Compass & Coffee Spoons

Nutritional Know-How

I wanted to let my blog readers in on a good resource, the "Eat This, Not That" website. Part of Men's Health magazine, the column was made into a book. I was first clued into this by my cousin Jennifer, who used the book to successfully shed calories (and pounds) that lurked in unknown places. I consider myself to be relatively calorie-savvy (as in, aware of them as they're entering my mouth), and even I was shocked by some of the information.  For example, the "Turkey and Swiss Sandwich" at Au Bon Pain, clocking in at 850 calories and 41 (yes, 41) grams of fat. I could see myself ordering this and thinking I was doing okay--maybe slightly more calories than a sandwich I'd make myself, but not bad. Boy was I mistaken! I was also disheartened to find out (though, not surprised) that my favorite ice cream: chocolate peanut butter swirl, is one of the worst options at Baskin Robbins. That's one of those things I'd rather just save up for than waste any calories on an inferior ice cream!

p.s. Sorry for the lack of posting--I've been busy with trip-planning and my mom's visit. More on those later!

Do You Know the Way to San Jose?

 

I'm bursting at the seams and having a hard time concentrating on work because I just booked a flight yesterday to Costa Rica! Sort of a "spontaneous" thing from May 15-19--un pequeno viaje. I'm traveling alone, but as it turns out, my friend Carolyn will also be there! She's going on a much longer trip for 2 weeks with Intrepid Travel (which I'm definitely bookmarking for the future--some great trips with various comfort level options and not overpriced). I doubt I'll be doing much on the way of true ecotourism, given my short stay, but I'm hoping to do 1 or 2 day trips from San Jose--or potentially one overnight trip. In the next few days (evenings, of course), I'm going to be booking my hotel and researching tours and planning (as much as I ever plan) my itinerary!

Photos of the lovely country from: Traveling Costarica.

Lose 40 Pounds Fast!

Good news! I lost over 40 pounds! In one day! What's my secret? I cleaned out my closet! I had to drag out my summer clothing this weekend when temperatures reached 85 degrees on Saturday. So, what better time than the subsequently rainy Sunday to do some cleaning out? I am somewhat obsessive about tracking what I give away, and not because I ever deduct the donations from my taxes. I think I just like knowing. I got the idea for weighing it from Alana at Prairie Home Therapy. I tried weighing it by itself, but my digital scale wouldn't pick it up. I had to hold it and subtract my weight--hence, why I'm not including a shot of the scale!!!

The Pope is Dope

Well, I went to see the Pope leave the White House today at lunch. I was invited to visit with the Bushes, but as you know, I'm a woman of the people and found it more fitting to be in the crush along Pennsylvania Avenue. It was very exciting, actually. Lots of dancing, singing people and protesters, etc. I didn't get any great photos of the Pope, though the Popemobile does a great job of elevating him so you can see him.

 

I didn't manage to get a shot right in front of me. But, trust me, he looks fatter in person and seriously needs to reconsider his hairstyle.

I thought I'd show you some of the lesser-seen moments, captured from my crowd shots. I am sorry to say I didn't get a picture of the guy who was pressing his manhood up against my behind. You'll just have to trust me on that one. Don't worry, I put a stop to it. And, in answer to a question my mom asked, no, he wasn't cute.

This was my favorite sign, but these were close seconds:

You've got to admire the dedication of these. I mean, do you buy these? If so, where? Crazies R Us?

Don't worry, the Pope was protected from these fundamentalists by Amerca's finest:

He wasn't protected, however, from being plastered on t-shirts and other Popeabilia and sold for $10

Cha-Ching!  

Etsy Finds: Best Bets for Pittsburghers or Pittsburgh Wannabes

Say you know someone from Pittsburgh or someone who likes to pretend they are. Say their birthday's coming up. What to buy? Perhaps something to remind them of home.

Can't crack open an Ahrn while shaving? Use this Iron City Beer soap from leavingalegacy:

Ah, true love. Show a Pittsburgher you care by using this keychain by ThePoint:

   

This garter by GartersByKristi requires no introduction:

 

I'd buy this just for the guy's etsy name Printsnat:

 

Light up your life with this lamp from lizziecrafts:

Don't forget man's best friend. Get him a collar from FidosFashionCollars:

Happy shopping!

Yesterday's Dinner

I thought my dinner last night looked purty (I think due to my Fiestaware plate and the orange-themed dinner), so I thought I'd share. It was also delicious.

Those are Mango Coconut Curry Nuggets, an adaptation from a Weight Watchers cookbook recipe. Basically, you take boneless chicken, cut it up into chunks, and then coat it with a mixture of mango chutney, curry powder, and cumin. Then dredge each piece in a mixture of panko or breadcrumbs and coconut. I honestly didn't think the coconut added much so I might skip it next time. I used fresh frozen coconut--recipe called for sweetened flaked coconut. Recipe also didn't have breadcrumbs, but I felt that would work better. I like using panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) because they're usually made with less preservatives and weird ingredients than regular breadcrumbs.  Bake for 15 min in a preheated 475 degree oven. Hot stuff!

I ate them dipped into a mixture of mango chutney and fat free sour cream. Yummy. I bet a similar recipe would work well with pork chops too.

My New Sweethearts

I have had my daisies for several weeks now...and they're still on my coffee table. But, I bought 2 new bunches today. I am in love with my sweetheart roses. I put them in a stemless wine glass on my nightstand.

I also boughts some tulips that I arranged in a way I saw on some blog (I have tried in vain to re-find it) which they said is all the rage in Paris. So ooh la la to you!

   

No News Is Good News: A Museum Review

What you had was no news about the new Newseum in DC because I wrote an entire post that was somehow mysteriously empty when it posted.

I got a sneak peek at the Newseum on Saturday. It opens officially to the public this weekend.  Ted joined me for this visit, at least for the first part. After one or two floors, I was on my own.

We started with the "4-D" Theatre, at the suggestion of the information desk staff. Ted asked "Do we go back in time since the 4th dimension is time?" As the museum CEO greeted us (and by us I mean mostly the students from the Horatio Alger Association of which he's a board member), we anxiously waited for the answer, imagining ourselves going back to see ourselves as pre-pubescents in middle school eating cafeteria grilled cheese or something. Alas, we needn't have worried. I believe the 4th dimension they were referring to was the jolting of the seats and the blowing of air on us, to simulate that we were actually in the action. This action I speak of was loosely constructed, horribly acted recreations of events in news history, such as the investigative reporting of Nelly Bly. I couldn't tell if the actors were being ironic or if they were just bad.  On a side note, kids would probably be less critical and would like it.

The main course on the top floor is the sweeping view of Pennsylvania Avenue and the Mall. In my words when we entered the space "This would be GREAT for a cocktail party!" There is also a selection of national and international front pages displayed. I was disappointed to not find the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the esteemed publication I worked at the summer of 199--gulp--7.

The 5th floor has  a news history gallery with publications going back hundreds of years...don't worry, they've edited it down for you. Essentially, the pubs feature major historical events. Around the perimeter of the room are cases with themed displays such as civil rights (covering women, people of color, etc reporting the news), spoofs (popular exhibit with clips from SNL, Laugh In, and the Daily Show), and sensationalism (Elvis is Alive!). This level contains 3 theatres.

Herein lies the crux of my gripe about the Newseum. Caveat: I did not watch all of what was being shown. But, I felt like there was a LOT of present-day news being flashed at me. It just seemed like a waste of time to me.

The next level had the 9-11 gallery, featuring a TV tower from one of the Twin Towers, artifacts from and photographs taken by the one journalist to die covering the tragedy, and a documentary about those journalists who raced to the scene of the Twin Towers. I did watch that, and it was a tear jerker (they actually have tissues there). I found it poigniant, and it was popular, but I'm not sure if it's because the material is actually any more interesting or informative than what we've seen already on TV. It's emotional catharsis, and I'm not sure if that's a good mission for a museum. One cries at the Holocaust museum, for example, but it's not just that--it's educational and you walk away with a message. The message here was: boy, there was a tragedy, it was awful, and journalists were there covering it. Not much of a message.

There are also exhibits on the First Amendment, World News (prominently featuring the dangers of reporting abroad--including a bullet-battered truck), and a journalist's memorial. I admit, I glazed over a bit through these. I was tired--I spent a total of 4-5 hours in the museum. I did find out that only 3% of Americans can name the 5 liberties afforded by the 1st Amendment while 20% can name the 5 members of The Simpsons family. In case someone quizzes you, they're: Speech, Religion, Press, Assembly, & Petition.

I ate at the "Food Section," catered by Wolfgang Puck. Okay, it's a cafeteria. That's it. Don't expect fireworks and violins. I had a garden burger. It was a fine garden burger, but nothing to write home about.

After being fortified, I could better appreciate the next 2 things I saw: the Berlin Wall exhibit and the exhibit of Pulitzer Prize winning photos. The Wall exhibit has a piece of the Wall, a watchtower, and pieces exploring the importance of a free press and having access to information. The Pulitzer Prize exhibit told the stories behind the photos--some of which were very moving and stuck with me long after I left.

All in all, I liked my visit. There was a lot to see, and a lot to read, especially for someone like myself who insists on reading everything written on a museum wall. I slept well that night. If I had had to pay, I don't know how I would have felt. The $20 adult admission is a bit steep, especially for residents used to the free Smithsonians. I would have liked more of a running theme or discreet themes/stories to carry me through the significance of what was being presented--more interpretation. I'm sure it will find its own...I'm interested to see what the "professional" reviews say.

And, if you've visited, I'd like to hear what you think!

Here's what some others thought:

Slate (Articulates many of my own feelings, though in a slightly less reserved way)

USA Today (Essentially a cheerleading piece).

AP

Politico

Photo of the building by Maria Bryk/Newseum. 

Cool Tool

Ask.com has this cool feature where you can calculate walking directions and distance. It's pretty spot on too. I just did my route to work and was going to show it until I realized that, um, I shouldn't post my home and work addresses online. I did do that walk today, though, and it takes about an hour. The estimate was 57 minutes, which I could definitely do if I stepped it up a bit.

So, here's a hypothetical walk from Pittsburgh to New York:

You can get there in 185 hours if you want! Pretty cool, huh?

I just gotta say...Flesh Out v. Flush Out

After hearing the second colleague in as many days use the term "flush out" to refer to working out a problem or making something more complete, I just gotta say..."It's 'FLESH OUT,' people!!!" As in putting meat on the bones of something.

Having been a writer/editor in the past, stuff like this gets on my nerves. I am in no way error proof, but it especially annoys me when the person, oh, has an air of superiority about them, for example. Of course, you can't point this kind of thing out without seeming like a prig. So, I stay silent, while feeling secretly superior and thinking, "Boy, am I glad I got my liberal arts degree now!" [As an aside, I wish I could get a dollar to apply to my student loan balance every time I correct a business major's writing. Ahem. Not that there aren't perfectly lovely and intelligent business students out there. Don't mind me...I just resent not having made any money.]

In review, you can "flush out" a criminal from his hiding place as the army tried to do with Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan. You can "flush out" your pipes. You can "flush out" your colon. However, you "flesh out" ideas. Okay? Thanks, I feel better now.

Lovely toilet image from: High Efficiency Toilets

Vintage Etsy Finds

Just browsing Etsy...cute stuff!

Vintage bluebird tea towel from moonula:

I had to include this because not only was I a Strawberry Shortcake FANATIC when I was little, but I had this mug (my mom still may...) From TrunkofPrettys.

This funky vase from seaglassvintage.

And, lastly, this cute scotty dog from snew:

Cuppy Cakes!

Since I found out on Shelterrfic that Martha Stewart has designated this week "Cupcake Week," I figured now was as good a time as any to post my chocolate cherry cupcakes I made on Sunday in celebration of the cherry blossoms. The recipe is from Nigella Lawson. Not surprisingly, her version looks much cuter. Something to do with the chocolate icing and little cherry on top. Mine were as nude on top as exotic dancers, but no less delicious.

First are the ingredients: butter, bittersweet chocolate, eggs, sugar, flour, and cherry jam. The cupcakes are actually easy to make.

Everything can be mixed in the pot you melt the butter and chocolate in. Now, I'm warning you, at this point, you may be tempted to eat it all, but be patient. Though, I can't blame you if you at least taste it. 

The finished product. Mine sunk a bit, but tasted great. I tried making an icing out of just confectioners sugar and water, but it did nothing for the cakes, so I left them go as is.

Safeway Versus Harris Teeter; Or, Evil Versus Sanity

I've blogged before about how much I hate the shopping experience at Safeway (here and here). Yesterday, I was able to experience the juxtaposition between shopping there and at Harris Teeter. I've shopped at HT a lot recently. I haven't shopped at Safeway at all. Lest I forget how annoying it is, I went yesterday. It was actually to get baking chocolate for the cupcakes I was making. Safeway was closer...that's about all it is. Here's how it went.

Harris Teeter. I parked my car in the underground lot at the Pentagon Row HT and walked up and into the store. I sanitized the handle of my cart and walked to the freezer section. I leisurely strolled around, picking out my food. I reached the soda aisle and was disappointed to find out that there was no HT brand diet ginger ale. I asked the guy stocking wine if they had any in the back. Even though he didn't work in the soda section, he looked me in the eye sympathetically, and said he would go and check if there was any in the back. He was sincerely apologetic that they were all out, and suggested I check back the next day when a shipment would be coming in. I went to the deli and got freshly sliced chicken breast, where the deli worker asked me if the thickness was okay. I waited about 2 seconds in line before being checked out by a friendly cashier.

Safeway: I parked in the lot and dashed through to avoid getting hit. Mind you, I only had one item to get, so the shopping part of it was pretty painless. If I had to buy a whole order as at HT, I can tell you how the situations I encountered would have gone:

• Soda aisle--I wouldn't have been able to find anyone. If I had, they would have taken about 2 seconds to pretend to listen to what I was asking before they summarily dismissed me by shrugging and saying they didn't know.
• Deli--I would have been given presliced meat and given attitude if I asked for it fresh. I probably wouldn't even have had a choice of chicken. They would have had one flavor and it would have been Safeway's "primo taglio" (which I'm pretty sure is Italian for "tasteless") brand.

As for my actual experience yesterday, I stood in the "express" lane for an inordinately long period of time during which it appeared the checkout woman wasn't doing anything. Also, a dog ran through my aisle. Better than what I thought it was at first (a rat), but still--a dog! Followed by a girl.

It goes without saying that I can't wait until the HT opens in my 'hood.

Flowers of the Week

Not that my blossom experience wasn't gratifying enough, but I still bought some flowers for the week. Harris Teeter had Alstroemeria and Daisies on sale for $3 a bunch. I hadn't gotten flowers last week, so I decided to get 2 kinds. Some of my old Alstroemeria were hanging in there, but they fell apart finally when I moved them. I bought three bunches--2 daisies and 1 alstroemeria. The little vase in my bathroom is all the little not-quite-formed daisies.

10 Days Clean and Sober

It's been 10 days since I read AT. It's hard some days, but I realize the benefits too. I've had more time to check other design and non-design blogs. I've also spent a lot less time at work reading things on the Web, thereby improving my productivity and making me feel better about myself. Wow, a clean life feels so great! :) Truth is, I went there so often because it was updated frequently and it was an easy way to waste time...so if at work when I was confronted with an unfun task (not that that happens at...work) or wanted to procrastinate, it was an easy fill in. I hadn't been liking it as much as I once had anyway...the insultingish comment was the last straw. Going cold turkey for me is the only way to go!