Good Morning Dear Reader:

This morning I found myself pouring over the” Flavor” section of the Houston Chronicle where every recipe just sounded amazing. I should not have been hungry because at the time I was stuffing my mouth with some leftover cranberry pancakes I had stored in the freezer. Did I tell you I had topped them with fresh peaches and blueberries? I was enjoying this feast while reading the recipes and cookbook reviews and I could just taste the Crunchy Sesame Chicken Wings and the Carrot Cake with Pineapple. It is the curse of being a foodie.

No matter what social scientists say, I contend that all people fall into two groups, foodies and non-foodies. It is easy to tell the two apart. Foodies love food. When they are not eating they are talking about food. When they are not talking about food, they are reading about food or watching the Food Channel, planning their menu, a trip to the grocery store or a restaurant.

Non-foodies can take or leave food. Sometimes they go so far as to forget to eat. This is a concept so foreign to me that I simply cannot even imagine how that could be possible. The only time I can think of that I might have forgotten to eat was when I was giving birth. That would make only twice in my life that I was not either eating or meal planning. As it happened, I had to have two C-sections and I do remember waking up from the anesthetic and first asking, “boy or girl?” (these were the olden days before sonograms), and then “could I please have a chocolate pie?”.

You can always tell when a non-foodie is under stress. Their weight begins to plummet and they refuse all offers of food, no matter how enticing it may be to a foodie. When a foodie is under stress, the reverse is true. Our weight begins to inch up and we become one of H.E.B.’s most popular customers. Blue Bell Creamery in particular loves us. Somewhere in our history, food and comfort were married and divorce is not even a possibility.

Unlike other opposites, we foodies embrace our non-foodie friends as we marvel at their iron will power and pathetic appetites. Besides, they are the perfect buddy with whom to share a luscious dessert because we already know, one bite and they’re done.

Movie Alert…

For those of us who love George Clooney, his latest movie The American, is getting great reviews and 3 and 1/2 stars out of 4. In it he plays an assassin who is depressed and lonely. I am never depressed or lonely watching George. Just a warning from the reviewer, this movie does contain some violence, sexual content and nudity. So I’ll be seeing you there?

Have a lovely Wednesday and come back tomorrow!

Diane

Did I tell you I was a bird watcher? These are my favorite.

Good Morning Dear Reader:

Finally, it’s Friday! The rain that was forecast never materialized and the steam heat is still with us. I have to remind myself that this humidity is really fabulous for my skin, but I really can’t see it for all the SWEAT!

Trip drastically reduced!

Drastically Reduced (not me, I wish!)

Pardon my raving about the China trip yesterday. Can you tell I am excited? Last night I received an alert that the 12-day Imperial Jewels of China trip with Viking has dropped from over $3200 to $2499. That is 3 days in Beijing, 3 days in Shanghai, and a 6 day river cruise. The hotels are the Ritz-Carltons. Wow!

Weekend Movie Alert!

You know I have been anxious to see Eat Pray Love after reading the book by Elizabeth Gilbert last year. The movie is out today and the review in theHouston Chronicle is a bit lukewarm. The author, Mick LaSalle,  found the love affair with James Franco obligatory ( please obligate me), and the section of the book where Elizabeth goes to India to deepen her studies of meditation and yoga to be pretty boring.

I can’t imagine how you would film someone really meditating and make it exciting. I don’t think meditation is exciting, if it was we would all be doing it and Elizabeth would not have had to go to India to do it.

LaSalle found the film’s spiritual insight superficial. It is superficial. It’s a movie. He says her journey toward self-acceptance, “arguably borders on solipsism.” Frankly, I was thinking the same thing about Mick, except I wasn’t quite sure what solipsism was. I don’t remember covering it in my 365 New Words a Year calendar. After much research, what he really wanted to say was that she was guilty of self-absorption. Yes, she was. Her life was turned upside down in a terrible divorce, her spouse took most of her money and her home, and her self-esteems was shot.

He does herald the arrival of Javier Bardem, hot fiance of Penelope Cruz, in Bali. He credits Julia Roberts with never being so relaxed and at home with herself. “She is a nice travel partner.”  For those of us who enjoyed the book or who are Julia Roberts fans, who love a great travelogue, or who want to escape with James Franco and Javiar, it sounds like 2 hours well spent.

This is what love looks like!

I saw Dinner for Schmucks and even though I love, love Steve Carrell, the premise is sad–making fun at the expense of people who are very different ( a blind artist/fencer, a woman who speaks to dead pets, and Steve who creates dioramas with dead mice). Paul Rudd is simply wonderful. Wait for the DVD.

For my money, the movie to see is The Kids are Alright with Julianne Moore and Annette Benning, sure to be Oscar-nominated, especially Benning. It is about a gay couple, Moore and Benning who have one child each with a sperm donor (unknown) and when the children reach 18, decide they want to meet their father (Mark Ruffalo). He enters their life and reeks havoc. He is a motorcycle-riding health-food chef and they are all changed by him. It brings to mind the following quote:

“Remember as far as anyone knows we are a nice, normal family.”– Unknown

Have a splendid weekend and come back on Monday!!

Diane–check out those TRIPS!!! (left on the page)

Good Morning Dear Reader:

It is finally Friday and I hope for you it is a lovely, long holiday weekend. In addition to lots of Fourth of July celebrations and  fireworks shows, this weekend signals the beginning of serious swim wear sales as the stores make room for coats, and fall ensembles. Even if you dread the prospect of trying on those swimsuits, you pretty much have to own one to get into the pool, ocean or lake. And who can say “no” when the prices hit 75% off? Certainly not me. The great price dampens the pain of the dressing room trauma. Heck, isn’t that why they invented beach cover-ups? They’ll be on sale, too!

The secrets to longevity

I was fascinated by an article in The Dallas Morning News about Jeanne Calment, a French woman who was born in 1875 and died in 1997 at age 122. She was confirmed to be the longest living human ever recorded. In addition to having great genes, Calment had some remarkable milestones in her life:

1. She met Vincent van Gogh when she was 13.

2.  She took up fencing at 85.

3.  She quit smoking when she was 120.

4.  She released a spoken CD accompanied by a rap and hip hop artist just two days before her 121st birthday.

We can draw some interesting conclusions from the life of Jeanne Calment:

1.  It’s never too late to try something new.

Try new things, in case they don't work out, make sure insurance is paid up.

2.  Be open to meeting new and different people, even if they only have one ear and appear to be a bit off-kilter.

3.  Just because you have never been athletic, keep looking for a sport that suits you. Who knows, the Jamaican luge team might be right for you.

4.  Maybe some of your “bad habits” aren’t so bad after all. Smoking may be the exception. We don’t all have Jeanne’s genes!

5. Keep up with what’s hot, stylish and hip,it will keep you young (maybe not in body, but in spirit).

Let’s go to the movies!

Outside the rain is pouring down and the prospects for the weekend are not so good, which is a great prescription for a trip to the movies. Here’s a mini-report from The Dallas Morning News’ media critic, Tom Maurstad:

Cyrus: A- Marisa Tomei and John C. Reilly, a mix of creepy and comic and a romance thwarted by Tomei’s character’s son, Cyrus.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse: B+ the third in the trilogy. More vampire action and a werewolf pack.

The A Team: D, Many attractive stars, lots of action, most of which may make no sense ( my own interpretation of review).

The Back-Up Plan: C+, Jennifer Lopez, artificial insemination, and romantic complications. Not the worst you’ve ever seen.

Knight and Day: C+, Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, action/romance, mayhem.

Letters to Juliet: B+, “Charming romantic comedy is a shimmering tribute to the glories of both true love and the Italian countryside.”

Killers: D, Katherine Heigl and Ashton Kutcher. “Killers has neither suspense nor laughs.”

Growns Ups: D, “Sentimental meets stupid.”

Get him to the Greek: B+, “A cut above the average dumb comedy”.  Probably if you liked The Hangover, you’ll find this one funny.

Robin Hood: C-, a prequel, “grim and gritty lesson in 13th century British history”, that we might need, if we slept though history class. Not sure if we will see Russell in Crowe in tights or not.

Sex and the City: B-, Lots of fabulous clothes, fabulous lifestyles, “snarky-sweet sisterhood”–so what’s not to like?

Shrek Forever After: A-, “Fall in love with him all over again”.

Toy Story 3: A, but you already knew that.

Have a smashing Fourth! Please come back on Monday!

Diane

Good Afternoon Dear Reader:

A sleepless night led me to mindlessly channel surf looking for anything I haven’t already seen 10 times. I was on the verge of giving up and watching Julie and Julia…again, when I stumbled onto a lovely little movie, Purple Violets. I had never heard of it, but the capsule description mentioned the name of Edward Burns, who is so adorable and talented and married to the beautiful model Christy Turlington.

Purple Violets is about two couples who broke up in college and encounter each other 10 years later, with Burns, Selma Blair and Debra Messing. Sweet.

I have been a fan of  Burns since I first discovered him in The Brothers McMullen. He writes, he directs, he acts. He can do it all ! Most of his movies are relationship driven and there’s usually someone finding love and someone losing it.

Next came She’s The One with a stellar cast: Jennifer Aniston (before fame and the world’s most copied hairstyle found her), Cameron Diaz, and Ed. This is a delightful movie and Jennifer is the dumpee. Yes, life sometimes imitates art.

Life or Something Like It with the one and only Angelina Jolie BP (before Pitt) and Burns steam things up in a romantic dramedy with a twist. I liked it!

I have not seen No Looking Back, but the cast looks good: Burns, Blythe Danner, Jon Bon Jovi, Lauren Holley and Jennifer Esposito. I will be looking for this one.

Burns also appeared in 27 Dresses, as the the boss of Katherine Heigl, who is briefly her romantic interest, formerly engaged to her sister.

I have asked my good pal and movie buff Oscar to share some of his sleeper movies for those of us who have pretty much seen everything–or so we think! He recommends for true movie devotees, The Toronto Film Festival in September is the place to be–more accessible than Sundance with almost 300 films shown over 10 days. Tickets become available in July. I’ll keep you posted!

If you have movies you love that did not receive much attention from the public, please share. The popularity of Dancing With The Stars reminds me of one of my all time favorites, Strictly Ballroom, a spoof on the whole ballroom competition scene. Find it at your video store under foreign films (Australia) or order through Netflix.

Mother’s Day is on the way–are you ready?

I saw some really adorable kitchen accessories that rise above the rest for those moms who love their kitchen. I found these at Dillard’s, but I’ll bet most kitchen supply stores will carry them as well.

This adorable green salad spinner is too cool ($19.95) and cute rubber measuring bowls ($9.95)

Stacking Mixing Bowls, $20 range

Dillard’s also had a cute little salad dressing container that has a special mixer that is inside the bottle to stir your dressing well so there are none of those nasty salad dressing spills at the table. I can personally attest to the unfortunate turn of events that dinner can take when you accidently slosh  your dinner companion with Good Season’s Zesty Italian Dressing. (Although it really is my favorite.)

Protect mom from the sun with an adorable sun hat. They are in all the stores in every color and style. This one was my favorite at Marshall’s. It is also handy if your mom likes to travel incognito. She can venture out to the A&P or her favorite boutique, completely unrecognizable.

Who was that hatted woman?

Here’s wishing you a good Monday and good shopping!

Diane

P.S. If you enjoy Lipstick Digest, please share with a friend!

Good Morning Dear Reader:

Storms have hit the South and appear to be heading our way with weather so inclement as to force me to abandon weekend plans for major overhaul of flowerbeds exploding with giant weed intruders. Oh woe is me. Whatever will I do?

Oh, possibly I should drown my sorrows at the movies! What a splendid idea. And how convenient! I have been dying to see Date Night because: I love Tina Fey and Steve Carrell, I am a sucker for a romantic comedy and I really love eating popcorn in the dark with a giant Diet Coke. The only way it could be possibly any better is if I had some m&m’s to go with it. Weekend dilemma solved.

Since we are talking about one of my favorite subjects–movies, I must recommend Whip It. It got positive reviews when it came out and I wanted to see it but just never got there. It’s out on DVD now and so worth renting. Drew Barrymore directs and has a minor role, but Ellen Page, of Juno fame, is the real star.

The story is sweet and funny and the acting and action are all great. Lots of humor and girls kicking each other’s butt in the roller rink. It all reminds me of the last time I went roller skating. It was a church party and I remember mostly lurching around the rink while clutching the rail periodically. Two adults in our group fell and broke their arms. I haven’t been to a rink since. This movie has all the thrills and none of the pain.

Speaking of movies, Chris Rock, who is soooooooooo funny, has been on all the talk shows promoting his movie, Death at a Funeral. Not only are the reviews terrible, the same movie was made about two years ago in England, with the exact same title and story, and played well here. It is hilarious. I saw it last year on DVD and if you liked Four Weddings and a Funeral or Best in Show or have any sense of humor at all, you will find it funny and entertaining. Rent that one and save your movie $$$.

I was going to insert a great picture of me in a pair of jeans, but no such photo exists!

Jeans Alert!

I have been a fan of Tim Gunn since I first saw him on Project Runway. He has possibly the best taste in America in fashion and is a great mentor to all the fledgling designers on Runway. He writes a monthly advice column for Marie Claire and this month one of the questions he addresses is how to buy jeans when your top is one size and your bottom is a size (or two) larger. It is the issue that most women face.

Gunn’s solution:  Try a low-rise jean that falls straight in the leg–not flared or tapered from the widest part of the hips. “The low rise mitigates the size difference between the wider hips and the smaller waist. Wear a top that either drapes over the waistband or is tucked in.” Two brands that sell this type jean, The Gap, $59.50 and Michael (Michael Kors) $69.50.

Make it a great weekend no matter what you do!

Definitely not from my yard!

Diane

Good Morning Dear Reader:

This morning I am admittedly suffering from a hangover–an Oscar hangover. There is something about the Oscars that makes me want to stay up to the very last credit. My mother loved movies and followed the stars in old movie magazines and I am sure some of that is embedded in my DNA as well.

Last night did not disappoint me, except I really felt that Avatar was slighted by the voters. Maybe they resented the obscene amount of money that Avatar has earned that  has made it the highest grossing picture, ever. Maybe they just don’t like James Cameron and thought giving the Oscar to his ex-wife would really drive the point home. No matter, it has raised the bar on what can be accomplished on screen. It has special effects no one has ever done before and it took 10 years to do it.

I heard a commentator say that the best picture of any year isn’t revealed until significant time passes and we can look back and see which ones stand up and which ones are forgotten. That being the case, I am wondering where is the Oscar for Christmas Vacation? I predict that Avatar will last because it speaks to people of all ages and can be viewed by families, together, which is such a rarity.

Last night, there were really no dressing disasters that I could see. Oh, some stars got a bit carried away with the ruffled look, but everyone played it safe and there was so much “old glamour”. Kate Winslet was just simply exquisite.

The “knocked it out of the park” star was Queen Latifah. She was just gorgeous in a fitted lavendar gown accented with a band of rhinestones that wrapped over one shoulder.Queen Latifah perfected illustrated the principle to celebrate what you have, don’t bury it in a caftan. She looked fabulous and she knew it. She just glowed!

Of the young, up and coming stars, Miley Cyrus looked about 30 and was accompanied by her mother who showed off her own tattoos across her back. It is only a matter of time…

On the other hand, there was the lovely Anna Kendrick, Oscar-nominated for her role in Up in the Air with George Clooney. She was so lovely in a pale pink draped chiffon gown, just off the shoulders and Gabourey Sidibe, both so appropriately dressed and elegant.

Cameron Diaz has been dressing so much better lately, and last night was no exception. She looked completely like a star in a glittery gown with the best hair, ever. Okay, she could have had hair extensions, but she was just beautiful. I want hair extensions!

The movie I want to see now is An Education with Carey Mulligan. She has received so many kudos on her performance and talent.

Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin made a great comedy team, with some really funny barbs, especially at the multi-nominated Meryl Streep, with whom they both starred in It’s Complicated. If you haven’t seen it, do. It is delightful.

Fashion note to Barbra Streisand: Next time you go out for a lobster dinner before presenting at the Oscars, please have someone remove your big doily-style bib.

Have a wonderful day!!

Diane

Good Evening Dear Reader:

Last week while fetching the morning paper clad in robe and slippers, I waved at two neighbors making their regular morning walk. They invited me to join them sometime– and this morning, I did. It seems they have been making this morning trek for years and have worked up to a pretty fast clip. I had to hustle to keep up. We chatted from start to finish and I remembered how much I used to enjoy my morning exercise with friends. I am pretty sure that laughing and talking are aerobic.

I wish I could say that I loved to work out, and that sweat was sweet. But for me, its just not so. When I can find a great distraction and combine that with a good walk or a great class, I’m most likely to stick with it. A Harvard study suggests that for every hour you exercise during your life, your longevity increases by 2 hours. I don’t know about you, but I want to be around for a long time–so bring it on!!!

You Just Think Your Head Is Hard…

If your exercise involves riding a bike, snowboarding, skiing, or riding a horse, always wear a helmet. Traumatic brain injury accounts for us to 88% of skiing and snowboarding fatalities. ” The brain has the consistency of a hard-boiled egg, bruising it even mildly can have a significant impact on memory.”–Thank you Dr. Oz!!!

They May Not Have Calories But….

I do like a diet soda when I am having a sinking spell and my favorite is the new Diet Cherry Coke Zero. The bad news is that too many diet drinks may put your kidneys at risk. Two or more diet drinks a day can double your chance of accelerated kidney decline compared with people who drank less than one can a month. Since kidney function naturally declines with age, the diet drinks could accelerate the process.

Yawn….

The risk for obesity rises 23%, according to the Harvard School of Public Health for people who get 5 or fewer hours of sleep  and are 55% more likely to be obese than those who sleep 8 hours a night, according to the journal, Sleep.

If Pasta Makes You Happy…

Everyone loves pasta and tomato-based sauce is filled with lycopene, but make it healthy by switching to 100% whole wheat pasta. While the calorie number is the same, the fiber content is higher making you feel fuller with a smaller amount. Stick to a one-cup serving.

If you are cutting calories, don’t skip your protein. It improves your ability to burn fat and helps you stay full longer. Just choose healthy protein like fish, chickpeas, poultry and low-fat dairy.

Self Magazine, which is just filled with great health tips has a free online food tracker, menu ideas and social support at Self.com.

Movie Watch…

If you are a Hugh Grant fan (and I have been since Four Weddings and a Funeral), you may remember About a Boy, a lovely film. The young British boy with those piercing blue eyes in the film was terrific and I have wondered whatever happened to him. I know now, he has lost all that baby fat and has turned into a real heart throb. His name is Nicholas Hoult and he is now 20 years old and can be seen with Colin Firth (Oscar-nominated) and Julianne Moore in A Single Man.

My favorite "crazy heart"

At our theaters, Crazy Heart, with Jeff Bridges in a Golden Globe Award-winning performance as a country western singer down on his luck, finds love and redemption.  Valentine’s Day, the movie, is coming 2/12,  starring  every romantic comedy lead in Hollywood. I’ll be there with my giant popcorn. I’m a sucker for a happy ending!

Have your own happy ending!

Diane

Good Morning Dear Reader:

Here comes the sun…da, da, da, da…here comes the sun, and I say, it’s alright, it’s alright!! Isn’t it amazing how a little sunshine can lift your spirits? Here in Houston we have been blessed with sunshine and warmth this week and heck, by Thursday we could be having summer!

This past weekend, watching the movie, Up in the Air, much of which is set in the frozen northern portions of the U.S., I remembered one of the reasons I live in the South! We may have some cold weather during the winter, but real ice and snow is about a once in a decade experience. Of course, my dear friends north of the Mason-Dixon Line, you get your revenge. We do have July, August and September to contend with which means we only need go outdoors to get that authentic sauna experience and getting in your car gives new meaning to oven-baked.

I just received my February issue of Consumer Reports and not one second too soon! I’ve been wondering what I could eat that didn’t really tax my cooking skills, or blow my entire calorie allocation for the day,  since my latest disaster with Janet’s “from scratch” cornbread. I still have scars from that tongue-lashing she gave me. The writers take a look at diet meals and once again they have saved our taste buds!

The first advice they give is to not limit your meal to a frozen diet meal. It is not going to be filling enough to hold you because of the low calorie count that most have (250-350 calories). They recommend supplementing the meal with a piece of healthy fruit, a small salad or vegetable, which will keep your total consumption still under 500 calories, a healthy number for a dieter.

(Trumpet blast) The winners (recommended) are:

Chicken:  Kashi Chicken Florentine

Beef:  Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Roasted Beef Merlot & Lean Cuisine Cafe Classics Steak Tips Portabello

Pasta/Bean: Lean Cuisine One Dish Favorites Santa Fe Style Rice & Beans, Kashi Black Bean Mango, Kashi Garden Vegetable Pasta, Healthy Choice All Natural Entres Portabella Spinach Parmesan

Shrimp: Lean Cuisine Cafe Classics Shrimp Alfredo

There are others that rated as very good in this issue. All the meals ranked have less than 600 milligrams of sodium, which is very important to monitor as too much makes your heart work harder and disturbs mineral balance in the body.  Kashi meals consistently rated high even though they may be a bit more expensive.

This issue also rates all models of computers as well as how to save money on TV, Phone and Internet service. At $29 for a subscription it’s a bargain.

Rumors persist about the dangers of cell phone use to an increased risk of brain tumors. The Journal of Clinical Oncology concludes this could be a possibility and recommends the following:

1. Calls lasting 2 minutes or less reduce your exposure to the radio-frequency waves the phone emits.

2. Use an earpiece or the phone’s speaker  which cuts wave exposure by 1000 times.

3. When you have  a weak signal–don’t make a call. It causes your phone to boost its radio signal and your exposure is increased.

Have a glorious day!!!

Diane

Good Evening Dear Reader:

Guess what's coming?

I am in search of some powerful condiments to make my dinner go down better–it seems I am going to have to eat my words in Saturday’s blog. The good (and the bad) thing about a blog is that it won’t take long for people to point out the error of your ways because you just keep putting your ideas and opinions out there.

It seems my dear sister, Janet, took serious offense to my generous substitutions in her amazingly delicious cornbread recipe of powdered buttermilk in stead of real Bulgarian buttermilk ( or at least local) and low-fat cream cheese for real 100% cream cheese. When she called to chew me out, she also insinuated that I might have substituted spray Pam for oil in the pan–oops, I might have used half oil and half Pam!

I will be the first to admit that my finished product was much heavier than hers and not nearly as yummy. So flog me with a dish rag, I am guilty! I promise never to tamper with success again!

I hope you saw at least part of the Golden Globe Awards last night. I was struck by how many beautiful gowns there were this year and the only real fashion miss I saw was the precious Tina Fey who was wearing what one commentator described as a lampshade.

I adore January Jones who plays the wife of hunk Don Draper (Jon Hamm) on Mad Men ( also my favorite drama and they won!!!) and she literally channels Grace Kelly in her look and dress. She is beautiful– naturally. Last night, her dress was gorgeous, but she had pulled her hair back not even into a twist–it just sort of disappeared and she was wearing a black fabric headband and it was sooooooooooooooo awful!! You will see it again and again in the magazines and on TV.

Hooray–Glee won the best musical or comedy on TV. If you have not seen it, pick it up at the video store. It is just the best feel good show with dynamite music!

Monique had the most touching acceptance speech for best supporting actress for Precious and Robert Downey, Jr. was just darn funny because his wife told him he didn’t have a chance and so he prepared nothing.  Ricky Gervais was his understated, funny self. As he mentioned on the show, his DVD, The Invention of Lying with Jennifer Garner hits the stores tomorrow and I highly recommend it as well as Ghost Town which has been out quite a while and can be seen on the cable premium channels.

I saw the Golden Globe nominated Up in the Air with George Clooney this past weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it . While not a comedy, it has it light moments. The acting is great, the story is compelling and there is a great moral–if you have no one to share your life’s special moments with you are missing real joy in your life.

If you still have your Sunday Houston Chronicle or other big city paper, there is a coupon in a separate flyer from Starbucks for $1 off their oatmeal and hot paninis everyday until March 8 ! What a deal!

Have a lovely evening. Be careful with those lo-cal substitutions, they can come back and bite you!

My recipe subsitutions were unbearable!

Diane

Good Morning Dear Readers:

It is FRIDAY!!!! The weekend is coming…soon! I am planning a movie marathon leading up to the Golden Golden Awards with the precious and funny Ricky Gervais on Sunday night. It is a bonanza for us movie and TV nuts!

Today, my post is a smorgasbord of good information. I made my first big post-Christmas shopping trip yesterday and have much news to report! Walmart was just full of amazing new products and I know you will want some of these.

For those of you, like myself, who are allergic to cats but wish you had one, Wal-mart (and I am sure area toy stores) have the most realistic looking cat I have ever seen. When you walk by, it nods its head and bats its eyes. It is the size of a real cat and its hair is long and beautiful. It is FurReal. I did not get the price, but it will be a bargain because you don’t have to buy all that gourmet kitty tuna and never have to empty the kitty litter. I love it.

Meow! I'm Purr-fect!

Once you get your FurReal kitty ( or even if you have a real kitty–one with a very sweet disposition, oops, I forget, we are talking about cats!) it is going to need a hat, because I saw them at Walmart and I am certain this is a trend that is here to stay. You don’t won’t to be the last in your neighborhood to have a kitty without a hat. I am pretty sure you can get its school logo on it–oops, it’s a cat. (No hate letters please, I really do like cats, they just make me swell up. If I must swell, please let me do it with Godiva!)

Does your cat have a hat?

I am sure you remember how distressed I was that Starbucks is no longer selling Egg Nog Lattes. Guess what? Some of them still have Egg Nog Lattes. I know I should not tell you because you will run right out and get them and I won’t get anymore. Never mind, forget I ever mentioned it.

The precious Lizl at Starbucks is a girl after my own heart. While she was preparing my very special Egg Nog Latte she reached into the store’s fridge and the entire tray came out and spilled all over the floor. At that moment, I realized we must be twins separated at birth (with many years in between) because that is what I do–really, really well. And a lot. After we bonded, she let me wear her beautiful Starbucks cap.

The Spiller Sisters!

Earlier this week, I shared the good news about the benefits of eating oatmeal from Cooking Light (January/February). I know it is preferable to use the old fashioned, longer cooking variety, but many of us need a quicker option. The Quaker brand I frequently buy seems too sweet sometimes.

At Walmart, I found Village Farm by Strum Foods Whole Grain Oatmeal with cranberries or blueberries added. It is made with flaxseed and plant sterols and has no sugar added. Calories: 120, fat: 2.5 g, 90 g. sodium, 6 g. dietary fiber, 4 g. protein and 100% of Vitamin C, B6, Folic Acid, B-12. After cooking, I added 1/2 chopped mango and 1/3 banana. It did not need any sugar. It was delicious. You can add raisins and other fruit before cooking if you want a sweeter taste.

Cranberry Oatmeal & mango--Yum!

Have a simply wonderful, healthful day!

Diane

P.S. We have four seats left on our March 12-20 trip to Greece. Please e-mail me if you are interested, diane@lipstickdigest.com. Fun!