Tuesday Tip

I discovered the website Cheapism, which has helpful reviews of tons of different products, ranging from bikes to cruises to laptops to coffee makers. They offer a great explanation of what to look for and it is written in an easy-to-understand language. Check the site out next time you are in the market for something and don't want to spend too much money.

This Just In

I cannot wait for this long weekend to come. But, I am excited for The Real Housewives of NJ reunion tonight - it is going to explosive! I heard that Teresa is coming out with a make-up line, that they are currently looking for 3 new housewives, that it is written into the housewives' contracts that they are required to "interact" with each other at least once a season (hence why Caroline met with Danielle in the season finale), and that all the trips the housewives take are all paid for in full by Bravo (not surprised).

Tuesday Tip

So I know I'm a day late with my Tuesday Tip, but given the recent egg salmonella scare, I thought I would give some helpful hints on what the egg labels really mean:

-Cage Free: Animals are not kept in cages, but generally they are kept inside in an enclosed building. While this is less than ideal, at least this setup gives animals a chance to spread their wings and lay eggs in nest boxes, which is closer to their natural behavior. Cage-free does not imply antibiotics were not used on hens.
-Free-Range or Free Roaming: Chickens are allowed outside of cages in barns or warehouses, but they aren't required to provide the animals any specific amount of time outside—or even exposure to sunlight indoors. There's no third-party inspection required for free-range claims.
-Organic: USDA-certified organic label means the eggs came from hens that were not enclosed in battery cages, and that must be offered access to the outdoors. Organic eggs come from hens that were fed certified-organic feed, free of antibiotics, pesticides, and other animal products. Annual inspections are required.
-Natural: means that the finished product hasn't undergone certain unnatural processes; in this case, that product is the egg. However, just because eggs are labeled natural doesn't mean a hen wasn't pumped up with antibiotics or other unnatural substances. And it certainly doesn't mean the chickens were raised in clean, humane conditions. For all intents and purposes, natural means nothing.
-Pastured: Pastured chickens should be housed on grassland in portable shelters that are periodically moved to give the chickens fresh pasture, but there's no third-party inspection required to ensure that's what's really happening.
-Omega-3 Enriched: Means hens were fed feed with an increased amount of omega-3-rich flaxseeds. However, pasture-raised hens are already higher in beneficial omega-3s, and they get to be outside.
-Certified Humane: This means birds are not kept in cages, but they can be kept indoors. They at least have the space to perform natural behaviors. The program of Human Farm Animal Care sets limits on the number of birds that can be contained in the same area, and outside inspectors perform audits. The program does not, however, require that the animals eat organic feed.
-United Egg Producers Certified: Along with "natural", it's one of the most misleading claims made on an egg carton and essentially means nothing.

Additionally, the farther you take chickens away from their natural behaviors, the worse the quality of their eggs or meat.

For more information, please read http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38832993/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/

This Just In

Apparently Jon Gosselin is writing a book - and of all things, it will be about Parenting.....ummm, seriously!

Movie Picks

While talking to a few of my friends about a recent movie I purchased ($5 at Target!!!), it seems as though some of you out there have yet to experience the awesomeoness of a movie called Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. This movie is 80s at its best and stars a very young Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt, and even Jonathan Silverman and Shannen Doherty.

The plot is simple enough (from IMDB): Janey (SJP) is new in town, and soon meets Lynne (HH), who shares her passion for dancing in general, and "Dance TV" in particular. When a competition is announced to find a new Dance TV regular couple, Janey and Lynne are determined to audition. The only problem is that Janey's father doesn't approve of that kind of thing.

The dancing, the outfits, the young stars - I cannot explain how classic this movie and you just have to go out and see it for yourself.

Did You Know?

Feeling kinda blah this Monday and couldn't think of anything good to write, so I bring you some "did you know's" (DC-themed):

- Mt. Vernon Washington grows more tulips than the entire country of Holland.
- The difference between male and female blue crabs is the design located on their apron (belly.) The male blue crab has the Washington Monument while the female apron is shaped like the U.S. Capitol.
- Original copy of the Declaration of Independence is lost. The copy in Washington D.C. is what is referred to as a holograph. That is a term for a handmade copy of a document and is not the same as a laser produced hologram.

Thursday Tip

Given the popularity of my "Tuesday Tip" section, I have decided to also do "Thursday Tips". Let's see how it goes...

I have just discovered a very cool feature in Google Maps - it's called "Terrain" and you can view the terrain for an area by, in the top right corner of the map, hover over "More" and you should see a drop down menu, where you check "Terrain". It's so cool. Below is a screen shot of DC's terrain.

Safety 1st

After an assault last week on my street - a girl was walking with her boyfriend when she was pushed down from behind and had her purse stolen - I decided to put safety 1st and I have just purchased a keychain pepper spray and a bike pepper spray. I hope this was just a one-time isolated incident and that I will never have to use either one, but you can never be too careful.

Tuesday Tip

Want to make these adorable (and easy) circle scarfs - then click here for the tutorial.

CHICAGO

My weekend in Chicago was so much fun! It started off a little rough with the delayed flight out there, but after that was a blast. Highlights include the beach, the pool, jumping pictures in front of the bean (see below), shopping, meeting the sister's new bf, and the boat tour. I also met Dave who writes The Dailey Dish, one of my favorite blogs. I wish I had been there longer, but since it's Monday, it's back to work.

This Just In

Danielle has reportedly been fired from the Real Housewives of New Jersey. New Jersey was my least favorite of all the Real Housewives' (that was until DC came along), and this season especially has sucked big time - single handedly by Danielle. Everyone says that she brings all the drama to the show, but I think that it could hold it's own without her. They just need to bring back Dina, and get 1 or 2 new people (who are preferably NOT related to the Manzo's). Let's hope this is actually true!

http://www.lifeandstylemag.com/2010/08/danielle-staub-1.html

"That Girl"

I've become "that girl" at work - not once but twice today I had co-workers tell me that "we must be on the same bathroom schedule" and that "I always see you on my way to the bathroom". Um, that's cause I'm always going to the bathroom! I drink A LOT of water throughout the day, and must have a very small bladder seeing as I have to pee just about every hour.

So now I'm really off to Chicago!

Chicago!

I'm off to Chicago tomorrow to visit my sisters with my friend Jenna, so I won't be updating until Monday. Can't wait for an awesome weekend!!!

Conference Call

This video is hilarious, but only if you work somewhere where you have lots of conference calls. Only thing it's missing is the hold music (which used to happen all the time at my old work, sigh).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbJAJEtNUX0&feature=player_embedded

Green or Gross?

Apparently there are VW Beetle's out there that are rigged to run on biogas, which is methane gas generated from human waste during the sewage treatment process. It's aptly named the Bio-Bug. I just wonder how you re-fill the tank, do you have to swing by the local sewage treatment plant?

http://fastflip.googlelabs.com/view?q=view%3Apopular&a=WBFCSxVHgx-MgM&source=news&type=embed

ZipCar

Today I am officially a "zipster", can't wait to get behind the wheel of one of their cars.

Key Lime Pie

The other day while at the grocery store I discovered Ben & Jerry's Key Lime Pie ice cream. It's described on the label as "lime ice cream with a tangy lime twist, fluffy meringue swirls & pie crust pieces". It tastes even more amazing than you think - like someone took the most amazing key lime pie you've ever tasted and blended it into ice cream. It's a limited batch which means it's only available for a limited time.

Gives Me Hope

Yesterday I discovered the website GivesMeHope, which is just like FMyLife but with happy stories. It was so uplifting, you really should check it out!

New Bike

I got a new bike over the weekend! I'm already obsessed with her, and have treked her all over the city. After doing some research after I bought her, realized what a good buy she was! I'm still trying to come up with a name for her though, and will keep you posted.