Go

December 2014 Archives

Why Weight?

5 Foods That'll Make You Look Younger

By Bob on December 31, 2014 5:26 AM | Read More

Did you ever stop and think that what you eat has an impact on how you look? 

Continue Reading »

Daily Distraction

Safety is No Accident

By Bob on December 30, 2014 4:46 AM | Read More

On second thought, maybe it IS!

12-30 - Drive Safe-580.jpg

Continue Reading »

Guest Room

Spicy Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin

By Charlotte on December 26, 2014 11:21 AM | Read More

By Clinton Kelly, co-author The Chew: A Year of Celebrations

Your holiday table will be so happy if you have this side dish snuggling up to your turkey, ham or whatever the main attraction happens to be. Not one, not two, but three cheeses and a crunchy breadcrumb topping make this gratin the comfort food to end all comfort foods. But before you get too comfortable, red chili flakes add a kick that will have you up from your chair looking for another serving.

Continue Reading »

Daily Distraction

Santa's Coming To Town!

By Bob on December 23, 2014 4:43 AM | Read More

And he's really pissed.

12-23 - Santa's Coming to Town-600.jpg

Continue Reading »

Out of the Closet

Dryel At-Home Dry Cleaner

By Charlotte on December 16, 2014 4:25 PM | Read More

I have a love/hate relationship with Bob's Tommy Bahama shirts. I love the way they look and feel (so soft!). But I hate taking care of them.

Continue Reading »

Daily Distraction

Aerosmith Had Nothing To Do With This

By Bob on December 16, 2014 4:36 AM | Read More

At least that's what Steven Tyler told me.

12-16 - Sex in an Elevator-591.jpg

Continue Reading »

The List

20 Terrific Last-Minute Gift Ideas Under $140

By Charlotte on December 12, 2014 3:16 PM | Read More

Christmas snuck up on me this year. We spent a week at the beach celebrating Thanksgiving and Bob's birthday. I should've started checking off my gift list the very next weekend but I was too busy enjoying the candlelight tour and other festivities in Granbury, TX. (What a fun girls' getaway!) Now, there're under 15 days left and I've done precious little shopping.

Continue Reading »

Playing Favorites

4 Vintage Holiday Movies You've Overlooked

By Bob on December 11, 2014 10:37 AM | Read More

We all have our favorite holiday movies we watch this time of year. Sure, there are the classics (Miracle on 34th Street, I'm pointing my finger at you) but there's a treasure trove of underappreciated gems that'll get you in the spirit of the season. Here are 4 Charlotte and I will be watching between now and New Year's Eve. 

Continue Reading »

Why Weight?

5 Immune-Boosting Foods for the Holidays

By Bob on December 10, 2014 4:53 AM | Read More

Charlotte and I are both cancer survivors. It's not something we're necessarily proud of **except for the "surviving" part** but, it's something we carry with us every day of our lives. Keeping healthy has always been part of our DNA and we've discovered that eating right is an easy place to start.

Continue Reading »

Daily Distraction

Homeless Tree

By Bob on December 9, 2014 4:33 AM | Read More

Won't anybody help this tree get home for the holidays?

12-9 - Homeless Tree-500.jpg

Continue Reading »

Remotely Possible

3 Terrific Apps for Holiday Photos

By Bob on December 5, 2014 9:52 AM | Read More

Between now and New Year's we'll all be taking a lot of photos. Our NY son, Cole, has grudgingly come around to the idea that Charlotte will be snapping loads of pictures of him with his friends and relatives when he's in town. Hey, that's what you get for being an only child. Suck It Up.

Continue Reading »

Comfort Corner

One-Pot Chicken Chili Macaroni

By Charlotte on December 5, 2014 6:28 AM | Read More

After a relaxing Thanksgiving break, Bob and I returned home to a ton of to-dos. Work, bills and bank statements had piled up while we were out of town. Christmas cards, shopping and wrapping had to be juggled with all my regular chores. And I was scrambling because my sweet mother was about to have back surgery and I might be needed in east Texas anytime.

I was tempted to forget cooking until I stumbled on this quick-and-easy Chicken Chili Macaroni recipe in Rose Murray's 125 Best Chicken Recipes (Robert Rose Inc., Feb. 28, 2014, $19.95). Got half an hour? That's seriously all you need to get this one-pot delight on the table.

A gem on busy nights, this 30-minute skillet meal features ground chicken, pasta and green beans in a mildly spicy tomato sauce topped with plenty of cheese.

Chicken Chili Macaroni Ready to Eat-600.jpgYou just brown ground chicken and garlic in a skillet. Drain any liquid. Then stir in stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, Mexican spices, macaroni, and fresh or frozen green beans. I couldn't find Mexican stewed tomatoes as recommended so I substituted Hot Mexican Chili Powder for the regular version and added 2 tablespoons green chilies to up the heat factor.

There's no chopping involved other than dicing the canned tomatoes. Plus, everything cooks in one big pot so cleanup is simple. Make that super simple if you pull out something non-stick like Kyocera's Kyo Glaze Ceramic Fry Pan. With this sleek skillet (thanks for the free tester Kyocera!), you can use metal utensils without fear of scratching the interior and food slides right off. It works both on top of the stove and in the oven (up to 400o F) and has a great stainless steel handle. Hand washing is recommended but that's no biggie because even Bob, who wants to put everything in the dishwasher, noticed how easy this slick pan cleans up. (12" fry pan $64.95 at KyoceraAdvancedCeramics.com)

Kyocera's versatile Kyo Glaze skillet has an advanced ceramic interior that resists scratching and keeps food from sticking.Skillet=600.jpg

Continue Reading »

Taking Off

Taking Off: Traveling with Tots Too

By Charlotte on December 2, 2014 12:42 PM | Read More

Remember how hectic holidaying with the kids was when they were very young? And now that your children have little ones of their own, you wait for that awkward moment each year when they ask you to take them off their hands so they can jet away for a week of relaxing.  

Continue Reading »

Daily Distraction

Definitely on the Naughty List

By Bob on December 2, 2014 4:29 AM | Read More

Didn't anyone ever tell her that Santa sees everything?

12-2 - Definitely on the Naughtly List-569.jpg

Continue Reading »

Go
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.

Continue Reading »

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.

Continue Reading »

Follow Us

Follow us on Twitter: @BoomerBrief 

and @CharlotteBoomer

  
Follow Charlotte on Pinterest:  Follow Me on Pinterest

Follow Bob on Pinterest


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.

Now Trending 

We Like These Sites 

Senior Forums is a great place to get the news and share views on everything from hobbies and healthcare, to food, family & travel. 

Matt Drudge gets the goods and his site ain't bad either.

The Huffington Post is the gold standard of political blogs.

You don't have to live in Dallas to enjoy D Magazine.

More →