Friday, April 25, 2008

Because I Care

I am reposting this from another site. With all the recent news coverage of the controversial chemical bisphenol-A I thought I would share! Don't microwave your plastic containers and don't reuse your water bottles, ok?? And to go ahead and answer your question...no, I don't do all of these, but I am trying to rid my kitchen of tupperware, I don't buy water in plastic bottles, and I try and buy fresh or frozen veggies whenever possible!

8 Ways to Avoid Harmful Chemicals in Plastics and Cans1. If you already own polycarbonate bottles, including the Nalgene bottles popular on college campuses, labeled #7 on the bottom, wash them by hand with mild dishwashing soap, not in the dishwasher, to avoid degrading the plastic and increasing leaching of BPA (see http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/114/picnic).

2. Even plastic does not last forever. Look for cracks or cloudiness on your reusable clear plastic bottles. See The Green Guide's survey, http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/114/nalgene.

3. Use glass baby bottles or plastic bag inserts, which are made of polyethyelene, or switch to polypropylene bottles that are labeled #5 and come in colors or are milky rather than clear.

4. Choose soups, milk and soy milk packaged in cardboard "brick" cartons, by Tetra Pak and SIG Combibloc, which are made of safer layers of aluminum and polyethylene (#2) and also recyclable.

5. Choose canned foods from makers who don't use BPA, such as Eden Foods (http://www.edenfoods.com/) , which sells certified organic canned beans and other foods.

6. Eat fresh foods in season and save the canned foods for convenience or emergencies. The exception is some canned fruit such as that found in smaller fruit-cocktail cans, which do not require a liner, according to the Can Manufacturers Institute.

7. Buy or can your own fruits and vegetables in safe glass jars.

8. Some wines have been found to contain up to six times the BPA of canned foods. While most wines probably don't, it's another good reason to drink in moderation.
(Source: "The Bisphenol-A Debate: A Suspect Chemical in Plastic Bottles and Cans"by Catherine Zandonella, M.P.H)

Monday, April 14, 2008

Where in Augusta is Tiger Woods?

Well, he was nowhere that I was! We never could manage to catch up to Tiger during our visit to Augusta National last week. That was the only disappointment I had from our trip. If you've never been to Augusta National, you should go! Even if you care nothing about golf, you would be able to appreciate how gorgeous that place is. The grass, yes, the grass, is amazing!!

Jeremy was lucky enough to get practice round tickets this year, so my mom, sister, Jeremy and I spent last Tuesday taking in the sights and sounds of The Masters at Augusta National. Here are a few pictures from our trip:

The 16th Hole
Phil Mickelson on the putting green

Sisters Molls and me

We had coffee with our lunch because it was so COLD that day!


I think Jeremy was having a "zen" moment watching the players on the putting green.

Me, mom, and Molls

Sergio Garcia

My new favorite golfer, Brandt Snedeker!!

The Hogan Bridge at Amen Corner

Azaleas everywhere!!

And yes, I am well aware that this was "just" a practice round, but it was still awesome! Plus, you can't take cameras on tournament days!

Friday, April 4, 2008

Before and After

The patio project is about 98% complete and we are so excited! Here are a couple of before pictures:


And here is the (nearly) finished project:



Jeremy did the majority of the work himself - with a little assistance from his step-dad and brother-in-law. I was really impressed with the finished project. We are ready to grill out now!

*Editor's Note: The random 4x4 in the bottom picture will be removed. It was only there as a brace. :)

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Hello, Dolly!

It was Dolly Parton night on American Idol. Kind of a weird choice, but I love Dolly, so it was fun to see her on the show.


If Kristy Lee Cook or Ramiele don't go home this week I swear I'm going to stop watching Idol. Well, not really, but seriously I think it's Ramiele's time to go. She just doesn't bring anything to the show and in the words of the great Simon Cowell, she is very "forgettable." Sad, but true.


I'm not sure who I think might round out the bottom three. I hope it's Syesha, but I think Brooke or Castro might be in danger just because voters are fickle people and I'm not one of them.


My pick for the bottom 3: Kristy Lee, Ramiele, and Syesha.


I liked Brooke's rendition of "Jolene" last night, but I have to agree it lacked any real emotion. I thought Castro was great and picked a song that really suited him. I liked David Cook and really liked his haircut, too! I also really loved Michael Johns - way to be bluesy! I thought Archuletta was really great, too. It just amazes me that he has that kind of voice and is only 17. Carly was also really great and I loved her version of "Here You Come Again." While I didn't like her red pants I thought it was extra rude of Cowell to comment on her clothes. Her hair and top were great! He's crazy.