Loving Advice from Mom

No mom could say this more succinctly. Check out The Mom Song on YouTube. (Thanks, Cin!)

Have a terrific New Year's celebration! Make it a great start to a meaningful year ahead. And I wouldn't be a mom if I didn't impart some well intended advice: Use sensible judgment and be safe this New Year's Eve. As I tell my own kids, life doesn’t always give you second chances. Make your mom proud.

Make a “Confetti Wish” and Watch the Ball Drop

So who doesn't watch the ball drop in Times Square on New Year's Eve? I have not missed watching that event on TV, and even twice attending it live in Times Square, since my early childhood days. Well, actually that is not quite true. One year we lived in Chicago and did not account for the time difference and when we tuned in at midnight (Central Time!) my husband and I could not understand why they were not covering the big event! Ooops.... (Mom DID NOT know best on that one!)

So many of us stop what we are doing and turn on the TV for that yearly ritual of counting down in unison to ring in the new year while the ball slowly descends. You can make it even more meaningful for you and your friends. The Times Square Alliance allows you to submit a wish online. Your wish will ultimately be printed out to become part of the abundance of confetti strewn from the heights in Times Square. Then sit back and imagine your wish flying through Times Square and being read by one of the many party goers attending the grand event. Better yet, imagine your wish coming true.

I think this is so cool. I already made my wish, but I think I will submit another.

Holiday Gifts Abound Even on a Budget

Hearst Magazines is offering a special $5 subscription rate on a large selection of magazines.

Sign up to receive emails on the AMF Bowling website and receive a coupon for one free game of bowling when you purchase one game, for up to 10 people. There is an additional charge for renting bowling shoes.

For some amazing deals of the day, check out Dealdump.com, (including rebates for free items), Slickdeals.net, Deals.com, and Dealcatcher.com (including a coupon for up to $25 off at Aeropostale). These sites will alert you to deals online and in the stores.

One Potato, Two Potatoes, Latkes and More

Chanukah begins at sundown this evening and along with it comes the smell of potato latkes frying on the stove. Feeling adventurous? Give this recipe a try. The latkes will be consumed faster than you can transfer them to a plate!

Potato Pancakes (Latkes)
1 pound potatoes shredded; squeeze out excess liquid (I do not peel them, though it is optional)
1/2 small onion, chopped

Add the following to the potatoes and onions and mix well:
1 egg
1 rounded t. flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 c. matzo meal or cracker meal
1 t. salt
Pepper to taste

This recipe can be made by hand for small batches. A food processor is particularly helpful when preparing larger batches. You can utilize the shredding disk for the potatoes and the onions. Then change to the steel blade when incorporating the remaining ingredients. Consider using the steel blade for the entire batch until the mixture is sufficiently smooth, or add only half the potatoes and onions and stir the remaining shredded potatoes and onions in at the end. By withholding half the shredded potatoes and onions, the latkes will have more texture (similar to hash browns).

In a deep heavy skillet, heat a half inch of oil. Add the potato mixture by tablespoons, flattening with the back of a spoon. Fry until golden brown, flipping when the edges begin to darken in color. Transfer the latkes to a paper towel to drain.

Latkes can be made ahead of time and frozen. As an alternative, try making them with sweet potatoes and scallions, in place of the potatoes and onions.

Serve with applesauce and/or sour cream.

Believe me, they will be begging for more! And remember, latkes are not just intended for Chanukah; they are the perfect accompaniment to any holiday meal. For years I brought them to our annual Christmas Eve celebration.

Happy Chanukah to all!

It is Freebie Photo Friday

You are finally finished with your exams! It is time to relax, visit with friends and family, and make a serious dent in your holiday shopping list. Your timing is perfect; the sales are in your favor.

Some people on your list may be harder to shop for than others. Nearly everyone enjoys a meaningful photo. Pair it with a frame and you are good to go. Better yet, Walgreens Photo Center online is offering one free 8 x 10 print through Saturday December 20, 2008 at 11:49 p.m. Central Time. No purchase necessary. Enter coupon code FREEGIFT when you checkout to take advantage of this offer. This offer is valid online only and is not available at all locations. Taxes and shipping not included.

Another Way to Acquire Books Within Your Budget

In my blog posting of November 25, 2008 (Swapping Books: Good for the Mind, the Soul, Your Wallet and the Environment!), I alerted you to a terrific book swapping website. Since it is finally vacation time, it is a wonderful time to curl up with a good book, and also time to continue tracking down your required books for second semester. With that in mind, it is worth checking out the website Swaptree.com, which provides the opportunity to trade books, DVDs, music and video games. Take a look. Let me know how you make out, particularly with regards to required reading for second semester.

This Recipe is a Keeper

While you are busy completing your fall semester and shopping for the holidays, time continues to be at a premium. This recipe for a Mexican soup requires little effort, packs a powerful nutritious punch and it could not be easier to make. It will soon become a favorite of yours. True comfort food!

Tarascan Soup

1 T. olive oil (or less)
1 c. chopped onion
4 large garlic cloves, minced (I used 6)
1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 15 ounce cans pinto beans, undrained
2 t. chili powder (I added more)
1 t. ground cumin
1/2 t. hot sauce (I added more)
1/4 t. salt (I omitted - - not necessary)
1 14 ounce can fat free, lower sodium chicken broth
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded reduced fat Monterey Jack (or cheddar or other similar) cheese
16 (baked) tortilla chips, crushed (about 1 cup)

Heat the oil in a large pot on medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until soft, a couple of minutes. Then add tomatoes (undrained). Place beans (undrained) in a food processor or blender until smooth and add to the pot, stirring to incorporate. Add chili powder, cumin, hot sauce, and chicken broth and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking to the bottom of the pot. Lower the heat and continue to cook another 15 minutes. Serve and sprinkle with cheese and chips. Serves 8.

Notes: This recipe is even better the next day when all the flavors meld together. I added extra garlic, chili powder and hot sauce. I omitted the additional salt. You can crush the chips or dip large ones into the soup. This would also make a nice dip if served cold (great idea, Dan!).

The recipe for this soup is a keeper. (And, yes, Mary and Kate, even your other roommate, who will remain nameless, loved this one!) Make it for your roommates or family and you will soon be preparing another batch…..or 2 …..or……! Let me know what you think.

A Friday Freebie: Be Kind to the Environment

We have all become accustomed to using various disposable items. Newspaper articles encouraging recycling are commonplace. In recent years, many retailers have encouraged shoppers to utilize reusable bags, and avoid those handy, but landfill clogging single-use plastic bags. Many even sell reusable bags for a nominal fee. Once you break the bad habit of depending upon stores to supply plastic bags, bringing your own reusable bag becomes part of your shopping ritual.

According to the Whole Foods Market blog, the U.S. disposes of approximately 100 billion plastic bags each year and only recycles a mere 0.6 % of them. That's staggering! The blog also notes that "Americans throw away 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s."

While it may lack convenience to consider using your own shopping bags at school, perhaps you can make an effort, at least occasionally. When you are home enjoying your holiday shopping, begin developing the habit. To get you started, you can request a free reusable bag and have it shipped to your dorm or apartment.

Bus Travel for as Low as $1

It is hard to resist traveling when the bus fare can be as little as $1. That is cheaper than riding the subway or bus in most cities and towns.

Both Bolt Bus and Megabus offer fares for the incredibly low price of $1. As with most travel, the earlier you book a trip, the greater the likelihood of finding the lower fare. Bolt offers a minimum of one $1 fare on each bus ride. With that kind of fare, it can be worth booking a trip even if you are not 100% certain that you will be able to travel on that date. While refunds are not possible, losing the dollar plus the nominal processing fee may be worth the risk.

Bolt’s buses are “brand spankin’ new”, equipped with Wi-Fi hot spots, offer greater legroom, and power plug-ins. Not a bad way to travel. The buses operate on the east coast: Boston, New York City, Philly, and DC.

Megabus offers more expanded inter city travel in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.


It is worth looking at both sites. Consider taking that trip you have always desired, or visiting that long lost relative or friend.

Use Up Those Lingering Gift Cards

Let's think gift ideas again. The economic downturn has wreaked havoc on many large well known retailers. Some like Circuit City, Rite Aid, and Linens ‘n Things (already in the process of closing), all announced bankruptcy. Other retailers such as Eddie Bauer, Ann Taylor, Gap, Talbots, Macy’s, J C Penney, Pier 1 Import, Williams Sonoma, the Disney Store and Saks Fifth Avenue are downsizing and closing a significant number of stores.

In past years, receiving a gift card for a special occasion was always appreciated. However, now there is a real concern that the value of the gift card will immediately be lost if one of your favorite stores or restaurants unexpectedly goes out of business. You become an unsecured creditor and that gift card may suddenly have no value. A recent New York Times article by Alina Tugend, entitled The Gift Card Comes Wrapped in Growing Risk provides more information.

If you have accumulated gift cards, now is the time to spend them. And if someone is asking you for a gift idea, or has requested a gift card from you, advise them of the risks. A safer alternative is to consider a generic gift card from American Express or Visa. These are often more sensible options anyhow since you will not be limited to spending them in one specific location.

I hope you are not too frazzled studying for exams or completing those final papers. It will all soon be a distant memory. Hang in there. I'm pulling for you, sending positive energy your way.

And, how is that packing list coming? Have you been able to jot down a few "must have" items? Good, keep it going.

Make Your Mother Proud: Start Your Day With a Satisfying Breakfast

Your mother's daily harangue still reverberates in your head: "But you can't leave for school until you've had a good breakfast." By high school, if your “real mom” was anything like your "virtual mom", she continued to repeat it, despite your insistence that you weren't hungry at that less than palatable hour of 6 or 7 a.m. I couldn't really blame you. But now as a college student, with more flexibility and a later start to your day, you should be able to manage consuming a healthful breakfast. You know the facts; breakfast is literally "food for thought". It jump starts your morning with energy to fuel your body and mind.

This recipe, a family favorite, is quick and easy to make, satisfying, nutritious and delicious. While it's ideal if you are cooking for yourself, with a little creativity, you may be able to modify it even if you are on a meal plan.

An egg sandwich

1 whole wheat English muffin (or Thomas' Light Multi Grain - high in fiber, low in fat and only 100 calories per muffin)
1 egg
1 piece of low fat cheese (or 1/2 piece)
Salt and pepper (optional)

Toast the English muffin. Cook the egg to your liking. Either scramble it (directly in the pan) or gently break a whole egg in the pan and cook it sunny side up, until well done. Once you have flipped the egg, add the piece of cheese to the top of the egg, allowing it to melt. Transfer the egg to the muffin. Serve the egg sandwich with a piece of fruit for a filling meal. Your mother will be so proud. Better yet, cook her breakfast when you get home!

Time to Start Packing for the Long Winter Break

It's finally almost here, the vacation you've been waiting for! I can practically feel your excitement! You have been busier than ever studying for exams, and finding the additional time to start packing or even preparing a packing list can be challenging, if not impossible. Some of you will be flying, or taking a bus or train, and your space constraints will be limited. Others are lucky enough to be driven home and may have greater flexibility. Whatever your circumstance, give some thought to the suggestions below, as you start developing your own packing list.

As you consider the following partial list, you may be able to streamline what you pack by utilizing items duplicated at home (hair dryers, toiletries, etc):

First of all, an often overlooked item is your cell phone charger. Countless times this one item manages to be overlooked and left behind. Oops! A month at home is a long time to be without a charged cell phone. And certainly, take your cell phone!

Along the same lines, be cognizant to bring home your laptop, charger, mouse, and whatever else is necessary to operate your computer.

Any items of value, including your iPod and camera, should definitely be at the top of your list.

Since it is the holiday season, remember to include casual and dressy clothes, shoes, belts, ties, undergarments, suit, blazer, dresses, coats and jewelry. If you will be working over vacation, pack appropriate clothing from your head to your toes.

Think about your destination: winter wear (including your boots, hat, scarf and gloves) or summer clothing. Are you traveling from cold to warm or the reverse? Consider dressing in layers. Check the weather of your destination prior to leaving. And, remember to include your ticket and passport, if required.

Think details! Remember to pack your house keys, dorm or apartment keys, and car keys. Include your prescriptions and medications, eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses. Do not forget your wallet.

In addition, consider bringing musical instruments or sporting equipment. And certainly include all holiday gifts!

Now for some housekeeping:

Given the onslaught of exams, there is a strong likelihood that you have neglected cleaning your room, stripping your bed, or running a load of laundry. Before leaving, spend some time reorganizing, so that you will return to a more welcoming environment to start your spring semester.

Additionally, dispose of foods that will expire in your refrigerator while you are away. If your refrigerator is empty and fully cleaned, consider saving energy and unplugging it during vacation. An unplugged fridge must be propped wide open to avoid smells and unwanted mold from developing. You may wish to consider leaving a box of baking soda inside your refrigerator to keep it fresh.

While this list is not comprehensive, it should get you started. So, start packing, and be sure to lock your dorm room on your way out!

A Twist on Freebie Friday: To Give and To Get

A couple of years ago we received a terrific gift - - a subscription to Netflix.com (thanks Rick, Darice, and Kayla, again!). This service allows you to select from 100,000 titles of movies online, and have them mailed to your home for viewing, or choose from a more limited selection and view them directly online.

I practically feel deserving of a commission from Netflix, given the number of friends I have encouraged to subscribe. While it’s terrific for any age group, it’s also ideal for senior citizens who may be less inclined to make the trip and rent DVDs from the video store. You can choose from a variety of plans starting as low as $4.99 a month, practically the cost of one rental at your local video store.

It is not only a wonderful gift to consider for those on your holiday list, but here's the best part, you can also sample it with a 2 week free trial. What a great way to spend some down time with your family and friends during your upcoming vacation.

You'll be amazed at the variety of choices: documentaries, comedies, and independent films, films you missed in the theater or on TV, foreign films, and romance, sci-fi, you name it. We love the variety and the fact that they are delivered right to our door, especially during the winter months. Pop it back in the mail and the next one will soon be on its way.

Saving Time in the Kitchen

Let's face it, preparing meals, especially healthy ones, is often time consuming. Finding ways to streamline the process is worth its weight in gold. Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind:

Clean and cut a variety of vegetables at one time. For example, clean enough green beans, broccoli, and brussels sprouts to get you through the next few days. Place individual portions directly in bowls, ready for the microwave, or wrap them in paper towels to store them for future use. It's easy to forego vegetables when you are rushing, starving, or zapped for energy. Having them prepped ahead of time turns them into "fast food".

While brown rice and/or grains are a welcome addition to any meal, they unfortunately require lengthy cooking times, making it challenging to include them as part of your balanced meal. If you intend to be home for a long period of time, consider making a large batch of rice or any grain when you are less pressed for time. Later, you can easily microwave the rice or grain in a matter of a minute or two. It's also easy to portion them and freeze for later use.

Sticking to Your Holiday Budget

If ever there was a year to cut back on holiday spending, this is the year to start. Don't be discouraged. Truth is, nearly everyone I speak with has mentioned that they have shortened both the number of recipients on their gift list, and the number of gifts to each recipient, so you aren't alone. There are numerous ways to remember those on your holiday list while holding tight to your budget.

Are there certain stores that you tend to frequent? Consider checking their website for special deals. For instance, if you sign up to receive emails on certain store websites, they alert you to special promotions. Kohl's will send you a coupon for $5 off your next purchase just for signing up to receive their emails. LLBean is currently offering a $10 gift card if you spend $50. For signing up for store emails, both Sears and Kmart will send you $10 in coupons. Registering to receive emails from a store like Old Navy, recently alerted recipients to a 30% off coupon good for 3 days of shopping at Old Navy, Gap and Banana Republic.

And while you're shopping, you're bound to build up an appetite. Sign up for emails on Quiznos.com and you can receive a coupon for a free sandwich, as well as a free cookie on your birthday.

More tips to follow in upcoming posts. Stay tuned!

Dining at a Discount

It's exam time and you hardly have time to cook for yourself, much less grocery shop. Consider checking out the website Restaurant.com for dining gift certificates at a reduced price.

Personally, I was skeptical when I first read about the site. What was the catch? Why would they sell me a gift certificate for $10 that provided me with $25 off my check? There's no catch; it truly works and it's honorable. Restaurants are hopeful that you will take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy a discounted meal, and return time and again, while also recommending them to others. It’s a marketing strategy.

So here’s how it works: Enter your zip code and find restaurants in your area. Purchase $25 gift certificates for $10, and/or $10 gift certificates for $3. Be certain to follow all the restrictions relative to the restaurant you choose, including the minimum food purchase, hours and days of use, etc. The information is clearly presented, but you must be attentive to the limitations. The restaurant menus and prices are also provided, making it easier to choose a restaurant within your budget. Print the certificate and you’re on your way. Be sure that you provide your waiter with the certificate prior to ordering. Restaurant.com is also helpful when you are planning a vacation and want to cut back on your dining costs. Heading to Puerto Rico, New York City, Boston, San Francisco or "Small Town USA"? Check it out.

I regularly receive emails from Restaurant.com notifying me of ongoing specials. Frequently you can order gift certificates for 70 and 80% off. Instead of purchasing the $25 gift certificates for $10, I've purchased them for as little as $2 (80% off) and $3 (70% off). By purchasing a few certificates during these promotional periods, I have enjoyed using them myself, or have given them as gifts to my kids who attend college in the Boston area. While the certificates do have expiration dates, some states have laws governing these expiration dates, like CT, where I reside, where gift certificates are not allowed to expire.

Presently Restaurant.com is offering a promotion on their site called "Feed It Forward". Between now and Christmas, you can give 3 free $10 gift certificates, each day, to friends and family. What do you have to lose? Read about it on their home page. I've been enjoying passing the freebies along.

There's Nothing Like a Bagel

It wasn't that long ago when you could easily buy a dozen freshly baked bagels for around $7. With a substantial increase in the cost of wheat flour this year, that's a distant memory.

When I lived in NYC, we had a Saturday night ritual: stop at Zabar's, then H & H Bagels for freshly baked bagels, pick up the Sunday NY Times, and head home. We were all set for Sunday morning. Bagels at H & H now sell for $16.80 a dozen, and somewhere around $1.40 each, last time I checked. Yikes! No doubt they are delicious (even Zagat rated), but that's an extravagant purchase for many college students.

Here's Plan B. Next time you are near a bagel store early in the day, check to see if they sell bags of day old bagels. Usually sold at half price, they are a steal. Let's face it, even if you bought a bag of freshly baked bagels, by tomorrow (unless you are eating them all today) they will be a day old. Pop the bag in your freezer and defrost them as you need them. Warming or toasting them will restore that fresh baked taste. (Thanks, Sarah!)