!! I can't wait to try it out (preferably after a couple of drinks). Today was the perfect day for it too. After a cold couple of weeks, today was at least 85 degrees outside. We were wearing tank tops!

I also doubted the husband when he said he would mount the new TV in the bedroom. A few weeks ago I found a deal I could not pass up on one of the things I covet (you can read about them in this post) - so I bought it!!!! The TV was delivered yesterday and I scoffed at the husband when he implied that he could take down the old play set, put up the trampoline and take down the old TV and put the new one up - all today!

You know what - I should scoff much more often!! I am currently laying down and watching Desperate Housewives on a brand new LCD HDTV! The new DirecTV HD DVR will be delivered next Sunday and then my TV viewing experience will be complete!

The topping on the cake is that the big monkey is going back to school tomorrow. The break was nice but boy am I glad she's going back (and she is too).

My "D"

DIZZBLND at Soggy Doggy Bloggy (go check out her blog, she's great) assigned me the letter "D" in a letter game. I have to list 10 favorite things with my letter.

So here are my 10:

1. Daughters - my 2 monkeys are the best thing to have happen to me (even when I want to run away from them).
2. My "D" rack (although I used to hate it as a teenager).
3. Dollars - who doesn't love money?
4. Dinner (and breakfast and lunch) - really just food in general.
5. Drinks - they just make parties, and get together's, more fun.
6. DVRs - My DirecTV DVR is a must-have for me to keep up with my TV addiction.
7. Dance - Does anyone not know that I had to somehow throw Zumba in to the mix ;) Also, I just LOVE to watch the monkeys do ballet and hip hop.
8. Discovering new people, things and places - I love to explore and learn.
9. Diamonds - again, who doesn't love diamonds?
10. Driving - I got my license as soon as possible upon turning 16!

OK - this was as hard as everyone says!

Please let me know if you want to play and I will assign you a letter.

American Kids versus Russian Kids

I received this email from a girl friend. This basically speaks volumes about why I am how I am.

American kids: Move out when they're 18, with the full support of their parents.
Russian kids: Move out when they're 28, having saved enough money for a house, and are two weeks away from getting married.....unless there's room in the basement for the newlyweds.

American kids: When their Mom visits them, she brings a Bundt cake, and they sip coffee and chat.
Russian kids: When their Mom visits them, she brings 3 days worth of food, begins to tidy up, dust, do the laundry, and rearrange the furniture. Of course with my parents, THE WHOLE TIME THEY ARE DOING THIS THEY WILL CRITIQUE THE FOOD YOU HAD, THE DUST THAT WAS THERE, ANY LAUNDRY THAT WAS NOT DONE WITH THEIR BRAND OF DETERGENT OR LINE DRIED, AND THE FACT THAT HOW YOUR ORIGINAL FURNITURE SET UP WAS ALL WRONG, AND ISN'T THEIR WAY BETTER.

American kids: Their dads always call before they come over to visit them, and it's usually only on special occasions.
Russian kids: Are not at all fazed when their dads show up,unannounced, on a Saturday morning at 8:00, and starts pruning the fruit trees. If there are no fruit trees, he'll plant some.

American kids: Always pay retail, and look in the Yellow Pages when they need to have something done.
Russian kids: Call their dad or uncle, and ask for another dad's or uncle's phone number to get it done..

American kids: Will come over for cake and coffee, and get cake and coffee.
Russian kids: Will come over for cake and coffee, and get Borsht, vodka, a salat olivye', a choice of two meats, bread, a dish of babushka's desert and fruit.

American kids: Eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on soft mushy white bread.
Russian kids: Eat selyodka and kartoshka with cherniy bread on the side

American kids: Know a few things about their parents.
Russian kids: Could write a book with direct quotes from them.

By the way, welcome to anyone who is reading this blog thanks to the link from the "Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap". I hope you'll stay around.

Crockpot Cooking

Trying to keep my financial resolutions, I decided to start cooking meals to take to work again. Also, I love to cook and love to share my successes, and failures, with the blogging community.

Last night at 11pm I decided to throw off my warm blankets, and put something in the crock pot. I had been looking at this great recipe for Jambalaya, and although I wouldn't be putting it over rice, I thought that the flavors would go nicely together. Thanks to the vegetables, it's also quite healthy.

FYI - I was back in bed by 11:20pm. Gotta love that.

Crock pot Jambalaya
Posted by Dewey on the CookingLight Bulletin Board

12 oz boneless skinless chicken breast, 1/2" cubes (used 1lb. turkey legs)
2 green peppers, chopped (used 16 oz. frozen pepper blend and 2 zucchini)
1 medium onion, chopped (omitted)
2 stalks celery, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced (used pureed garlic)
14 1/2 ounces whole tomatoes, canned
1/3 cup tomato paste (subbed ketchup)
14 1/2 ounces fat-free beef broth, canned (subbed ½ water and ½ red wine)
1 Tbl dried parsley
1 1/2 tsp dried basil & 1/2 tsp dried oregano (subbed Penzey’s Pasta Sprinkle)
1 tsp Tabasco sauce (used ½ TSP)
1 tsp cayenne pepper (used ½ TSP)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 lb low-fat smoked sausage (omitted)
3 cups cooked brown rice


Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Add all ingredients except sausage and rice to Crock-Pot. Cover; cook on Low 8 to 10 hours (High: 3 to 4 hours). Add sausage last hour of cooking. If you want to include shrimp, add last 15 minutes of cooking. Stir in rice when ready to serve. 6 servings (big servings!)



This was REALLY good! Of course, I doubt it tastes anything like a real jambalaya (some of that is due to my changes) but it is a good comforting, healthy meal loaded with tons of vegetables!

By the way, I am submitting this for Gayle's recipe swap at http://grocerycartchallenge.blogspot.com/

Lucid Thoughts

Today I have had some lucid thoughts, and since it happens so rarely, I decided to share:

• No matter how many toys a waiting room has, a child who has been given eye drops meant to dilate their eyes will begin to whine and/or go nuts after about 10 minutes.
• If you are going to going to a high energy, body moving, high impact, dance/exercise class, do not go to Mexican food and proceed to eat your weight in bean dip, first.
• When men leave work early, it is usually to go to watch ball games, to go drinking, etc... When women leave work early, it is usually to take their kids to doctor's appointment's, dentist appointment's, recitals, etc....
• When there are 10 different Calliou DVDs available to watch, both kids will inevitably want to watch the same one (but in two separate rooms).
• When your husband agrees to do you a favor without any questions, he will invariably call to change the plan to fit his wants/needs.

These lucid moments have been brought to you courtesy of our visit to the Pediatric Opthamologist (the appointment itself was wonderful, it was the down time that wanted to make me pull my hair out), dinner at Los Toros Mexican Restaurant (they give the absolutely best bean dip along with salsa and chips), Zumba (of course) and Calliou (the most annoying kids cartoon character).

Zumba

In honor of our New Years Resolutions, I am posting about my FAVORITE workout ever:

ZUMBA (the following is from my teachers (JP Santana) facebook page)

Zumba is an exciting and dynamic fitness program that allows you to dance your way to a happier and healthier life! Most people hate to exercise but everyone loves to party! Zumba has turned the exercise into a party! Set to a hot, heart pumping soundtrack, Zumba turns up the heat by combining sexy latin dance styles such as Cumbia, Salsa, Merengue, Reggaeton, and Samba with fun and easy to follow exercise movements. Warning! Zumba's high spirited energy is contagious! Participants are likely to get lost in the fun and burn some serious calories! People of all fitness levels and dance experience CAN and LOVE to Zumba! So we invite you to ditch the workout. This is one party you don't want to miss!.

Here is a video where my teacher, JP, is teaching the class (the man in red jumping all over the screen)



The following is a video that really captures the essence of Zumba



The third video is a show case of my teacher, JP, who is fantastic




So, if you know you need to start working out, but can't face the treadmill or the same old classes, give Zumba a try. It is TRULY addicting.

And the teacher in the 2nd video is right - you do start moving your hips/body in ways you didn't realize your body could move ;)

Honest Scrap

I got another award!!! I am ALWAYS shocked when someone likes what I write enough to honor me.

Adriana at From KS to PA bestowed me with the Honest Scrap Award. I am just starting to read her but I really like what I have read so far.

The rules: The honorees are to: A) first list 10 honest things about yourself - and make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep! B) pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.

10 Honest Things About My Self

1. I smile to myself when I read something funny or heartwarming. I was doing that today while reading New Moon and my oldest monkey asked me while I was smiling. Yes, I'm a dork.
2. I love to watch crap/teenage TV. The Hills, The City, One Tree Hill, The Girls Next Door. I even TIVO 2 shows at once so that I don't miss anything. Yes I'm a dork.
3. I have been on The Today Show - for coupon clipping. Yes I'm a dork.
4. I have this overwhelming need to have people like me. It bothers me when someone doesn't like me and I need to get to the bottom of why it is that they don't like me. Usually I them try to make them like me. But when I realize it's for a stupid reason, one that outs the person as an idiot, I get quickly over it and stop caring. Yes I'm a dork.
5. I know I am not fat, but I am constantly struggling to loose those last 5 lbs. Yes I'm a dork.
6. I love my monkeys more than anything but sometimes (more often than I care to admit) I want to lock myself in my room and not come out. Yes I'm a dork.
7. I am really getting in to The Twillight Series. I'm on book 2 and really enjoy the characters. Yes I'm a dork.
8. After 6 years of regular exercise, I still have to psyche myself up to go to the gym. Yes I'm a dork.
9. One of my favorite movies is White Girls. I don't know why but it CRACKS me up. Yes I'm a dork.
10. Like Adriana, I also have an estranged sibling. I was just thinking about her today as it is my niece's 18th Birthday. I was so closed to my niece and nephew for the first 10 years of their lives. And now, I can't even call them as it is against my sisters wishes. We have spoke once in the last 5 years - and that was one conversation about my father's sudden blindness. Yes I'm a dork (and sad and mad).

Anyways....

7 Bloggers Deserving of this award (I would give it to all if I could)

1. Opus @ MAInfo
2. Michelle @ Culture Crack
3. Lupita @ A Girls Guide to ...
4. Lee @ Moms Without Blogs
5. Marinka @ Motherhood in NYC
6. Vodka Mom @ I Need A Martini Mom
7. Janna @ Janana Bee

The Holidays are over

I don't know why, but I always feel a bit let down after the holidays. I shouldn't, since I don't celebrate the biggest one of all, but I do anyways. I think what I don't like is the anticipation going away.

During the holidays, starting with Halloween, there are parties to look forward to. Lots to eat and drink. Days off to take. Presents to open.

I think I'm like a child in this way. I ABSOLUTELY love presents. That's one of the reasons I love my birthday so much. I get to spend time with those I love (and like and can stand, I'm not picky) and eat and drink and open presents :)

Now it's January. My excuse for baking sweets is over :(

Of course, it is a new beginning. And 2009 has to be better, right? There is a look to hope for, and to look forward to!

OK - apparently tonight is not one of my more lucid nights ;) Good night!

2009 Resolutions

The last couple of years, I have resolved not to make resolutions. this year, since I am putting them in print, and will be re-visiting them from time to time, I thought I would make some. Hopefully, I feel feel accountable and keep them.

1. Be conscious of my spending. I have started to bring my lunch to work. It's a good start. But I do need to be mindful of my "medium dollar" spending. I'm good with the $2 purchases and the $500 plus purchases, but it's the $$$$ in the middle that give me the most trouble. I will be more mindful of my spending habits.
2. Be conscious of my eating. When I'm out with friends, especially, I tend to continue eating when I am no longer hungry. I need to put my fork down, listen to what my friends are saying (I have some great and interesting friends). This way I won't have to make up for one bad night with 3-4 good days. Today, I asked the waitress to take my plate away so I wouldn't be tempted to put more on it.
3. Be conscious of getting exercise in, in all forms. I am already pretty good about working out at least 3 times a week (Zumba helps), but I need to get more "steps" in. Today I made good strides in that direction when I parked toward the end of the best buy parking lot (which isn't that big) instead of circling for a closer space. I also talked my friend in to going on a walk with me around the mall after dinner. We strolled around for a good 1/2 hour just chatting. I know if we had stayed the restaurant we would have ordered more drinks or ate more bread.
4. Be happy with the daily things I do to be a healthier person. Even though today wasn't perfect, I did make an effort. I need to congratulate my self on the small victories.
5. Be more organized. Clean out the closets and nightstand more often. Get the car washed and the toys cleaned out of the car. Organize my time in and out of the office and not constantly feel as though I'm forgetting something.
6. Cut myself, and my monkeys, some slack - I can not always be perfect. Neither can they. I stopped by a friends house today to drop off a present and her daughter said that my oldest monkey, who she's friends with, was mean to her and was rude to adults, because my friends daughter was climbing on my monkey's bed and my monkey screamed at the dad to get the little girl off the bed. So, instead of saying that my monkey just doesn't like other people on her bed, and that there have been times where this same little girl has yelled at me, I said "OK, I'll talk to her." All my friend said to her daughter was "don't tattle tale." I was kind of upset the rest of the evening - 1/2 by my reaction and not coming to my monkeys defense more (I did say that I didn't think she was mean to her or adults), and 1/2 by my starting to doubt the goodness of my monkey. And if she did yell, it wasn't like she was trying to be rude, she's just 6 and hasn't learned of art of persuasive argument yet! (Funny how what I hate most about my mom (that she doesn't give me the benefit of the doubt) is what I ended up doing to my monkey).
7. Believe in the goodness of me and my monkeys. They have both developed my loving nature. They love to share (aside from not wanting to share with each other) and are 2 of the most selfless kids I know. The have an inner warmth to them and are constantly smiling and happy (except for when it comes to each other - ah, sisters!). And yes, they go crazy sometimes -but all kids do. Knowing that those are the traits that I have always been know for, watching them makes me appreciate myself.

OK - that's all I can think of right now. I expect everyone here to keep me honest :)

Gluttony - My Favorite Sin

When I get a thought in my head, I tend to follow it. A couple of weeks ago I read an article HERE that spoke of falling lobster prices. So began my search for lobster. First I called Whole Foods (OK, stop laughing, whole paycheck lived up to its' moniker). Then I tried Smart & Final - better but still pricey.

On Tuesday the 30th of December I thought of going to 99 Ranch, an Asian food chain in Southern and Northern California. If you've never been in one, it is like a feast for the eyes. There is any type of Asian produce, hot food, sauces, canned goods, seafood, meat, etc... you could possibly want or need. Usually at MUCH lower prices.

The lobsters - $11.99 a pound. Not cheap for most things - but a darn good price for lobster. So I bought 2. I wasn't sure what to do with them so I put them in the refrigerator. Since we were going to a friends house for NYE, I decided to bring the lobsters with me. I had never made them before so I looked to my favorite source, the Cooking Light Bulletin Boards, for inspiration and/or a recipe. I found one.

According to a bulletin board member (I can't believe I forgot who):
Look for active lobsters. The feistier the better. If they spread their claws far when picked up they are called "flyers". If you like the orangy-red roe, ask for females - these have feathery final (closest to the tail section) swimmerettes on their undersides. The ones on males are hard and narrow. (you can educate your fishmonger if they don't know how to pick females).

When you buy them, keep them in the fridge no more than a day. Do NOT immerse in water as this will kill them (tap water will kill most sea-dwelling critters). You can also put them in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to make them sleep before cooking, according to Alton Brown.

We usually steam them as this keeps the water to a minimum (I boiled). Some herbs, whole peppercorns, lemon halves, salt, and water or white wine at the bottom of a tall stockpot. Put in your steamer thing. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, toss in a little vodka, maybe 1/2 cup (this REALLY seems to work - at least for us). Put in the lobster (DON'T clip off the rubber bands). Cover (sometimes you have to weight the cover for the first 10 seconds). I think the usual cooking time is about 15 minutes for 1-1 1/4 lbs. It's 25 minutes for 2 pounders.

Use something to pull them out - either some aluminum foil on your oven mitts or tongs to keep from being scalded by the heat. Use kitchen shears (or tin snips as AB used) to clip the ends of the claw shells off as you hold the lobster(s) over the pot to drain any water out of the shells. You don't have to do this, but it keeps your plate from being flooded with water when you do start eating.

Serve with melted butter (I like to put a lemon slice at the bottom of a ramekin then pour the melted butter on top). Sometimes I sprinkle a little cajun seasoning on the lemon slice before I pour in the butter. We did melt butter but ended up not really using it.


We demolished those lobsters. They didn't even make it to the table. We stood up in the kitchen while my one friend was cracking them and just made her feed the meat to us! My other friends' daughter took a picture of the carcasses but has yet to email it to me. When she does I will post them.

So tonight we were going back to the same friends house. I went and bought 6 more lobsters. 5 adults and 2 kids (only 2 of the kids had mass quantities like we did) finished everything but one tail and 3 bodies devoid of tail and legs!!! And there was other food! One friend brought chicken gyros and the woman whose house it was bought tacos and burritos, made roasted potatoes and veggies (both are amazing), chicken nuggets for the kids (there was 1 pre-K, 4 1st graders and 4 pre-teens) and had hummus, salad (which she makes REALLY well), etc...

Since I am on the SHFA "PLC" Challenge put on by Scandy, I ate one chicken soft taco (no cheese) and about 1 lb of lobster. It was soooo GOOD! And since I dipped in to the butter only once, I had maybe one teaspoon of butter. I can definitely live like this - a very low fat food that I can gorge myself on! Of course, just in case, I might wait until after Zumba to do my daily weigh-in.

Starting off the year on a great note - An Award!

Lemonade Award

Thanks to Keri at It Flickers Dimly for this really cute award.

I’m turning this one in to a Lemon Drop Martini ;)

Now, for the rules. First, you should give link love to the person who gave you the award. Secondly, nominate ten of your favorite bloggers to receive the Lemonade Award!In no particular order, my nominees (I wish I could nominate everyone I read on a DAILY and obsessive basis) are:

Scandalous Housewife

Under The Influence
MAInfo
Mommy in Pink
I Need a Martini Mom
Jiggety Jig
Janana Bee
Moms Without Blogs
Life Just Keeps Getting Weirder
It Flickers Dimly