Review of Glass House

    So I'm PRETTY sure it's no Secret, I'm a fan of Big Brother. I've gone so far in previous years to go on air chatting about it, and leaving the floor open to discussion...PS I have EVERY intention of doing this again this year! If you didn't hear, CBS and ABC went to court over ABC's NEW TV show Glass House. So the idea is REALLY similar to Big Brother, and for that reason CBS said they were ripping off their idea. The Judge Ruled in favour of ABC. Prior to all of this I knew NOTHING of this Glass House show, and I likely would have seen the promo for it and said..."so a rip off of Big Brother?" and that would have been the end. But we humans....we're an interesting breed, with all the attention it got I was curious. I watched the first episode, and I feel the need to give it a review.

   So This group of 14 people living in a glass house (transparent and such). They come in (and out) on something that reminds me over Star Wars when Han is lowered into the thing that put him in Carbonite. SO you know how with Big Brother you vote for what the "Have not's" eat, or who gets special powers and stuff? Well that seems to be the concept on this show except it's for EVERY little thing. Last night they had a pool party (voted by viewers) where they got to drink (voted by viewers) and eat sushi (voted by viewers).

  SOME people are standing out more than others. Case in point? ALEX! This guy is under the delusion he's awesome...BB fans...remember Ronnie from season 11? He kind of reminds me of that...but if Ronnie were a Jock. He also looks like the older brother from the Wonder years. So on THIS show they're allowed to tweet and stuff, so I'm not sure if they asked these questions BEFORE they went in the house, or they tweeted them, but they'd all asked these questions that were yes or now questions, and they were...VOTED ON BY VIEWERS. Well this Alex guy (who btw has this whole nick name persona thing that just makes him look like MORE of a tool) asks,  "Should I become the most Epic Villain of all time?"...Um...WHAT?! FIRST episode? REALLY? Gee...how could THAT be a bad move? So here comes another BB reference...Remember in season 8, where Dick INTENTIONALLY put a target on his back and started being a jerk? Well it was kind of like that...if Dick had been about 8! He just basically went around to everyone in the house and decided to verbally abuse them as best he could without being kicked off the show. What's MORE the jabs were petty and Childish...he did however make ONE person cry...the girl he said he "wanted to get to know" because "she's hot"...yeah dude...good luck with that.

  But Alex wasn't a TOTAL idiot...no no that title went to Jacob. THESE two hit it off RIGHT off the bat, there was some rather primitive grunting and chest pounding between these two. SO the house was divided into teams for the FIRST competition (that part was kind of like survivor). AS VOTED BY VIEWERS (are you getting the pattern yet?) it was decided that the teams would be separated, West and East (depending on where they were from). Jacob, wasn't sure what team he was supposed to be on (ps he's from Oregon). Oh Happy Day! He was with his grunt brother Alex. Now UNLIKE Big Brother, the viewers vote for who stays and who goes out of the two placed on the chopping block. In this competition, each team had to select a team captain, the captain of the losing team would be on the chopping block, along with one of his team mates as voted by the house. Jacob volunteered for this because "I know we're going to win". As for the opposing team, no one was stepping forward, but in the end Jeffrey made the call that HE would be the team captain. THIS was not necessarily a BAD call on his part, he'd been making fast friends.

 Jeffrey's team won the competition, so Jacob was on the chopping block or in THIS house "limbo". GUESS who was put on the block with him...DUR! Alex! When the members of the house are put in "Limbo" they are separated from the rest of the house while viewers vote for who will return. The go out the same way they come in and while they left Alex told them all he'd be back. NOW for SOME reason...Jacob decided to bail on the whole show...yes...first episode. I DO like that they're still letting viewers vote about Alex though.

 SO my overall feelings on this show? Well I guess the BIG thing that sets it apart from BB is that it's FAR more interactive with viewers...maybe a little TOO much. With Big Brother I like how they are COMPLETELY cut off from the world, so when some one is HOH it's pretty special they get something from home. These guys are on Twitter. I also think that these guys are kind of like puppets in the house...So viewers can make them do things...Big brother, there's viewer interaction, but the house guests playing the way the want to THAT is part of the entertainment value. OMG that being said though, one guy on Glass house has to have chosen the STUPIDEST strategy I've EVER seen! We're talking making Shelly's playing both sides of the house looking GENIUS! Apollo, wants to play an HONEST game (ok so kind of the total opposite of Shelly) he has brought in a deck of cards, and got everyone to pick a card. So when it comes time for him to vote WHO to put on the chopping block...sorry...in limbo... he'll pick one of the cards and that's who he'll vote for...yup...that's his plan...To wrap this all up...Big Brother is going into season 14...I don't see Glass house making it THAT far...

OH sorry one more thing...Alex...the most EPIC Villain of all time IS and always WILL be EVEL DICK!

Cheap and Easy Edition #16

So before I get into this week's recipe wanted to give you a heads up! There WILL NOT be a  poll this week for a new Cheap and Easy Recipe, no new ingredients list on Friday and next week there will not be a new recipe, or an Anti-bully Blog. I'm on Vacation next week, I'll be doing wedding things (my friend's wedding)  and stuff! The Anti-Bully Blog will be the first to return on July 4th, the poll for the next Cheap and Easy recipe will be available exclusively on MY fan page, you can get to it  here , that will be on the 5th. The Ingredients will come out on the 6th and I'll post anywhere I'm allowed to as per usual, and the recipe will come out on the 10th. So there's your FYI now to the Food! 

So here are the ingredients WITH measurements, and without the bang for your buck part

1lb Chicken, I used boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

5 Oz Mushrooms I kind of eyeballed this

1 Large Onion

2 Garlic Cloves

1 Green Bell Pepper

1/2 tps paprika 

1tbsp Flour

1/2 tsp Mustard Powder

1 Cup Chicken Broth

1/2 cup sour cream

2tbsp butter

Pepper 

Salt

Rice or Noodles

Cook the rice or noodles according to the package

Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces. Heat up 1 tbsp of butter and cook the chicken until tender, not brown. Meanwhile chop up the Green Pepper, Onion, mushrooms and either grate, or mince the garlic. 

When the Chicken is set remove it from the pan, add the other Tbsp of butter and sautee the Peppers and Onion (this smells AMAZING BTW) for 2 min. Meanwhile mix up the flour and mustard powder in a bowl

Add the Mushrooms to the Peppers and onion, cook until they are soft. Then add the Garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Pour in the chicken Broth, and bring to a boil. Add the Salt and pepper to taste ( I don't think I added any salt because broth is usually pretty salty anyway). Let it simmer for 5 min.  Add the paprika and Sour Cream, and simmer for another 5 min. Serve over your rice or noodles and that's that. 

I REALLY liked this recipe when I made it. THAT being said I made it with rice last time, so I think I might want to try noodles next time...and since hubs isn't a HUGE rice fan...I thin he'd appreciate that too. So that's the recipe! Enjoy! 

Avengers Review

Well I can't say I go to the movies often, but this past weekend was hubs b-day and we went and saw the Avengers. My last movie review was the Lucky one...and I was COMPLETELY out of my element...because though I AM a chick flick...I DO NOT like Chick Flicks. THIS however is back in my realm. For starters, they screwed up... How? Because this is supposed to be the ORIGIN of the Avengers....the founding members were not those depicted in the movie...There were 5 to start and they only had Iron man, Thor, and the Hulk...the comic series started in 1963, and Cap Joined in 64, Hawkeye in 65, Black Widow wasn't even until 1973. Speaking as a Comic book fan, I would have prefered to see Scarlet Witch in the place of Black Widow. She joined in 65...though it may have been a little cliché to Scarlet play the Scarlet Witch. So I can actually forgive ALL of this, simply because the way they played out the story the NEEDED Cap! Really, would not have worked out without Capitan America. While I would have PREFERRED Scarlet Witch...she would have been a little out there for this story too. The combo choice of members, was ACTUALLY really good...just not accurate. 

Lets start with the actual characters. Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark/ Iron man. When I saw the FIRST Iron man movie, I thought RDJ ROCKED the Role...the second...it got a little meh...BUT the Awesomeness of Tony was brought BACK in this movie. Tony had his MUCH needed comedic lines, his cocky attitude, and while Pepper Pots wasn't a MAJOR role in this one...we still saw Tony's softer side. Not going further in that one, or we're going to have some spoilers

Chris Evans as Captain America/ Steve Rogers. I'm not going to lie...I didn't see Captain America. WHY? Because I was still pretty pissed about the way the Fantastic Four was butchered...and then impaled on a stick with the second movie... Chris Evans played The Human Torch/ Johnny Storm. I haven't forgiven this one... That being said I'll likely check it out now...I've never really been a Cap fan though. In this Role though I have forgiven Chris Evans. Cap is really the polar opposite of Johnny. While Johnny is a Show Boater, and more like...well...Tony, Cap is about doing what is right, no matter what. SPOILER ALERT IF YOU HAVEN'T SEE CAPTAIN AMERICA, He's still struggling to adapt to the modern day, he's very much old fashioned, but not SO much so it's painful. 

Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner...I'm not putting the slash because he didn't play the Hulk, he was computer animated, and fun fact my hubs told me...Lou Ferrigno, is the ONLY person who has ever voiced the Hulk. Mark was my FAVORITE Bruce Banner...from the movies (you can't compare him the the orig...just sayin) Hulk is probably the background story I know the best. I think of ALL the members of the group I've read the most comics of his. NOT to mention I love the Hulk, I want to hug him (yes I know that's a bad idea). The Character of Bruce Banner is...yeah this is an over used Comic description...Mild Mannered. Mark NAILED it. He was able to the mild mannered thing, but he was able to do that transition to the Hulk role too, and it was GREAT! I thought when Eric Bana did it, he wasn't Mild Mannered enough...a trait that served him well when he was in the Star Trek Movie but I digress.  It's something for me to put him about Edward Norton though, because I think he's such a GREAT actor, but I'm not a fan of Liv Tyler...so that may have actually played a part in that. 

Chris Hemsworth as Thor. No I didn't see Thor...and I'm thinking because I hadn't when I do FINALLY (which I do) it won't be as good now because, SPOILER ALERT, We've got some more Loki in this one. So my husband told me HE thought his acting sucked...however...I....sorry...I was just thinking of Chris Hemsworth in the Role of Thor...and forgot what I was talking about. I think I've read one or two Thor Comics, so no, I don't know A LOT about Thor. I know he is supposed to have a bit of Arrogance to him, because, well he is a God. There was a little bit of that in the movie...but I think I probably would have seen a little more of that development if I SAW Thor. I thought he was good in the Role, I really couldn't see anyone else playing it. 

Scar Joe as the Black Widow. She would not have been my first choice in the role...I'm not a Scar Jo fan. PS watch ANY movie with her in it, and see that signature, hurt, and shocked face she makes...it's in this one...however it's the first time I've seen her play it off well! Would she have been my first choice? No, but she was decent... I think in her FIRST scene she could have been a little more arrogant...I'm actually serious about that. 

Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye...Thank GOD they didn't stick to the old costume with that one! So the style did resemble some of the evolution of the costume, but it wasn't bright purple...I'm just sayin. Jeremy stole my heart as this character right off the bat...I kid you not, and it just grew, through the movie. While he wasn't one of the in your face characters, he was pretty freakin cool in the role. 

Tom Hiddleston as Loki. For Starters, swear this is my last character evaluation! Background info, Loki is the envious, power hungry "brother" of Thor. Tom, was what he was supposed to be! Arrogant because of the fact that he is a god, while he was powerful he still came off as weaker than Thor, he was petty, and down right evil! If you look up the mythology Loki is the God of mischief...that is an understatement . Tom had the playful Mischief were needed, the kind of creepy knowing evil smile was achieved. The Ruthless evil Villain was totally there. Loki was captured by this actor

If you want to see the movie and want to know LITERALLY nothing about the story...stop reading NOW!

You kept going, there will be no more SPOILER ALERT  comments...however I won't give away anything that I think could ruin the movie for you...so this likely won't take long. 

So in this there is an Alien Race that wants to attack earth, and they assume we're little ants you can step on with your boot (I chose those words on purpose, you'll need to see the movie though to understand). Loki meanwhile wants to RULE earth, and teams up with these aliens. Loki comes back Via Shield experiments, all hell breaks loose. Personalities clash where you would expect, there's a possible love story in there, and we learn the real strength of some of the Avengers in more ways than one. They make you actually nervous for the Hulk to appear. That for me was much like with the Star Trek Movie and Waiting for Scotty to arrive...it took too long. Both only for my love of the character...ok for Star Trek it was the Actor! The Fight scene is AWESOME! I loved it...and I'm sorry you KNEW there was a Fight scene. 

Over all, I enjoyed the movie...Marvel still has a LOT of making up to do for some movies we've suffered through, but this is definitely doing that! The LAST movie I saw in theatres I predicted and got bored with...This one had my FULL attention! I'm waiting for it to hit DVD AND the next one....on that note...STAY TO THE END OF THE CREDITS! The important part is actually part way through them, and I saw that...but I was informed I missed a Laugh at the end...:(

Avengers gets an 8.6 from me, dead on with IMDB

Cheap And Easy Edition #16 Ingredients

Logo Credit Nate Williams 

Ok well another week and I've left it up to you. I kind of like posting the options and leaving it up to YOU what the recipe would be! This is the first one in a while that ISN'T a slow cooker recipe, which I feel good about. While I love my slow cooker, I know not everyone has one...even though I think they should. SO let me start this blog by saying, I will do my best to put up a poll every week for the recipe so you can have a say. I WILL make it exclusive to my fan page, so if you wanna be in on that... it's right here . Polls come out Thursday Afternoons. This weekend is my husband's Birthday, so I WAS concerned about when I would try the recipe...but you guys voted for the one I made this past week for supper, so thank YOU! 

So here are your ingredients, and where to get the MOST bang for your buck! 

1lb chicken @ No Frills 3.77/lb

 Mushrooms @ GT .98 @ Superstore 2

Onion

Garlic

Green Pepper@ Sobeys 1.29/lb

Paprika

Flour

Chicken Broth @ Superstore Campbells 2

Sour Cream

Butter

Pepper

Salt

Either Rice or noodles (if you have rice go for that if not you can get packs of ramen noodles, JUST the noodles for like $2 and there is a TON in a pack)

So those are the "sales", but I do have some notes for you on this one. The Chicken? That is a FANTASTIC buy, if you can grab more than you need and freeze it, I would. Onion, and garlic are BOTH a kitchen staple for me. I buy bags of onions, usually no more than $3, and Garlic, I usually only pay .50 for one. Paprika and Flour, are ALSO staples, I think they are in most homes. I think I've mentioned before Chicken Broth is a staple in MY kitchen. Let it be known though, I NEVER pay more than $2 for a box of it. If I'm not mistaken the best every day buy would be Walmart or Superstore. Campbells is on for $2 this week so if you prefer it, it's a good time to stock up. Sour cream, never pay more than $2 for a smaller size. I also didn't mention this because I'm not 100% sure on this because I didn't notice it in the flyer. I'm pretty sure this morning I got a LARGER container of Sour cream for just $3. 

So those are my notes, you have your ingredients! Happy Shopping and the recipe will be coming your way on Tuesday! 

Hub's Birthday dinner

So for the last SEVERAL years, for my Husband's Birthday I've told him, I'd make him whatever he wants for Supper on his Birthday OR We could go out. I do all the cooking for the most part in our house (however he is a GREAT helper when I need him) so there are QUITE a few recipes he could choose from, and yet for the last 3 years (maybe longer but I know at least 3) it's ALWAYS been the same, Seafood Chowder. The anticipation is building in my house for this recipe. 

When we FIRST moved to Saint John, I was CONSTANTLY looking for new and AWESOME recipes, and came across a New England Clam Chowder recipe. I adapted it, and made it my own! 

Here are 3 reasons why my husband LOVES this recipe SO much

1. I always make a TON of it

2. I'm not stingy with ANY of the ingredients

3. There's a LOT of Bacon! 

I mentioned that I would tell you how to make this a cheaper version. How? Well for one, make this simply clam chowder. The clams are the cheapest seafood in here. The other way? Half this recipe. I mentioned I make a TON...that's because this recipe is double the original. So here are your ingredients

8 Strips of bacon, raw, and chopped

4 Ribs of Celery, chopped

1 good size onion, chopped

3 1/2 cups chicken Broth

2 10oz cans of clams,drained 

1 bag frozen shrimp, peeled (or 2 shrimp rings)

1lb scallops (I'd picked up some frozen ones a week or two ago, then he reminded me he wanted this so they're still in my freezer)

2 8oz bottles of Clam Juice

4 med potatoes cubed

4 tsp dried parsley 

1 tsp celery salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

2 cups heavy whipping cream 

1/4 cup flour 

In a large pot cook bacon,  stirring often for about 2 min, then add the celery and onion and cook for another 3 min, stirring often 

Add Broth, Seafood, Clam juice, potatoes and Spices to the pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 20min

In a bowl Whisk together the Cream and flour. Stir into pot, and simmer until thickened, stirring often 

It's really good, and I'm looking forward to making it...I'm thinkin I may make it EARLIER in the day because it can get hot in the kitchen with this one! 

The Anti Bully Blog Edition #35

So today before I get into our actual topic I wanted to give a heads up. Since we're getting into the Summer months, it is the time of year when people go on Vacation. In the next couple weeks I will be taking a week for my Friend's wedding. So at that time, I will be putting the blog on hold. THAT is the only way it's going on hold, Vacation, no other reason will hold me back...just so you know. 

Well last week I said something about not having had some one send me THEIR story in a while, and when that happened...a listener of course made me eat my words...they were medium rare with a side of slaw...ha ha...

Now after further conversing with this listener they said they had more than one story, but would prefer not to use their name. Now I got confused, I wasn't sure if they meant on JUST that story or this one, so when in doubt, I leave it out. 

I had a couple stories that have caught my attention, that reminds me, bullies come in all sizes...and so do their targets. One story I saw was posted on the Anti-bullies Unite page...and I believe my exact words were "are you FREAKIN kidding me"?!

This Anti-bully's Story, didn't make headlines, but I had a similar reaction to it. Here is her Story:

When my Daughter was 3, My kids and I were standing and waiting for the bus. My youngest daughter had Speech Appraxia, which meant she didn't speak her first words until she was about 4. Regardless she did express herself differently than most, and she had a hearing problem as well. At the bus stop was a well dressed woman, and my daughter decided she would make friends with this woman. Well the woman got really annoyed and turned to me very sarcastically and said "What's wrong with her? There has to be something wrong with her". I didn't feel it necessary to explain my daughter's problems, so I simply said "She is 3, and she is a kid, that's what is wrong with her". My other two children were Mortified that an adult could be like this. I had to Simply explain to them that people are usually the way they are from they life they have lived, so don't blame her, just forgive her. But my point is bullying is something that has no age limits.   

For starters, thanks SO much for sharing your story. That was a pretty horrible thing to do or say. REALLY, who DOES that?! However a Good lesson was taught there. Her kids were taught what is the typical reasoning behind such behaviour. And what's more they were taught forgiveness. 

Make NO mistake about it, Adults can be bullies. We see it every day, just adults have enough life experience to attempt to cover it up in one way or another, or be VERY tricky about it. Kids bullying is obvious, when you see it...you know it. While this adult happened to be right out there, and I suppose Child like, because it was pretty obvious, adults should maybe stop and think...are kids picking up on what I'm doing? Really, you might be very subtle...but kids aren't stupid. So I suppose the moral of the story here, adults, have a look at yourself. Kids learn from us. 

Remember if you have something to contribute to the Anti-bully blog you can facebook me 

Cheap and Easy Edition #15

Logo Credit Nate Williams

So another week where the choice was in your hands. If you're sitting here saying, Nancy, you're nuts, I didn't get to vote. Well On Thursday I posted a poll on MY fan page. Yes it IS a perk specifically for people on MY fan page . So if you SAW the poll, it was a tie. So the tie breaker WAS connected to people's posts AND the fact that THIS recipe has a similar method to one that I had a HUGE thank you for. Now I dunno about you, but this time of year...I worship the person who invented the slow cooker...REALLY who wants to slave over a HOT Stove? Um, not me...I'm doing EVERYTHING I can to stay cool! So cooking defeats the purpose....most of the time...the slow cooker doesn't give off much heat, so yeah...kind of love it. I really don't think I'm alone...you guys LOVE slow cooker recipes! So THIS recipe is a Pulled Pork Slow Cooker Taco recipe!!! Any time I do this blog, I imagine I'm Rachael Ray...so excuse me while I imagine a round of applause and cry out "I know"! So Friday was the most bang for your buck post in regards to ingredients you can check it out here. But this here will be the straight forward list

1bl pork tenderloin, or chicken * Note below

1 15oz can of tomato sauce or 12oz Jar Salsa

1tblsp Chilli powder

1tblsp ground cumin 

1tblsp brown sugar * Note Below

1tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp salt

3 cloves garlic minced * Note Below

Tortillas 

What you would usually put on your taco

* Yes you can sub in Chicken instead of pork...and change the title

*When I got to my brown sugar, I discovered that it was basically a brick. If this is the case, a friend of mine taught me a trick. Put a piece of bread in your Brown sugar, and the next day it will be set to go. 

* I've said it before I'll say it again...if you work with Garlic a lot...get a press...it will save sooo much time..and you'll smell better after.

So you need to get your pork loin in the slow cooker

In a bowl combine the other remaining ingredients excluding the tortillas. Pour it evenly over the pork.

Cook for 8 hours on low. 

When it's cooked using two forks (this is really the easiest method) shred the pork. 

Then serve in the tortillas and top with your fave taco toppings.

Enjoy! 

Cheap and Easy Edition # 15 Ingredients

Logo Credit Nate Williams

Hey Folks, thanks for stopping by! I know what you're here for your ingredient list for Cheap and Easy! I left the choice up to you! When I'm torn between recipes I will ALWAYS post a poll on my personal Fan page. If you haven't joined yet you can find it right here . So the POLL did have a tie, but having looked at posts made on other parts of the Page, the Slow Cooker Mexican recipe with the key ingredient being Pork was our winner this week! So here is your list of ingredients, and where to get the most bang of your buck! 

1lb Pork Tenderloin @Superstore 3.99/lb

1 Can Tomato Sauce or Salsa @Sobeys tomato sauce-1

Chilli powder- note on spices. Any of these you don't have on hand, you can get small pouches on the cheap @ Superstore or I would think Bulk barn too

Ground Cumin

Brown Sugar

Cayenne Pepper

Garlic-got mine today at Sobeys for .50

Tortillas -Never pay more than $3

Anything you would typically use on a Taco ie

Cheese-@ Superstore 500g-4.77 @ Sobeys 300g-3.99

Sour Cream-Got mine at Superstore today for 1.67

Lettuce @ No Frills-.89 @Superstore-2 @ Sobeys-1

Tomato@ Superstore-.99/lb @Sobeys-1.99/lb

Onion @ No Frills 3lbs-1.99

Olives-superstore has a new little olive bar it's really cool, I love it, it's 1.79 for 100g I believe 

stuff like that!

Watch for the recipe on Tuesday! 

Cheap and Easy Special Edition!

      So I've been sitting here today getting ready for tomorrow's Cheap and Easy Recipe! BTW you can vote for it on my fan page HERE. I got curious, what is the most popular recipe I have EVER posted? So I looked, which one had the MOST views? The answer was #7, with over 150 views...runner up was 42...So I'm looking at this recipe thinking...hmmm well I could adapt this recipe for the warmer weather! I could do this up BBQ style! And if you're like me...and don't have a BBQ, I'm going to teach you how to do EVERYTHING on the stove top (original included the oven...but who wants that on this time of year) OR for Campers, the camp stove!

Quick refresher here are the ingredients!

So you can go Pork chops or Steak

Pork is actually $2/lb this week at Sobeys
As Far as the steak goes THIS is the time of year great cuts are CONSTANTLY on sale

Soy Sauce- a Kitchen staple, that is VERY MUCH inexpensive

Worcestershire Sauce- This is something that is fantastic for most meat you'll chuck on the grill this summer. I go through WAY more of this in the summer months

Garlic

Potatoes- OTV- 5lb-.99, No Frills- 10lb-3.99 (this isn't the price from when it was first posted, this is current and in effect as of June 8th)

Broccoli- No Frills- 1.49, Superstore-2

Cheese-Superstore 500g Black Diamond-4.77

Milk

Margarine

So the Soy sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, and Garlic is for a FANTASTIC Marinade. NOW if you know nothing else about Marinade, know the longer your meat sits in it, the better. I Prefer a minimum of 12 hours, for this one. You'll want equal parts of the soy sauce and Worcestershire Sauce, then about 2 cloves of garlic, or 2 tsp garlic powder in a pinch. Then you cook it as you would normally.

So NEEDLESS to say, that wasn't the part of the recipe we needed to fix up too much...no the potatoes were. You'll want to boil them, then mash, and I usually mix in milk and margarine to make them creamier. If you're worried about going overboard with that though, I caught  a REALLY neat idea for that as well, instead use an egg. This will help make it creamy AND if it's too runny, you put it on the heat, and it will thicken. Meanwhile, make sure you cool that broccoli, and while you wait for all of that, get the cheese grated, this is to taste, if you dig cheese...go nuts! Ok here is where it changes up and depends on your method.

BBQ:  You're going to need some heavy duty foil, and probably double it up to be on the safe side. You're going to make a packet here. Get the Potatoes into the foil, get the broccoli in there too, top it with that cheese, and close the packet...this is only for melting the cheese so once it's melted you're set

Stove top and camp stove! :  use that pot you used for the potatoes Same story and cover it. If you don't have a cover, make friends with that foil for this part too.

Warmer Weather Option Complete! Enjoy!

The Anti-Bully Blog Edition #34

Logo Credit Nate Williams

The Anti-Bully Blog, is it weird that this is a blog I find comfort in? It's a consistency in my otherwise...not consistent life. I've said in the past, that I will do this blog as long as it is needed. There has been so much growth in regards to the issue, so that day could very well be coming...it's not today, but it could be coming. 

Today, my blog is geared at the bullies. Um what? Yes to the bullies. Last week, I talked about an online post I saw CBC do regarding Bullying...well I saw the show to go along with it, it was on on the weekend, and delved a little deeper. And while on most occasions I've covered the targets of bullying, in an attempt to make them feel they're not alone, and there's help out there, and just trying and TRYING to get the message across, that they would feel better, even just a little, even just ONE person...it occurred to me, I haven't really touched on the source, the Bully. So I'm encouraging you to share this post, re-post, share the crap out of it. Why? I'm not sure I have any bullies who check out the "Anti-bully" blog on a regular basis. 

So when I was in grade 7, we had a class with the guidance councillor. It was in an attempt to help with the development of some social skills. I'll never forget one of the first classes we had, he pulled out a piece of paper that said "IALAC". It was an acronym for "I Am Loveable And Capable", and we all thought it was the cheesiest thing EVER! So he proceeded to tell us a story, where this kid named Johnny was dealing with things like bullying, stuff at home, and mentioned specific incidences. As he told the story, for each situation, he ripped a piece off the paper. I still think the concept...was the Cheesiest thing EVER! It was to the point when we were in class and made a little jab at each other, the most HARMLESS jabs even some one would respond with a sarcastic "oh, you ripped my IALAC Sign". It was a joke, which is unfortunate. Cheesy and a bit laughable, yeah it was, because of that, the Moral of the story was lost. The point was, if you are sitting there constantly picking on some one, you break them down. Given that most bullies have BEEN bullied, they should know this. Instead of being the problem be the solution. To Quote Gandhi "Be the Change you want to see in the world". AND Don't forget Thumper!   

Remember if you have something to contribute to the Anti-Bully Blog you can ALWAYS Facebook me, or e-mail me 

Cheap and Easy Edition # 14

Logo Credit Nate Williams

    Happy Tuesday... It's Grey out there, but it doesn't seem too gloomy. It looks like the sun is DESPERATELY trying to break through those clouds! Well where'd the nice weather go?! Last week I left the choice up to you when t comes to the Cheap and Easy recipe...two of the options were more zoned to the cooler weather, but we TOTALLY could have gotten away with them with this slight chill (I'm actually making one tonight, and I made the other Sunday).The response I got was when I was sporting the capris and flip-flops! So I can't say I was surprised when the selected recipe was the one that was stove top...and not soup! I ALWAYS test the recipe BEFORE I share it with you (this is why one didn't get posted...it sucked). This one was REALLY simple and tasty! I also had my culinary inept husband helping me too...well he claims he can't cook...but I like cooking, and it means I don't do the dishes, so it works for me. 

Let's have a quick look at the ingredients, this time with amounts and instructions

1lb Lean Ground Beef

1sm Onion chopped

2 Cloves of Garlic finely chopped (or put through the press)

1/4 tsp Pepper

1 cup rice

3 & 1/2 cups Beef Broth

1/2 cup shredded Carrot

1/2 cup Parm

3 tblsp chopped Chives

In a Skillet Brown Beef with Onion Garlic and season with the Pepper. Add the Rice, stir constantly for 2 min

Add the Broth, Bring to a boil, reduce and let it go for 10 min

Stir in the Carrot and cook for another 5 min 

Remove from heat, Stir in Cheese and Chives, let stand for 3 min

And it's as simple as THAT! Enjoy! :)

Monday Epiphany

WHAT a Monday! Is it just me...or are Monday's harder when they're grey?! Just continuous Yawning! So thanks for checking out my blog, and my upcoming ramblings...or I just gave you your warning...and you're about to log off and save yourself these upcoming moments of things that are in my head at the moment...

Still here? Well... you were warned. So as I type this between on air breaks (PS JUST butchered on...um caffeine...COME ON) this could POTENTIALLY go ALL over the place.

So I had an epiphany yesterday. Background story...I was sitting at home, and I was thinking, and planning...and I'm a pretty major planner...I love making plans and making lists and imagining and getting excited for those plans. SERIOUSLY when I have a camping trip coming up, the closer we get the more annoying I must be to my friend Amanda. She seems to be the one who gets the redundant "I CAN'T WAIT TO GO CAMPING" messages in her inbox. My Husband has said when I get excited for something, I'm like a puppy on crack. While I LOVE getting excited for all these things, and LOVE being an enthusiastic person (and am REALLY lucky to have a friend who just laughs every time she gets the same message over and over), there is a MAJOR downside. I tend to live in these plans...and the moment is lost on me. As a matter of fact if I'm sitting in the moment, thinking of this plan, it can get me down that I'm not there yet. Do I expect to be in a fabulous mood ALL the time? No...that's crazy...but really I'm bringing this on myself. People always say...live in the moment...that's not that easy! It really sounds SO simple...and I'm here to tell ya... no it's not. ESPECIALLY if you're dealing with something that may not be what you want to deal with in that moment. You tend to let your mind go to upcoming exciting things, and really it could potentially make that moment even worse...because it's not that exciting moment.

What's interesting is when I was say, 15, I thought I'd have it all figured out by now. I'd be who I am for the rest of my life and everything would be set. Here to tell ya, at 25, no, I don't. Also here to tell you, I don't expect I will at 35 either. I think I'll be older, wiser, and still just doing the best I can with what I got. I think I'll continue to grow as a person, and I think I will until the day I die. That sounds like a plan to me. My Epiphany? Instead of always looking ahead, perhaps I need to focus on where I am. I'm not going to stop planning, it's part of who I am. But I can't live in those plans, until the plans are now. Something my dad taught me, your best  is all you can do. So in my personal growth, I'm going to attempt to live a little more in the moment...and do my best in that moment.

So that's it...Couple min of your life you'll never get back...but you were warned. Oh and another thing...I don't just plan a lot...I analyse too...Just sayin

Cheap and Easy Ingredients List Edition #14

logo credit Nate Williams

I left it up to you guys this week for the recipe, and you chose the skillet recipe where the KEY ingredient was Beef! This is one on my pinterest and sits under the "recipes I'd like to try category" WHICH I will tomorrow. Tonight I'm having chicken and beet greens...and yes...that IS exciting to me (hubs is getting a "sidekick") SO here is the ingredients for the recipe, coming your way Tuesday:

1lb Lean Ground Beef- 2.49 @ Sobeys
Onion- USUALLY I shell out $3 for a bag of them, and then I don't have to worry...I use them a lot
Garlic( think I paid .50 @ Sobeys)
Pepper (kitchen staple)
Rice-4.99 @ Superstore
Beef Broth- I never pay more than $2 for broth, it's one of MY Kitchen staples (Chicken is the more common variety) I usually get it at Superstore, or Walmart
Carrots (I think I paid $2 @ Sobeys)
Parm- I find I can get the smaller containers for 3 something of FRESH from Superstore
Chives- Typically I get these at Superstore, they're about $2...not sure what Sobeys sells them for

I made a BUNCH of notes today LOL! ANYWAY those are the ingredients...and I'm now hungry! LOL Have a GREAT weekend, and I'll post the recipe on TUESDAY! Not sure I can post it on FB, because they're still calling me spam (I think) but my blog is actually pretty easy to find :D

The Anti-bully Blog Series Edition #33

Logo Credit to Nate Williams

YA HUH! Ok yes it's been a few weeks but the Anti-bully Blog is back! So how much did the shirter work week screw with my head last week? By the time I realize last week that it was Wednesday...not TUESDAY, it was too late for me to get out a post. I never wanna do a BAD job of this blog, so if I can't ROCK it, I'd rather not do it. So I tend to think that if you're in a position where you have the attention of people, use it for good. I'm not like a celebrity or anything like that, but some people know my name...more people than before I was on the air. SO I use my blog...hoping it might help some people. Some people know my name...but y'know who people pay MORE attention to? CBC. I came across something they did recently...I've always said use my soapbox. ANY time you think you have something you think you could contribute to the blog, contact me. When I first started the blog series, I had people's personal Stories, and if they wanted to remain anonymous, that was fine too. While that STILL stands, CBC brought it to the kids. I guess the concept was they left a booth in a school and let kids go in, and say what they wanted about bullying. While they didn't have the option of remaining anonymous, they did have a variety of stories! Some, it greatly effected their entire life, there were some who were bullies, there was a teacher who told HIS story, and some shared the stories of their scars...like physical scars! Kudos CBC for this idea! And Kudos to the kids who were brave enough (and the teacher) to go in and share their stories! It's DEFINITELY worth a look! And this isn't the ONLY thing in the posting, not there are other resources there as well. You can check it out here


As I've said already in this post! If you have something to contribute to the blog contact me! Via FB or E-mail

So no, this is not this week's Cheap and easy recipe. In fact...there hasn't been a new one in a bit...the last SUCCESSFUL one was the pulled pork recipe. Between my short week last week and not being able to remember what day it was, combine that with covering the insanity that IS the morning show the week before...my Blog has seemed a little sad and abandoned. Don't shed a tear little one, I 'm back to share a recipe. So I'm like crazy super amped for my supper tonight, so I thought I'd share what it is I'm up to today for supper. ALSO I've never made this, this is an experimental recipe. Unlike my Cheap and easy recipes that I test and post only AFTER I'm satisfied with the recipe, this is total "seat of my pants, no idea how this will go, but oh boy I'm excited" Recipe. I'm making Shrimp Salsa and nachos for supper! Seafood haters, just turned away! I know (if she's reading) Michelle just went "Blech". K so I'm a maritimer...and I'm half Newf (on my mom's side, and she actually hated Seafood) So I'm pretty true to my roots, I've never met a seafood I DON'T like! So I came across this recipe on Pinterest...It had the whole thing, how to make the salsa and EVERYTHING! One problem...I've never met a home-made salsa I DO like...So there's some Tweeking here.


So hubs had to get the nachos...because I forgot them...I'm sick and it was PRE coffee.

We went to Superstore and grabbed Shrimp (cooked and peeled 5.99), Cream cheese (2.99 you can also use sour cream but I prefer Cream cheese with nachos) Cheddar (2.99 for a little thingy) And Salsa (Old Elpaso 2.99). I also have banana Pepper Rings, a tomato, onion and garlic at home I will be using.  Like I said I'm sick, so I'm basically using Onion and Garlic in EVERYTHING! So the plan is, over med-high heat, I'm going to get a skillet going with some EVOO, and add the chopped Onion, garlic, tomatoes, and I'll probably make the shrimp a little smaller too. Do them up until the tomato is soft, the onion is transparent and the garlic is aromatic (shrimp is already cooked, this is just heating it up). Then I'll remove it from the heat, and dump the Salsa in there and combine it all. To serve, you need the microwave! get your plate, and put a layer of the cream cheese (or sour cream) on the plate. Spoon on a layer of  the Salsa mixture, and top it with shredded cheese. Nuke it for 30sec-1min, and OM NOM NOM it with your nacho chips! Man...when do I get to eat this?!

Cheap and Easy Edition # 13 Ingredients

Logo Credit Nate Williams

IT'S FRIDAY! What a fantastic end to an otherwise soggy week! So yesterday I was torn, I wasn't sure what recipe I wanted to go with this week! SO I posted a Poll on my fan page...here comes the shameless shelf promoting...my page is RIGHT HERE ! SO you guys ruled, you wanted another slow cooker recipe! If you weren't aware of this, I don't post a recipe without TRYING it first. So quite literally what I typically do is take one I made from the week before OR one I'm making this week. That's why I was torn, there were two GREAT recipes there! BUT you wanted the slow cooker, and here is your shopping list:

Onion-3lb-3.49 @ Superstore .99/lb @ Sobeys
Peppers (3 your choice) 3pk-4.99 @ Superstore
Salt
1 1/2lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts-3.97/lb @ Superstore  4.99/lb@ Sobeys
Chicken Broth
Cumin
Chilli Powder
Lime Juice
Tortillas-3.49 @ Superstore

Your preference of:
Cheese-3.97 @ No Frills
guacamole-3.99 @ Superstore
sour cream
lettuce
tomato-.99/lb @ No Frills .99/lb @Sobeys

ALL of THOSE are optional, and to your own taste :)

The Anti-Bullying Blog Series Edition #32

Logo Credit Nate Williams

So if you've been waiting for some wicked awesome news...you came to the right place! Kind of expect this to be a shorter post, but an AWESOME ONE!  SO remember the group I told you about I was an admin in? Anti Bullies Unite? Well I was made an Admin because of this blog. I helped name it (hmmmI sure got original huh), but the FOUNDER has an insane amount of dedication to the cause. I have the dedication, but in my position, I have to have dedication to more than one cause. While this IS the one I took upon myself, no one made me make this blog...I have other things through work I have to jump on board with (it's really part of my job). Shawn though, the founder...I'm not sure how he does HALF of the stuff he does! So I think we've seen SEVERAL of my posts pertaining to the movie Bully, more recently my disappointment that it's not being screened here in SJ. Well, I wasn't alone. NOT ONLY Did Shawn agree with me, but he did something about it. He sent several e-mails and after having done that, looks like Saint John WILL have a screening! If you hadn't noticed I hyperlinked the Anti Bullies unite group above...go there for more details! SO important to get the kids out there for this one! Get all the details and get in on the SJ screening folks!

Cheap and Easy Edition #12

Logo Credit To Nate Williams


Ok so this is quite possibly the EASIEST Recipe I've ever done! The Recipe is for pulled pork! If you're looking for the ingredients...click...HERE

Place your Pork loin in your slow cooker, and add the root beer. Cook on low for 6-7 hours

Drain off the Root Beer, then shred the meat. Easiest way I found was with 2 forks it fell apart nicely

Add the BBQ sauce and serve on buns, makes about 8 Sandwiches

*I put my own mark on it too and sauted garlic and onion. If you have things you do to add your touch, go nuts :)

Cheap and Easy Edition # 12 Ingredients!

Logo Credit Nate Williams

Two slow cooker weeks in a ROW?! YUP! SO this week's recipe, I've never had it before. I'm planning to make it tomorrow for supper...but this will be an easy one, only a couple ingredients! SO Here is your grocery list!

2lb pork tenderloin- No Frills- 2.97/lb Superstore- 3.99/lb Sobeys 5.99/lb
1 can on 12fl oz Root Beer (YES Rootbeer) No Frills-24pk Cans coca-cola soft drinks 6.97 Super Store- Bottle PC Brand .89 (weekend only) Sobeys-2l 4/5
1 bottle of BBQ sauce- Superstore-1.50
Hamburger Buns- Superstore- 1.99 (weekend only) Sobeys -2/5


That's literally IT! Recipe comes Tuesday!

The Anti-Bullying Blog Series Edition # 31

logo credit Nate Williams

    Alright well I have another week where this will read like more of a news letter as opposed to one stand alone post. SO as I mentioned last week about the movie Bully...yeah...it didn't open here. While I used my blog in an attempt to spread awareness on the issue, a friend of mine...took action. So remember back when I mentioned the Anti-Bully Group I'd been made an admin in? Well the Founder Shawn Lynch...he wasn't ok with this movie NOT being shown here, and started sending e-mails to try and remedy this. Apparently...he wasn't alone either. He actually shared the correspondence on the page, so you can go have a look at Anti Bullies Unite . Shawn has had a hand in this blog on MORE than one occasion, so I'm sure he wouldn't mind me sharing his progress....and if he does...I give him permission to yell at me. Looks like while the movie IS a limited release, there is opportunity for private screenings...this is a MAJOR jump from not having it here at all! Well done Shawn!


   Something else, coming up on Sunday is the Walk for Kids Help Phone! So considering I do and anti bully blog...yes, I'm aware of the awesomeness that is kids help phone. They were a fantastic resource when I was a kid and they've come even further today. It's really a vital service and needs to continue, so we need you to get involved. hit up walkforkidshelpphone.ca! I'll be the Emcee for this so I hope to see you out there!

 That's pretty much it for this week. Remember I'm always looking for a hand in the anti-bully blog you can FB me or e-mail me @ nancy.wood@mbsradio.com!

Cheap and Easy Edition #11

logo credit Nate Williams 

So if you went out and got your ingredients it's time to tell you this is for Jambalaya! 

K so here are your ingredients again 

5 fully cooked sausages- 2.99/lb no Frills, Johnsonville 3.99 at Superstore for a pack 4.49 Schniders @ sobeys
2 Cups Chicken Broth
1/2 cup white wine (optional, I usually get a cheaper dry white wine I keep in the house, but I don't have any now so I'll be omitting it)
1 cup brown rice- Min rice 2.97 @ No Frills
1 can stewed tomatoes -Aylmer 1 @ Superstore, Hunts 2/1 @ Sobeys
1 can black beans or kidney beans drained and rinsed  (I wasn't a fan of the black they were a little overwhelming so I'm going Kidney next time. IF you hate beans these are also optional) .77 @ No Frills 1 @ Superstore
1/2 an onion chopped 3lb onion 1.50@ No Frills  2lb .99 @ Chocran's
1/2 head garlic chopped (or pressed)
3 Celery ribs chopped .99 @ Chocran's
1 red pepper
1 green pepper
1 Can corn .67 No Frills
2 cups peeled shrimp-3.99 @ No Frills (only need 1 pk)

Pour broth, and wine (optional) into the slow cooker) pour in the rice and combine

Add the chopped Veg, corn, and garlic and combine

Add the beans (optional)

Add the chopped sausage

Cook on low for 8-10 hours or low for 6

One hour before serving add your shrimp

This serves 8, with GOOD sized portions! This doesn't last long in my house! 

Cheap and Easy Edition #11 Ingredients

Logo Credit Nate Williams 

This is an EXCITING week! To those people who have been after me for a great Crock pot recipe, this is by FAR one of my Favorites! What's more is I have co-workers who can vouch. BOTH our engineer and our producer. I'd made this after a long week (less for me, a long week for them) this recipe makes A LOT and I thought, hey, maybe I can brighten their day and brought some in for them...it did brighten their day. I think our engineer was shocked I could cook. Our Engineer has been here working away ALL week, and that made me think of this recipe. BONUS a bunch of the ingredients are on sale too! SO here are your Ingredients with where to get the most bang for your buck. Going to try something new too. I'm going to list a couple options with the prices. I figure people east may not want to go west for the best buy or the other way around either. SO I'm giving a couple options in hopes it may be easier on you!

5 fully cooked sausages- 2.99/lb no Frills, Johnsonville 3.99 at Superstore for a pack 4.49 Schniders @ sobeys
2 Cups Chicken Broth
1/2 cup white wine (optional, I usually get a cheaper dry white wine I keep in the house, but I don't have any now so I'll be omitting it)
1 cup brown rice- Min rice 2.97 @ No Frills
1 can stewed tomatoes -Aylmer 1 @ Superstore, Hunts 2/1 @ Sobeys
1 can black beans or kidney beans drained and rinsed  (I wasn't a fan of the black they were a little overwhelming so I'm going Kidney next time. IF you hate beans these are also optional) .77 @ No Frills 1 @ Superstore
1/2 an onion chopped 3lb onion 1.50@ No Frills  2lb .99 @ Chocran's
1/2 head garlic chopped (or pressed)
3 Celery ribs chopped .99 @ Chocran's
1 red pepper
1 green pepper
1 Can corn .67 No Frills
2 cups peeled shrimp-3.99 @ No Frills (only need 1 pk)

The 7 Grocery Shopping Mistakes!

So I came across this article talking about the biggest mistakes we make when grocery shopping...yes there IS a right way and a wrong way to do it. I saw this and couldn't resist, I HAD to do something with the list so here goes.

1. Buying Fresh over Frozen. While there are SOME on this list that I'm guilt of, this is not one of them. a Perk to buying frozen over fresh, is less food waste. I've done a lot of research on this stuff and when you buy frozen you're NOT sacraficing nutrients. I used to think this too. PERFECT example, when I was 18 and first started living on my own, I bough canned spinach. CANNED doesn't have the same nutrients (but it is awesome), but by the time I was 20, I was thinking of nutrition (I was out of college by then). So I started buying fresh. NOW I'm not saying I never buy fresh anymore, because I do. I just need to know what I'm buying it FOR. If I'm giong to boil it or cook it in something, I SURE DO go frozen. If I need it for salad or a toping on a sandwich or something, hello fresh. I supposed this is the LONG way of saying, don't be a slave to fresh...

2. Shopping on an empty stomach. Uh, I think I've known this one for YEARS. If you're not aware of it, come into the light. If you've ever done research on how to PROPERLY diet, you're aware, you're not supposed to starve yourself. This is when you'll binge. WELL it's a similar idea. when you go to the grocery store and you're hungry, everything looks AWESOME! What's more it makes it's way to your cart

3.Hitting the produce sectrion first. I was not aware of this one. Apparently when we go to those sections we're bombarded with "sales" there and in the bakery section. So they say to start in the isles of the store and THEN the perimiter. This will keep you away from the buys that are too good to pass up. I don't know about you but for me personally, that's ALWAYS the section I forget stuff in too, so it's a tip I think I may have to try out

4.Anything at the checkout. I think most of us are aware these are the impluse items. This is the want stuff, not the need. I can't tell you how many times I've walked out with the new cosmo, ore Every day with Racheal Ray..they weren't on my list

5. Over buying Sale items. These are the "too good to pass up" Items. The ones we have a ton of but don't nessecarily use. I've fallen vicitim, I have a bunch of KD at home...and I RARELY eat KD.

6. Shopping without a list. I've done it with, I've done it without...and I DEFINATELY prefer with. When you go without, that bill can add up QUICK. If you have your list, and STICK to it, you're less likely to add "other" stuff. NOT to mention for me anyway I usually have a rough idea WHAT I'm going to end up paying

7. Being obsessed with coupons. Ok, guilty. This is actually how the KD thing happened. I think I have found a healthy level though. I'm a flyer reader, and I often go through my shoebox of coupons to see what matches up. I can't say I ever pay full price for coffee, or laundry detergent. But keeping in mind what I need VS what I need to get ot use a coupon, and knowing the difference? That's what's important. I DO usually use a couple each week, but I'm not extreme couponer.

Anti Bully Blog Series Edition # 30

 Logo Credit Nate Williams

SO can I just say in last week's post, I screwed myself. I said I can usually sit down and fine SOMETHING to post about pertaining to the Anti-Bully Blog. I sat here for a good 10 min staring at a blank screen...I suppose I should have knocked on wood. I really don't have one large topic to talk about this week. It would seem what I DO have are little snipits, more of a news letter thing. SO bear with me and my random all over the placeness.

Somthing I've talked about in past posts, is the movie Bully. How I feel not only should kids be seeing this, it should be shown in schools. If you're actually reading this, odds are you probably agree. I know there would be people out there who would fight it being shown in an assembly or a classroom, but these are the people who think their child can do no wrong. Sorry folks, I'm calling you out. Unless things have changed DRAMATICALLY since I was a kid, the "can do no wrong" Kid, is USUALLY one of the worst offenders. Well now that I've reiterated what I've said in the past (hooray for repatition) the latest on what I've seen. For starters, I've been watching Empire theaters website CLOSELY on this one. I typically have a weekly feature in my show where I announce the new additions to the box office. Well lets start here, unless I'm mistaken, Bully was SUPPOSED to be released the same weekend as American Reunion...and wasn't. IF you go to their website it's still under the coming soon listing. BUT if you click on it looking for show times, there are none. NOW if you read through the reasons WHY they may not be there, the top 2 are, the movie may not be playing there, and the other that the times are not listed. SINCERELY hoping for the later, but there's one little problem. They say typically speaking they update thsi stuff on Tuesday night...it's Wednesday. I'm not jumping the gun. I'm waiting for now...but I'm not sure how ANY theater in NB can justify NOT playing it. We've had so much making headlines in the more recent months, how we could ignore this tool we're being given is something I can't wrap my head around. LIKE I SAID I'm not jumping the gun, but this isn't looking good. ALSO sometimes limited release, comes out a little down the road too, so that's a possibility. So that's that.

Quick reminder of the Walk for kids help phone. I sure did talk about this last week. Kids help phone is a fantastic tool out there for kids and it's been around for years. I support it 100% to the extent I'm hosting it this year. So pleas go to walksokidscantalk, get your details and please join us at rockwood park on May 6th at noon.

I did want to mention something too, more recently I've been getting a LOT of messages from Kids, apparently aware of the blog, and asking me what to do in the case of bullying and telling me about their stories where they were bullied. I do this blog so I am aware that I can be a resource for some. The PROBLEM is when people come to me and want the advice, and I give them a qualified source that ISN'T me. While when I was 13, I was a "Peer Helper" and was trained to listen to people and try and help them resolve things, I'm NOT qualified to flat out tell you what to do. I never have been. I can come up with ideas and options, but in the end the decision is ALWAYS yours. So if you ever message me, please don't be offended when I send you to Bullying Canada. THEY know what they're doing, I wouldn't send you there to brush you off, I send you there because they could help you better than I could.

So that post became FAR longer than I expected. I'm not sure how many people remeber the days where I used to feature people's stories here, and I could keep them anonymous, or shre the name if given permission. That didn't go away because I didn't want them anymore, they went away because people stopped sending them to me. I SO hope it's jsut people being shy and not that this blog is becoming stale. BUT on that note rememebr anything you feel you can contribute to the anti-bully blog, or any questions you may have, you can FB me or e-mail me nancy.wood@mbsradio.com

Movie Review: The Lucky One

SO over the weekend I went to the movie theater....which is unheard of for me. I'm typically a "Wait until it's on DVD" Person...ACTUALLY there are a couple movies playing RIGHT NOW that I would gladly go see...well...this one wasn't on my list. This past weekend though, my girl friends and I had a night without the guys...and this is a REALLY rare occurrence. I was basically outnumbered and a good sport, so we went to see "The Lucky one". Not going to lie, I went for the hot Zac Efferon scenes. Before I start into this, I'm going to confess, not into chick flicks. My Genre's of choice? Comedy, Action and Thriller. IF this is your Genre, you may love this, my friends were telling me how great they thought it was. It WASN'T awful, but it seemed to stick to the formula. My friend Amanda sat by me, and I could have TOTALLY pissed her off there, because I knew what was going to happen 5 min before it did. Where do I begin?  Zac Efferon, he was the nice guy who had his guard up...personally I think he played that up too much, and came off as too serious and cold. I think he could have softened a LITTLE. The character WAS a nice guy, like an above and beyond nice guy, the BEST scenes for this character was interacting with the son in the movie. Taylor Shilling, played a fantastic mom, like amazing mom! SLIGHT SPOILER! She was a strong woman, but she feared her ex and his powerful family. She was one, who you could predict what was coming, when she was going to find her strength, when she was going to be scared, when she was going to cry, and the list continues. Honestly while I liked the character, I think I found myself paying attention to her outfit more, because I already knew what was coming. The bad guy? Her Ex! Played by Jar R. Ferguson. He did a GOOD job of making you hate him, but HE was the MOST predictable character in the WHOLE movie. POSSIBLE SPOILER! You knew when he had a Beer in his hand, things were going to get bad. When his ex tried to talk to him he was going to be a prick. When Zac Effron's Character was there he was going to be a REAL prick. You see EARLY on in the movie why he's the way he is (his father). AND when he has his major freak out considering he's a cop, it's what you would expect. My Two FAVORITE Characters were the Grandmother, and the kid. The kid, Ben,  was multi talented, and he was SHARP. He had some of the funniest lines in the movie. Ben was athletic, artistic, and a smart kid. What's more he is what always softened up the hardcore soldier. The Grandmother, was the wise one with the life experience. She was played by Blyth Danner, and could say A LOT without saying anything. She was what she needed to be in everyone's life. This movie was your stereotypical Chick Flick, if that's your thing, you may love this. I'm not saying it was horrible, I'm saying it wasn't for me. I'd give it a 6.5, which is .9 more than what IMDB gave it.  Like I said though, not my Genre, if it's yours, might be a good fit :)

Where'd the summer goals go!?

So, you might (or might not) be wondering where my "summer prep" posts have gone. Well much like any time some one decides to restrict themselves TOO much...it's disappeared. A couple years back, I dropped a bunch of weight. FANTASTIC! I had myself on a strict diet, one that probably wasn't overly healthy. And I exercised, like CRAZY! It was a pretty intense few months. The problem was, after I did it, I discovered something...I deprived myself of some stuff I like, and I found myself looking to make up for lost time. Welcome back MOST of the weight! In my head I've thought, hey if I want to do it again I can...problem is, I don't want to! Yo-yo dieting isn't a good thing, neither is self loathing. So have I thrown away my "summer prep" goals? Not entirely. I don't know how I did it, but back when I was in college, I had a period of time where I had the state of mind, that I liked how I looked, and if some one else didn't...that was THEIR problem not mine. My goals AREN'T gone, they've just changed. They're healthier, for me physically, AND mentally. I'm NOT in a healthy weight range right now, I'm not far from it, but I'm not THERE. My goals are NOW to get in my healthy range, and stay there. I'm not doing a food journal...I have seen that suggested online SO many times it's not even funny. NOT trashing them, they're a fantastic starting point, and if you're looking to drop more than like 10lbs, they're a good idea. Instead, I'll be making more healthy choices, and I'll indulge in moderation....but I WILL indulge, and enjoy. I'm not perfect, and I think the important thing is accepting that, instead of striving to be that way. WHO I am is far more important than the size of my jeans. I'll NEVER be a size 0, baby got back! I'm good with being a happy size 7, who can have that bag of Loads of Dill pickle chips!   I'll choose healthy foods (most of the time) and move, be it walking, running, yoga, or some wii boxing. I think I'll go nuts if I try and do more than that. Lately too, with one of my dearest friends having a kid, and I've had mommy posts on FB more often, I've thought to the future too. One day, I COULD have a daughter...I don't want her to think that her clothing size some how determines her self worth. I want her to be healthy and happy.  I plan to teach her what I've posted above, to make healthy choices, and move...mush like my father wouldn't allow me to sit on the couch like a lump, I wouldn't allow my kids to either..but how could I teach these things, if I'm not living them myself...kind of makes me a hypocrite doesn't it? So summer goal? Be Healthy, and happy! That's a good one I think...

Cheap and Easy Edition #10

Logo Credit Nate Williams

So what's GREAT about this post is that I didn't HAVE to test it out this past weekend...because I've made it before! It's also pretty kid friendly. I know when I was a kid I LOVE Ramen noodles...Actually in my friest year of college, I legit tried to live off them alone (for the record...not a good idea). So they get their noodles, but this is a new way to do them! So Friday I gave your your grocery list, here is your ingredient list::

12 cups of water
3 Green onions chopped (I cheat and use scissors )
2 Carrots thinly sliced
2 tblsp Fish or Soy Sauce
1 Tblsp Hot sauce
2 cloves garlic minced ( I cheat and use my press)
2 tblsp Ginger thinly sliced (I put optional, since I don't like ginger I don't use it)
1 tps Basil
4 packs Ramen noodles
1 package of Shrimp (tails removed)
1 Package spinach thawed and drained (or 2 cups fresh)
1 cup sliced mushrooms


Bring water to a boil, add the next 7 ingredients and the ramen noodle packets. Boil for 5 min

Add the remaining ingredients cook 5 more min

Serve...yeah that's ALL there is! This makes A LOT too might I add! Enjoy!