The Earth Is In The Bag

Every year, Americans put millions of pounds of used plastic grocery bags in the ground to rot for 10-20 years. For several years I have used eco-friendly, reusable canvas bags when I head to the checkout. Most supermarkets and even discount stores like Walmart and Target offer bags for about $1 each, embossed with their logos.

These bags are very durable and will actually hold much more than traditional paper or plastic handled bags. I keep my collection of bags in the trunk of the car and grab them as I rush in to shop. Not only do the bags make carrying your goods home a breeze, but I throw them over my shoulder in the store and fill them up instead of pushing a cart as I weave up and down the aisles.

Even though the bags may have a nominal cost initially, some grocers offer a "bring your own bag discount" each time you shop. Over the life of the bag, it will more than pay for itself and even knock off a few cents on your order each time, saving you money and Mother Earth too!

Hello...My Name Is Shawn And I'm An Addict

Sugar has always been my dieting pitfall... I love sweets of all kinds. Based on scientific reports I have read and my own experience, I am convinced that processed, sugar-packed foods fire my addiction, throwing my appetite into overdrive. I love Splenda but the safety of this chemically processed artificial sweetener is still up for debate in the medical community for consumption over long periods of time.

There are other sweeteners available however, that wreak less havoc on your blood sugar, causing fewer spikes and dives in your insulin level. Honey is one of nature's sweet nectars. Produced naturally by bees, honey is perfect for baking, in dressings and to dissolve in hot beverages. Agave nectar is a honey-like syrup extracted from the same plant in which tequila is made. I personally prefer the taste of agave better than honey and it dissolves wonderfully into cold sauces and drinks unlike the way bee honey can crystallize.

Still another option is the more recent introduction of Truvia and Stevia which is a very low carb, low calorie natural sweetener derived from the leaves of a plant native to South America. The Stevia plant has been used by locals there for hundreds of years and is three hundred times sweeter than processed white sugar. If you still crave the sweet, granular texture of what we know as sugar in the USA, try less processed sugar in the raw... a very grainy, brownish version of the one we all know.

Sister Cinema

No mater if you are gay, straight, a he, a she or Regis and Kathy Lee, gay stereotypes are funny... especially when they are in one of the top ten gay-themed comedies of all time. Here is a list of my favorite from number ten to number one.

10. Love! Valour! Compassion! (2004) starring Jason Alexander
9. Another Gay Movie (2006)
8. Trick (2000) starring Tori Spelling
7. Jeffery (1995) starring Patrick Stewart
6. Another Gay Sequel (2008) filmed right here in Ft. Lauderdale
5. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) starring Guy Pearce
4. Sordid Lives (2000) starring Delta Burke and Olivia Newton-John
3. To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar (1995) starring Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo
2. The Bird Cage (1996) starring Robin Williams, Nathan Lane and Gene Hackman
1. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) starring Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon

This weekend, grab one of the DVDs above and spend a couple of hours laughing with "the girls!"

Journey To A Secret Place

Whether you looking for an obscure kitchen item or just stocking your galley for the first time, consider a visit to a restaurant supply house. There is usually at least one of these gems in every major city and almost all are open to the public. You will arrive to find rows and rows of things needed both in the kitchen and the front of the house of every restaurant.

Restaurant supply stores stock china, silverware, cookware, a myriad of serving pieces, bake ware, small appliances, cleaning supplies, industrial appliances, grilling accessories and other unique pieces you won't find anywhere else. While some items have to be purchased in a lot of six to twelve pieces, most things are available for purchase as a single item. Prices on the majority of these goods are about half of what they would be, even in a big box discount store, while the selection is ten times better.

Bottom Of The Barell

What can you do with just a tiny bit of a condiment in the bottom of the jar? When you can't get a knife in far enough to make a sandwich, turn what is left into a fresh salad dressing, vegetable dip or sauce for steak, fish or chicken.

Tiny bits of a variety of mustards such as Dijon, deli style or whole grain are perfect for this money saving method. Salsa and even fruit preserves also make interesting toppings for your favorite salad or entree.

To the remnants of your leftover specimen, add olive oil, salt, pepper and twice as much acid as what is now in the jar. You can choose red or white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon or lime juice. Screw on the lid of the jar and shake vigorously to blend.

Swimming Against The Current

The holidays not only brought cheer this year, they also brought a few extra pounds. After a couple of weeks stuffing myself into my pants and struggling to get the zipper all the way up, I finally decided to get my diet back on track and shed the extra blubber. I've mentioned before that I have always had a battle with my weight and since the late 90s have been able to keep it under control with exercise and my own version of the South Beach Diet.

Even though I've deleted sugar, bread, potatoes, pasta, alcohol and other high value carbohydrates from my diet until I cast off my winter surplus, I still have a quick and easy menu on hand to meet my diet needs and entertain dinner guests at home. A quick salad of mixed field greens, halved grape tomatoes, blue cheese crumbles, toasted walnut pieces and a homemade balsamic vinaigrette start off the evening.

For the main course, broiled salmon, simply rubbed with olive oil, lemon juice and freshly cracked black pepper provides a delicious protein-packed entree. Pair the fish with some steamed, fresh green beans and mashed cauliflower. To prepare cauliflower mash, cut up a head of cauliflower and roast on a pan in the oven or steam in the microwave until tender. Place in a large bowl with a 1/2 cup of low carb mayo substitute, 2 tablespoons of dijon mustard and salt and pepper to taste. Mash florettes with a potato masher or whip with a stand or hand mixer until creamy. If the mash is too dry, add a little fat-free chicken broth. Pass on the dessert course and you have a great dinner that entertains and want ruin your diet.

Home Sweet Home

Living either short term or for the long haul in a rental property need not be a sterile, uninteresting existence. While you may be limited to cosmetic changes you can apply to a space you don't own, there are lots of things you can do to make your simple dwelling a home you will love.

Color, once again, is the lest expensive option to get the biggest bang with your budget. Most landlords will allow you to paint the walls, provided that you return everything to its original color. Even just a large accent wall will go a long way to warm up your room. If you can't paint at all, consider purchasing large canvas stretcher frames from an art supply store and cover with inexpensive fabric in a bold color. A couple of these around a large room create focal points behind furniture groupings and are perfect for the living, dining or bedroom.

When purchasing major upholstered pieces of furniture such as sofas, sectionals and beds, invest in timeless lines and neutral colors like chocolate brown, charcoal, a soft gray or sandy beige that will work with your next apartment or when you finally buy that house. Add pops of color with pillows, accessories and artwork which can be changed when the next space has a different color palette or you tire of a trendy color scheme.

Palms and other large potted plants are a very thrifty way to fill in large gaps of empty space and provide an additional layer of texture. Finish the look by changing out dated or ugly light fixtures over the bathroom sink or dinning room table with more stylish, inexpensive lighting from home improvement stores or Ikea. Your perfect home is waiting for you, albeit briefly, if you take the time to create it!

Sunday, Sunday

If you want to throw a dinner party for friends but are intimidated by cooking or have the need to be cost conscious, host a early Sunday afternoon brunch. Not only are most brunch items easy to prepare in advance but large quantities can be produced very inexpensively.

Plan your menu with help from your supermarket deli or local bakery and select a variety of muffins, scones, biscuits and croissants. You can also make ahead of time a egg and vegetable quiche or frittata. Smoked salmon with all the accouterments or marinated shrimp will cover a seafood option for your brunch spread. Sliced melons and pineapple as well as whole strawberries not only provide a pop of color to the buffet but are delicious. Adding another option of your favorite breakfast meat such as bacon, sausage or ham round out the meal.

Set up a self serve bar with Champagne and OJ for mimosa, your favorite vodka and Bloody Mary mix and fresh coffee with Baileys, Frangelico and Kahlua to spice up the afternoon. You may find that hosting a brunch is so much fun and easy that it will become a recurring monthly event. I will be waiting on my invitation!

Boxing Day

In recent years, I shared a three bedroom house with a friend of mine. We loved the location but there was only one problem...one bathroom and no storage. You can imagine two gay men limited to one powder room and no medicine cabinet or drawers for our potions, lotions and pills.

Our solution... buy a bunch of gallon sized flip top storage containers for our toiletries, label and store them in our bedroom closets. I separated everything into several categories...one for the shower with shampoo, soaps, facial cleanser and scrub. Another container houses other liquid items such as mouthwash, toothpaste, moisturizer and deodorant. One final box keeps dry things dry like Q-Tips, vitamins and metal fingernail clippers and tweezers.

What started out as a necessity has continued today to help me stay organized and maximize my storage space. Not only do the closed boxes stack well on a closet shelf or in the cabinet under the sink, but they also make travel in the car easy too. Just grab your boxes, throw them in the trunk of the car and you are off quickly for an overnight or week-long trip.

Part-Time Vegetarian

The days of cattle roaming free on grassy fields is mostly a romantic vision of the past. Most animals raised for food these days live in factory farms. Not only are these "meat mills" sometimes inhumane for the cow, chicken or other livestock, but the effects on the environment can be extremely toxic. When I first moved to South Florida, I worked for a vegan restaurant called Sublime for about a year and a half. While there, I experimented with a completely vegetarian diet. After about 6 months, I realized it was not for me.

What I did learn from that attempt at becoming a herbivore...there are lots of options to supplement our diet with high protein vegetables and grains. If everyone in the world would give up meat one day a week, the demand would drop enough that balance would return to our food chain, our health would improve and we help stop the effects of global pollution on Earth.

Most people are familiar with tofu, derived from soybeans. There are also an array of plant-based, high proteins such as the ancient grain, Quinoa. This wonder grain is similar in texture to rice but contains more protein, pound-per-pound, than beef. Quinoa breaks down slower in your system than most carbohydrates, maintaining blood sugar levels. Legumes, nuts and leafy greens like spinach are also good choices when replacing animal protein. Do some experimentation with some of these items and join me as a part-time vegetarian.

Lovin' In A French Oven

One of my best recent investments has been in a large, enameled cast iron pot with tight fitting lid. While our ancestors have been preparing food over a fire this way for hundreds of years, I have only recently discovered the ease of cooking and delicious possibilities available only from slow, even-cooking cast iron.

Everything from soup, stews, meats and poultry cook up wonderfully in this marvel perfected by the Europeans, hence the terms Dutch or French ovens. Cast iron pots are very versatile and can be used on top of the stove, in the oven or combination of both.

When selecting an enameled pot, pick one that is much larger than you think you will actually need. A round or oval 7 quart version is a good place to start. That size will give you lots of possibilities for experimentation as you discover and perfect your favorite recipes. Cast iron vessels should be heavy for there size with a very smooth exterior finish. While top-of-the-line brand Le Creuset can be very expensive, there are now more economical versions available at about half the cost. Watch for a sale and snag one for yourself.

May The Force Be With You

Last week I needed a touch of Spring in the house to combat the winter blahs. Unseasonably cold weather in the area made me long for warm April days back in North Carolina. As I stopped in the grocery store, I picked up some potted tulips to bring home to enjoy for a week or so. Now that the blooms have faded, it is time to put the bulbs to sleep so I can enjoy them again later.

Tulips, amaryllis, narcissus, daffodils and iris are all flowering bulbs. Normally, bulbs are plated into the ground in late fall or early winter and remain dormant until Spring when they begin to peak through the dirt. Bulbs can also be planted in pots to be enjoyed indoors. When the blooms spent, you can appreciate the blossoms again by "forcing" them to cycle again.

New or previously bloomed bulbs can be put in a brown paper bag for 12 weeks or more and placed in the vegetable drawer in the bottom of your refrigerator. After the sleep period, plant them in a grouping in a flowerpot with fresh soil with the root end down. Water well and place in a sunny, warm spot. In six to eight week, the bulbs should bloom once again, in all of their glory.

Expiration Day

Food and medications have an expiration date. How many ancient bottles of condiments do you have in your refrigerator or archaic prescriptions in your medicine cabinet? Take a minute now and on a regular basis to sort through them both.

Most processed foods have a "best if used by" date stamped on the original packaging. This makes it very easy to, on a monthly basis, sort through the forest of bottles on your refrigerator door and toss out the old sauces and dressings. A weekly check of fresh produce in the crisper will keep vegetables from rotting next to food that is still blemish-free. Items in the freezer need a check too. Frozen meats will last about six months to a year before they become "burned" in the freezer, provided they are packages properly. Dried herbs and spices lose their kick in about a year, so label each one with a marker the day you open and replace as necessary.

Prescription drugs wear an expiration date as well. You probably will not get sick if you take something after the printed date, but the effectiveness of the Rx will decrease little by little after that date. Toss out anything past the date and call the doctor for a refill. Prescription drugs that do not require refrigeration are best stored not in the bathroom medicine chest but rather in a dark bedroom closet. Light, heat and humidity in the bathroom can ruin expensive medication over time.

The Smoking Gun

Smoking not only kills, even worse, it makes you look old! I have spent my entire life without ever smoking one cigarette and have never understood the appeal. If you are a smoker, stop now.

Years of nicotine abuse on the body not only blacken your lungs but also ages the skin more than any other carcinogen, second only to overexposure of the sun. This effect is genetically magnified on women. How often have you seen that "smoker's face" from years of drawing and puffing on a cigarette?

The smoke from that nasty cancer stick also permeates into your hair, clothes and home creating a stinky, stale cloud following you like Pig-Pen from Peanuts...not sexy. It is still early in the year so make a resolution today to cut out the butt.

Colors of the Rainbow

Paint is the easiest, quickest and least expensive way to change the look and energy of a room. A can of paint, a couple of hours and some elbow grease is all you need to wash the walls in a new color.

When selecting color for a specific room, keep in mind the purpose of the space. For living rooms, let your imagination go wild. Since you spend most of your time in this room, pick a color you really love. Reds and oranges work well in dinning rooms, stimulating the appetite.

For kitchens, yellow is a classic color that perks you up in the morning. Bedroom colors should be calming... think spa. Greens and blues in pastel to dusty hues give a since of calm and induce relaxation. Bathroom color can run the range from stimulating to soothing, depending on your goal of waking up for the day or winding down for the evening. When selecting colors for any room, it is a good idea to buy a small sample of the color and paint a section of the wall before making a commitment to the entire room.

Everything Old Is New Again

Classic desserts have recently made a resurgence in restaurants, bakeries and home kitchens. Maybe recent hard financial situations have caused people to reflect on simpler and more familiar times. Whatever the case, our palates and bellies are grateful.

Creme Brulee, Bananas Fosters, Chocolate Mousse, Carrot Cake, Lemon Bars, Brownies, layer cakes of all flavors, Strawberry Shortcake and Fruit Parfaits have all found a comfortable place on fancy restaurant menus and at corner bake shops alike. The simple cupcake has probably enjoyed the biggest "welcome back" from us with shops specializing in just this little baked good opening all over the country. The cupcake "tree" has even found a place as a star at weddings instead of the traditional tiered cake.

Most of these scrumptious desserts are very simple to prepare and require just a few ingredients, making them ideal to recreate at home for family meals and dinner parties. Google a recipe for your favorite classic dessert today and whip up a batch of sugared goodness for someone you love!

Grease Is The Word

Men's haircare can be a costly endeavor, if you allow it to be. You can however, have great looking and health hair without spending a fortune.

I have tried shampoos and conditioners from the most expensive to the cheapest available. I have found that my own hair responds well to the Sauve brand. It is one of the least expensive lines of haircare products and works just as well as a salon brand.

When I first moved to South Florida, my forehead began to breakout continuously. I soon learned that the zits were coming from the waxy product I put in my hair melting in the hot sun and running down onto my face. The solution...100% pure aloe. I work the aloe into my hair and style while still moist. Not only is aloe about $3 a tube but it naturally protects the hair.

If your hair is becoming dull from the loss of color due to age or you prefer not to have the salt and pepper look, try Just For Men hair color. Just For Men is excellent for covering your gray and it also brightens lackluster hair. Aside from the low price, the best thing about this shampoo color is you only need to leave it in for 5 minutes!

Playing the Accordion

Tax day is quickly approaching. Have you been keeping everything together you need to do your taxes? If not, you need to get a filing system in place so you don't have to scrounge through drawers and shoe boxes to locate important papers and receipts. A low tech, old fashioned accordion filing case is just the thing to keep everything organized and in one place.

In the case of Federal income tax, you should hold on to a copy of your return and the supporting documents for at least seven years. Label a slot for each year, including the current year and slide in all of your pay stubs, receipts for doctors visits and prescriptions and other tax documents.

I also have labeled sections for instruction manuals, bank statements, receipts of household purchases, medical information, pet documentation, insurance forms, property tax info and personal information like passports, birth certificates and college transcripts. If you live in an area where you may need to evacuate suddenly due to a hurricane, flood or other natural disaster, just grab the case and you have everything you need to start over should a catastrophe strike.

Negotiations Have Stalled

Some of you may have received an engagement ring over the holidays and now are faced with planning all the details of your big day. Weddings and other events these days can cost a price equal to a huge down payment on a house. There are some ways to sneak in a few discounts here and there if you arm yourself with some tricks.

Most hotels and event venues charge a room or space rental fee for your event. Sales people will be willing to discount or even waive space fees in traditionally slower months like January, February, July and August. Space fees and minimum food purchase requirements are usually less on Friday evenings, Saturday afternoons and Sundays so consider a time other than Saturday evening. Ask you event sales person if you can bring in your own alcohol. Most sites will not allow it but it never hurts to ask.

Other vendors you may hire for your event such as florists, photographers and DJs may also offer better rates in slower months and other non-traditional time slots. You can also save a bundle by hosting a dessert-only reception in the evening or brunch menu in the early afternoon. By limiting bar selections to just beer and wine or to include one signature cocktail, you can also trim a bit per person yet still let the spirits flow.

Tighty Whities

Men's undergarments are not a delicate subject. Ladies, pay attention to today's blog too. You may find yourself shopping for a son, husband, boyfriend, father or significant other. I have found what I believe to be the best tighty whities available, sold by retailer Burberry.

About three years ago I was the Assistant General Manager for one of the Burberry boutiques. I probably would have never spent $15 per pair for underwear if I was not extended a 40% employee discount. What appeared to be an extravagant purchased turned out to be a great investment.

I bought 10 pairs of the white briefs and have worn a pair almost everyday since. These shorts have been washed in hot, bleach water over 100 times each and still look brand new and are far from threadbare. The check waistband has not faded and the cotton has remained snow white. I have even gained about 12 pounds since I made the purchase and they fit just as good today as they did then. Amazing!

Ladies That Lunch

Eating out at a gourmet or fine dinning restaurant is a wonderful experience and often times reserved for a special occasion. With prices sometimes running $100 a head or more for a 3 or more course meal, only the exceptionally fortunate enjoy this luxury on a regular basis.

If you love food as much as I do, you know a fine meal is more than just about eating.... dining out is an experience. Service, ambiance, drinks, a bottle of wine, friends and the food are all important components of the entire experience. So what to do when your budget for dining out doesn't equal your desire? Eat out at lunch!

Most fine dining and other upscale restaurants that are open for lunch offer not only the dinner menu during the day but also a much less expensive midday meal options. Even though the portions are just a bit smaller than their evening counterparts, the tab will be about half the cost. Some eateries also offer a "pre fixx" menu which includes a first course, entree and dessert all for one low price. Check out all of those fabulous restaurants you have always wanted to visit at lunch and save a bundle, my friend.

Leaving On A Jet Plane

If you are headed onto a plane or packing up the car for a overnight trip or a long winter vacation, here are a couple of tips that will help make packing your bags much easier.

Roll jeans, pants, sweaters and T-shirts into a cylindrical shape before placing in your suitcase. This will not only maximize the space in your bag but will minimize wrinkles. Once you check into the hotel, hang your clothes in the bathroom. The steam from the shower, along with gravity, will make your clothes look pristine.

If your T-shirts are badly wrinkled or have deep lines from being folded, fold the shirt into quarters, twist the shirt as if you were wringing out a wet washcloth, fold in half again and stuff tightly into a large glass or under the corner of a couch cushion or bed mattress for several minutes. When you unroll, the lines and wrinkles will be greatly reduced.

Pack flat an extra-large Ziploc bag or two and place your dirty clothes into them once you reach your destination. When you are bringing soiled clothes back home, they do not dirty the clothes that are clean packed next to them. A gallon size zip bag is also a good idea if you are traveling to a warm locale to bring back your wet bathing suit.

A French Affair

Several years ago, I was living in Charlotte in a tiny 1920s Tutor-style apartment building. My dining area only accommodated four people but it was my turn to host the dinner party club I have mentioned in previous posts. I moved the sofa into the hallway and set up several tables of two to four seats in the living room to create an intimate French bistro theme.

Everyone was greeted in the hallway. As enough guests arrived to fill a table, I escorted them in to their seats. The tables were covered with white tablecloths, a tea light candle and a single flower in a bottle. The small tables were pushed close enough together to give a cozy feel and allow conversation among all. I printed menus with lots of French dishes, highlighting the courses I would actually be serving. French singer, Edith Piaf, serenaded us all evening via CD.

For my fellow club members dinning delight, I prepared French Onion Soup, a salad of mixed greens with walnuts, apples and goat cheese, Coq au Vin for the main course and Creme Brulee for dessert. Everyone was offered a choice of Burgundy or Pouilly-Fuisse wine to pair with their meal. The entire menu consisted of items that could be prepared in advance so I could spend time serving my guests at Chez Shawn. At the end of the meal, everyone cheered, "Au revoir" as they departed with full bellies.

Flipity Flopity

I love flips flops. I wear them to the grocery store, the beach, in the locker room at the gym, to dinner...everywhere I go. Maybe its because as I child I would bear the pain of walking on driveway gravel in order to be barefoot outdoors. Luckily, I live in a section of the country where I can enjoy my flip flops year round. If you share my love, here are a few things to remember when wearing flip flops, sandals or other open toe shoes.

Pedicures by a professional pedicurist are a must for both men and women. Once a month to six weeks should suffice to keep your toenails and calluses under control and keep your piggies looking pretty. Trim your own toenails at home once a week between professional pedicures.

You should also keep those unruly hairs from your toes and top of your feet shaved or trimmed with buzz clippers (ladies, this includes you too, if you have them). Any toenail fungus can be treated with an oral medication called Lamisil, prescribed by your doctor. You will have to swallow a pill for 90 days but you will have beautiful, clear nails in about 6 months. If you don't live in a subtropical climate, start preparing now and you will be ready for flip flop season come June.

Dark and Cool

No matter if you only enjoy an occasional glass of wine with dinner or you fancy yourself as somewhat of a sommelier, proper wine storage is the same for a $6 bottle as it is for a rare $600 bottle. Wines should be stored horizontally to keep the cork moist. If the cork drys out or dry rots, air can ruin the vino.

Wine prefers a cool, dark home. Avoid storing bottles next to heat sources like ovens, dishwashers, heaters and fireplaces. Remember the old wine cellar...try to recreate it in low cabinet or bottom of a closet. Reds can be stored here long term. White varieties and sparkling wines can be stored there or in the refrigerator if you plan to enjoy them in short order.

One final wine tip...red wine should be served at a temperature between 55-60 degrees. If you do not have a climate controlled wine storage area, place the bottle in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes prior to opening or set atop a mound of ice for the same period. White wines should be served at about 45 degrees, so allow them to sit out of refrigeration about 10 minutes before pouring the first glass. Sparkling wines can be served right out of the ice box.

Auto Leases: Windfall or Pitfall?

I am quickly approaching the end of my first auto lease. I thought, when I signed the lease, that I fully understood with whom I was getting into bed. During the process, I have realized I didn't know everything. Let me share the 411 with you in case you have never leased a vehicle and are considering it in order to take advantage of the great deals the auto industry is offering right now.

When you finance a car for purchase, you usually put down an initial payment and then pay the cost of the car, plus an agreed interest rate, over the course of 36-72 months until the balance is paid. At the end of the term, the car belongs to you. A purchase works well if you plan to keep an automobile long term such as 6 years or more.

With a lease, you also usually shell out a down payment but you are not actually purchasing the car. The payment you make every month gives you access to car for a certain term, usually 36-48 months, and goes towards the depreciation of the vehicle's value. A lease works well for people who like to trade cars every 3-4 years. You usually can obtain a model for a lower monthly payment with a lease than you would to finance the purchase of the same vehicle, giving you more car for the same money.

There are a couple of things that may surprise you at the end of your lease, however. You agree to pay a certain fee per mile, usually over a maximum of 10,000-12,000 miles per year. If you burn up the streets during your lease and your tires aren't at least at a minimum tread depth, you must either replace the tires or shell out some cash. Any small, minor dings are usually considered normal wear and tear but dents and larger dings from the dreaded shopping cart collision or other calamities will add up on your final bill, which you will receive about 30 days after your relinquish your wheels.

There is also usually a termination fee at the end of your lease, which usually runs about one month's lease payment. If you are loyal to one brand, the dealer may waive your termination fee when you buy or lease a new model with them, sometimes even damages and other charges but don't always count on it. With the facts laid out on the table, you can make an educated decision when weighing a purchase versus a lease.

Pasta With a "P"

Did you know that basic pasta is simply flour, egg and water? You can buy boxes and bags of dry pasta for a couple of dollars a pound but you can make fresh, delicious pasta at home for mere pennies. If you have ever tasted both, you know there is no comparison.

You don't need special equipment to make your own pasta. A rolling pin and a sharp pointed knife or pizza cutter wheel works well. If you plan to make pasta regularly, invest in a pasta roller attachment or extruder to attach to your KitchenAid stand mixer.

To make a basic pasta recipe, combine one beaten egg to each cup of flour along with a couple of tablespoons of water. I also like to add a half teaspoon of salt. All purpose white flour, whole wheat flour or other semolina varieties can be used. Place in a food processor and pulse for a short time or mix by hand until the dough starts to clump together. Dump dough onto floured board or marble counter top. Work into a ball and allow to rest covered with plastic wrap or a bowl 30-60 minutes. Either roll out with a rolling pin to desired thickness and slice into strips with the tip of a sharp knife or run through the pasta extruder to make interesting shapes like macaroni, bucatini or fusilli.

Pick Your Own Veggies

Choosing locally grown produce is good for the environment, your wallet and your waistline. The new direction in agriculture production is to provide restaurants and consumers with fruits and vegetables that are grown and consumed in a radius of 100 miles or less.

Every year, we use millions upon millions of gallons of fossil fuels moving food from one end of the country to the other. By either growing your own or selecting locally grown foods, we eliminate the pollution created by transportation and lessen our dependence on oil.

Buying locally also forces you to eat foods that are in season. Obviously, something in season is going to be less expensive, reducing our food costs. I am lucky to live in a climate where the growing season runs from October to May so an assortment of fresh veggies are always available and plentiful. No matter where you may live, you will find something fresh and in season all year round.

Did you know that the nutritional value of food starts to decrease almost immediately after picking? The faster the food gets to our table and into our stomachs, the more we benefit from the vitamins and minerals contained in these foods. Take a trip today to a local farm where you can pick your own vegetables or locate a store or produce stand that shares this philosophy and do your part to eat locally.

Winter White

Its that time of year when white sales abound. It seems like everyone from Target to Tiffany (well not really...but I couldn't think of another department that started with a T) are rolling out the signs for this once a year event. Take the opportunity now, while everything is on sale, to inventory of your linens and other textiles and replace what has been used past it's prime.

Having an ample supply of kitchen towels and dishcloths is a must if you cook so you aren't doing a wash every couple of days. Bath and hand towels should be plush and not frayed. A good rule of thumb for the number of towels you need is 4 times the number of people who live in the household and then add 2-4 more if you host house guests regularly. Once these kitchen and bath towels have been removed from service and replaced, store them in another area to mop up nasty spills and for cleaning purposes.

Sheets and blankets have a limited usual life as well so don't forget to check these out for wear. Each bed should have a minimum of 2 0r 3 sheet sets to make change outs easy. While looking through your stash of sheets and towels, make sure everything is folded neatly and organized in your linen closet.

Project Terrarium

The house always looks so bare after she has been stripped of her holiday glamor. This is the perfect time of year to replace your houseplants that no longer give your home a punch of life. Another fabulous living decoration to fill in the empty spots is a grouping of terrariums.

Dictionary.com calls a terrarium a glass container, chiefly or wholly enclosed, for growing and displaying plants. Wide mouth glass canisters and apothecary jars with openings at least 10 inches work well but smaller ones will suffice if you have small and steady hands.

To construct your terrarium, add a thin layer of pea gravel or other small rock to provide drainage. Next, a sprinkle of fertilizer goes into the container. Pick a variety of tropical houseplants and remove them from their pots. Tickle the roots and remove some of the soil at the base of the plant. Arrange plants in containers and surround with fresh potting soil. Use chopsticks to move the soil around and a small pastry or paint brush to push down any soil from the side of the glass. A little water from a long spout can is all you need before placing the lid on top. Make sure your terrarium is in an area where lots of natural light is possible. These beautiful displays look dramatic in groupings on kitchen counter tops, shelves, sideboards, bookcases or wide windowsills.

A Clean House Is A...

I spent much of my time as a child with my paternal grandmother. She always said that one should start off the new year with a clean house. Grandma would always make sure the Christmas tree was packed away and the house got a deep "spring cleaning," even though we are just beginning the winter season.

Sweeping, mopping, vacuuming carpets and rugs, dusting and scrubbing the laboratory are all things we normally hit when doing a routine cleaning. Whether you clean your home yourself or someone else does it for you, here is a list of a few things you may forget that would make even Niecy Nash proud.

Mini blinds, curtains and other window coverings are a magnet for dust and other allergens. Either dust the closed blinds with a vacuum brush attachment or place flat on the patio or driveway and spray them off with a garden hose. Allow to dry completely outdoors before rehanging. Curtains can either be vacuumed and steamed at home or sent to the dry cleaners if they need extra attention. Be sure to clean the window ledges and molding trim while you are in the area.

Move all furniture and appliances as you sweep, mop and vacuum. The bottom of your closet is also a dust bunny haven. Removed everything from the floor and do a detail cleaning. Unplug all cords under or behind the entertainment center and desk. You will be amazed what collects there in a short period of time. Make sure to change your air condition unit's filter and dust the louvers on the air intake.