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May 2013 Archives

Here's the Dish

Here's the Dish: Brunch-Favorite Ham and Spinach Quiche

By Charlotte on May 31, 2013 6:39 AM | Read More

Baby and wedding showers never spell stress when you spread out the work. That's why I love cohosting celebrations with my girlfriends. With eight or nine of us involved, no one has to feel overloaded.

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Playing Favorites

Burning Love

By Bob on May 30, 2013 4:15 AM | Read More

Reality TV series may ultimately be the death of prime time television, but they're also prime targets for snark-filled satire. Which is a good thing. 

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Guest Room

5 Quick Ways to Get Fit After 50

By Charlotte on May 29, 2013 6:54 AM | Read More

By Lani Muelrath, M.A., bestselling author of Fit Quickies:  5 Minute Targeted Body-Shaping Workouts

Age has unfairly become the whipping boy for loss of body shape - and gain of body fat.

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Daily Distraction

I'm OK, You're OK

By Bob on May 28, 2013 2:57 AM | Read More

My computer's OK, too. Thanks for asking.

OK-500.jpg

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Don't Try This At Home

When Monkey's Fly

By Bob on May 27, 2013 4:42 AM | Read More

There's a small Texas town that's been getting a lot of media coverage lately.

I know it well because my family's been a part of it since...let's see...if you count today...100 years. So, if you've channel surfed the evening news and seen the name GRANBURY, we're on the same page, pardner.

Granbury's famous for a lot of things.

It's got one of the prettiest lakes in Texas (Lake Granbury), great golf courses, beautiful homes, a courthouse and town square that are straight out of Back to the Future. It's also got some of the nicest people you'll meet in the Lone Star State.

Look close and you might see Marty McFly and a DeLorean Hood County Courthouse2-500.jpg

A couple of weeks ago Granbury was hit with an EF4 (winds 166-200mph) tornado.

We're Texans, so we don't normally get too freaked out about tornados. We call an EF1 kite-flyin' weather.

 Get in the storm cellar Dorothy - photo credit: Craig Curlee PhotographyGranbury Tornado - Craig Curlee Photography-600.jpg

An effin' 4 is something that'll get your attention. That's Wizard-of-Oz-Flyin'-Monkey territory.

 


Here's what your house looks like when an EF4 pays a visit

 

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Home Runs

T-Fal ActiFry

By Charlotte on May 26, 2013 6:17 AM | Read More

As Texans, Bob and I grew up thinking every meal should include a little grease. Our iron-skillet-wielding mamas often fixed fried eggs and sausage for breakfast, burgers and fries (my weakness!) for lunch, and chicken fried steak, fried okra and apricot fried pies for dinner. Talk about heaven!

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Take Home a Spa-like System that Stops Dry Skin ... FREE

By Charlotte on May 24, 2013 1:00 AM | Read More

About this time last year, Bob and I enjoyed a great getaway at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort. Having a facial at their luxurious Lantana Spa was one of my all-time favorite treats because they use healing plants to renew your complexion.

If I'd been braver, I could have indulged in a similar experience to refresh my whole body. But I'd rather save getting totally nekkid (as Bob would say) for the privacy of my own home!

Fortunately, that's where Eight Skincare excels. This spa-licious bath and body line created by fellow Boomer Vicki Payne-Weaver helps you say goodbye itchy roughness; hello satiny, smooth skin. Vicki based her natural formula on a body lotion recipe her mother perfected during World War II. Packed with hydrating and anti-aging ingredients that work wonders for dry skin, it includes eight core components: Aloe Vera, Argan Oil, Monoi Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Vitamin E Oil, Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil and Apricot Kernel Oil. 


Giveaway-600.jpg

You could take home a luxurious, spa-like system for preventing dry skin. We've teamed up with Eight Skincare to give away a $108 gift set including 5 of their refreshing, Ginger Lime-scented bath and body treatments.

Click "Read More" for details on how to enter. Contest* ends June 27! 


 

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Why Weight?

5 Foods to Help You Lose Weight

By Bob on May 22, 2013 5:00 AM | Read More

Americans spend an estimated $30 billion each year on diet products - and (not surprising) many of them don't work. So, how do you cut through the clutter of those that are a complete rip off and find the ones that are actually good for you? It's easier than you think.

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Daily Distraction

Now I Know Why I Can't Find the Pepperoni

By Bob on May 21, 2013 2:47 AM | Read More

It's on the other side!

Upside Down Pizza-500.jpg

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Remotely Possible

Text Your MAMA

By Bob on May 16, 2013 4:53 AM | Read More

I've lived in Texas all of my life, where the cliché is "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute and it'll change." That's a true statement in this state where the weather can go from "Let's have a picnic" to "holy-shi*-we're-all-gonna-die" in about 30 seconds. Been there. Survived that. I'll 'splain.

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Daily Distraction

Shaq's Favorite Bookstore

By Bob on May 14, 2013 2:25 AM | Read More

Books for tall people-500.jpg

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Don't Try This At Home

Home On The Urban Range

By Bob on May 13, 2013 4:53 AM | Read More

Charlotte and I live in the 5th biggest metropolitan area in the United States. As you might expect, it's anything but rural. Except...it kind of is.

I'll 'splain.

I'm usually out the door before sunrise for a little exercise each day. I used to be a runner, but a fall off a 12' ladder pretty much ended my jogging career. So...I walk. And walk. And walk. Usually about 4 miles.

You'd THINK that in the 5th BIGGEST METRO AREA IN THE US my walking route scenery would be...to put it nicely...decidedly urban. But remember, we live in Texas. So my scenery is decidedly Texan.

The minute I leave our neighborhood I'm confronted with this iconic Texas image.

Is that a horn, or are you just happy to see me?Longhorn for a Long Walk-600.jpg

These longhorns belong to our Colleywood neighbor and I pass by them every morning. It's a sweet slice o' Texas and it takes the edge off our otherwise verrrrrrry urban landscape.

That's the nice image I see heading out of our neighborhood in the morning.

It's a different scene when I come back. Why? Because, I usually run into THIS jackass.

 


Every Neighborhood Has A Jackass. Here's Ours.

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Here's the Dish

Here's the Dish: Must-Try Tamale Pie

By Charlotte on May 10, 2013 6:38 AM | Read More

Thanks to our generous housekeeper Dolores, Bob and I always have homemade tamales at Christmas. Her cornmeal creations come stuffed with a to-die-for, spicy chicken or pork mixture. Talk about addictive! I'd ask for her recipe but anything you have to wrap in corn husks seems far too complicated.

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Playing Favorites

Ben Howard

By Bob on May 9, 2013 2:50 AM | Read More

I've been a fan of singer-songwriter Jose Feliciano since the '60s. His rich, powerful voice, flawless guitar skills and Latin-influenced rhythms make him the Godfather of brown-eyed soul. There's nobody like him. Or is there?

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Guest Room

3 Red Fruits to Savor this Summer

By Charlotte on May 8, 2013 6:18 AM | Read More

By Chef Billy Mayer, Bee's Knees Baking Co.

Summer is just around the corner and with it comes easier access to fresh fruits. With cherries and rhubarb reaching their prime this month, and strawberries coming into season in June, think red. It's a sure way to add some excitement to everyday recipes.

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Daily Distraction

One Size Fits All?

By Bob on May 7, 2013 2:19 AM | Read More

Thanks, but I'm not trying these on.

One size fits all-500.jpg

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In the Mirror

7 Sun-Sational Bronzers

By Charlotte on May 5, 2013 6:28 AM | Read More

A few weeks ago, the girls took me out to celebrate my 56th birthday. Wanting to wear something fun, I reached for my favorite maxi dress. It's a pretty, blue-and-white, sleeveless number from Macy's ... one of my best buys ever because it works everywhere from girl's night out to graduations!

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Score a Sweet Gift Set Sure to Slash Calories ... FREE

By Charlotte on May 3, 2013 1:33 AM | Read More

Sweets rule in the South. So when my family comes to Sunday lunch, Bob and I restock the candy box (always a hit with our nephews!), pack the fridge with Dr. Pepper and load up on alternative sweeteners. Everyone expects sweet tea but that's not where they want to spend their calories!

But wouldn't it be nice to serve a better-for-you option? The folks at Truvia want to give one lucky reader the chance to do just that. They've teamed up with us to give away a gift set including a super supply of their reduced-calorie sweetener. (Check the end of this post for details on this sweet sweepstakes!) Made from the best-tasting part of the stevia plant, Truvia contains only natural ingredients and zero calories. You heard right, "ZERO!"

 


 Blogger Gift Basket 600 reversed.jpg

You could score a sweet gift set sure to slash calories thanks to the folks at Truvia. We're giving away an approximately $117-value baking bonanza, including a super supply of the natural, reduced-calorie sweetener and other kitchen essentials.

Click "Read More" for details on how to enter. Contest* ends May 23, 2013! 


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Why Weight?

Brown Rice Triscuit

By Bob on May 1, 2013 4:33 AM | Read More

It's a well-known fact that we like cheese & cracker night(s) here at Boomer Brief HQ. Since Charlotte and I are both cancer survivors, we're always looking for healthier snack options (OK, she really is, I can take some convincing).

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Red Thong Strong: Girlfriends Little Secrets to Smoothing Lifes Panty Lines
Guest Room

Diabetes-Friendly Chicken Burrito Bowl

ChickenBurritoBowlEverydayDiabetes 600.jpg

By Laura Cipullo and Lisa Mikus, authors of Everyday Diabetes Meals
Image credit: Colin Erricson

Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.

Tips:

If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.

If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.

Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.

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Playing Favorites

Windy City

It's been almost 18 years since Alison Krauss gave us a solo album, but the wait is over with Windy City. The release (her fifth solo studio album) features ten covers of classic songs (and some bonus tracks) she picked with producer Buddy Cannon.

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Know someone battling cancer? Baylor Health Care System's Sammons Says... cancer blog is a great place to go for help. Here, you'll find information, resources, physicians, support groups and just about everything you need to help you navigate your way through this illness.

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