Women Don't Ask

Decided to use my time when I take a bath to read Money magazine instead of People.  Money magazine's March issue highlighted 100 things a person can do for their finances.  One of the references was a book called Women Don't Ask.  I checked it out from the library and it is eye opening in that men negotiate much more than women, whether it is salaries, cars, or housework.  Women often do not negotiate their salaries and therefore, make less money than men do.  Women take the first offer where men often ask for more money.  I spoke to some women at work about this and they said females are not raised to do this and do not even know they can/should ask for more.  Apparently, this applies to buying cars too!  Women are quoted a higher cost for a car than men.  Luckily Mark was with me to negotiate the lease.

Leased a Honda CRV Today

Brought home a 2013 Honda CRV today from Honda Zimbrick.  I was a little nervous about leasing a car (never have done this) but they did stick with the pricing they had quoted.  The only thing I didn't like was when we went in on Saturday and filled out the form to check our credit, they also had us sign an agreement form.  The form was not explained to us.  Later, I realized we committed to buy the car and if we rescinded, then we owed 5% of the car.  Luckily, all the numbers were what they quoted.

I am most excited about the heated seats and having a car that doesn't smoke and has an speedometer that works.

The Right Things to Do to Be Healthy

Words of wisdom from my chiropractor David Heitmann's bathroom wall: 
Think Right, Eat Right, Drink Right, Move Right, Talk Right, Poop Right, Sleep Right

4 Ingredient Chicken Chili Gluten-Free Crockpot Dish

I found this recipe for Mexican Chicken Chili on the food network website.  It only takes four ingredients: chicken, can of black beans, frozen corn, and jar of salsa.  I think the secret is using a really good salsa.  I used Trader Joe's Cowboy Caviar Salsa.  In addition to the recipe, I heated up some brown rice and topped the dish off with avocado and sour cream.  I love the brown rice in a bag because it is already cooked, so you just heat it on the stove for five minutes or in the microwave.

Car Hunting: To Lease or Buy? Toyota Rav4 or Honda CRV?

My husband and I have been looking for a new car.  Our 2000 Suburu Legacy is on its last leg.  Going between the Honda CRV and the Toyota Rav4.  We want an all-wheel drive SUV.  I have never leased before but I have read that the lease deals are better now as long as you get ALL the information.

Toyota Rav4

Honda CRV

Great Massage at East-West Healing Arts

I had a student massage from East-West Massage school on the westside.  After my concussion, I have been sore in places that usually I am not sore--like my elbows.  Alex, the student, did a wonderful job.  He mixed accupressure, Swedish massage, and Chinese massage.  I plan to make another appointment with him and it only costs $35.00.

Favorite Things Lately...

Here are some things I have been liking lately.  I'm sure I will have new likes once spring comes to Wisconsin..we may just skip spring and go from winter to summer (at this rate)!

"Good Food" food cart near capitol is
healthy and delicious!

William and Sonoma gadgets: double peeler, zester, soup
ladle, electronic temp gauge, and rubber oven mitt

They are about to start the battle rounds

B-cycle community bikes

Talalay Natural Foam Latex Topper Arrived!

Our natural foam topper arrived today from Amazon.  Yeah!  Laid on it and feels very comfy.  Two inches really does seem to make a difference in comfort.  Hopefully it is worth the $300.  Maybe I will I get a good night sleet tonight.

Mattress Hunting is a Pain

My husband and I purchased two twin Verlo mattresses in June and spent about $250 each on them.  We liked that Verlo makes the mattresses in-house and does not use chemicals.  However, the beds starting sinking (due to the springs) about a month ago but not enough to use the warranty.
So we went to Sears since we have a Sears card and bought a Serta Perfect Sleeper Karlie mattress.

Tried it for a week and put different toppers on it but it was not comfortable.  Wanted to try NOT buying a pillowtop because our last pillowtop only lasted 3 years and we spent $1700 on it.  A website I found (http://www.sleeplikethedead.com) says this is common for pillowtops and now that we cannot flip the mattresses, they last half as long.  (This is one of my major pet peeves!)  We have ordered a natural latex topper but it has not arrived yet.  We returned the bed today and ordered the Serta Perfect Sleeper Metallic pillowtop mattress--yes, it is a pillowtop, but not has high so hopefully it won't sag.  My next bed may be a natural latex mattress which are pricey but have good reviews...this will probably be in three years!

Pamela's Pancake Mix is Excellent

Family Tradition was to make pancakes on Sunday.  My dad would use Aunt Jemima Pancake mix and add wheat germ to make it healthier.  Now I use Pamela's GF Pancake mix and add ground flaxseed.

Easter Dinner

Easter Dinner was a gluten-free meal: Chicken Curry with Beans


3 Belle and Evans chicken breasts
Frozen pkg of green beans
1-15oz can of garbanzo beans
1 jar of Trader Joe's Curry Simmer Sauce
Seasoning

Put it all in a crockpot on low for 6 hours.



Dessert was a healthy version of fruit cobbler.

Filling
6 apples (Granny Smith and Gala)
2 bags of frozen mixed berries
1/4 c aguave
2 T GF flour
cinnamon
lemon juice
Topping
1/2 cup GF flour (I use Red Bobs)
1 c McCann oats
3 T Butter
4 T olive oil
1 c chopped walnuts
3 T aguave
cinnamon

Fruit: Take off apples skins and cut in medium size pieces.  Add to a 2 1/2 qt pan.  Mix in the frozen berries and the rest of the ingredients.
Topping: Toast the oats and walnuts in the oven at 400 degrees for 5 min.  Meanwhile, cut the butter into the flour (with two knifes).  Mix in the oats and walnuts and the rest of the ingredients.  Sprinkle the topping on the fruit, cover, and bake for 40 min. on 350 degrees.

Serendipitous Meeting

My husband and I went to Costco yesterday and ran into our neighbor across the street.  With winter, you do not see your neighbors unless your shoveling snow.  She invited us over for the Marquette vs. Syracuse game (poor Marquette did not play well).  We had a lot of fun and she introduced us to a new card game called Cards Against Humanity: http://cardsagainsthumanity.com
Is is like Apples to Apples but less appropriate.  You can print the cards off from their website for free.

Concussions Are Not Fun

I now have to question two things I believed were true: 1) I am a good multitasker and 2) I am coordinated.

The other day as I left the house to walk to the bus stop, I fell onto the concrete and hit my knees, hands and chin.  It was a longer walk and the sidewalks were clear, so I thought I would look at email on my Smart phone and drink my coffee.  Not a good idea!  The sidewalk right in front of my house has settled so there is an inch difference.  Since there has been so much snow and ice, I never noticed.

Needless to say, I was dizzy, my ears were ringing, and I was disoriented.  No one saw so I got up and walked into the house.  I was wearing a white shirt, so I knew I had to wash my bloody hands and put bandaids on.  Managed to do this but then passed out over the chair.  Awoke 15 seconds later and made it over the couch.  All I wanted to do was sleep.  Called my husband who could tell I was not right.  He took me to urgent care and the doc said I had a mild concussion.

I thought I would be at work the next day, but when I woke up, my body felt like I had been in a car wreck and sounds sounded much louder than normal.  Today is my fourth day of recovery, my body still hurts and sounds still seem louder, but I am doing better.

Lesson: Do not walk and multitask!  And for that matter, do not drive and multitask!  I guess it took me 40 years to figure that out!

Changes Now That I'm 40

Need to start committing to yoga and exercise.  My mom is a great example of this!  She teaches at least one yoga class a day and teaches an age 70+ weights classes in Lubbock, TX.  Winter has made me a bit lazy although I did take my first kung fu class and loved it!  Didn't get to finish it because I hurt my back from either shoveling mounds of snow or my bed or turning 40.  My husband and I picked out a Serta plush bed (the Karlie) from Sears on Sunday; hopefully this helps but these no flip beds just mean the bed will last half the time they used to.  Had a Verlo mattress-and yes, we bought a cheap one-but it only lasted six months.

Mom visiting Madison

Thinking about getting these Naot shoes.  In the past, I would never spend a lot of money on shoes but now I think it is worth it.  They are expensive but very comfortable!  

One of my favorite dinners lately is Ian's gluten-free fish sticks, roasted brussel sprouts with toasted pine nuts, and quinoa.  Took about 30 minutes to put it all together.  Quinoa has more protein and vitamins than rice and is therefore, healthier.  I have to make my dad's home-made tarter sauce (see below).  Then I had to have a few pieces of dark chocolate.  I get Lindt 85% dark when I want to save money.  Dark chocolate has less sugar and is high in antioxidants.

Rolf's Homemade Tarter Sauce

1/2 c mayonaise
3 T brown mustard
3 T dill relish
salt and pepper

Mix it up.  It can be altered for more people.