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Eight Years With Out a Proper Kitchen

So imagine this a stove, a sink and about one foot of countertop space to prepare, dry your dishes, make your coffee...and any other thing you would want to do in a kitchen.  This was my first kitchen in NYC.

The second had a little more counter space and was quite nice, but it basically took up one corner of my living space and no one wants to be cooking in their living room.

And the next two were "kitchenettes", a combo of the two but fitted into a closet.  The last one was so whack I can't even get into it, made no sense.

But probably once a month or so Good Megs and I (Evil Megs as dubbed by her co-workers) would "try to cut back on eating out, drinking(occasionally) and spending" and stop at the grocery store and throw this together on a Sunday evening.

Now a disclaimer, we in no way feel we are experts, and this is in no way completely home made.  But we have been known to go to champagne brunch and follow that with a shopping bar crawl and find it necessary to eat pasta all over the city.  So we like to think we know a good pasta.

Usher in....Good Megs & Evil Megs Spicy Meat Sauce.

You need:

1lb of Ground Beef

1 jar of Rao's Arrabiata Sauce

1/2 Red Pepper

1/2 Green Pepper

1/2 Yellow Pepper

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

Salt and Pepper

Start by cooking the meat and putting on another pot of water to boil for the pasta.  Don't cook the meay all the way but almost, then drain the fat. 

Chop up the peppers, and toss those in with the meat along with the jar of sauce. 

Then throw in some crushed red pepper, I just throw in a bunch, it kind of depends how spicy you like it.  A little salt, some pepper.

Let this simmer for a bit.  In the mean time your water is probably boiling now.  Throw in the pasta.  Cook it and strain it when its ready.

Pour some sauce over it. Grate some cheese on it. Eat it. 

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Foot Follies/Fall Out

I don’t know about you, but since summer is imminent, Pep and I have been talking a lot about our hobo feet. Between living in NYC and walking an average of 4 miles a day and the constant on the run momming Pep is always doing, our feet look like they have been through the paper shredder. Though not as bad as years past - my feet were once categorized as “sharp” – just not looking great. There has got to be something one can do about this because all the crap that they offer in the nail salons is just that, crap. It never works and it runs up the bill! My beauty bill is high enough between the lotioning and oiling, dying and polishing, waxing and threading….you get it. I just figure if I’m putting that much effort into everything else, my feet should probably not be grey, hard and cracked. Right?

So when I returned to Massachusetts and I started spending less time on my feet I figured they would return to a better softer flesh toned version of themselves, it never happened. I started researching on Youtube and the www what other people with the same issues were doing and came across an article about Baby Foot. It’s a Korean product that is basically a bunch of fruit and exfoliating acids and is surrounded by loads of hype. You put on some booties filled with the solution and in several days, the most disgusting thing in the world happens, all of the feet on your skin falls off. Not just a little, layers upon layers in big swaths. It’s disgusting, google that sh!t.

I brought this discovery to Pep and after her own extensive ogling of photos and videos, we agreed let’s give it a try. We looked up Baby Foot, it was $40. So after a little more research, we settled on the TonyMoly version. It supposedly has the same results and similar formula and application, it just takes a little longer for shedding to begin and costs about a quarter of the price. So we each got two.

Pep did hers last week in preparation for some family event she was going to over the weekend. She is now on Day 6 and her feet have just begun to peel and has followed the instructions to the letter. I am on Day 2 I left the booties on for an extra 10 minutes and soaked my feet as instructed by Baby Foot and my feet look exactly the same. We are dying to gross our nearest and dearest so more to come on this…

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Back on the Back Road: Our Little Club

So we were knocking around some entry ideas about a week or two ago and got to reminiscing about what terrible children we were. Picture this three young girls left to do their own thing with little to no supervision….but we did have a SUPER VISION.

Oh lord what could this be… We started a club.

Its sort of like this blog in that the only members or followers were ourselves. It was very exclusive and met twice a week on the small nook/after thought of E’s grandparents’ back deck. Now I can’t claim to be one of the founding fathers of this club and neither can Pep for that matter. It was formed by E. and the other Lisa. We had to jettison her. She was the worst! She (and her family for that matter) were infamous for their tantrums. Legendary actually, they are still talked about today and have a classification of their own know only by a few called a “R***i Frenzi” (hope that isn’t searchable). A few memorables include watching their dad tear cedar shingles off of an addition that had taken about three years to build, the eldest son ripping grass out of the ground …with his teeth, and the famous day the other Lisa tried to suffocate E and I in a snow bank for white washing her. …I digress that is another blog post all together.

Back to this club, the other Lisa became generally horrible and we just stopped speaking to her but felt that it was important to carry on the mission of this organization. This was of course bad deeds. Yes you heard it here first any terrible thing you can think of, we did in the Bad Deed Club. Inclusive of going on a bike ride with the babysitter, turning around and riding home when she wasn’t looking, locking her out of the house and getting her fired. There is a litany of awful things you can do on a summers day to just piss off your neighbors…I can’t even list them. Just terrible…where were our parents?

We had a good laugh when we were telling our siblings and spouses about this but have to admit that should we be on the receiving end of it would be really ironic, especially the with the new found obsession E has with her lawn and garden. I would love to tell you more, but I’m not quite sure the statutes of limitations has run out a majority of these “deeds”, but this is just a Back Road Legend confirmed. Yes the Bad Deed Club existed.  If you were curious about why your grass wasn’t growing or where that note in your mailbox came from because your holiday decorations were up too long…it was because of us.

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Our Charter Follower So today is a special day around here, it’s the birthday of our first follower and wife of one of the BRBers. I volunteered to watch their pups for a quick weekend getaway. I hope y'all are celebrating with some beachside champagne.

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We're Back...

Spring has sprung...well kind of. 

Lots of changes around here on the Back Road this spring, As you may have noticed, we haven't posted in about two years.  Apologies to our one follower.  (Who happens to be me.)  I moved (begrudgingly) back NYC to work 14hrs a day, E. Amyouny decided to launch herself full steam into becoming the best damn lady engineer a protractor has ever seen and Pep bought herself a new house, minivan, tractor, boat and what I can only assume HUNDREDS of chickens.  What can I say, we've all been real busy...but as the only reader of this blog, I'm sure I can forgive ourselves...

We will be sure to fill you in some of the top highlights of the last couple years in our future posts.  It takes a lot for three busy BRBers to keep in touch there have been lots of touching memes, rants, and just the usual that you all (when I say you all ...I am clearly talking to my self) have come to enjoy. 

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Widget Wednesday

Cap Zappa - (Heineken) Bottle Opener & Cap Launcher

“It's the bottle opener that, after faithfully completing its beer-cracking duties, loads the removed cap in a firing chamber and readies it to transition from carbonation keeper to deadly projectile”

On my list of favorite things to do, drinking an ice cold Heineken is near the top -  just second to doing hoodrat things. I think opening up an ice cold bottle of my favorite beverage, and then shooting the cap at Marisa at the Minute clinic might just be my new #1.

Click on the photo for more info and where to buy. My order is in. Watch out Marisa. 

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Its Taco Tuesday but...

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Saturday Test: Hair Skin Nails Supplements

Who doesn't want nails that won't break, hair like Beyonce at the superbowl (Sasha Fierce) and skin that ...eh I don't know does skin things and at least looks healthy?  We all do.  

So I was at CVS (not while I was waiting at the Minute Clinic) picking up some exfoliating shower gloves and probiotics (obvi) and noticed that the vitamins and supplement were BOGO.  If you know me, you know that as long as I don't actually need something useful to in scheme of the " Get One" portion of the deal, I will waste it on the most frivolous of things.  Supplements and vitamins have always been a mystery to me so naturally I spent a lot of time in the aisle looking for the one that was going to most drastically and obviously going to change my life.  Then I saw it "HAIR SKIN AND NAILS"...YES!!!!  LETS DO THIS!!

Then I got to the parking lot and the panic set in.  What if these vitamins turned me into Cousin It and that guy in the Guiness Book with the curly fingernails to the floor.  Perhaps it would give me skin that glows in the dark and toenails that I could twitch while I skirt accross the lawn and cut the grass.  However, would it decrease the amount of hair shedding from my head everyday?  Anyone that has had the pleasure of having me for a house guest for even an hour knows this feature would be a god send.

So the challenge here at Back Road Blog is to try something for 7 days and report whether or not it works.  So here it is:

Hair: YES! My hair is definitely shinier and sheds a little less. (BRB FIERCE!)

Skin: Eh no change.

Nails: I neither look like the man from the Guiness Book or have become BRB Scissor Toes but my nails have been growing a bit faster.  

I suppose I recommend, I see no harm in trying them.

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Free For All Friday: Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

So here we find ourselves in the middle of cold and flu season...or so I have found myself in the middle of it for the first time in about four years.  A little background, I have a super human immune system, I rarely have non-routine visits to the doctor (with the exception of my early twenties when sinus infections were chronic).  I actually visit the doctor so infrequently that when I moved to NYC, I never really picked up a new PCP...because the only one I went to had weird mannequins in the waiting room sitting at antiquated computers...  Regardless, when I returned to Massachusetts, my medical records had been stored and my old PCP didn't take my insurance.

No big deal right?  I'm in Massachusetts, there are great doctors everywhere and surely in a state that requires all residents to have health insurance getting health care must be a cinch...WRONG YOU FOOL!  THINK AGAIN!

What happened over the course of the next month shocked me.  So I got a sinus infection, an illness whose symptoms I have become quite familiar with over the years.  When I finally decided I couldn't take it anymore and figured out my former PCP didn't take my insurance, I figured there must a decent doctor with less than a 50 minute drive to Boston anyway, I'll just find a new doctor nearby.  

So that's what I did.  I called a family practice in the next town that seemed to have lots of doctors and could probably squeeze me in that day.  Donna answered the phone...I discussed the problem and mentioned I had never visited but was miserable and needed to be seen ASAP.  Donna told me that the policy of the office was that new patients needed to come in for a physical and it took three months to get those appointments but she would call me back in the hour to let me know if I could fore go that policy in light of my face being about to blow off with sinus pressure.  Three hours went by, so naturally I called Donna back...she seemed puzzled, had no recollection of our conversation and told me that she couldn't possibly break the new patient policy and I should "just go to a clinic or the hospital".  So whatever, I gave her my info and she told me that she would call me to let me know when my appointment was.  Thanks. Thanks Donna.  Thanks for nothing.  (And if you were wondering, no, she never called me back.)

So I called up the other BRBs and asked what clinic they recommended. It was unanimous, go to the CVS Minute Clinic.  The next morning I drove to the MiniClini that i thought would have the least unsavories in its waiting area and met with Marissa.  I explained my background in sinuses and that I just simply needed a zpak to end this misery.  Nope.  Sorry.  You aren't sick enough.  (I would like you to know that it was also unanimous amongst everyone that I came into contact with that I had never been seen sicker). She told me that if symptoms persisted to return in three days...unfortunately, the hood rat games were imminent us and this just simply would not do.  "Oh well, take some Advil" said Marissa.  Thanks.  Thanks Marissa.  Thanks for nothing.

Well then we did hoot rat things.

When we were finished one of the BRBs said "That's it girl go get your zpak.  Go over there to the Minute Clinic and don't leave til they give it to you!"  So I went there...I wish I took a picture, there was a woman camped out with a blanket, an Indian man that had bathed in curry that kept following me about and a view of the pads and tampons.  There was also a wait at the Minute Clinic...a 232 minute wait.  So I told them to text me and left with the intention of returning in about 202 minutes.  So I went and got that BRBer and made her go back with me.  I bullied Nurse Amy into giving me the zpak and gave her a lecture on false advertising and some ideas about what to rename the Minute Clinic.  (our fave was 232 Minute Clinic)  Bravo Amy...I feel great.

Well...just when you thought I was finished with this rant and rave, I received a package from Donna at the doctors office.  It contained some information about pediatrics (thanks?)and a date for my new patient physical.  I figured might as well go so if and when I get sick again, I won't have to go through this rigamarole.  

The service called to confirm my appointment.  I let them leave a message.  "Hello, I'm calling the parents of BRBer to confirm her appointment Monday morning..."  I thought, well that is strange and didn't make the connection to the package yet...but I did on my way to my appointment.  Lets face it, Donna can't even return a phone call?  Why would I think she could schedule an appointment with the appropriate doctor for my age group and prepared myself for the reality that I may or may not be on my way to the pediatrician.

When I checked in there was an incredibly dopey looking woman who looked like she may have been sniffing glue for most of her adult life (I assumed that was Donna) and a more capable looking sole at the next window.  I gave her my name and she asked me where my child was....here we go.

I explained the situation...from top to bottom.  My calls with Donna, the package and the confirmation/reminder call.  She apologized and mentioned for some reason they were expecting a four year old.  After a deep sigh and an exaggerated eye roll, I sat down to fill out my paperwork.  I was called by the nurse to measure my height, weight and leave a specimen.  She was shocked at the size of this four year old...naturally.  Together, we discovered that Donna had noted my birth date to be 11/01/08 instead of 80...unbelievable, but not really.  A four year old with no legal guardians on file to call to confirm the appointment with and a mobile number.  Naturally she did not alert the doctor to my age either, so he too was obviously not prepared and the physical commenced. 

So a little advice readers, first, steer clear of the (232) Minute Clinic unless you a) have lots of minutes, b) just want to chat, and c.) need to do some pad/tampon shopping.  Next, corporate culture trickles down from above, if the receptionist is a fool you can usually expect a whole sinking ship of fools.  Most important, always have a PCP you see regularly...because all of this has been some real BS.  

Thats all,

M

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Time for a song...

I've got my tinfoil hat on Hip hip hip hooray My tinfoil hat will shield me From your mind-controlling ray I've got my tinfoil hat on To insulate my brain As long as I have got my Tinfoil hat on I'll be sane Naugty little voices chanting Naught little thoughts implanting Aluminum will strike them dumb Wear a tinfoil hat Aliens and Goblins Were watching me in bed Until I took some Bacofoil And wrapped it round my head Now I've got my tinfoil hat on My mind cannot be spoiled I've got my tinfoil hat on And their evil plans are foiled.

....Happy TINFOIL HAT Thursday!

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Widget Wednesday: Slap Chop

Who doesn't love nuts! Especially nicely chopped ones. I actually own this widget, there happened to be one in a vacation house my family rented last summer and we fell in love with it. Upon return i searched high and low -  every Rite Aid, CVS and Supermarket’s “as seen on TV” section. I finally ordered it online. You know how many times I've used it? Zilch. I hope that doesn't deter you from buying one, watch this video and mull it over. I think you will realize you need one too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWRyj5cHIQA

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TACO TUESDAY

Taco Tuesday is upon us.  This is a recipe for Tacos al Pastor from a place I'm not sure how I will live without, Cafe Habana.  I've spent many Tuesdays mornings afternoons in this tiny joint drinking potent margaritas, eating grilled street corn and of course savoring tacos:

Ingredients:  2 lbs pork shoulder  6 oz pineapple juice  Juice of 1 lemon  Juice I lime  6 oz water  Cajun spice to season pork  1 oz olive oil  12 corn tortillas  ½ of a pineapple  ½ onion

Procedure:  Begin by seasoning the pork with the Cajun spice, and searing it in the oil and a hot pan.

Place in a oven proof container with the fruit juices and water, wrap with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. And bake in oven at 325 for two hours.

While the pork Is cooking cut the pineapple into small pieces and cook with the onions.

Evenly divide between the 12 corn tortillas and serve 

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The blogosphere suggested I slather oil on my face - so I did.

We are blog lovers over here at BRB. in fact I personally subscribe to 100’s of blogs in my google reader. You can only imagine the kind of crap I stumble upon a daily basis. I’m sometimes inspired and decide to give it a try myself. Such was the case when i read about washing one’s face with oil. Yes I said oil. Sounds like the opposite of what you would want to put on your face right? That’s what I thought too but after reading several blogs and articles and then reading the hundreds of comments from people who are reaping the benefits I figured I’d try it.

My skin isn’t terrible, but its not great. I also did not have much of a skin regimen so maybe now was the time to start. This oil cleansing method consists of mixing 2 types of oil, castor and olive, slathering it on your face, laying a washing cloth soaked in hot water over your face for a bit and wiping it off with the same washcloth. Easy enough right? I had the olive oil already, just needed to find castor oil. Its typically used a laxative. I got lucky and found it at CVS on sale. YES! I’ve been using this method for over a week and my verdict is? I’m undecided. I can’t say that my skin is looking much better, but its definitely not worse. I actually feel like it is making my skin drier, although this could also be a side effect of the bitterly cold and dry weather we’ve been having lately. It works extremely well at removing makeup. I am going to keep it up for a while longer and see how it goes, I will be sure to keep you updated here at BRB, so stay tuned. You can read more about this method here and here.

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Quincy's Water Feature

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Town Brook Project

So here it is, Friday; the workweek has come to a close and its time to debrief. What better place to start than with a rant and rave.

And so it begins, a trip to the doctor’s office to pick up medical records. It’s Thursday morning and I decide it is best to wait for the morning commuters to depart from the streets of Quincy, so I may have a quick and easy commute to the doctor’s. The office is 0.6 miles from my house. Three streets and you’re there.

As I pullout onto street number one, I see the traffic is gridlocked. “No big deal” I think to myself, it is probably due to a red light at the McGrath highway intersection. Ten minutes later, only haven driven 30 feet, I notice a large back-ho in reverse changing direction. Suddenly, it dawns on me: this is construction for the town-brook project and my five-minute, 0.6-mile, three street commute, is now a subject to a twenty-five traffic jam in the city of Quincy. In layman’s terms an absolute cluster fuck!

The police are too busy texting their buddies about who’s going to win the Super Bowl championship game and Manti T’eo’s ranking in the up-coming Combine to give a shit about the two hundred cars not moving and the back-ho in reverse going through a major intersection.  Not to mention, when the opportunity to progress forward does present itself, one now has to deal with the woman plucking her eyebrows and the old lady who can’t see over the steering wheel. All this for a town-brook!

Please explain to me: what good is a brook through Quincy Center? A water-feature for the homeless who live in the vestibules of the adjacent parking garage? A place for the drunks to throw their bud light cans while stumbling down Hancock Street? A littering hole for the druggies to throw their needles and empty pill packets after they get a quick- fix down the nearby ally?

Come on Mayor Koch get with it! Let’s focus on the empty store fronts on Hancock Street and the mounds of dirt that were once the home of vibrant storefronts before we go focusing on a Brook.

I guess every town needs a water feature in order to disregard the true state of their surroundings.

Signing off

E. Amyouny

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