Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 407
October 1, 2010
Month of Dinners Shopping List
On Monday, we'll start blogging the recipes from our month of dinners in the October issue. If you plan to cook along with us, download the shopping list for all four weeks here.
Printable Shopping ListAnd don't forget, you can join along with us on Twitter by following @RealSimpleFood and using the hashtag #OctDinner.
See you on Monday, come ready to cook!
September 30, 2010
The Great Pumpkin: Not Just Decorative!
They're everywhere this lovely time of year—pumpkins big and small, in seasonal displays—chubby towers of orange and green. And while many of us have little to do with these fruits (since technically they are part of that family) outside of carving them or eating them in the form of decadent pumpkin pie, nutritionists want to point out just how fabulous they are.
Even though I've been writing about health and nutrition for many years, a few pumpkin facts surprised and impressed me. And convinced me to add both fresh and canned pumpkin to my next shopping list!
* Pumpkins are high in nutrients such as vitamin C, E, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and alpha and beta carotenoids, which have been shown to help prevent cell damage.
* They also have lutein, an important nutrient for maintaining the health of your eyes.
* Snack on a quarter-cup of plain roasted pumpkin seeds and you will receive 46.1% of the daily value for magnesium, 28.7% of the DV for iron. (And you'll only rack up about 70 calories and 4 grams of fat.)
* A half-cup of the canned stuff—great to add to Greek yogurt for a dash of sweetness, or even to replace some of the oil in baked goods recipes—has almost 4 grams of fiber.
* A cup of the flesh has less than 100 calories! Add a touch of brown sugar or some dried fruit and it's a great snack.
* Caveat: When shopping for the canned stuff, be sure to get the unsweetened variety, as opposed to the pre-sweetened "pie filling" which is loaded with sugar! You want 100% purée, no spice or sugar added.
September 29, 2010
Do you buy DVDs?
This weekend, in a fit of home cleaning, I discovered a cache of what felt like hundreds of DVD cases. Half of the cases were empty, while the rest housed an assortment of special editions; collections (James Bond; Star Wars AND Indiana Jones); television series; movies for the children, and other random favorite programs.
It occurred to me, as I contemplated what to do with the pile of plastic, that I couldn't remember the last time we bought a DVD. In fact, during a recent conversation with my husband, we debated the need to even own a DVD player (he wanted to upgrade to a BlueRay player. I didn't think we needed to spend the money).
The number of DVDs purchased has dwindled as our entertainment choices have shifted from DVDs to streaming movies from Netflix through my laptop; iPad; television and XBox 360. In fact, we still haven't returned the DVD Netflix sent us two years ago because we haven't watched it!
While I would have liked to get rid of all the DVDs, I satisfied myself by consolidating all the kids' movies into DVD books (we still need them for our portable DVD players); giving a pile to my husband to sell or donate, and throwing away ALL the cases.
I'm happy to say we aren't going to be spending any more time, or shelf space on DVDs. How about you?
Money Rant of the Week: An Introduction
Hi Simply Stated readers,
Thank you for allowing me to enter the blogosphere. I'm Ashley Tate, Real Simple's money editor. Now please don't instantly hit the back button because you think this blog isn't for you. I'm not your typical financial guru—my head isn't full of stock quotes and ticker symbols, and I certainly can't tell you how much the U.S. dollar is trading against the Japanese Yen.
Instead, I'm like most of you. I like (okay, love) to shop, especially for shoes and dresses with pockets. I know that I should clip coupons, but I think it's a pain in the butt. (Who can ever remember where they stashed those pesky little pieces of paper, anyway?) I worry about the state of the economy and my own finances on a daily basis. And perhaps more so than anything, I'm totally fed up with all the annoying, unfair, and sometimes downright outrageous things that consumers have to deal with these days. (For example: airline fees, shrinking food packages, etc.) I could go on and on. And I will, I promise you.
That's actually what this "Money Rant" blog is for. It's going to be an outlet for me to air my grievances. (The Husband is going to rejoice that he no longer has to listen to me go off at the dinner table.) I hope that you'll share yours, too, and perhaps through this process, we can find some solutions to our problems.
I'll be posting each Wednesday, so please check back with me next week. Until then, what situation involving your pocketbook is bugging you the most? Sound off below.
Wanted: The Ability to Fall Asleep Wherever, Whenever, However
I am writing this post while sitting on a plane. I am going to California and have been up since 4:18 a.m. I got five hours of sleep last night (not nearly enough for me, not by a long shot) after staying up to pack and then being awakened by a 3-year-old who needed his mother to turn on his closet light (our makeshift, only-on-demand night-light; we boycotted regular night-lights once my husband saw some study someplace that said sleeping with a night-light on adversely affects a child's vision.
Everyone around me on the plane is asleep. In fact, the woman in the seat next to me put on an eye mask the second she sat down, and has been out ever since.
And me? I just sit here, exhausted, unable to fall asleep. What is wrong with me?
I have always marveled at strangers/fellow passengers/certain sisters I know who can fall asleep anywhere, whenever the moment presents itself. And I mean even if that moment comes 15 minutes after a venti coffee.
What gives? Do I just need to "empty my head," as my husband has unhelpfully suggested countless times in our 19-year marriage? Or is everyone else just bored most of the time, and on the verge of falling asleep anyway?
Now I'm off to read my new book, which I am very excited to start. And I can all but guarantee that it will not put me to sleep.
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September 28, 2010
Flash from the Past: Crimped Out
Ever thought crimped hair would make a come back? Well, think again. (In all fairness, who knew clogs, pantsuits, and shags would, too.)
Seen on red carpets and runways alike, this texturized look can look great or ghastly, in my humble opinion. Portia de Rossi's subtle ripples just at the roots add volume and interest to a classic pulled-back ponytail while some of the more extreme catwalk looks just take it too far. What are your thoughts?
If you still have one of those wavy hot plates stashed somewhere underneath your sinks, whip it out. Somethings, in moderation, are better the second time around.
Portia de Rossi: Edgy but still soft verison of the ponytail.
Venexiana Spring RTW 2011: A walk on the wacky side.
What do you think about these two crimped looks? Tempted to try either one out?
The Levi's Onesie: Simply Amazing or Simply Awful?
If putting together a button-down shirt and pair of jeans wasn't easy enough, Levi's is taking it to a whole new level....
Introducing the Levi's Onesie!
via DailyCandy
That's right, this entire outfit is one-piece and retails for $194. Although clever is some respects, I just can't seem to buy into it.
I know we're all looking to make life a bit easier, but is this taking it a bit too far?
The Winning October Book. . .
. . .is When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead, the Newbury Medal–winning, A Wrinkle in Time–inflected young-adult novel of coming-of-age in 1970s New York City. You'll hear from Deputy Editor Noelle Howey—leading the club for the second time—later this week. See you then! 
September 27, 2010
7 Fabulous Fall Wrap Dresses For Under $100
Not only is the wrap dress a universally flattering silhouette, but it's also the perfect year-round ensemble! By simply adding or subtracting a cardigan, a pair of tights, sandals or a knee-high boot...you always look pulled together and chic in a wrap dress.
With that said (and do I really need to say anymore?), here are 7 fantastic wrap dresses that will be a friend to your figure and your wallet....they each retail for under $100!
Ann Taylor trench wrap dress, $59.99
Tommy Hilfiger faux wrap dress, $62.99
Loft animal print wrap dress, $49.99
Mod Cloth En-Wrap-Ture dress, $64.99
Sunner River Ruffle wrap dress, $85.97
The Limited knit wrap v-neck dress, $79.90
Happy Wrapping!
Fabulous Fall Wrap Dresses For Under $100
Not only is the wrap dress a universally flattering silhouette, but it's also the perfect year-round ensemble! By simply adding or subtracting a cardigan, a pair of tights, sandals or a knee-high boot...you always look pulled together and chic in a wrap dress.
With that said (and do I really need to say anymore?), here are 6 fantastic wrap dresses that will be a friend to your figure and your wallet....they each retail for under $100!
Ann Taylor trench wrap dress, $59.99
