Welcome A New Year: 2012

Practices I started in 2011 and will continue in 2012This list is in no particular order and a bit uneven in significance:1) Enjoy rich foods as a treat instead of a staple:  If I want to eat foods like cookies, biscuits and gravy, or french fries I have to make them myself.2) Eat foods my grandparents would recognize as food.  [Thanks, Michael Pollan.]  For the most part, I've replaced boxed cereals with whole grains (such as oats,...

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What Is A Snood?

Wearing a snood the high fashion wayIs it: A) a person with a disagreeable personality; B) a Dr. Seuss character; C) a foot condition; or D) an article of clothing. Still not sure?  Well then, read and learn.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A hot fashion trend this winter will also keep your neck warm. Instead of traditional scarfs, men and women are wearing bulky,...

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Merry Christmas Everyone

The Monkees sing a lovely rendition of Riu Chiu.Merry Christmas to you.  Have a festive holiday and much peace and love.A Spanish Carol (1550s)The English TranslationRiu, riu, chiu...La guarda riberaDios guarde el loboDe nuestra cordera.Refrain: Riu, riu, chiu...El lobo rabioso la quiso morder,Mas Dios poderoso la supo defender;Quisole hazer que no pudiesse pecar,Ni aun original esta Virgen no tuviera.Refrain: Riu, riu, chiu...Este qu'es nascido...

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Holiday Books, Bill Clinton's Picks

Someone should hire former President Bill Clinton to be a regular book reviewer. Regardless of politics, he has a brilliant mind, loves books and is excellent at reviewing them. And the fact that The Today Show, a news program, as opposed to, just another entertainment show, calls Clinton's selections "smarty pants" choices revels how often real news and issues are being dumbed down.  Too many interviews with celebrities and reality stars does...

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Eggnog, An Old Holiday Tradition

Eggnog has oodles of calories, too many to mention.  But since we only drink it once a year, I want the real thing.  Down through history, people weren't afraid of fat or sugar, they just didn't overdo it.  Processed foods didn't exist until modern times, and the majority of people weren't rich enough to be couch potatoes.  So let's learn a lesson from our ancestors.  Enjoy a few holiday treats, but in moderation.  And...

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Gift Food Baskets For The Holidays

Gift giving is about thoughtfulness, meeting needs and making people happy.  So giving someone a basket of delectable treats is perfect.A tower of edible gifts can make someone feel like s/he hit the jackpot.  They make smart holiday gifts for several reasons:1) Retailers offer special deals and combos, making pricy gourmet foods more affordable than at other times of the year.  2) It's a gift few people buy for themselves, but most...

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Calling All Dog Lovers

This pooch looks like our old family dog.Do you get nostalgic around the holidays?  Recently I stumbled upon a video, which made me think of my family dog.  He looked and behaved just like this dog. He was independent and smart.  He liked to lay under furniture to rest.  And when he was bored, watch out.  He was too smart.We had to stay one step ahead of him, or he'd try to take over the leader of the pack role.When he was...

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Panorama Views: Take A Look At The World

Central Park, New York, Photo: Ed YourdonYou may have noticed.  THE SAVVY SHOPPER is primarily a writer's blog, not a design/photography blog.  But that doesn't mean I won't share a clever design, or pictures when they come along.  I am always impressed with how technology has opened up the world to us.  These days if you are not well-traveled, you can still experience, or get a feeling for what you will see if you ever go on...

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Precise Portions' Dinnerware For Healthy Meals

Eating healthy just got simpler.  Recently the USDA replaced the old food pyramid with a new MyPlate icon.  Most of us should be eating smaller amounts of food, as well as, making healthier choices.  Precise Portions, a new line of porcelain dinnerware takes the guesswork out of figuring out what and how much food to put on your plate.  It's not that we can't enjoy an occasional treat; but we should be eating more fruits and vegetables,...

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