Syl at Live, Smile, Run just concluded a 30 Day Shred Challenge which I missed (okay, I didn't even know about it until I started reading about people suffering through it and thought, "Hey, that sounds fun!"), but...she's starting another one November 15 - December 15 to help us all get through the holiday eating season in a positive manner. Doesn't that sound super fun? The only problem? I don't have Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred DVD, so I can't participate. (See how easy this is? Real Suggestion #1: Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shread DVD)
As you got to enjoy last week, I'm finally branching out when it comes to making b
read and am bravely trying recipes that don't include steps like "add ingredients to your breadmaker in the ordered suggested by the manufacturer" and "then just use the dough setting on your breadmaker". I know you'd really like me to make Baguettes, Sour Dough, and other terrific stuff and the bloggers who tend to do these things all swear by The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread by Peter Reinhart. Oh, I'll still need the blogger's for their tips and experience, but apparently, making bread will be much easier for me if I have this kitchen staple. (Real Suggestions #2: The Bread Baker's Apprentice)Speaking of food, you know that I've been slowly moving our family to a healthier way of eating over the past few years. (Remember the split I forc
ed between you and your Betty "Mrs. Butterworths"? What about making you dump Jif for real peanut butter?) Anyway, I check this book, Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon, out at the library and it is just too meaty to process in the month they give you. (I know 30 days is a lot for one book, but still, there is a lot to digest). I'd love to learn more about grains and fats and grass-fed cows, etc., even if I don't plan to adhere to all of it. I promise I'll still make you fattening baked goods. I just want to continue to learn more and more about the food we eat. (Real Suggestion #3: Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon)Oh, yeah, and just in case you wondered who I am and what happened your wife: I thought I could be a grown-up and suck it up, but now that I've gone a full winter without my seat heater, I must admit the truth. I am a baby, a big giant baby w
ho truly and sincerely misses her seat heater. (And it really isn't helping that Buttercup slips into the passenger seat and grins at me as she says, "Oh, Mommy, I love MY seat heater. Don't you wish you had one, too?" So, if you wanted to, you could get me a seat heater for my car. I know it wouldn't be integrated like my other one, but it also wouldn't cost $1300 like the dealer wanted you to give him to get me a new seat. Look at this one. It is genuine faux leather! Pretty cool, isn't it? (Real Suggestion #4: A Seat Heater for my car.)For all you young brides out there who think that none of the things I have asked for are romantic, I have to respectfully disagree. There is nothing more romantic than getting a gift you truly want, you'll truly use, and understanding that your husband got it for you. A marriage is not made by grand gestures, but instead, it is made up of all the little things you do for each other each and every day. That, my dears, is truly a romantic life. (Did I mention that Superman and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary this December? That was the voice of experience sharing that bit of advice!)
