Recipe Blast from the Past

I came across a recipe today that really took me back. The recipe was for an authentic Orange Julius. It brought back memories of the days when going to the mall was a special treat. My friends and I would get so excited about going to Spenser's and then getting an Orange Julius. Nowadays the mall is used as a form of daycare it seems. I kind of miss the days of mall innocence. Orange Julius can be found attached to a few DQs. If you are not lucky enough to find one this recipe is the next best thing. Maybe it will spark some good memories for you too.

Homemade Julius
(2-16 ounce drinks)

1-1/4 cups orange juice
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk
3 tbsp egg whites or egg substitute
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups ice

Place all but ice in blender and blend until sugar dissolves (10-30 seconds). Add ice and blend until ice is crushed but still course (10-15 seconds). Enjoy!

Online Coupons

We are all pinching pennies these days. I look for ways to save money everywhere. In my search I came across a website where you can print coupons according to your zip code. I used to think that coupons were such a hassle for the little savings you actually got...now I will take any savings I can get! Here is the link: http://print.coupons.com/CouponWeb Enjoy. I will continue to share anything I come across that might help ease your financial woes.

I'm back.

I've kind of been on a hiatus from my postings for a bit. After my trip to Hawaii (which was fantastic BTW) I just haven't had time to do much. Work has been super busy and I had house guests last weekend for Mardi Gras. It has been one thing after another. This just made me realize how busy and crazy my life gets sometimes. I wonder why we often feel like we must go full speed 24/7? It's okay to relax now and take time for yourself. It isn't healthy to always be rushing all the time. I personally have felt extremely run down for quite a while. Even a 10 day vacation didn't recharge me. I am going to try and relax more. It will do me some good to quit worrying all the time and dial things down. I have certainly earned the break. :)

Another Trivia Night

I am attending another trivia night at Vianney High School this evening. It is to benefit their Alumni Scholarship Fund. Trivia nights are fun and relatively inexpensive events. For $25 you get all the beer and sodas you can drink. Everyone at the table usually brings snacks to share. This is much cheaper than going out. With the struggling economy trivia nights are even more popular. You get out of the house and have a good time with your friends for less money and hassle. I attended the Mizzou Alumni event last weekend and had a blast. I'm sure tonight will be a great time as well. So if you have never attended a trivia night, I highly recommend trying one. Give those little gray cells a workout!

This Week

This has been an exciting week. Tuesday we ushered in a promising new era of American History. I am so proud of America for electing change. I believe we are going to get this country back on track. All of us need to put our political biases aside and come together for the challenges ahead. The strength of the American people will carry us through. I know we can do it. This renewed hope has made any bad situations around me seem more manageable. The last few months have been difficult, but I am strong and I will be okay.

Baby It's COLD Outside!

With the recent weather I find myself getting more and more anxious for my trip to Hawaii. This morning when I took the dog out the temperature was one tenth of a degree above zero. How that tenth even registered I don't know. The thermometer probably felt sorry for me so it threw me a mercy tenth. The stuffy sinus', constant cough, chapped lips, and extra dry skin are giving me the winter blues. If I am this miserable, I can only imagine how those less fortunate than myself feel. I at least have a cozy place to come home to. There are people out there without heat, winter coats, and many don't have a home at all. Let's try and use this unbearable weather as inspiration to help those in need this winter. Why not grab an old coat and donate it, give canned goods to your local shelter, check that donation box on your gas bill, or even volunteer somewhere? So go forth and do something wonderful. If we all did even one tiny thing, just imagine what the impact would be!

Getting Some "Z's"

My doctor just prescribed Ambien to help me sleep. I woke up over two hours ago and I'm still zombie-like drowsy. New med hangovers are never fun. I have read that there can be some other much worse side effects while on the drug though. These side effects have made me afraid to try it, but my doctor feels it might help. My sister took it a while back and slept till almost noon on a weekday. They almost sent someone over to her house to make sure she was okay. There have even been reports of some people driving or making phone calls while asleep. That being said, if anyone sees me driving down the street with my eyes closed please call my cell to wake me. Wait, I might just answer in my sleep...darn. Now that I think about it, I just might be asleep right now!