TheSnackHound

I was surprised to find out that there is actually something called the Stress Institute, comprised of a team of experts. It is not a fake, made up organization like some phony seals on various drug store products.

Dr. Kathleen Hall, expert on work-stress balance issues, appears on the website in a video message stating that “stress fascinates” her. If she were to come live with me for a short time, would she be to me what Jane Goodall was to the chimpanzee? I would be studied for my unique responses to stress? What would she think about my bag of Newman-O sandwich cookies that rapidly disappear as a barometer of my stress level?

One of her suggestions for me would probably be exercise for stress reduction instead of dipping into the cookie stash.  More so, instead of offering individual consultation, The Stress Institute strives to work with businesses to make changes in mindful living, as well as launching the Mindful Living Network to educate people about balance.

Take a look at the site.  It has some worthwhile information to consider.

Awhile back I bookmarked an entry on the Sushi or Death blog.

The image just keeps haunting me.  As we know, sickeningly sweet cute things have made their way out of Japan, and it has been that way for the good part of thirty years.  Often, it involves kitties or bunnies.   At any rate, there is something slightly disturbing about cute little sushi stuffed animal kitties.   Maybe the creator of these little things was dipping a piece of maki into soy and was contemplating life and free associated when the white rice was pondered.  What else is fluffy and white?  Caterpillers? No.  Kitties!

What do you think?   Is this all a little twisted or is it just for the person who has to have a cat on every item they own?

Ever since Aunt Jemima got her pearl earrings makeover, we thought it was inevitable other breakfast time friends would want to keep up with her and follow suit.We understand we are a little late for this to be fast breaking news, but the gent on the package of Brawny paper towels got a major makeover in the past two years.He had two minor makeovers since his debut in 1974 (in right of the photo – his shirt was changed to blue denim in 2000.  The original is below at left), but otherwise has maintained his recognizable mustache and his pine trees. In the meantime, fashion trends came and went. He somehow resisted feathering, “hair band rocker hair,” spiked hair, skater bangs, the return of the flat top, the caesar and any other men’s coiffure trends between now and then. He might not have been on the cutting edge, but you could depend on him to be a constant that never changed.

Now, he has been madeover. In fact, it is not a makeover but someone has been recasted. He is now cleanshaven, has dark gelled hair and has a more muscular physique.

This may or may not be a good business move. In fact, with all of the trends making folks nostalgia for times past, and for the 70s inspired fashion that many shops are carrying, Brawny should have considered returning to the original 1974 version as a “collector’s issue.” I bet sales would go through the roof with folks thinking they had the next Quisp on their hands. Or maybe not….

Charter is giving away a very important item that is critical for grocery shopping in most parts of the country. If your guess on the prize was money, you are correct that most people would need that to go grocery shopping (the others use plastic). However, that is not the prize!

On the Charter 10.4 cubic feet of grocery hauling space I should clarify that the space is inside a brand spanking new Honda Civic Hybrid! Let me clarify that you win the whole car, as I may have implied that you just get to use someone else’s trunk.  Since it has a USB Audio System and MP3 jack, you can also rock out with downloads.  Maybe you can even show off by recording your grocery list for you to listen to so it will all sink in like a subliminal motivational tape on your way there.

Who knew that by saving money on your phone, cable, and internet that you could also potentially win a $24,000 car.  The added good news is you don’t have to buy anything to be eligible to win the car. Simply go to the Charter site and register to win.   There is one stipulation: you have to live in an area served by Charter to be eligible.

You may wonder why I would mention this contest, as it would mean that by you entering it would decrease my odds of winning.   Since I don’t live in one of those designated areas, I can’t enter.   Since I have a number of blog readers who ARE eligible, I figured that the odds of one of my readers winning are high, so I have a 1 in 100 chance to BORROW a Civic Hybrid versus the much slimmer odds I would have if I were only allowed to enter by myself.

Afterall, when we have been out with friends and someone buys a lottery ticket, one always says, “If i win, I’ll pay off your house.” It is not just something you say, it i altruistic.  Afterall, they could have easily have purchased the same ticket as you stood in line consecutively.

So, what do you say?  Do I get to just ride it around the block once? I promise I won’t break it.

I used to have a carafe for salad dressing.  That will give you an idea of how much dressing the Glass Salad Dressing Carafe Makers of America thought a household of two consumed in several days.  Afterall, despite if containing vinegar, it was bound to not taste so hot as time went on.

I have found the perfect solution…and it was free! Well, not really. A purchase was required. When you buy Frank’s Red Hot for your chicken wings and other recipes, don’t get the plastic jug. The per ounce price may be less, but you are missing out on a really nifty salad dressing bottle that is just the right size. In fact, you could even make two different types to have on the table or in the fridge. The black plastic drip top is perfect for dressing. Tops made by the Glass Salad Dressing Carafe Makers of America tend to have too big of an exit hole and you end up saying, “Do you want some lettuce with your dressing?”

No one will ever know that the G.S.C.M.A. missed out on a sale. The only way your guests will know is that “Frank’s. 1928″ is embossed in the glass. Well, everyone has an Uncle Frank, or their parents or grandparents did, don’t they?  What about Aunt Francis who went by “Frankie” in third grade, but few remember it. I just say I inherited mine, and then when plastic tops came about, I had one made.

Here is my simple salad dressing recipe:
1) Apple Cider Vinegar. I use organic.
2) Honey
3) McCormick’s Italian Seasoning

Place the A.C.S. in a bowl, add 1/3 as much honey as there is vinegar ratio or to taste. In truth, I never know how much I really add, as I just keep going. Just whisk the honey around with a fork until the contents mesh together a little bit, and keep tasting as you go. Add enough Italian seasoning to look nice. Actually, a few sprinkles will do. It does enhance the taste, but people just don’t trust the more translucent salad dressing that doesn’t have little bits of something in it.

I don’t think I could handle anything more complicated than that.

There was a Popover Girl who came around at one of the banquet places with tongs and  a fabric lined basket full of the item she was named for.  Stop giggling!  I am not talking about a gal that is under the disillusionment that she is five dress and bra sizes smaller than she actually is.  I am of course talking about a something that was similar to bread rolls. When served hot, they are slightly doughy in the middle/similar to bread pudding in the middle or have a bit of a void

My husband and I have been on a five year search to find a recipe.  We have found one that yields an object that is similar to a corn muffin.  They were okay, but they weren’t what we were looking for.

Today, I popped into a thrift store hoping to find some older cookbooks.  I was not disappointed when I found a slim volume from Betty Crocker from the 50s or 60s concerning breads that had popovers in the index!  My smile quickly faded when I got to the page and the instructions said:

“Pour a package of your favorite Popover mix….”

What??  Is this a recipe book or an instruction manual for an oven?

I had a similar encounter recently when we desired some pancakes, but did not have mix. Surely, my 1950s Betty Crocker cookbook would understand a modern woman’s dilemma and would have plenty of ideas if one had the basics – eggs, flour, water, etcetera. To my delight, I saw “Pancakes – Quick” in the index.

“What do you mean??,” I said allowed. My husband inquired to what the matter was.

The Quick Pancake Recipe Stated:

“Open a package of Bisquick….”

If I had Bisquick, I wouldn’t be looking up how to make pancakes!

I always used to sadly joke about how my mom was the Bisquick and Spam Gourmet and I was so glad for my tastebuds that I escaped somehow with no residual desire or cravings for such, but I am not convinced that she wasn’t a sadist or someone who desired her children to have sodium overload. Quite simply, it was all right there in the book.

I still love my Betty Crocker cookbook, but Betty apparently has the philosphy, at least back then, that there are no free rides.

By the way, I still don’t have my Popover Recipe.