...at the office. Nothing has really gone on except for the fact that I got almost ALL of my work done. I'm such a procrastinator when it comes to some things. And...I have to work tomorrow. lame. That means, Jacob has to watch Kinzi. Wonder how that's gonna go? I would almost be willing to bet he goes to his parents in the morning. Which kind of irritates me. He needs to sit at home and see what I do. Anywho...I still keep checking the Staats blog and it continues to break my heart. I just want to reach out and hug her.
Tomorrow after work we are headed to a birthday party for my friend's little girls. It's going to give me a taste of what I have to look forward to and it will be nice to see my friend. My best friend from high school actually. It's crazy to think I've been out of school for 7 years. Wow!
So for lunch, I went to Target and Ulta. Once again, should have gone to the gym but I had to get formula and make up. Which, I have to add. Make up is ridiculously expensive. Give me a break. $30 for some powder. Yes, I could buy something cheaper but thank you stupid sensitive skin for being so dang sensitive! When I left there, all kinds of food was calling my name. Taco Bell, Arby's, Subway. But, I came back to work and had a chicken breast. Go me!
Waiting for 5!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Foods that can keep...for like ever...
I thought this was really interesting. I always wonder how long stuff will really keep, even after the expiration date that's printed on the package. Well, here are a few answers...
1. Sugar
Regardless of whether your sugar is white, brown, or powdered, it will never spoil because it doesn't support bacterial growth.
The challenge with sugar is to keep it from hardening into chunks. To keep sugar fresh, store it in an airtight container or seal it in a plastic bag. If your brown sugar is more like a brown rock, you can revive it with just a minute in the microwave on low heat.
2. Pure vanilla extract
If you have pure vanilla extract in the back of the cupboard, there's no need to throw it out because it lasts forever. It may be more expensive than its imitation counterpart, but its shelf life certainly outweighs the extra cost.
Keep that vanilla flavor at its best by sealing the botttle after each use and storing it in a cool, dark place.
3. Rice
White, wild, jasmine, arborio and basmati rice all keep forever so there's no need to throw them out. Brown rice is the one exception because it has a higher oil content so store it in the refrigerator or freeze it to maximize its shelf life. Once you've opened a bag or box of rice, move it to an airtight container or resealable freezer bag to keep it fresh.
4. Corn starch
You can thicken gravies and sauces for years with just one box of corn starch because it keeps indefinitely. Store this kitchen staple in a cool, dry area and be sure to reseal it tightly after each use.
5. Honey
Whether you use it in your tea, on your toast or as an alternative sweetener, that jar of pure honey is good forever. It may get grainy or change color, but it's still safe to eat — and delicious — because its antibiotic properties keep it from spoiling.
You can help keep it fresh by storing it in a cool area, and you can improve the quality of crystallized honey by placing the jar in warm water and stirring it until the grainy parts dissolve.
6. Salt
The contents of your salt shaker will never spoil, regardless of whether it's basic table salt or sea salt. Simply store it in a cool, dry place and salt will keep indefinitely.
7. Corn syrup
If you come across a years-old bottle of corn syrup in your pantry, don't throw it out. This sweetener keeps indefinitely as long as you keep it sealed and store it in a cool, dry area.
8. Maple syrup
What good are pancakes or waffles without maple syrup? Luckily, this flavorful syrup will never spoil if you refrigerate it or freeze it. For long-term storage, seal it in an airtight plastic container and freeze it.
"The freezer is such a useful tool that can really save you money because there are very few foods that don't freeze well," says Janice Revell of StillTasty.com.
9. Distilled white vinegar
This wonder product can be used for everything, from making marinades and salad dressings to cleaning house and doing laundry. But the best thing about distilled white vinegar is that it lasts for years. Simply close it tightly after each use and store the bottle in a cool, dark place.
1. Sugar
Regardless of whether your sugar is white, brown, or powdered, it will never spoil because it doesn't support bacterial growth.
The challenge with sugar is to keep it from hardening into chunks. To keep sugar fresh, store it in an airtight container or seal it in a plastic bag. If your brown sugar is more like a brown rock, you can revive it with just a minute in the microwave on low heat.
2. Pure vanilla extract
If you have pure vanilla extract in the back of the cupboard, there's no need to throw it out because it lasts forever. It may be more expensive than its imitation counterpart, but its shelf life certainly outweighs the extra cost.
Keep that vanilla flavor at its best by sealing the botttle after each use and storing it in a cool, dark place.
3. Rice
White, wild, jasmine, arborio and basmati rice all keep forever so there's no need to throw them out. Brown rice is the one exception because it has a higher oil content so store it in the refrigerator or freeze it to maximize its shelf life. Once you've opened a bag or box of rice, move it to an airtight container or resealable freezer bag to keep it fresh.
4. Corn starch
You can thicken gravies and sauces for years with just one box of corn starch because it keeps indefinitely. Store this kitchen staple in a cool, dry area and be sure to reseal it tightly after each use.
5. Honey
Whether you use it in your tea, on your toast or as an alternative sweetener, that jar of pure honey is good forever. It may get grainy or change color, but it's still safe to eat — and delicious — because its antibiotic properties keep it from spoiling.
You can help keep it fresh by storing it in a cool area, and you can improve the quality of crystallized honey by placing the jar in warm water and stirring it until the grainy parts dissolve.
6. Salt
The contents of your salt shaker will never spoil, regardless of whether it's basic table salt or sea salt. Simply store it in a cool, dry place and salt will keep indefinitely.
7. Corn syrup
If you come across a years-old bottle of corn syrup in your pantry, don't throw it out. This sweetener keeps indefinitely as long as you keep it sealed and store it in a cool, dry area.
8. Maple syrup
What good are pancakes or waffles without maple syrup? Luckily, this flavorful syrup will never spoil if you refrigerate it or freeze it. For long-term storage, seal it in an airtight plastic container and freeze it.
"The freezer is such a useful tool that can really save you money because there are very few foods that don't freeze well," says Janice Revell of StillTasty.com.
9. Distilled white vinegar
This wonder product can be used for everything, from making marinades and salad dressings to cleaning house and doing laundry. But the best thing about distilled white vinegar is that it lasts for years. Simply close it tightly after each use and store the bottle in a cool, dark place.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
lunch.
Why do I continue to torture myself by reading the Staat's blog? I know that sounds cruel but it just breaks my heart and scares me. I full intended on putting Kinzi in her big girl bed (crib. She sleeps in a pack n play right next to me) last night, but after reading that blog, I wonder if I'll ever put her in there. Speaking of that, I need to call and check on her....she's good : )
Went to the mall at lunch. Should have gone to the gym but I forgot my clothes and I'm just sore from yesterday...Thanks JK. When I pulled into a parking spot, there was an old man reading the newspaper in a truck parked next to me. I giggled. But I think it's sweet that he was perfectly content waiting on, probably his wife, while she shopped. They don't make many of those men anymore. Side Note: Why does it always smell like poop right outside the south doors of Dillards at Sooner? It's awful!! Aaaannnndd...why can you not go anywhere anymore without being bugged by someone? No, I don't want you to straighten my hair and no I don't want any freakin lotion!
Went to VS, bought a tote..the girl at the register asked me if I needed a bag. Ummm...nah I'll just carry it around the mall with nothing in it and make it look like I stole it. Yes! I would like a bag, thanks. She acted like a total snob. People kill me. I only bought the bag because I had a $10 off coupon and I figure...good gym bag. On to AE. I walked in looking for jeans...yuck. But we won't go there right now. Went into the dressing room and on the mirror it said, check in on fb and receive a deal. So, I checked in and got 20% off. SWEET! I watched a show on people that do couponing. My gosh! I need to coupon! But most of those people are obsesssed with it. I don't have time to sit there for 6 hours a day and look for coupons and deals and write a plan out. I'll go to the store, get what I need, use a coupon if I have one (I always use them for formula), and leave. And I don't have a use for 53486154 bottles of body wash. You'd just have to watch the show. It's nuts.
Went to the mall at lunch. Should have gone to the gym but I forgot my clothes and I'm just sore from yesterday...Thanks JK. When I pulled into a parking spot, there was an old man reading the newspaper in a truck parked next to me. I giggled. But I think it's sweet that he was perfectly content waiting on, probably his wife, while she shopped. They don't make many of those men anymore. Side Note: Why does it always smell like poop right outside the south doors of Dillards at Sooner? It's awful!! Aaaannnndd...why can you not go anywhere anymore without being bugged by someone? No, I don't want you to straighten my hair and no I don't want any freakin lotion!
Went to VS, bought a tote..the girl at the register asked me if I needed a bag. Ummm...nah I'll just carry it around the mall with nothing in it and make it look like I stole it. Yes! I would like a bag, thanks. She acted like a total snob. People kill me. I only bought the bag because I had a $10 off coupon and I figure...good gym bag. On to AE. I walked in looking for jeans...yuck. But we won't go there right now. Went into the dressing room and on the mirror it said, check in on fb and receive a deal. So, I checked in and got 20% off. SWEET! I watched a show on people that do couponing. My gosh! I need to coupon! But most of those people are obsesssed with it. I don't have time to sit there for 6 hours a day and look for coupons and deals and write a plan out. I'll go to the store, get what I need, use a coupon if I have one (I always use them for formula), and leave. And I don't have a use for 53486154 bottles of body wash. You'd just have to watch the show. It's nuts.
Taking things for granted.
I've decided. I'm going to blog. And, I'm going to try my best to keep up with it. I've been reading blogs for a while now and I love them!! But yesterday I read one that completely tore my world apart and made me want to jot (type) down everything that goes on in my life and share it. I was on thebump.com (which I'm pretty much obsessed with) when I opened a post that said, "Wear a big bow in honor of Maddie" so, naturally, I open it. I always do this...knowing it's probably going to make me a blubbering mess after reading it. Which, it did. So I proceeded on to The Staats blog. As I read it, I cried, and I cried some more, then I panicked, then cried some more. The guys here probably think I'm crazy. This couple is going through something I can't imagine going through. ever. Their 4 month old daughter which was healthy as can be, stopped breathing and passed away. How can you feel after going through something like that? I can't imagine the questions, guilt, anger, pain, and sadness they're going through. I sometimes get frustrated with Kinzi. I'm not going to lie. When she's fussing, just to be fussing because she doesn't want me to sit down while holding her...she wants to stand. But as soon as I read that, I couldn't help but feel absolutely horrible for how I feel sometimes with Kinzi. So, last night I loved on her and kissed her as much as I could. I told her I loved her, I sang to her, I played with her and just did everything I could to make sure she knew how much she meant to me. Although she's only 6 months old (almost!), I think she knows. I think a lot of us take things for granted in life. The little things too. So, this morning when I dropped her off at Memaw's, she did not want me to leave. She kept reaching for me and when I would take her back from memaw, she would rub her face on my chest (she does this when she's tired) and would hold her face right up against mine. It killed me to leave her today. I just want to hold her and love her as much as possible. I will be the first to say that I let the days fly by and think about tomorrow or the weekend, rather than living for the day. the moment. I need to step back, breathe, slow down, and enjoy things just a little more. It's the little things like being soaked with water after giving K a bath because she can't stand not to splash, the smell of her room, the teeny tiny socks I find in the oddest places, the noisy toys, the cries at 2 am (which are limited now. She sleeps like a champ), baby food flying across the kitchen, the way she smiles and reaches for me as soon as she sees and hears me say "Hi Boogie!!!!", the way she looks when she sleeps, the noises she makes when she's playing with her paci, and oh, the way she looooves that paci but continues to throw it on the floor...I could go on and on, because let's face it, she's awesome! Life is short. I want to be the best Mommy I can be!
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| I can't imagine loving someone more than I love this little girl. |
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