So I have started a new adventure .. humm perhaps Bill is right - the kicks don't last :(
Well maybe this one will!
I ended up on http://theKrazyCouponlady.com one night by accident and wow - I was shocked! With the recent move to the new place I have a Fred Meyer, QFC, Safeway, Albertsons, Rite Aid and a Trader Joes between the freeway and the house! (Ok the Safeway is about 3 blocks up but still)
So - why not use that to my advantage on groceries / household items??
And man its fun!
Recently I went to Rite Aid (with the help of some blogs and some friends coupons that were getting thrown out)
I got 2 bottles of ProCreast Health Mouth wash (regular / nighttime), 2 bottles of ProCreast Health Whitening, 3 tubes of toothpaste (more creast), 1 ProGlide Shaver (looks nice ;)), 2 bottles of Gilette Body wash and a coupon organizer (Ok come on - had to get one!) Out of pocket I spent $29 and in rebates I'm getting back $28!! I also have $2.50 in 'cash' coupons on my next transacation! (By the way without the coupon organizer this works out to $5.00 back in cash!!)
How can you beat that?? I also have stocked us on cheese (grated and rubber slices) and got Lean Cuisines for 1.20 each (enough for my lunches ALL week :) )
SO we'll see - of course there will be limited items to buy - unless free or getting paid there is no more mouth wash or toothpaste or for that matter cereal (good deal at target with coupons) that I can bring into the house before Bill kills me :)
But if I get paid to walk out of the store with it - then I'm sure there is a shelter that would love it.. :)
WOO HOO - Fun times!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Terra Yoga - Round 2
Last night I took a 7:15 class with Carina and it was wonderful. Despite the fact that I had to lay down a LOT for some reason - the heat was really getting to me. It was the class experience I was looking for!
She noticed a lot of us were having hip issues - so she modified 3 different exercises to stretch out and open our hips! As I have hip issues all the time this was magical for me! Not only that she showed us the proper way to get in and out of poses. Though we went over class time it was worth every minute!
I may have found my yoga home! (now if we move north... well I deal with that then!)
She noticed a lot of us were having hip issues - so she modified 3 different exercises to stretch out and open our hips! As I have hip issues all the time this was magical for me! Not only that she showed us the proper way to get in and out of poses. Though we went over class time it was worth every minute!
I may have found my yoga home! (now if we move north... well I deal with that then!)
Monday, June 28, 2010
Terra Yoga - Round 1
I did go to Terra Yoga on Thursday - we had a fill-in teacher that normally works on Thursday mornings. Now I don't remember her name - but she was 'Bikram' like which I didn't really care for. She wasn't as bad and she did play music which I loved.
The studio is small - but I kind of like that. Its also closer to my house which I love.. and the times with a 5:15 start are perfect for my schedule. We'll try it a few more times (I bought a ten card) and hopefully I'll have a better report.. its all in the teacher ;)
The studio is small - but I kind of like that. Its also closer to my house which I love.. and the times with a 5:15 start are perfect for my schedule. We'll try it a few more times (I bought a ten card) and hopefully I'll have a better report.. its all in the teacher ;)
Monday, June 21, 2010
Hot Yoga / Bikram Search
For over a year now a good friend of mine has been trying to get me into Hot Yoga. I tried it a long time ago and about died and have been hesitant to go back.. but recently I've gotten on a Groupon / Living Social kick where you get a daily offer.
An offer came through for $30 of unlimited hot yoga at Breathe in Seattle. Being one of the only studios with staggered heat (the back of the room is 85 the front is 105) I decided it was a good deal and tried it out.
I fell in LOVE. But living in Bellevue and driving to Seattle. Not my idea of fun.
Low and behold just as my free month was ending a deal came through for 20 classes for $30 at Bikram Hot Yoga of Redmond. WOO HOO! So I bought it and then I went. I was shocked.
At Breathe they are gentle with you - Yoga is your journey. They are particular about your form - encouraging you to stay in a pose at your level for as long as you need to - even if its years of only going to the first stage. I left feeling in control of my body, thoughts and mind. Bikram Hot Yoga of Redmond pushes you to go to the hardest part of the pose. In fact almost is an exact opposite opinion as Breathe. I also found the instructors to be loud - talk fast and I left feeling like I had been through the wringer. It felt like a personal trainer in your face pushing you as hard as you can. Not my style. Fearful that I was loosing my mind I had a friend go with me, she felt exactly the same.
So, thinking it was this studio I tried Bikram Hot Yoga of Renton. The studio is beautiful. The floor is a weird plastic breathing material that I loved for the sweat factor, hated to feel on my bare feet. I talked about my experience at Breathe and at Redmond and was assured there was no yelling. My first class was closer to Breathe then Redmond and I was ready to sign on. I waited though. And I was glad I did.
My second class at Renton I brought a towel to stand on when we turn so that I didn't have to stand on the floor. The instructor called me out in the middle of class and told me I had to stand on the floor. I was shocked. After I went home I decided to do some research.
I found the a wonderful posting and learned that Bikram is different the Hot yoga. Silly me - the poses were the same - but the philosophy of Bikram is what I was experiencing at Redmond and Renton and I did not like it. I do think that some LOVE IT - as its intense and some people want to be pushed. I sought out Hot yoga for the calming and relaxing points of it. And also - in the words of a good friend who is a yoga instructor - to feel in control of my body. The Bikram philosophy from my point of view - is about giving up control to your instructor. Probably a good idea.. but I'm not there yet in my Yoga journey.
I had gotten another great deal on a website called Savy for Urban Yoga / Spa in downtown Seattle. With an upcoming wedding I thought I'll go there try the studio out and get a mani / pedi on the way out.
BLISS! I cannot even describe how much I loved this studio. The floor was a soft solid material - felt silky but non absorpant. The teacher was amazingly wonderful, tender and nice. Encouraging you to do what felt right in your journey. She even asked in class if we had too much heat and wanted a response!! When we said yes, too hot, she opened the doors to cool us down. I was in awe. I spoke with her and then went upstairs to the WONDERFUL locker rooms - where they have LOCKERS and free locks (I know for those of you who have not been to a studio - this is RARE). The showers are individual - and what you would expect at a spa - hand held sprayers - high end shampoo/ conditioner and WONDERFUL body wash.
And then I went and got a Mani Pedi - umm.. bliss. This is the way to do hot yoga.
And then I remembered - I'm in down town Seattle. Great for Saturday / Sunday but in my day to day life on the week - dealing with traffic and parking. Its just not going to happen :(
So my hunt continues. I'm off to Terra Yoga in Issaquah tonight - I'm feeling confident as a friend goes there (the before mentioned Redmond Hot Yoga friend). So we'll see - the hunt for my home studio continues....
An offer came through for $30 of unlimited hot yoga at Breathe in Seattle. Being one of the only studios with staggered heat (the back of the room is 85 the front is 105) I decided it was a good deal and tried it out.
I fell in LOVE. But living in Bellevue and driving to Seattle. Not my idea of fun.
Low and behold just as my free month was ending a deal came through for 20 classes for $30 at Bikram Hot Yoga of Redmond. WOO HOO! So I bought it and then I went. I was shocked.
At Breathe they are gentle with you - Yoga is your journey. They are particular about your form - encouraging you to stay in a pose at your level for as long as you need to - even if its years of only going to the first stage. I left feeling in control of my body, thoughts and mind. Bikram Hot Yoga of Redmond pushes you to go to the hardest part of the pose. In fact almost is an exact opposite opinion as Breathe. I also found the instructors to be loud - talk fast and I left feeling like I had been through the wringer. It felt like a personal trainer in your face pushing you as hard as you can. Not my style. Fearful that I was loosing my mind I had a friend go with me, she felt exactly the same.
So, thinking it was this studio I tried Bikram Hot Yoga of Renton. The studio is beautiful. The floor is a weird plastic breathing material that I loved for the sweat factor, hated to feel on my bare feet. I talked about my experience at Breathe and at Redmond and was assured there was no yelling. My first class was closer to Breathe then Redmond and I was ready to sign on. I waited though. And I was glad I did.
My second class at Renton I brought a towel to stand on when we turn so that I didn't have to stand on the floor. The instructor called me out in the middle of class and told me I had to stand on the floor. I was shocked. After I went home I decided to do some research.
I found the a wonderful posting and learned that Bikram is different the Hot yoga. Silly me - the poses were the same - but the philosophy of Bikram is what I was experiencing at Redmond and Renton and I did not like it. I do think that some LOVE IT - as its intense and some people want to be pushed. I sought out Hot yoga for the calming and relaxing points of it. And also - in the words of a good friend who is a yoga instructor - to feel in control of my body. The Bikram philosophy from my point of view - is about giving up control to your instructor. Probably a good idea.. but I'm not there yet in my Yoga journey.
I had gotten another great deal on a website called Savy for Urban Yoga / Spa in downtown Seattle. With an upcoming wedding I thought I'll go there try the studio out and get a mani / pedi on the way out.
BLISS! I cannot even describe how much I loved this studio. The floor was a soft solid material - felt silky but non absorpant. The teacher was amazingly wonderful, tender and nice. Encouraging you to do what felt right in your journey. She even asked in class if we had too much heat and wanted a response!! When we said yes, too hot, she opened the doors to cool us down. I was in awe. I spoke with her and then went upstairs to the WONDERFUL locker rooms - where they have LOCKERS and free locks (I know for those of you who have not been to a studio - this is RARE). The showers are individual - and what you would expect at a spa - hand held sprayers - high end shampoo/ conditioner and WONDERFUL body wash.
And then I went and got a Mani Pedi - umm.. bliss. This is the way to do hot yoga.
And then I remembered - I'm in down town Seattle. Great for Saturday / Sunday but in my day to day life on the week - dealing with traffic and parking. Its just not going to happen :(
So my hunt continues. I'm off to Terra Yoga in Issaquah tonight - I'm feeling confident as a friend goes there (the before mentioned Redmond Hot Yoga friend). So we'll see - the hunt for my home studio continues....
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Dumped the Amish.. kept the muffins
So.. the last batch of oat bran muffins I made spoiled - I have no idea why but I had read a few other people mention you can make the recipes without the starters.. so.. I dumped.. I did it in a hurry - no tears were shed ;)
Last night I made these oat bran muffins from cooking light:
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=522196
I used dates instead of raisins (and that's only because that's what I had) - I did the whole thing in the Cuisinart - so it was probably more blended then it asks you to - but they were GOOD.
I may use this as my new base recipe for 'wheat' muffins and play with it a bit (I got some new flours at the outlet in Issaquah that I want to try)
For my 'white' (aka unhealthier) I made lemon muffins - I used the amish recipe as a base omitting the starter (obviously). I used sugar free lemon pudding and vanilla yogurt instead of oil. I also used Trader Joe's cage free egg whites (out of the jug) for the eggs - I then forgot I was halving the recipe and used too much flour - I tried to take it out - but either way at the end of the mixing it was still thick so I added a hefty amount of lemon juice and some more milk, then some agave syrup and sugar to sweeten (sorry no idea how much) - the result was goey yummy lemon.. muffin shaped things (a little too moist to call muffins). I'll work on this recipe a little more.
So - look for more muffin / bread recipes.. without starter!
Last night I made these oat bran muffins from cooking light:
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=522196
I used dates instead of raisins (and that's only because that's what I had) - I did the whole thing in the Cuisinart - so it was probably more blended then it asks you to - but they were GOOD.
I may use this as my new base recipe for 'wheat' muffins and play with it a bit (I got some new flours at the outlet in Issaquah that I want to try)
For my 'white' (aka unhealthier) I made lemon muffins - I used the amish recipe as a base omitting the starter (obviously). I used sugar free lemon pudding and vanilla yogurt instead of oil. I also used Trader Joe's cage free egg whites (out of the jug) for the eggs - I then forgot I was halving the recipe and used too much flour - I tried to take it out - but either way at the end of the mixing it was still thick so I added a hefty amount of lemon juice and some more milk, then some agave syrup and sugar to sweeten (sorry no idea how much) - the result was goey yummy lemon.. muffin shaped things (a little too moist to call muffins). I'll work on this recipe a little more.
So - look for more muffin / bread recipes.. without starter!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Chocolate Cupcakes
I finally found a recipe that Bill LOVES...
I took the recipe from Betty Crocker for Chocolate fudge cake.. I reduced the amount of sugar, flour and milk and added a cup of starter. I used sugar free chocolate pudding (2 small packages) and added a little extra milk.. I omitted the baking chocolate (as the pudding mix) however- which I had stirred in some chocolate chips. When I really sit down and look at it I will post a better recipe (and email or comment if you want the exact thing)
For me - I really think the butter is what added to it.. they came out kind of soft / gummy (just the way Bill likes it!) And everyone agreed they were NOT dry. BIG hit.. unfortunately - NOT low cal :) But for a treat - they aren't BAD. :)
I took the recipe from Betty Crocker for Chocolate fudge cake.. I reduced the amount of sugar, flour and milk and added a cup of starter. I used sugar free chocolate pudding (2 small packages) and added a little extra milk.. I omitted the baking chocolate (as the pudding mix) however- which I had stirred in some chocolate chips. When I really sit down and look at it I will post a better recipe (and email or comment if you want the exact thing)
For me - I really think the butter is what added to it.. they came out kind of soft / gummy (just the way Bill likes it!) And everyone agreed they were NOT dry. BIG hit.. unfortunately - NOT low cal :) But for a treat - they aren't BAD. :)
Kate's Muffins
So.. searching the internet for inspiration I came across this website / recipe: http://www.gardenwife.com/healthy-oat-bran-muffins-made-with-amish-friendship-bread-starter/comment-page-1#comment-177865
These are the BEST muffins. Kate (18 month old niece) LOVES them :) And when I'm using all organic ingredients, no sugar and no added fat.. well LET HER EAT THEM! I use all whole wheat - the last batch I exchanged one cup of whole wheat flour for 1 cup of oats (upping the oats and hopefully lightening the muffins) and I added whole rasberries (defrosted frozen ones) to the batter - I have yet to have one (Tomorrow morning!) But mom says they are keepers!
These are now staples in the house and will be what I make with my whole wheat until we are sick of them...
These are the BEST muffins. Kate (18 month old niece) LOVES them :) And when I'm using all organic ingredients, no sugar and no added fat.. well LET HER EAT THEM! I use all whole wheat - the last batch I exchanged one cup of whole wheat flour for 1 cup of oats (upping the oats and hopefully lightening the muffins) and I added whole rasberries (defrosted frozen ones) to the batter - I have yet to have one (Tomorrow morning!) But mom says they are keepers!
These are now staples in the house and will be what I make with my whole wheat until we are sick of them...
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