You put that in your mouth?

I read food labels and some would say that I tend to obsess over things. My latest obsession has been to try and eliminate as many processed foods from my diet as possible. So about two years ago, I became a member of a local food co-op and in the spring and summers we purchase most of our produce from farmers markets. I started off pretty good, but then fell off the wagon. Meat cost more and it came frozen, which required extra steps to prepare meals. (I am a fly by the seat of your pants kind of cook).

Also I realized that there are some things you simply cannot avoid. Flour for one big staple. I know you don't have to buy processed flour, but who do you know that actually grinds there own? I know of one.

I eat out a lot due to my job (always attending breakfasts, lunches or dinners out for meetings), which means processed food is completely unavoidable and the biggest contributing factor to why I don't go cold turkey is this -- doesn't processed food taste that much better?

So, I give up. However, if you have any suggestions for great unprocessed meals that you are willing to share, let me know.

The best cupcake mix on the market

For my birthday I received a gift card to one of my favorite stores, Williams-Sonoma. With my pledge to be more fiscally responsible, I couldn't justify buying a new Capresso thermal coffee pot, which I really wanted or a new set of Wustof knives, which I really do need. Therefore, I settled for more practical purchases like: a) tablecloth that was so marked down, they were practically giving it away, b) potlach seasoning mix which is scrumptious on fish and smoked meats and c) two Sprinkles cupcake mixes which one of my friends was raving about.

Since my precious 19 month old son likes to proclaim, "cook" I decided that we would cook some cupcakes as an after dinner treat to celebrate President Obama's inauguration. I thought that the mix might speed up the process and allow him to participate more (I only really let him pour items into the kitchenaid stand mixer and stir occasionally so don't call DHS on me and tell them I let him play with knives).

We decided to whip up the vanilla cupcakes (I bought the dark chocolate and will let you know how those turn out). While purchasing the mix, I read the list of ingredients and was pleasantly surprised to find no HFCS or High Fructose Corn Syrup or any partially hydrogenated anything a.k.a. trans fat.

As we set out the mixer and followed the directions, it dawned on me that there were quite a few steps in the process for preparing something that comes out of a box. When it was all said and done, you actually make your own frosting, which really was to die for good, but takes more time. Also, you use quite a few ingredients of your own unlike most mixes which require two at the most. For example, you have to add the butter, milk and eggs (egg whites and one whole egg).

So would I go to all the trouble again for something out of a box? The answer is yes, but it is a pricey yes. At $14 a box plus all your own ingredients, I may try and emulate the recipe myself. I don't really need that signature dot on as a topper and since I am going to all the trouble to do dishes, mix other things, etc, I should just make them from scratch.

While I might make cupcakes myself, I will still buy this product as a gift and perhaps when I feel like splurging, I will pick up a box for myself. Who knows, the lemon or the dark chocolate varieties may cut out lots of other ingredients and work that makes the box variety more appealing.

What an emotional day -- hope ensues

I woke up this morning full of hope and fear for our new President. As I was getting in my car to drive to work I tuned into pre-inauguration coverage and was overwhelmed with emotion.

Yesterday I observed the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and listened once again to the I have a dream speech. However, this year's observance of the holiday was different considering the historical nature of what was to come. Before MLK could get through the entire speech I was sitting there in tears and as I drove to work listening to the interviews with inaugural attendees, I once again found myself in tears. I guess I did not realize how emotional this event would be for me. First black President. Tears. Change for our country. Tears. Democracy. Tears. Hope. Tears. You name it, these days I am reduced to crying. Who knew that happiness and hope could make you so emotional?

I raise my glass to you Mr. President. May you have a successful first term and may you and your family be safe and continue to inspire us all to be better Americans.

Need to go now, I need a tissue.

Saving Energy?

My good friend and colleague, Sarah drives a 2000 Honda Insight and she raves about the fuel economy. I have carpooled with her and the ride is nice, but the only drawback for me is that this vehicle really only seats two. While there is ample trunk space since it’s a hatchback, I don’t think that my toddler would appreciate sitting in the trunk.

My other colleague or former boss just purchased a Toyota Prius and it's really a bourgeois hybrid vehicle that could seat a toddler comfortably in the back seat unlike the Honda; however, the price for the Prius with all the bourgeois features costs quite a bit more. What’s an energy conscience mom to do? Well, I decided to wait to buy a car because a) we recently purchased another Honda for my husband and b) my car is an Acura, which is really a fancy Honda and has a decent fuel economy. So while I have been waiting, Honda has been working on enhancing its Insight. A new version will be released next year, which can seat five and will cost less than the Civic hybrid.

I am still trying to figure out if I should wait around for the plug in version of the hybrid to be released or just bite the bullet soon and get the hybrid. Either way, for those of you contemplating a change in vehicle in the future, the good news is that more fuel efficient models should be on the way.

A daily rant

Today's rant -- I know that I should prepare for this time of year and be patient with all those spirited souls at the gym who are seeking to lose a little weight or get in shape as part of a new year's resolution. But really, do you have to take over all the damn machines? I guess I need to calm down and look forward to next month when all those diet/get in shape for the new year folks will fizzle out of the gym and go back to their old habits.

Last Friday's rant -- I got a message from a local photographer as part of a distribution list through Constant Contact. I was on her list because I had ordered photographs from her in the past. So what hacked me off about this? The e-mail solicitation that was sent to me had nothing to do with photography, rather, it was for her other business selling Arbonne products. Is it just me, or is this really unprofessional?

By the way, Arbonne is annoying. I can think of 50 people in my city who sale the stuff. If I want some products, I will call. Please leave me alone.

Yesterday's rant -- Um, Officer who gave me a ticket yesterday for an expired licence plate while I was on my way to renew, could you have been a little less understanding? Hey, I know you are doing your job and all, but you could of sympathized with me a little. I know your job must suck on the city salary you are drawing, but show a bit of compassion please. Be happy you have a job in this economy.

OK, feel a little better now. Thanks -- back to dreaming of Mexico.

Where in the World? Ah, Cancun Mexico.

So I went a little MIA this last month, but once you find out exactly where I was, you might be a bit jealous. I am still stunned that I actually unplugged for almost two weeks and the irony is that I didn't even have to officially unplug because my blackberry worked and we had free access to the business center at our hotel should I want to blog or read an e-mail that doesn't require me to continue scrolling.

Ok, so I was in Cancun. Yes, the same Cancun which I envisioned to be an open set for Girls Gone Wild. The last time my husband and I went to Playa del Carmen, we spent a day in Cancun for a tour and the folk we encountered would have jumped at the chance to be seen topless in Carlos and Charlies. However, after encountering a civilized Cancun, I am trying to figure out just how quickly we can plan another trip back.

What qualifies as the best r & r vacation ever? The tag line for the all inclusive where we stayed is "as close to perfect as humanly possible," and I couldn't have said it better. I honestly do not know how I have managed to survive all these years without my own personal butler.

As soon as we arrived, we were greeted with cold towels which were scented with a fresh, orange mint fragrance. The ladies were given lilies and all of us received cold champagne flutes of coconut milk. Then we were escorted to our rooms by our personal butler who assisted in tasks from drawing baths (seriously, we had a four person sized jacuzzi in our room) to fetching items from your room should you feel too weak to go fetch something yourself. The whole time when we were getting this treatment, I kept thinking that this must be what it like to be Oprah or any other celebrity for that matter.

While I love the r & r and especially enjoyed my time in the spa, the highlights for the trip for me were 1. all inclusive access to personal trainers (so I did workout every day buy one on my trip)

2. all inclusive room service anytime and 3. free international calls to the US and Canada. The last was a nice perk since my rowdy 18 month old was spending more than a week with grandma.

I could go on forever -- the bath products, the food, the wine and liquor, etc. Pretty much this sums up the trip -- one day I had two naps before lunch. Ah, I want to get back. So if you want to check out the Le Blanc, let me know when you will be booking your vaca. I'll see you there.