Of course I will be 2nd hand shopping, but oh damn is this cute. (too bad it doesn’t come in my size.)
More snow coming later today. Mother is braving the roads now to pick up a few needs at the grocery store. I imagine it will be crazy packed. No way was I going to go!
Winter questions for you guys:
1) what is your favorite winter lotion?
2) Please tell me how you strategically unsnow your car.
3) socks or slippers? both?
4) Your favorite crockpot/ slow cooker recipe please. (vegetarian preferred)
5) Adult acne face wash that works in winter?? Does it exist?
Anyone else really geeked out over the promos of Who Do You Think You Are? I love geneology stuff and totally get weepy over some of the promos.
And final random to make you smile- Mother found this hair dryer in the sale bin at a local drug store. I haven’t used a hair dryer in years because it takes forever. Thusly my hair is always just sort of damp. This bonnet is the awesome and I can dry my hair hands-free! Plus it makes me look like a sexy beast. Right??!
ok. fine. I look like I’m in Star Wars..
1. Korres Body Butters – I’m digging Melon right now.
2. Clear snow from around driver’s side door, turn on engine and blast heaters full on rear defrost and front window. Clear roof snow first, clear around side windowswindows next (leave back window until defrost is done some work), clear rear and front windows, clear hood/trunk – essentially split the car in half – work on the front and then back. Make sure that your windshield washer fluid is good for below zero and you have kitty litter in the trunk (great for when you get a bit stuck – acts like gravel). Big thing for me is get the snow off the roof – don’t be that dork on the highway blowing chunks of snow or sheets of ice off on everyone else. Yes that means you SUV people! Make sure you get good gloves that are long/waterproof/insulated, good boots and boot/hand warmers when you’ve got a blizzard and a car to clean out!
3. Neither. Bare feet all year round. I suppose if one must – socks. Blech!
4. Not a crockpot person.
5. Can’t help with that either.
The worst for me with the upcoming snow is the people that don’t clear their sidewalks. Thanks, with that double stroller sliding around in the snow I really appreciate nearly killing myself all because you couldn’t shovel or put down salt. Sadly here in Philly they are still plowing streets from the weekend – love the model of efficiency that is Philadelphia.
1. Aquaphor is the only thing that works for me.
2. Clean out around the door so you can get in without dumping a pile of snow on your seat. Heat and defoggers on, and leave the car sit for a bit…10-15 minutes. Clear windows. I’m bad…if the snow isn’t really deep, I go with the “it will fall off while I’m driving” plan. If it is deep, let small-children-who-have-to-touch-EVERYTHING loose near it and it will be cleared off up to the height they can reach. Brush off remainder.
3. Both. And two layers of socks sometimes.
4. Everything ends up overcooked or undercooked..blech! Use the stove.
5. I like Noxema Triple-Clean year round.
1. We just got the Aveeno unscented baby lotion for my daughter and that seems to work OK.
2. Open driver’s door a tiny bit. Slam shut with all your might to get snow off. Get in car, knock snow off boots. Start car. Crank defroster, turn on rear window defroster. Turn up radio REALLY loud. Find snow brush (ideally will be located somewhere in a passenger foot well). Get out of car. Brush snow off of driver’s door/window/side mirror. Scrape as necessary. Move to front windshield. Brush/scrape snow toward you or down onto hood of car. Brush snow off hood of car (or else it will fly back onto windshield when you drive). Go around to passenger side windows – brush/scrape. Don’t forget the other side mirror! By this time, your rear window should be showing some signs of melting, so it should be easy. Also, brush off top of car, unless you don’t mind getting snow all over your rear window when you start driving. Finish with brush/scrape of rear driver’s window/door. Start over again to get the f’ing snow that has blown onto your car while you were scraping. For good measure, make sure to brush some snow directly into your coat sleeve, mittens/gloves, and boots.
3. Both. Unless it’s a day that I haven’t gotten dressed, in which case, just slippers.
4. I mainly use my crock pot to make pot roast which is like the opposite of vegetarian. But, you can make pretty much any soup recipe in the crockpot. Also check out A Year of Slow Cooking
5. I am lucky enough to not suffer from acne, so I just use Dial soap all the time.
You are pretty hot in that hair dryer head gear!
Still liking the snow? This totally reminds me of the joke that gets sent to me every year regarding someone’s first experiences in living in a snowy place. Will try to find your email address and send it to you…
1. I really like Eucerin anti-itch creme. But it can get pricey so I usually use the St. Ives collagen/elastin lotion for every day and the Eucerin only for the super dry skin areas.
2. I honestly can’t remember. I only drove in snow for one year before I left home.
3. I like to wear socks and a pair of Crocs.
4. I have an Indian/Thai curry hybrid that I developed and it works in the slow cooker and is still good vegetarian. If you email me, I’ll reply w/the recipe…
5. Face wash makes me break out, oddly enough. I use basic Dove soap and I only wash once per day. I have combination skin so I don’t know if that will help.
1. Aquaphor rocks!
2. We never get as much snow as you do so I usually crank it about 10 minutes before I have to leave and all is good.
3. almost always socks but sometimes slippers and socks
4. I emailed you a vegetarian recipe book I compiled. The first one is a favorite around here.
5. Sorry, dunno.
Also, ebay has a selection of plaid snowsuits around $10 (before shipping)…
1) We live in a very dry climate and the lotion I swear by is Alba Very Emollient Body Lotion, maximum dry skin formula. It’s a little pricey, but our local natural foods store sells it in bulk at a good price.
2) I have no tips on this, but I recently read a good, helpful hint for next time. If a storm is coming, cover your windshield wipers in old tube socks so they don’t freeze. It speeds along the clearing process.
3) Both. I have the booties that go up mid-calf and they are a dream. It’s the first winter I’ve had toasty toes at home.
Crockpot lasagna – just don’t make a meat sauce. I’m making chicken potpie in a casserole (mixed veggies, cream of chicken (could sub something else), don’t add chicken, just throw on some cooked biscuits near the end and simplicity.
I still don’t wear socks or slippers that often up here. If I wear both, I start getting hot flashes.
Hair dryer – did it work? How long did it take?
1. Palmers Shea butter lotion
2.Place a piece of cardboard as big as your windshield over your windshield.
3.Socks and bootie slippers.
4.Cetaphil facial wash.My dermotologist suggested it,but also prescribes a acne lotion,because Cetaphil doesn’t really have a acne ingredient in it. I use Olay facial wash as a backup too.
1) Winter or summer, I use Neutrogena body lotion (unscented).
2) Dh is the one who usually clears off our car, so you’d best ask him. ; ) You definitely need a brush & a scraper. If you have two, you can get your passenger to help (each take a side).
3) socks or slippers? both? Socks, at least.
4) I don’t have a crockpot. But I have been thinking of getting one…
5) No suggestions to offer here, sorry.
I haven’t seen the TV promo yet. CBC had a “Who Do You Think You Are?”-type series a couple of years back, featuring all Canadian celebrities (Don Cherry, Shaun Majumder, Randy Bachman, Chantal Kreviazuk, Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies). It was hugely interesting & yes, very moving at times. It only ran one season. Pity. I’ll look forward to seeing the U.S. version!
I totally had one of those hair dryers as a kid – I never used it for real, but loved to play beauty shop with it. Mine was from the 60s and belonged to one of my grandmothers.
1) I’m a two lotion user – year-round, I use Curel Ultra Healing, and for winter excema like issues, I use Trader Joe’s Midsummer Night’s Cream – Unscented Lotion. I can’t stand the smell of it (it’s herbal, but has no unnatural scents added in), but it works wonders and is CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP.
2) Leave the car running for a good 30 minutes to help the melting/de-icing process. Then? It just takes elbow grease. I always start with the roof and then go from there. To get it unstuck from the snow on the ground? Shoveling is all there is to do – and hoping that you time it around when the plows come.
3) Neither, usually, but I do wear slippers when necessary
4) Sorry, never owned or used a crockpot
5) I don’t have acne issues, but I do have good luck using Cetaphil regardless of the weather. I usually follow up with Neutrogena oil free face lotion in super cold weather to help the hydration. And drink lots of water, of course.
Forgot to add, if storm coming, flip wipers up away from windshield. Thus will not get stuck to windshield and easier to get the blades to play nicely with the windshield.
VERY geeked over “Who Do You Think You Are?” Also super looking forward to the PBS special that is airing the next few Wednesdays, “Faces of America” with Henry Louis Gates. He did the same type of show with African Americans last year (Tina Turner, Don Cheadle, etc.) in “African American Lives.” This one features Meryl Streep, Steven Colbert, Eva Longoria, and others. It features DNA analysis as well as heredity research. Henry Louis Gates told Steven Colbert the other night that Colbert is the whitest person that Gates has ever analyzed — not a bit of non-European blood! Anyway, looks interesting. Check it out! Starts tomorrow night.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/facesofamerica/
I’ve been looking forward to it for weeks now. NERD.
My year-round dry skin lotion is Gold Bond Ultimate Skin Therapy with aloe. Thick and emollient. A little pricey, but lasts forevah. And I second or third or whatever Cetaphil in the plain plastic bottle. Good stuff.
1) what is your favorite winter lotion? Aquaphor or Eucerin. Lotions with alcohol in them (many do) actually are counter-productive and dry the skin more.
2) Please tell me how you strategically unsnow your car.
Warm it up with the defrost running full blast. Once it’s a bit melty, the windows are easier to de-snow. Don’t leave a big hunk of snow on the roof. It’s dangerous, and can fall off suddenly onto your windshield. Use a broom to knock it off.
3) socks or slippers? both? Both. I wear my hospital socks all the time.
4) Your favorite crockpot/ slow cooker recipe please.
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/05/crockpot-falafel-recipe.html
be sure to make the cucumber dill sauce here: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Seans-Falafel-and-Cucumber-Sauce/Detail.aspx
5) Adult acne face wash that works in winter?? Does it exist? I’ve had acne forever. I use the method in acne.org. It’s cheaper than Proactiv. Don’t use anything over 2% benzoyl peroxide, and only use a mild soap like Dove or cetaphil. Wash with mild soap, slather well with 2% benzoyl (anything stronger is no more effective and much more drying), then slather with oil-free lotion. I also use Aveeno lotion or cetaphil. I buy a huge thing of benzoyl through acne.org and it lasts two years.
1. Olay Quench. Rubs in fully and quickly and it’s sparkly if you look close
2. I scrach out a little peep hole and then let the defroster do it’s majic
3. socks
4. Black Bean Soup
5. N/A…sorry
Aveeno with Shea butter. Doesn’t make you break out.
Use a broom or shovel to push the heavy stuff off your car before going for the smaller tools.
I’ve been in a horrible mood (the gray, cold weather is to blame… that, and I teach high school… lol), and I’ve got to say your hair dryer pic and facial expression made me belly laugh!!
And for lotion for winter skin, I love Eucerin Calming Creme. And for a thicker cream, I like Instant Relief Repair Cream… both fragrance free because otherwise, it breaks me out in a rash.
socks AND slippers. definitely.
my all time favorite crock pot recipe is:
Chipotle-Kissed Red Bean and Sweet Potato Chili
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 6-8 hours
1 T olive oil
1 medium-sized yellow onion, chopped
1 medium-sized red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 T chili powder, +/- to taste (but remember chipotle is still to come)
1.5 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2″ cubes
1 14.5 oz can of crushed tomatoes
1 15.5 oz can of dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 c. water
1 T minced canned chipotle chili in adobo sauce (+/- to taste)
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cover and cook until softened, about 5-10 minutes. Stir in the chili powder and cook for 1 minute. Add the sweet potato and stir to coat with the spices.
Transfer the mixture to a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add tomatoes, beans, and water. Season with salt to taste, cover, and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
When ready to serve, stir the chipotles into the chili. Taste to adjust seasonings.
Especially good when served with cornbread.
I’ve recently started using the Oil Cleansing Method on my face. It seems to be working on the acne but I need another month or two to make sure.
Oh yeah, and I’ve heard people say that they put a beach towel or something like that over the windshield, pre-storm. Then you can just shake the snow off that. I haven’t tried it myself though so I don’t know if it works.
1. I use Bath & Body Works products year-round. I just switch to the body creams for the winter instead of the lotions. And putting them on while your skin is wet makes all the difference.
2. I shovel a path to the drivers side door so I can open it to get the snow brush/scraper out of the car. (I never lock the drivers side door because it tends to freeze shut and it’s the only door of my car I can both unlock and open from the outside.) Then I use the snow brush to clear the vents and brush the snow off the windows. While I’m out, I also clear the tailpipe and lights. Then I get in the car and start the defrosters. Then I’m freezing, so I go inside for about 10 minutes (why yes, we South Dakotans are trusting souls!). Once I warm up, I clear the hood, roof, and trunk. By then, the ice on the windows has usually melted enough to attack it with the scraper. If it’s really thick ice, I also use Prestone’s windshield de-icer in the can, not the bottle, to melt it down some.
3. Socks. Two pairs if it’s cold, because I live in a basement.
4. The only thing I have that can be modified to be vegetarian is “Clear The Pantry Chili”. Take whatever vegetables you have lying around that you feel like eating. (Mine are usually canned, hence the name of the recipe. But broccoli is surprisingly good in it!) Add onions, garlic, canned tomatoes, and beans. Add chili spices and water. Cook on low until you can’t stand the smell anymore and just have to eat some.
5. Clean & Clear Sensitive Skin Foaming Facial Cleanser is pretty much the only face wash that doesn’t make me break out.
I’ve only been crocking since Christmas, but I got a vegetarian crock pot cookbook and there are a million fab recipes I am trying at an average of one a week. Moroccan Lentil and Chickpea soup got two thumbs up from Jeannelle, even! Black bean soup was a hit with the kids as well as the adults. And I’ve also been converting favorite soup and stovetop recipes to the crock with success. I love it because we can do all the prep work after the kids go to bed, throw it into the pot in the morning, and program it to be ready at the exact time we need it. It’s almost like having Rosie from the Jetsons!
(Except this is Jen in disguise as Cait.)
1- Biotherm Anti-Drying Body Milk , does magic for me
2- We had almost 20 foot of snow last year over here. Since i have a 400 yard driveway i decided this year to have the luxury of a snow clearer. I must bake good cookies because he unsnow my car every morning before 7 am …
3- With an averaged temperature outside of – 20° F in january and february, i wear socks And slippers.Floors can be cold sometimes…
4- Don’t use my crockpot anymore…
5- Spectro Derm Moisturizing skin cleanser + Spectro AcneCare Vanishing lotion
In the summer i use the Neutrogena oil-free acne therapy
Now THAT is some awesome plaid! And what a freakin coooool hair dryer!
1) what is your favorite winter lotion? NIVEA
2) Please tell me how you strategically unsnow your car. Make someone esle do it
3) socks or slippers? both? BOTH
4) Your favorite crockpot/ slow cooker recipe please. (vegetarian preferred) APPLES-love the smell and they last a few meals
5) Adult acne face wash that works in winter?? Does it exist? Not sure about this one…
Love the little plaid snow suit. So adorable. As far as the other wintery stuff? Don’t really have much of an opinion. Sorry I’m no help there.
1. Vasoline before putting on pajamas. Its messy but works for us.
2. Park in the garage! Ok if that isn’t available then use a broom to clear off the top of the vehicle. Push as much snow as you can off the car from the headlights to the tail lights.. Start the car and put the heater on. Scrape the windows if needed.
Helpful hint…before the storm arrives park as close to the bottom of the driveway as possible but back a few feet so your car doesn’t get hit with flying snow from a snow plow this helps so that you won’t have as much to dig out if you have to get out in an emergency. If you have to make an unscheduled trip to the drug store its better to have to only dig out 5 feet in front of the car than 50 feet.
3. Socks.
4. Sorry no vegatarian recipes
5. Rubbing alcohol. Have used it straight on a cotton ball for years.
OMG! Don’t panic I think it is trying to eat your BRAINS!
1) what is your favorite winter lotion? That would involve taking the time to use it. When I al super lazy I use dove moisturizing body wash, then I don’t need lotion. When I do need lotion I love The Body Shops Body Butter in Coconut!
2) Please tell me how you strategically unsnow your car. Again with the lazy, I park it in the garage
wish thye could shake like a dog to get the snow off. That would be convenient.
3) socks or slippers? both? Slippers! I have giant bear feet slippers, they make me happy when I see them.
4) Your favorite crockpot/ slow cooker recipe please. (vegetarian preferred) I make a veggie stew (throw some broth and veggies in and cook for 6-8 hours). I just made mushroom stroganoff (not sure how you feel about fungus?) 4 large portabella mushrooms chopped. 1 packet of lipton onion soup mix, 2 heaping tbsps flour, sprinkle powdered thyme to taste and 3/4 cup broth. Cook for 3-4 hours on low. Right before serving stir in 1 container of sour cream. Serve over egg noodles.
5) Adult acne face wash that works in winter?? Does it exist? Oh oh oh! My friend gave me the best stuff ever for this. In a container mix 1/2 JoJoba oil and almond oil. Add in 10-12 drops of tea tree oil and 10-12 drops of lavender oil ( I can send you some if you would like, I have a ton) I know, I know putting oil on an acne face but stick with me.
Wash your face with a regular bar soap-basis, neutrogena, whatever makes you happy. Dry your face. Then put a teaspoon of water and 3-4 drops off this mixture in your hand and mix it together. Then just pat (don’t smoosh, smear, rub, etc.) your face. I swear my acne has never looked better, EVER!
OH! Oh! and I found this blog, I have been trying to use some of her recipes and modifying them.
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/
1) what is your favorite winter lotion? Under the covers in bed (sorry I hate winter)
2) Please tell me how you strategically unsnow your car. I start on the top and wipe the snow down to the windshield and rear windows. Then I do the windows and then the hood because you don’t want the snow flying up while you’re driving. Also don’t forget the front and rear lights as well the top of the bumper.
3) socks or slippers? both? Occasionally socks.
4) Your favorite crockpot/ slow cooker recipe please. (vegetarian preferred). Sorry I don’t do veggies.
5) Adult acne face wash that works in winter?? Does it exist? My sister has a problem with acne and that Proactive stuff seemed to work for her.
I definitely second the recommendation for Henry Louis Gates’ “African American Lives” series. I checked out the DVDs of both of the seasons from the library here, and they are just fascinating. I’m sure his new series (the one that starts tonight!) will be just as interesting. Incidentally, Gates was coming back form China after having shot some of the Yo Yo Ma segment for this show when he got arrested for entering his own house while black.
Be sure to remove the snow from aroud your tailpipe before you start it! Otherwise, dangerous carbon monoxide situation could happen. And don’t put a towel on your windshield-if the precip turns to rain/freezing rain, the towel will end up frozen to your windshield and create a huge mess.
1) what is your favorite winter lotion? I like Aveeno. I’m currently hooked on the Stress Relief kind that is lavender scented. Body wash too!
2) Please tell me how you strategically unsnow your car. With this much snow, there is no good answer. I would normally tell you to go buy a giant snow brush geared toward large trucks, but it won’t really do any good right now. So um… Wait til spring?
3) socks or slippers? both? How cold are your feet? I’m a socks person, but probably mostly because I don’t have any slippers. I would wear both (and have in the past).
4) Your favorite crockpot/ slow cooker recipe please. (vegetarian preferred) Never been a vegetarian a day in my life, so I can’t help with this one. Sorry.
5) Adult acne face wash that works in winter?? Does it exist? This is the entire reason I commented. Google around and read up on the oil cleansing method. It sounds like absolute rubbish, but it works. I started it over the weekend and I LOVE it. I have adult cystic acne and a very oily T-zone and this does the trick for me. My pores are shrinking, my zits are leaving, and my skin is balanced, dewy, and glowing. (P.S., if you don’t have castor oil laying around, it works with just olive oil too. That’s what I did the first few times.)
wow, I haven’t seen a hair dryer like that since the 70′s