Since Zucchini is in Season...

Here a couple of things you can try...

Zucchini and Eggs

My mom has been cooking this since I was very little, so I didn't have a chance to think that zucchinis were gross. My aunts love growing things in their garden (unfortunately, I didn't inherit a green thumb, but anyway...). We always had plenty of zucchini in the summer. I was used to this recipe as well as plenty of Zucchini Bread.

Anyway, for zucchini and eggs you'll need:

1 small zucchini or 1/2 large one (cut in half and thinly sliced)
1 small onion (cut in half and thinly sliced)
6 eggs
1 TBSP. milk
salt and pepper
butter

In a small skillet over low heat add approx. 1 TBSP. of butter. When butter is melted add the zucchini and onions. Let them saute until zucchini is very soft and onions are transparent. This usually takes about 10 minutes or less.

In the meanwhile, crack your eggs into a large bowl. Add milk and salt and pepper to your liking. Beat until lightly frothy on top.

When zucchini and onions are done, remove from pan and set aside. Add your eggs to the pan and scramble as normal. Everyone scrambles their eggs differently so if you like it a certain way, by all means use your way. Just add the zucchini and onions and mix through right before your eggs are ready to come out. In other words while the eggs are formed but still wet.

I like to pour my eggs into the pan and let them set a bit and then as they sit pull them in from the sides and bottom making sure they're not sticking. I'm sort of folding the eggs over onto themselves. I'm not a constant scrambler. I like to cook them nice and slow to get a very soft, but cooked result.

Enjoy!

For dinner if you still have plenty of zucchini, try this recipe: Lasagna Soup

It's delicious!!!

Making Baby Products Less Convenient?

Ok, so I've been using Pampers Sensitive Skin baby wipes for 4 years now. I started using them because when Asha was in the hospital the nurses used them w/her and all the preemies, so I figured they must be quite gentle! Anyway, when the 2 year old came along, he came with all sorts of sensitivities...severe diaper rash, eczema, peanut allergies, etc. So these wipes have been perfect.

So whats the problem you say? Well to save money, we just buy the refill packs instead of the tubs. The cool thing about this was that the refill packs were resealable, so it wasn't necessary to have the bulky plastic tub and you could throw them in the diaper bag and go. Plus, I think they're better for the environment? Anyway, I'm not the type of mom that packs everything but the kitchen sink on outings so this was great.

Well, on Wednesday I went to Target and purchased my usual big box of diapers and big pack of Pampers Sensitive wipes. Mind you, I've been using these for four years. I pull out a new pack for a diaper change and I'm looking all over the package for the resealable tab. It's not there! It normally just peels back enough for you to get the amount of wipes you need out and seals right back up. This package I had to open like a bag of potato chips! Pampers decided not to make their refill packs resealable anymore! How inconvenient! Now I have to put them in a zipper bag to keep them from drying out which makes my already crazy travels, but a bit more stressful.

I called Pampers and they were very apologetic and are sending me some coupons, but what baby company would make their product more inconvenient? Don't us Moms need all the help we can get? I'll continue to use the wipes because I love them, but I wish they would bring the old packaging back.

Maybe I'm making something out of nothing, but...

What are your thoughts? and how do other moms make traveling with kids more convenient?

On "just looking"....

Ok, so I'm not one of those high pressure sales people. However, I love people and I really like lending my expertise (or giving my opinion, whatever you want to call it). Granted, I just work in a retail store, but I really do like my job. I like checking out the new inventory when it comes in, I like the training the higher-ups give us about the products and vendors, and I work for a company I believe in.

Yes, I do have a goal (aka quota) to meet in order to keep my job. I'm ok, with that...usually I do just fine. As a matter of fact, I think all people in service jobs should work on commission. Can you imagine the difference if the people at fast food restaurants or Wal-Mart worked on commission? How they would go out of their way to make sure you were taken care of? It would be a whole different ball game right?

Here's my issue.. a customer walks through the door and I smile and say, "Hello! Welcome to ________. What can I help you find today?" The answer is, "I'm just looking!!" Sometimes when the weather's bad or the Cardinals just won I might say, "Hi, how about this weather?" or "How about those Cards?" Those customers still just say, "I'm just looking!" What? C'mon! You totally have a phobia of salespeople if you are so strong that you have to say "I'm just looking!" to whatever question the salesperson asks.

Now I know we have a bad reputation for being pushy and I hate that myself, but we're not all like that. Give us a chance!! Some of us are really nice people, have a lot of knowledge, will give you great customer service, and aren't pushy at all!

I don't mind if a customer says, "Hey, I'm just going to look around and I'll come get you if I need some help." Completely respectable! I'll stay available for you. I certainly appreciate honesty and that you don't want some salesperson following you around the store. Just stop saying, "just looking" if you're seriously considering a purchase.

I'm not asking that people automatically trust salespeople....just give us a chance! We're trying to make a living like the next American!

Feel free to leave me any comments about your experiences with salespeople whether good or bad.

Thanks for listening...

--Jen

Aida is the Bomb!

Okay, so I've been watching the Food Network for many years and I really like this new school set of chefs they have: Aida Mollenkamp, Sunny Anderson, and I loooove the Neelys.

Recently I tried a roast chicken recipe from Aida (Ask Aida is her show). I've been trying to get Roast Chicken right for years now. The best recipe I've had has been from Real Simple magazine, which gave me the coveted crunchy skin on the outside, but the inside never cooked completely. I tried Aida's Slow Roasted Garlic Chicken recipe from the Comfort Food episode.

This chicken was to die for! I couldn't even carve it without eating the crispy/flavorful/still had the kosher salt on it skin! It was soooo good! Even better, the inside was done! No blood any where in site. I know that's gross, but that's literally how my roasted chicken used to turn out.

The only con I discovered was that the breast was slightly dry, but just a dip in the liquid at the bottom of the pan and this was totally a non-issue! If you've been searching for a really good roast chicken recipe, you should try it!

I'm curious...who's your fav. new school Food Network chef?