Last-Minute Lasagna

I tried a new recipe! (remember that was one of my 26 things...).

This time I made Last-Minute Lasagna, a recipe I found in Real Simple. And it was delicious! I will definitely be making this again. Yummy is all I have to say!

I forgot to take a picture, but let the one on the recipe page on Real Simple be enough to entice you to try it. Just remember: the spinach and the ravioli have to be thawed BEFORE you can begin to cook it (made dinner very late last night).

Do you have any new recipes you want to share with me?

Terms of Credit

There was in the December 2007 issue of Real Simple explaining some of the terminology of the financial world. I am always baffled by the terminology of the financial world- so much to try and keep straight, not to mention understand!

They gave a little cheat sheet of some of the more common terms- thought I would share a couple with you!

Balance Transfer- moving debt from one credit card to another, usually to get a better interest rate.

Credit History- a record of how you have repaid all your past credit obligations.

Credit Report- an accounting of your credit standing, including your credit history and public records.

Credit Score- a numerical evaluation of your credit worthiness, based on past performance (amount of debt, length of credit history, new credit applied or, payment history, etc).

Debt-to-available credit ratio- the total amount of money you owe compared with the total amount of credit available to you on all your cards.

Double Cycle Billing- a calculation of interest over two cycles (say, 60 days) rather than one cycle.

Grace Period- the time (usually 20 to 30 days) in which you can avoid any finance charges by fully paying off a balance.

Trailing Interest- interest charge daily after a credit accounting period ends until payment is received.

If the term has a link, it is what I could find on Dave Ramsey's website about it (whether he thinks it is a good idea, his definition, etc).

What are you learning about in the finance world? Are you working hard to pay off debts? Do it! The freedom (or even that taste of freedom) is addicting! :-)

Real Simple: May We Have You Attention

Ok, I feel like this article from Real Simple is talking to me. I have the attention span of a 5 year old, so that is to say no more than 10 minutes at a time. Do you have that problem?

Well, what I like about this article is helped you diagnose why. They said that there are a couple of reasons you could have problems focusing:

1. lack of sleep
2. stress and anger
3. age and genetics
4. modern distractions.

I personally felt like Stress and Anger are rarely my issue, as well as Age and Genetics (ummm, 25, probably too young to be starting to loose focus).

Lack of Sleep? Sure that could be the issue some days... but I would say overall I get about 7-8 hours a night, so not normally.

I most definitely have a short attention span because of Modern Distractions. Email is definitely always pulling me away from what I am working on... not to mention Facebook, etc. Maybe I should change my habits- no more keeping gmail open all day long; and I am turning off my "pop up notification" in Outlook. That should help the Email Bottleneck. By how else can I regain my focus if modern distractions are my problem? Well, Real Simple suggests:

1. limit multitasking (guilty as charged, if I am not doing 10 things at once I feel like I am not doing enough)
2. take breaks (oooh, great idea- just cant take a break every 30 minutes like I am known to do)
3. alternate high stimulation and low stimulation tasks
4. find your optimal time to work (mine is definitely afternoon, early evening)
5. visualize what you want to achieve

Which one are you? Do you think these tips are helpful? I do! I do!

Article from Oct 2008 edition of Real Simple.

Recipe Number Uno

On my list of 26 things I said I wanted to try two new recipes a month. Well, for April I tried "Cheesy Baked Shells and Broccoli." (the recipe came from Real Simple)

The recipe was good. The problem? I just don't like Broccoli. I try... I really do, but the stuff is just plain gross. I found the recipe tolerable because they had you add Nutmeg to add flavoring. Much needed to mask the taste of broccoli in my opinion.

Because I started the 26 things in April, I am unsure if I'll be able to get another recipe in before may begins. BUT, I will try. Next on my recipes to try: Chicken Enchiladas with green salsa (also from Real Simple). YUMMY!

Have you tried any new recipes recently?

Real Simple: Best Easy Organizing Tip?

Here is another installment from the October 2008 Real Simple. I have only taken out the ideas that I think I will try:

This Month's Question: What is your best easy organizing tip?

1) Pleasant way to declutter: putter- load iPod with fun songs and putter until you place is picked up!

2) Shoe holder to store charging cables

3) keep a bag in your trunk and fill it up with things for the "giveaway pile." As soon as it is full, just take it to Goodwill (I have modified this and keep it by my bedroom door. I recommend this!).

4) put socks and other small washables in a sweater bag- they won't get lost that way! I'll be trying this one out.

5) Rubber pant hanger makes a great way to organize jewelery! Oh, you bet I'll be trying this one out!

Not too many bad ideas? Have you read the whole article? Do you think you'll be adopting any ideas? Do you have any tips for me?

Heel Yes!

First and foremost, I will always be a Michigan Wolverine. That will never, ever change.

However, living in ACC Country, in the Triangle area of North Carolina, I have been forced to choose a side. Down here, I cheer for the UNC Tarheels! And I do so proudly. I would have been a Tarheel if I wasn't a Wolverine (it was my second choice).

That being said, a couple of weeks ago when UNC won the championship, I had to be a part of the madness. (PS, living in NC I now know why they call it March Madness). I watched all of the tournament games UNC played in. I wore my UNC Fan Shirt each and everytime.

On the day of the championship game, I went with my roommate, Laura, and our good friend, Rachel, to see the game in the Dean Dome in Chapel Hill. It was packed and the played the game on the big screens and a projector. It was awesome.

I was also talked into going to Franklin Street after the game (not really talked into, I would have gone- I love being in the middle of things). But here is the thing to know... UNC riots after winning the championship- bonfires where people jump over everything. As we walked, the crowd definitely caved in... I understand for the first time in my life how people can get trampled. I was with five other girls and we could barely move, let alone stay in a straight line to make sure we stayed together. And the police... no help! They just pushed back into the crowd. Oh well- I survived and so did all of my major organs (although they may have been permanently smooshed) and I am glad I experienced it.

Here are a couple of pics for you:

This was the set up- notice the huge scree in the middle of the gym and then how each big screen had the game playing. Nice set up- better than any sports bar! :-)

The picture on the left is right after we won- notice how full of joy and excitement Rachel is. The one in the middle is of Rachel, Laura and Lindsey, some of the girls I watched the game with. And finally, the one on the right is of Laura and Rachel and I on Franklin Street- before we entered the madness. Still glad I went!

PS- from Real Simple: 1.2 billion- the estimated dollar amount employers nationwide could lose in productivity during the NCAA men's basketball tournament, as employess direct their attention to filling out the perfect bracket. Well, I know that my office lost some productivity from me. And did you know that many places here in NC will set up TVs for workers to go and watch the game on? Not even kidding! So, not surprised they lose that kind of money on the tournament.

Google 411 and other fun Google tools

I am obsessed with all things Google. I love gmail (I won't ever give up that email address) and think iGoogle is the coolest thing EVER (make your own Google homepage). But Google hasn't just stopped there.

Have you ever texted google? You should try it! Want to know the weather in Ann Arbor? Text "weather 48109" and they'll text you back. Want to know if a movie is showing at the local? Text "movie 27617" and again, they'll let you know.

I saw this one in the August 2008 Real Simple. Want to know if the price of your shirt you want is the best price? Text "price" followed by "Ann Taylor skirt" and they'll send back prices from various retail outlets.

Just so you know... Google's text number is: 46645 (googl). Check out this page for a full list of all the things you can text Google for.

Now for Google 411. Who hates that when you need to call 411 on your cell you get charged for it? ME! But not anymore. Call 1-800-466-4411 and follow the directions. HOW AWESOME! I have used it when I couldn't find a restaurant but needed the number I left at home for it. I have used it when I needed to find the closest place to get my eyebrows waxed. It is amazing.

Sometimes I love technology. And most times I love Google (even when they pull their annual April Fool's Day joke).

What about you? Do you love Google? Do you have any fun Google tools that you use?

Real Simple: Double Duty Household Items

I used to read lots of magazines: Newsweek, Time, People, Real Simple. But in my efforts to save money I cancelled all of my subscriptions... except for Real Simple. I just couldn't. I LOVE that magazine... I think it has so many cool and fun ideas. Not to mention great tips.

I recently have been on a mission to simplify my life and get rid of some of my clutter (probably inspired by both the magazine and its efforts to make everyone organized AND my quest to just be disciplined). One of my steps is currently going through my HUGE stack of Real Simple magazines; I am tearing out the articles I want to read and/or have a reaction to and the recipes I want to save. One way I plan on "filing" those interesting articles is to link to them in this blog- that way I can just use this to keep track of them and then throw out the paper version. What do you think? Maybe you'll fall in love with Real Simple, too!

In my first addition, I am going to start small.

I love the "double-duty household items," column. I think that those ideas are genius!! In the October 2008 I saw two that I will be trying out soon:

1) Clear Nail Polish. Original Purpose: making finger tips fancy. Aha! use: Closing an envelope. Umm, hello! I hate licking the envelope. I think I am going to take the clear nail polish I never use and take it to work for this use.

2) Trouser Sock. Original Purpose: protection feet from blisters. Aha! use: holding cords together. Again... umm, hello! I never want to buy the tubes at Target (too much money), but I have some trouser socks I would be willing to sacrifice for this use. I'll be trying this out with all of my computer cords as soon as I can (the computer is still getting fixed).

What do you think? You going to try any of these out? Hope everyone had a great Easter!