My kids tell me I severely limited their TV watching when they were in grade school: which I find hard to believe since they can sing every 80s TV theme song. But today lots of moms I know continue the practice of limiting their children’s TV viewing, especially on school nights. But if you’re going to let them watch, why not require them to Viggle?I’ve told you about Viggle before: its a way to “check-in” to your favorite TV shows, get points for watching those shows, and then redeem those points for free stuff… like Starbucks and movie tickets. (If you’re a mom or grandmom reading this its kind of like being a Nielsen Ratings home: but instead of recording your TV watching in a diary and receiving a weekly cash thank you, technology allows you to check-in with your iPhone or iPad.)

Check-in with Viggle is very simple:

• download the free Viggle app to your iPhone or iPad (the android app is in beta)
• when your TV program starts, open the app and press “check in”
• Viggle will “listen” to your TV and search for the right show. If Viggle can’t find your show, you can manually input the show you’re watching.
• confirm that Viggle is listening to the right show and voila! you accumulate points

Viggle also give bonus points for special shows, quizzes, watching commercials, and other opportunities. Then, when you redeem enough points, you redeem them for a coupon that Viggle emails to you.

So, what does all this have to do with charity? You can redeem your points as a charitable donations! Viggle lets you redeem your points from a frequently updated list of vendors. Today, in addition to Starbucks, Best Buy, JC Penney, Fandango, Amazon and other vendors you can redeem your points for:

• Covenant House: 7500 points donates $5
• Boys and Girls Clubs of America: 7500 points donates $5
• National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc: 7500 points donates $5

And Viggle would like to hear what other charities you want added to the Viggles Reward Catalogue: email them here: ideas@viggle.com

So next time your kids want to watch a little TV tell them yes: if they Viggle for charity!

You know I love moi Kindle. And moi iPad. And reading books is a personal pleasure I cherish. At the moment I’m reading a paperback, a hardback, and I have a few books loaded and ready to go on the Kindle app for moi iPad. And none of it cost me a penny:

• The Queen Mum lent me The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.

• Stacey from CoMo gifted me a 1st Edition of the 1929 Paris is a Woman’s Town by Helen Josephy and Mary Margaret McBride, which I am savoring slowly.

• And moi iPad is loaded with 3 recent books from the library:
• Dreams of Joy: A Novel by Lisa See
• Private by James Patterson and Jack Morgan
• The Litigators  by John Grisham

Borrowing books from my local library for my Kindle or iPad couldn’t be easier:

1. I enter my library card number on the library website
2. search the list of e-books (Kindle, Adobe EPUB, Open EPUB, OverDrive MPE, and Public Domain)
3. check them out!
4. If the book is immediately available, it downloads wirelessly immediately to your Kindle or iPad. If the book is already checked out, I can put it on hold, and the library will send me an email letting me know its available for checkout.

Over the past 6 months I’ve checked out at least 20 books, without every leaving the couch. Here are a few tips for checking out books for your iPad:

• Each book is available on hold for 5 days. If I do not check it out in those 5 days, it goes back in the cue, and I’ll have to put it on hold again.
• If I only want books that I know I can check out today, I have the option to only search for books that are “available immediately”
• My library only allows me to have 3 books on hold at any time, but I can check out as many books as I want, so I can load up my iPad for long trips.
• Most books are only available for 21 days. At that point they disappear from my iPad.  If I haven’t finished reading it yet, I have to borrow it again.

Does borrowing books from the library for your iPad work perfectly? Of course not! But borrowing hardcover books from the library doesn’t work perfect either: last Fall I walked to the library, borrowed a book, read it in a few days, and returned it. About a month later I went to download a book to my iPad, and my account was closed. So I walked over to the library to see what the problem was. My book was listed as overdue, with a fine. The fine was less than $1, but the book wasn’t listed as returned yet so the fine would continue to accumulate. The librarian and I walked upstairs to the New Books section where I originally found it, and voila! There it sat, on the shelf. No system is perfect.

But I so have a few suggestions for my local library to improve the e-book lending system (each library can set up their own policies for lending e-books)

• why a limit of 3 holds at a time? For 1 book I am number 36 of 42, so it will be a couple weeks before I rise to the top of the list. I can check out as many books at a time as I want, so why limit holds?
• books are automatically removed from my iPad after 21 days. But sometimes I read the book immediately and can return it immediately. There is no option to “return now”. If I’m number 36 on the hold list and there are 5 copies available to borrow, maybe all 5 are sitting there in limbo: already read but not able to be returned.
• If I didn’t already know that libraries lend e-books, I’d never have learned it from my library. The Chicago Public Library is a huge library system. And the availability and instructions for borrowing e-books is very well hidden. I found it because I was looking for it. CPL calls it “Downloadable Media”.  Really? Why not something more creative, like, hmmm: “e-books”!

But am I thrilled to be borrowing books for my iPad? YES! I’ve belonged to the public library in every city I’ve lived in, and I’m happy the library is moving with the times. I wonder if they’ll be lending e-magazines any time soon?

The weather in Chicago has been a little fickle, but on those days when you’re craving something cold and creamy and and chocolatey – and trying not to break the calorie bank or the piggy bank – head over to Trader’s Joe’s freezer aisle. Grab a box of Gone Bananas. And sneak a bite…or 2. Basically Gone Bananas is a sliced banana, each slice dipped in chocolate, and then frozen. It comes 20 to a box, and usually 2 or 3 bites satisfy my craving. Usually.

Sure, I could buy a banana, slice it, freeze each slice, melt some chocolate, dip each slice, return to freezer, and then package.

But for $1.99, I’ll buy a box. And at only 10 calories per banana bite, I can walk off a few mouthfuls walking to Trader Joe’s and home again. (Each box equals 1 banana = 130 calories = 20 banana bites: I’m rounding up!)

TJ’s Gone Bananas: they make me happy!

I stopped with little sis Mary for a quick polish change last week at Arbre, and we both ended up joining Belly: a business loyalty reward card that works for multiple businesses!

Yes, you read that right: Belly doesn’t just work for our Arbe visits, it adds points if I visit NYC Bagel and Deli. Or Elly’s Pancake House. Or over 600 businesses in Chicago alone, with more joining everyday.

Founded and based in Chicago, Belly is growing quickly as businesses sign-up to take advantage of customers’ desire to be rewarded while not being inconvenienced. Targeted mainly at small and medium-sized businesses, Belly offers a customer retention program for small businesses whose customers may not sign up for a loyalty program for their store only: I won’t go to Arbre again, while the manicure was fine it’s not in my neighborhood: we simply had a few hours to fill before an appointment. But I joined up because I do regularly go to other businesses who use Belly. Starbucks I’m at almost daily: I’m happy to let my drink stars accrue toward a free drink. But Dog-a-holics I only visit a couple times a year. I can Belly at Dog-a-holics. Genius!

When we signed up, I used the in-store iPad and entered my email address, and received a plastic card for my wallet or keychain. But then I downloaded the free iPhone app: no more card to carry, I just bring up my barcode and rake in the points. With hundreds of locations already in Chicago, Belly is expanding rapidly, and I can find dozens of new locations in SoFlo, NYC, Texas, Arizona and even Nebraska!

And with all the points I’m raking in, I can get free cupcakes… and a whole bunch of other stuff like haircuts and comic books.

Loyalty cards have gone digital! Who knew?

Just discontinued our family landline phone: so proclaimed a friend’s Facebook status. I have serious envy. Until recently, between the 2 of us we had 6 phone numbers. Yes, 6. Through moves and job changes we’ve managed to cut it down to only 4 phone numbers: 2 landlines and 2 mobiles. Our goal: 2 mobiles and ditch the landlines.

The problem? Condo living. We split our time between 2 condos in different states, and work and life often mean we are often not both at the same condo. And for visitors to get to our home, they need to call us via the entry security system and we need to buzz them in. So we just list our mobile phone number on the security system, right? Wrong. If TBG is in Chicago and orders pizza delivery at 10pm I don’t want to be called at 11pm in Florida to let the delivery guy in. If I have guests in Florida at 9am Saturday morning, TBG doesn’t want his cell phone ringing at 8am and waking him up so I can go to brunch with my friends.

So, we have a landline in both Florida and Chicago strictly to buzz in visitors. Crazy? Yes it is. What options have we considered?

• magicJack: for $150 we can plug the magicJack system into our electrical outlet and never pay again for local or long-distance calls.  2012 Product of the Year. Rave reviews from CNBC and the New York Times. Sounds too easy…its alot to pay when we haven’t talked to 1 person who has actually tried it, and I’m not sure I want to be a $150 guinea pig (although I’m paying $29.99/month to Vonage AND $29.99/month to Comcast* I’d recoup it quickly if it works)

• Skype: with Skype I can receive calls on my computer for free, but I can’t buzz people in. So I could get pizza delivered but I’d have to run down 22 flights to pay the guy. He might as well just call me on my mobile if I can’t have it delivered to my door!

• Ooma: it reads to me like a cross between magicJack and Skype: for $200 you buy the Ooma box and connect it to your computer (bluetooth and wireless adapters are available for more $$$) and they promise free US calling, voicemail, caller ID, etc; but it has one-time or monthly fees to keep your current landline number. I’m thinking NOT.

So smart readers: any suggestions on how I can ditch our landlines but still buzz people in with our security systems?

* yes, you read that right: I’m paying $60/month x 12 months = $720/year for phones we use only to let visitors in. I could buy alot of Starbucks for $720!

If you follow my blog, you know I’m a movie junkie. So wherever I live, whatever the local language, regardless of the price per ticket, on any given weekend I’m in a movie theatre. And from November thru February, sometimes several movies each weekend so I’m prepared for the Academy Awards. But, I don’t typically watch movies on TV at home. I like the whole going-to-the-movies experience: the big screen, a darkened theatre, stadium seats, slightly stale popcorn, and annoying people checking their cell phones, chewing with their mouths open and talking back to the screen.

At home we have a large flatscreen parked across from a comfy couch. Fresh popcorn. Diet Ginger Ale. A cute little white dog sitting on moi lap. And a shelf full of both the latest DVD theatrical releases and oldie-but goodies. I have friends with theatre rooms: darkened, stadium seats, and a well-stocked snack bar. I’d just rather pay $12 and go to the movies.

And I don’t like reruns: Once I’ve seen the movie, I’m done. I make a few exceptions for movies I load on my iPad and love to travel with: Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House, Julie and Julia, Ice Castles. My ambition is not to be able to quote all the good lines (unlike my husband and son who love quoting Ferris Bueller and Top Gun).

But the week of April 4 I’ll be at the movies to see the new release of Titanic in 3D. I’m not a huge fan of 3D, but I loved the Titanic (which I’ve seen only once when we’d just moved to Paris: I thought I’d figured out which movies were presented in VO (version originale) and when the credits began in French I thought I’d screwed up, but a few moments later the movie began, thankfully in English!)

See you when we set sail on the Titanic!

Moi tip:

I’ll be seeing the Titanic for 3D for free! How? I Viggled my way to a free movie ticket just by watching TV!

My morning chai tea latte (tall, skim, extra pump, extra hot with a straw, svp!) and afternoon frappuccino (tall coffee light) are life’s little luxuries that I’m not willing to give up. But like everyone else I’m looking for ways to save a few dollars while still indulging my luxuries. My Starbucks habit is now fed by couponing.

No, I’m not a coupon extremist: you won’t be sorry to get in line behind me at the grocery. But I have developed a few money-saving habits that fund my Starbucks addiction and only take a few minutes a week. I work from home, but don’t want to turn couponing into a full-time job like I’ve seen on TV shows.

My couponing secrets?

Coupon Codes from Have Deals

I’m surprised how many people who shop online don’t know about coupon codes! When you’re shopping online, in the checkout you’ll freqently see a little box marked coupon code or promo code. This code applies a discount to your purchase: free shipping, buy 1 get one, 15% off: it varies. You don’t have a coupon code? Just get one off the internet! I go to Google and enter for example: coupon code m&ms and find a code offering a current discount.

But typically that’s just too much time and trouble, so I just go to Have Deals and find whatever coupon code I’m looking for on their website, rather than searching around all the different websites. For example, my nephew Pat turned 16 and I wanted to gift him some M&Ms customized in his school colors, with Happy Birthday Pat on one side, and License to Drive on the other. So all I did was go to havedeals.com, enter M&Ms in the search box, the site took me to the M&Ms website, and I got a 15% discount on my order!

Took 5 seconds, saved me $3.41, and paid for 1 frappuccino!

Ebates  

Sometimes there simply isn’t a coupon code available, so I go to Ebates to shop. Ebates works with different online stores, and they offer a cash refund on purchases made through the Ebates website. So, if I want to buy a new ice cream maker at Macy’s, I go to Ebates.com, and enter Macys in the search box, and Ebates will take me to the Macy’s website; then I shop for my ice cream maker. Right now, there is a 3% cash back on Macy’s purchases at Ebates, so if I don’t have any other coupon or promotion codes, my on-sale $59.99 ice cream maker will generate a rebate check to me of $1.80. % of discount varies, sometimes there are double-cash rebate deals, so shop around!

Ebate rebate checks are sent quarterly, so typically my rebate checks are about $20-25: enough for 3-4 chai tea lattes!

Viggle  

Since I work from home I also have the TV on alot so I’m pretty caught up on reality and talk shows! Recently I discovered Viggle, a free app I downloaded from the iTunes AppStore to my iPad and iPhone. Once you download the app, you select your cable provider. Then when you’re watching the show – either live or on DVR – you just go to the Viggle app, select check in and Viggle matches what it hears and records your check in. Each check in awards you points, and different levels of points provide you different awards. A $5 Starbucks card costs 7500 points.

This week I Viggled about 15,000 points, enough for $10 at Starbucks: 3 frappuccinos!

Just think how many Starbucks drinks I could fund by couponing if I actually worked at it!

Summer and barefoot go together: freedom, casual, easy living. Heading to a wedding on the beach? An afternoon on your yacht? Poolside at the resort? Don’t let your toes go bare with just a little polish: flash your feet with style!

No, I’m not talking ankle bracelets or toe rings: they’re soooo last millenium. I’m in SoFlo and the trendy beachwear are almost sandals…. literally: Almost Sandals.

I’ve seen them on the beach, but hadn’t seen them in stores until I saw Almost Sandals in the window of  The Legacy in downtown Delray Beach.

Perfect for when you want to go almost bare…with style! $19 at The Legacy or online. Personally: I like the shell style!

The Details:

I thought everyone knew what Rooster Sauce is: but after 2 restaurant meals this week with friends, I found out I’m wrong: alot of you are somehow missing out on the huge red squeeze bottle with the green tip on your table at many casual Asian restos. I use Rooster Sauce like a sweet and spicy ketchup: occasionally as an ingredient, but more often as a condiment for soups, sandwiches, dips, spreads, marinades and sauces.

Rooster Sauce is not the real name: it’s actually named Sriracha Sauce. But because the most popular brand has a big rooster on the side I – and everyone else – call it Rooster Sauce. According to the Huy Fong website, Sriracha Sauce is made from sun-ripened chilies and garlic. And according to dozens of bloggers, it’s easy to make at home. But I just buy the Rooster!

I 1st remember Rooster Sauce about 12 years ago in Paris, where it was a condiment on the table in a Thai resto. Then, I brought it in the International section of the grocery. Where I still buy it today, in the US. I never have to search it out: it’s been available wherever we’ve lived from NYC to Chicago to St Louis to SoFlo. (But FYI: I never once saw Rooster Sauce in Thailand.)

The easiest way to use Rooster Sauce is to just put it on the table and let everyone spice up! But if you need some ideas on how to use Rooster Sauce:

• Spicy mayo for dipping sushi, egg rolls;  spreading on BLTs and tuna or salmon burgers; or mixing into cole-slaw or macaroni and cheese
• Blood Mary mixes perk up with a squirt of Rooster Sauce
• Make pasta arrabiata with Rooster Sauce in place of red pepper flakes
• A stream of Rooster Sauces wakes up instant ramen noodles ( college kids: take note!)
• Jump-start deviled eggs or chicken wings
• add Rooster Sauce to cocktail sauce for shrimp, crab or scallops

Spicy Mayo Recipe

2 parts mayonnaise
1 part Rooster Sauce (adjust to taste: some like it spicier so try equal parts; some like it milder so try 4:1)
Wedge of lime

Mix, and serve! (For a party, I put the mayo in a small dish, squirt circles of Rooster Sauce on top, and wedges of lemon on the side. It’s pretty, and festive!)

Rooster Sauce: Who Knew?

I hadn’t planned on talking about my lemon bars this week, but after I brought them to a dinner Saturday night I was asked for the recipe so many times I decided to share!

I needed to bring something for dessert to a casual dinner Saturday night and TBG suggested lemon bars, a favorite of the kids I haven’t made in forever. I went to pull out my recipe and oops: my longtime lemon bar recipe is in Chicago, and I’m in SoFlo.

So I googled. Browsing the online recipes made me decide to make 1 batch lemon bars, 1 batch key lime bars (after all, we’re in Florida!)

And after letting my fingers swipe one recipe after another, I decided to adapt a recipe by David Lebovitz. Primarily because his recipe was in an 8×8 pan and I was caught-up in his Paris kitchen remodeling tales. As good a reason as any.

Here’s the recipe I used: you can compare it to David’s* and see which you prefer.

Lemon Bars

Crust

Lemon Topping

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF
2. 2. Line an 8″ pan with foil
3. mix 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 8 tablespoons melted butter, and vanilla, stirring until a soft dough forms
4. pat the batter evenly into the bottom of the pan
5. bake the crust for 25 minutes
6. juice and zest the lemon into a bowl
7. add the eggs, 1 cup sugar, four teaspoons of flour, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 3 tablespoons melted butter, and blend
8. when the crust comes out of the oven, reduce the heat of the oven to 300ºF. Pour the lemon filling over the hot crust and bake for 25 minutes
9. remove from the oven and let cool completely. Once cool, carefully lift out the bars grasping the foil.
10. cut the bars into squares or rectangles. Sift powdered sugar over the top before serving.

*note: I wanted to try the whole lemons in the food processor, but my processor is in storage. Somewhere.

Lime Bars

I followed the exact same recipe as the lemon bars, except I substituted 2 key limes for the 1 lemon.

Optional: add 2 drops green food dye to differentiate the lime bars from the lemon bars. I used 3 drops in mine, and I think they’re a little too green, don’t you?

Note: I was violently conflicted about adding the food dye but the only other solution to differentiate the bars was to sprinkle the powdered sugar dusted lemon bars with lemon zest, and the lime bars with lime zest. And that would have involved a trip to the market, which I wasn’t doing. Then I realized: key lime pie in Florida is ALWAYS green, and it doesn’t get that way from the limes!

There were no complaints Saturday nite. And a large empty plate.