Fresh Snow = Traffic Jams, Not Jamz

Various websites had different predictions in weather for today in the North Jersey / New York area.  Some said chance of snow.  Others said snow/sleet or "freezing rain."  All were 100% certain.  

I normally give myself an hour to get to work so I can pick up some cafe con crema y azucar.  Today I did nothing out of the ordinary.  On the way to work it started to snow.  It was very slippery and I saw one car spin out.  As I drove slowly around the car with my emergency blinkers on I thought for a second get off the freeway and use your GPS to take surface streets to work.  Then I looked at the freeway ahead, saw no one, and proceeded, slowly enough.  0.7 miles from my work the road came to a standstill.  The traffic was so bad that it took me 2 hours to move 0.2 miles.  Let me emphasize that.  It took me 2 hours to move 0.2 miles!  So I left at 7:30am and clocked in at 12:30pm.  

My advice is when it first starts snowing don't continue to drive 90mph+.  It's not safe and chances are you will cause massive traffic jams for everyone trying to get to work.

So in the end, it was a terrible car accident, not the snow, that made me late for work.  Well I guess the snow was the result, or reckless driving.  You decide.  Almost every major roadway in the area had accidents and was congested due to the "snow."  There were no traffic problems coming home and the bubby spoiled be with his delicious salads and homemade Rhode Island style CALAMARI!  I'm a lucky girl. 

"My Boyfriend Thought He Was a Porn Star"

I found this article from Marie Claire magazine to be pretty accurate.  Stop watching porn boys and get in touch with your senses (and ours).  

To be a sexual being is to break patterns, follow a pleasurable tangent, and use every nerve, not just the erogenous ones.

No wonder girls fake orgasms!  But this opens a whole new can of worms that I don't have the time nor energy to address.

Read the article here: My Boyfriend Thought He Was a Porn Star

LATISSE

I was given a few bottles of Latisse, which is a product that is FDA approved to help eyelashes grow longer and thicker, to help make my own lashes grow.  The product claims that growth can be seen in 8 weeks with full results seen in 10-12 weeks of nightly use.  I'm one of those people that has to try everything and believe it or not I feel like I already see a difference. And that is seen with 2 weeks of use and nights of forgetting to apply the product.  If you don't believe me, check this picture out:

The person in this picture uses Lumigan, aka generic Latisse, in one eye (viewers right) to help lower her eye pressure since she has glaucoma.  If you can see in the picture, the eyelashes on the right side are much longer than those pictured on the left.  Once upon a time before she had surgery in her left eye (viewers right), she applied Lumigan in that eye, and those eyelashes were just as long.  The proof is in use and in the picture!

I will continue to chronicle my journey with Latisse.  Interesting to note that if Latisse enters your eye it can result in the following side effects: 

• Itching and redness, which are supposed to subside with taking breaks of the treatment and continued use.  
• Possible darkening of the eyelid, especially in dark skinned people.  This, however, may be reversible.  
• Possible darkening of the iris.  This most likely will be permanent.  
• Extra hair growth around the eyes or skin that Latisse comes in contact with.  Suggestion: Apply as directed.  

Christmas Eve Dinner

The boyfriend traditionally does not eat meat on Christmas Eve.  Never wanting to be one to break tradition of any sort (unless it has direct harm to myself or my feelings), I wanted to make a meal that would carry on this no meat policy.  The solution was an array of veggie and seafood appetizers, and lots of them.  Unfortunately I did not get good pictures because it was dark and I used an iPhone, but I will try and post better pics at a later time.  

Here is my mother's two dishes.  She made a salmon dip spread and canelli beans in endive.  I will get her recipe upon request.  

I made marinated asparagus, because frankly you need your greens.  I blanch the asparagus in boiling water until they turn bright green (about 3-5 minutes).  Then I cover then in drizzled olive oil, balsamic, salt and pepper to taste, and top it off with shaved parmesan-reggiano cheese.  It is delicious and really lives up asparagus.

This is a picture of Seared Scallops with Garlic Parsley Butter (click here for recipe) was personally my favorite dish of the evening.  It was very easy to make and was definitely 5 stars worthy.  It was categorized as an appetizer, but despite getting huge succulent scallops, this easily could have been an elegant entree.  And the yukon gold potato puree that accompanies it is literally easy, delicious mashed potatoes.  

This is a picture of all the other dishes we ate.  

• Sizzling Sherry Shrimp with Garlic - Very easy to make.  Use some crusty bread to soup up the oil and garlic sauce.  4/5 stars (Click here for recipe)
• Absolutely Amazing Ahi - An OMG it was amazing!  We purchased sushi grade ahi and despite forgetting the cucumbers, this recipe was out of this world! 5/5 stars. If others didn't see you making this dish, they would think it was purchased at a fancy Japanese restaurant.  (Click here for recipe) 
• Jalapeno Popper Wontons - My poppers definitely did not come out like the picture in the recipe, but they were delicious and the dad could not get enough of them.  Neither could I.  This was my first time deep frying and I used an electric fry pan.  Easiest dish of the night and 4/5 stars alone 4.5/5 with the sweet chili dipping sauce.  (Click here for recipe)

Did you really think I wouldn't make a dessert?  Puhlease.  I made the Malt Shop Ice Cream Pie on the 23rd and put the finishing touches together on Christmas Eve.  This was to ensure that the ice cream pie would in fact become a solid entity.  And oh boy did it.  Easier than I thought and everyone had seconds.  (Click here for recipe)  

The boyfriend stated it was the best Christmas Eve meal he has ever had.  Anything for the birthday boy!  

Great game, even better book - Recommendations

My go to game is Apples to Apples.  It's a great game for kids and adults alike, although I find it more fun when the adults play this one.   However there is a new kid in town taking Apples to Apples spotlight and that game is Smart Ass.  It is the self proclaimed "ultimate trivia game" for the inpatient and overanxious.  You think you know who, what, or where the answer is as clues are read out?  Well, then by all means yell it out.  But if you get it wrong, forfeit any other chances to guess the answer.  It truly is a fun game testing how much you know and teaching you along the way.  

I just finished The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf and it is one of the best books I have read to this day.  The short preview of the book is about two girls who go missing.  Both are best friends.  One talks, the other is a selective mute.  Did they go together or separate?  Why did they leave?  If they didn't run off into the forest to play, then who took them?  Each chapter is told from each of the main characters point of the view.  Great character development and storyline.  READ IT!    

Anthony Bourdain's Mushroom Soup

Anthony Bourdain's mushroom soup from his Les Halles Cookbook is something I definitely have to rave about.  It's easy to prepare,  even easier to make, and tastes 5 star worthy.  The most grueling chore of this soup is slicing the onions. 

Even though Anthony Bourdain is food god, I use a suggestion from Kalyn's Kitchen and add dried mushrooms, reconstituted in water.  My personal choice is chanterelles, but since mushrooms can get expensive go with what you can afford.  (I buy about 1 oz. or more depending on the audience.)

So if you are going to try making Bourdain's delicious soup I highly recommend following everything he says, but reconstituting the mushrooms first and then throwing the dried mushrooms in with the chicken stock.  I've had the soup both ways, and the later is even more superb, if you can imagine that.  Thank you Kalyn!  And don't forget lot's of salt and pepper.  You need the salt to balance the sweetness of the sherry.  (And I'm a salt-a-phobe.)

Anthony Bourdain's Mushroom Soup

Kalyn's Kitchen Double Mushroom Soup (Inspired by Bourdain) 

Elephant birth

This video is graphic, but it is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen.  An elephant gives birth to her baby and then revives the infant elephant until it takes it's first breath, etc.  Instinct is incredible.  Click here to watch.  

Snow

This is seriously beautiful.

 I perhaps could get use to snow.  (I never said anything about the cold now.)

My first snow in New Jersey!

I've been in snow a few times.  When I say few I probably mean less than 20.  Have I ever seen the start of snow fall?  Absoletely not.  Does it excite me?  You better believe it!  The boyfriend told me it was supposed to snow this evening so when it started to snow earlier in the day I was very excited.  

The "snow," however was quite wet, and the ground was not cold enough for it to stick*, so the picture simply looks like rain reminants. 

     *I'm learning the terms people.

Then what do you know?  I come out of the gym a few hours later to see this:

Now that snow is sticking!  To the ground, to cars, to bushes.  Hell, it's even sticking to me.  I was tempted to make snow angels, but one must always think of safety.  A dark parking lot is not safe children.  I think I'm in for a treat.  A scary treat, but a treat nonetheless. 

And yes I made it home without harming my self, another, or any property. 

One of the best commercials evAR!

More than 79% of Americans feel "the most significant family or social problem facing America is the physical absence of the father from the home." 

Don't be a statistic papas!  Be like this dad:

I literally teared

Jason sent me this one.  I think he connected with the video because he wakes himself up with his explosive farts. 

D.O.A.

Ya it's just Violent

Jay-Z is the man (and not just because he is married to a great VIRGO...Beyonce!)

Tie Tie

I have been neglecting writing.  I started a new job and I simply am too tired at night to do anything, but sit next to the bub while we take turns playing Guitar Hero, watching Dog the Bounty Hunter, a murder/detective themed show, or pretending to watch something while I'm secretly falling asleep.  My commute is far less than it was at my previous job, but one must still factor in the 2 hour commute and 7 hours of standing on my feet while wearing fitness shoes.  The benefit of the physically grueling job is that I get a 1 hour lunch break.  That is simply, unheard of in my profession.  To further elicit the effects of walking and standing all day I wear my Reebok EasyTone fitness shoes while at work and then always try to get some form of exercise after my shift, whether it be personal training or cardio on my own.  All these factors together contribute to my fatigue. 

Personal training is still awesome.  I have a hard time always motivating myself, especially when it comes to doing something other than cardio.  And weights?  What is this concept?  So to be positively pushed and see and feel results is further motivation to make me want to work stronger and harder.  After my sessions are over, I feel like I can take away a lot of what I learned and continue pushing myself on my own.  If I get in a rut, so be it.  I know who to call...P-E-R-S-O-N-A-L T-O-R-T-U-R-E-S.  

Those shoes.  Those ridiculous shoes.  I know Reebok EasyTone's look bizarre, but if you go to Reebok.com you can costume color and design your very own EasyTone's.  I constantly get compliments from both my patient's, but mostly their husbands telling me how much they like my kicks, asking me what they are, and where to get them.  Justine is always ahead of the trend, old lady trend.  Respect.  On a serious note, I swear my these shoes.  They don't look as ridiculous as other fitness shoes and you really do feel a difference in your legs (and I imagine your abs, but I have strong abs already), especially when you where them for an 8 hour shift.  I don't think my legs have ever looked better, but this could also be a combination of the EasyTone's and Personal Training.  Regardless, if you do a lot of walking, I highly recommend this awesome invention. 

I love how the hardest question I'll have to ask for the next 3 weeks is which color scrubs?  Bright ass yellow, migraine inducing mirage, plain green, etc.  Poor me. 

I sometimes, LOVE, being a nurse!

"I listened to my dad tell stories about my mom, and I've read book and I just really believe in love, and no matter how fleeting or tragic I just really, really believe in it. I'm 18 years old and I just want to surrender." 

- Dreamland

Review: SUN Laboratories • Ultra Dark Lotion

This is my current favorite sunless tanner.  It is by no means perfect, but it does the job. The Ultra Dark Lotion gives you a deep, dark, olive tan.  With one application I look like I've gone on vacation even in the height of winter. Many people say to use rubber gloves with this product, but I don't because I find it too hard to rub it in.  If it's not rubbed in you will look blotchy.  I cannot wear this lotion in bed over night.  The smell is horrid.  I always wash it off after 3-4 hours.  Much of the product will come in the shower since the tint you initially see is for application purposes. 

I think this product is affordable for how much you get.  Many of the larger Bed, Bath, and Beyond's that carry beauty products have this so you can save 20% on a bottle with a coupon.  Still cheaper than tanning. 

Jason and his daily facebook inspiration quotes: Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're probably right. 

Well it's not Jason, it's a Henry Ford original, but the message rings true.  The power of though can be both liberating and inspiring, or debilitating. 

I believe in signs.  I will think more positive.  Thanks Jason. 

Do It Yourself - Drug Interactions

This is a great website from drugs.com to check to see if your medications interact with each other.  Drug-drug interactions can pose negative consequences or reduce the efficacy of other medications (certain meds with birth control), have a synergistic effect (two meds making your blood pressure drop too low), etc.  Thus it's very important to know how your medications interact.  This includes all over the counter (OTC) meds as well.  Make sure to add all your medications to observe for any potential interactions.  I was surprised that upon getting new medications today no one discussed this with me.  Further, if you scroll further down the website will tell you drug-food interactions, which are also very important.

I'm exhausted, in more ways then one.  

I'm also not surprised and was waiting for this.  

You put yourself into situations.  So my advice, make sure they are really nice, cause one day everything changes.  Ta da...and the curtain rises.  

Let's watch the show. 

It's been years since I have lifted weights regularly.  Further, more time has elapsed since I have had an actually 1 on 1 training session with a personal trainer.  When my new gym offered to give me a free personal training session, I reluctantly accepted.  I don't want someone telling me, run faster chubster.  (That's not what happened in the least.)  I worked muscles I never knew existed and those that I thought I had lost the ability to utilize years ago.  After my session I felt so refreshed and strong.  While I was slightly sore that day, I was definitely sore one day after and really sore two days post training session.  I'm talking soreness to the point of having a difficult time walking.

What I found doing some online research is that many people new to lifting will be sore two days after working out.  This is a sign that you worked hard enough for your body to grow stronger.  So sometimes, pain is a good thing.  Your body is strong and your body is working!  (What the pain is is the build up of lactic acid which is the fuel your muscles use when they need energy.)

The best advice I found to deal with this pain is to workout the next day, even if it is using a different muscle group.  Also, within one hour of your workout eat a potassium rich fuel low in sugar such as a banana.  And drink lots of H20.  


Here's to a happy and healthy life!