lindor411's Profile

I always pour dishwasher detergent on the burnt on stuff and then pour boiling water on top. I let it sit for awhile, and then when the water is cooled try scrubbing. I sometimes have to do this a couple times before getting it totally clean, but it works.

Thanks everyone! I'm really excited to try out these ideas - and with the amount of turnips I have, I think I could try just about every single one of the recipes suggested with enough servings for husband, toddler, and me each time....

Side note to lakesq: That was an improper use of punctuation on my part. I meant I tried roasting them and then I tried braising them for a different dinner. To me, roasting and braising are quite similar since it's the oven, one is just dry and the other wet. But that's just because I organize my cooking plans by oven vs. stove top, or cold weather vs. hot weather appropriate methods. Braising and roasting are only options for cold weather in my house. :)

RuMe! I love these bags and they come in 3 sizes. I use the middle size for most of my grocery shopping - 2 or 3 bags are good for a week's worth of groceries and they have great shoulder straps. These can hold a crazy amount of weight too. I use the small size for meats or non-food items from the store. They also make zip up snack pouches. Safe for the washer and dryer. I've used them for a couple years now, no rips or anything.

I gradually changed my diet over time, which seemed to help (although I'm finding it hard to get back to this thought process after being pregnant!).

The first thing I did was replace all of my snacking with snacking on fruit. I would snack the same as I did before, but instead of crackers or candy or whatever, I had an apple or berries or bananas. I didn't limit those quantities since I don't agree with the idea that sugar in fruit is bad. To me, as far as losing weight is concerned, fruit is primarily fiber and water.

Then I set a goal to drink 8 glasses of water a day. That's actually a lot of liquid and doesn't leave much room for sodas, juices, or non-essential food.

After a short time I wanted to change the rest of my meals - instead of the over-processed chicken patty with my pasta and veggies, I wanted real chicken. And less pasta. And more veggies.

Another key element: I viewed dessert as a reward - if I ate well, according to the rules I had set out for that week (so eat the same way I had for meals, but snack only on fruit at first) I could have a low-fat ice cream sandwich that night. If I cheated somewhere in the day, no ice cream at night. And ice cream as that cheat during the day was just not allowed. I treated a mid-day treat sort of like an advance on a paycheck. But I wanted that ice cream so much at night, I rarely cheated. So find some dessert that isn't too high in calories that you looooooooove as your paycheck for a proper day of eating.

Probably the best thing that helped was my roommate at the time. She kept me accountable just like a gym buddy helps you stay accountable with exercise. She was already in shape and super healthy, so it wasn't a question of helping each other out (which I don't think would have worked as well for my personality), but sort of having an expert at my side who could help me reason out what I should do.

As far as exercise: I started out thinking that I wanted to eat whatever I wanted and just lose weight through exercise. I lost 10 pounds and then plateaued until I changed my diet as above. After that, with the same exercise plan, I lost 2 pounds/week steadily until I got to my goal of 25 pounds. I'm not sure what it would have looked like the other way around, meaning all diet changes and no exercise plan. But to me, it makes sense that it's more efficient to not put anything in (ie, not eat as much) than to burn it out after (ie, exercise) in order to lose weight.

If you're just casually looking, with nothing in particular in mind, how crowded or crazy does it get? And would I be nuts to bring my 1-year-old in a stroller?

Perhaps try turning the taller table so that it goes the length of the sofa's arm, which might allow the sofa to be centered on the wall too. If the dimensions don't work for that, I second the suggestion by Runwithscissors to try using that table behind the sofa for vases/photos. For framing, go big. The prints will look more substantial and it will give a little space between the print and the glass of the frame, which is supposed to be better for the life of the print.

Using disposable dishes is a real help, even if it's not environmentally friendly or whatever. Aside from clean up, remembering which dish belongs to which friend can get very overwhelming.

A bit off topic, but can anyone say what exactly is the quality difference is between Lodge and Le Creuset (aside from price)? How are their dutch ovens made differently?

That link about pureeing butternut squash makes it ridiculously harder than it needs to be. All you need to do is cut the squash in half lengthwise, put the cut sides down in a baking dish with an inch or so of water, and roast at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes. Then scoop into an icecube tray and mash gently with the spoon as you pack it in. No need to puree specifically because the water keeps the flesh moist without watering down the taste. (Each cube is approximately an ounce so it thaws in small portions, but very quickly once moved to the fridge.)

As for interesting things - a white lasagne (try alfredo sauce, marscapone, chicken with sage and nutmeg), risotto, or mixing various spices into the puree are all good options.

What kind of finger paint was used? I'm trying to find something clearly non-toxic and made for babies to play with (and most likely put in their mouths).