Cheap eats

I know that I am not the first to come up with cheap ways to eat well but as of late, I have been on a high from doing so. I do not mind spending money on food but since my training program has begun, I have decided to put more emphasis on eating a more healthy and plentiful diet based very little around meats.
Fortunately, my father lives in the back so I can share my wealth and make sure he is eating well too.
Some meals that we have created and taken like to are: oat-key burritos, turk-meal meat balls, ham hash,  marinated steamed tofu, pinto beans and seasoned rice with vegetables, Banana- raisin oatmeal, coconut-cranberry hot cereal, tapioca pudding, Eggs Ole, Blueberry muffins, apple cakes and plenty of salads. They are all very inexpensive to make and can last for a few meals.

Oat-key Burritos or Tacos
1/2 lb. lean ground turkey
1 cup rolled oats
1 bunch cilantro -cleaned and chopped
1 half onion chopped
1 cup chopped or shredded carrots
1/4 package of taco seasoning
1/3 cup water

Brown turkey, oats and onion in a skillet
Toss in cilantro, carrots, taco seasoning, water
Stir until completely seasoned and let simmer for 5 minutes
Turn off heat and let sit for 5 minutes while oats bind
Serve on tortillas with cheese, lettuce, salsa or tomatoes for tacos. Add beans and rice for burritos
- Very tasty, low fat and most importantly, not a wallet buster.


Coconut-cranberry Hot Cereal 
1 cup 10 grain cereal
3 cups water
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup broken walnut halves

Cook cereal in water for 8 minutes at medium heat
Stir in cranberries, coconut and walnuts and reduce heat to low for 4 minutes
Stir again then turn heat off
Let sit for 5 minutes and serve

- Very delicious, healthy, hearty, sweet and most importantly, not a wallet buster

"Can't we all just get along?"

Last week I received a telephone call from one of my tenants, Myra stating that she plans to move out because she can't live with the other, her cousin, Annie. I told Myra that she will have to give a 30 day written notice for it to be official. I was not too happy about this news because the two girls are good tenants. They don't complain or give me problems and the rent is never late. I don't care what they do but because I like them, I don't want them to leave. Some days pass and I hear no word from them so I thought maybe they patched up their differences. Today I received a call from Annie telling me that she is giving a 30 day notice. Again, I had to tell her it needed to be in writing so she said it would come from Myra. A few moments later Myra calls with the same news. Myra is very sad about the situation and wants to stay but cannot afford to do so on her own. She will look for a person/s to share the condo with. I told her that I don't want to pry in their personal business but Annie needs to work out her problems rather than running from them. If they live together, they need to look after the other, keep the place clean and live harmoniously. Annie has horrible credit and if she leaves, it will be difficult for her to find another place to live. I don't know what her intentions are but to go is a bad move. Myra informed me that she got Annie a job and found a place for the two to live and all she needed to do was to stay clean and look after herself. Apparently that is too much work for Annie so once again, she will be moving. This is not good for her children.
I wish Annie and Myra the best.

Old liars

Some weeks ago, from an online matchmaking website,  I received an e-mail from a German man living in the same city. I looked at his profile and photo and felt no interest but he seemed like a nice individual with whom, at best, was good at e-mail conversation. For some reason this man, who had traveled to Germany for a few days kept sending e-mail as if we were the best of friends. I don't know why but I guess I was keeping him from being lonely. He wanted to meet in town so I agreed to do so. We met at Starbucks and at first glance, I knew this man lied about his age. His profile read that he was 49 years old. Clearly he was not. I would give him 54 at youngest. He never mentioned numbers in relation to age, rather he referred to his "twenties." He was like talking to a brick- very boring. Even after having to draw conversation out of him, he was close to putting me to sleep. I was looking for a break because it was about that time for an afternoon nap. Luckily he mentioned he had to go. Yippee! I was hoping the guy found me boring enough to leave me alone for good. I was wrong, he sent an e-mail the next day about having oral surgery. I don't know why he had to tell me but I wished him well and told him to take care.
Some days later, another German man sent a message. I read that his profile stated he is 57, in the travel industry and he, well traveled. I was a bit curious despite thinking his age is too old for me. We exchanged a few e-mails before he wanted to talk to me. I am not that eager so I told him it was too soon. Later on, we exchanged a few more e-mails and my curiosity was growing wider. Right before retiring for the night, I gave him my telephone number and he quickly phoned. He was ready to meet. Goodness, give it some time, I thought. I told him I would let him know when I was free to do so. I found time Monday afternoon to make this happen. I sent an e-mail to and phoned him to see if it would work for him. As eager as he was, said he would come to my area so that we can meet at a local diner. I was good with this because it meant I would be able to ride my bike.
A few days before meeting, I decided to do a little research on him to find out if he really worked in the travel industry. I found that he has worked around the world, in various countries as a hotel manager for a few exclusive 5 star properties. His age was not panning out. Under his name, there was an age range from 43 to 71. I wondered how old this man really is. The closest one to what he described himself as being is 71. He runs races and a lot of race times were that of in the 65-69 age group. A Boston Marathon time showed as a 70 year old finisher. Trying to give the benefit of the doubt, thought maybe he lied about his age to qualify for Boston. I asked a friend to look too and she came up with nearly the same conclusion.
Still not 100% certain, I met him for lunch. He was engaging, gentle and pleasant that I was gaining interest in him. I kept looking at him and in my age fog, really started to see the 71 year old man. He spoke about his travels and work as well as qualifying for Boston. He unknowingly was stating his age. After finishing lunch, we decided to part ways and he was really trying to set up a date. I told him that I would let him know when I was free again because I never know what my schedule holds. Before leaving, I asked his age and he told me he is 56 years old. I told him I will not consider anyone older than my mother, who is 62 this year. I could tell by the look on his face that he was not being honest with me. I was very bothered by this.
Being so bothered that when I awoke the next morning, I sent him an e-mail stating my feelings and thanked him for lunch. He replied by telling me that I am the same age as his ex-wife and thought he could convince me that age is just a number. Maybe to some this is true but I don't want to deal with a man who is older than my mother let alone, my father who shares the same age as he. I am the judge of me, and no one else so if I clearly inform one of how I am or what I will accept, there is no convincing me. I wish him luck on his pursuits with a much younger woman who can make him feel whole.

Rambro to Rimbro and return

Several weeks ago Rambro brought home a new car. I don't know how he got it or the money but it is a keeper, apparently. He sent an e-mail telling me about his new purchase as if I were supposed to care. It is just a car so get in, drive and come home. About ten days ago, I was driving down the street to park in front of my house and noticed his car half way parked in the only available space. I waited for him to come out and move so that I could park. He came out, got in the car and made a 3-point turn as if to be the coolest dude in town. Ick! I paid no attention to him and went about my business.
Later that day, after being outside for a while working on my bike and in the garden, I checked my voicemail and listened to a message from some business that sells auto rims. As I wondered what the deal was, I called back (3 hours later) expecting to speak with the man who called me but was told he was not available. I left a message and hung up. I figured Rambro was trying to finance a set of rims for his car. STUPID! Later in the evening my girlfriend Eve came over to pick up some things and as I walked her out, I noticed Rambros car had tinted windows and RIMS. His car was decked out! Yee haw, what a slick ride. I quickly changed his name to Rimbro. Eve and I looked at one another and laughed because it is a joke to know where his priorities lie.
Exactly one week later, the rims were gone. The tint was still affixed to the windows but the rims gone. Inside I chuckled because I knew something financially has happened to him but dare not ask. I don't want to talk to him about things that don't concern me, especially not anything superficial.  That guy is a complete mess.
The other day I received an e-mail from Rambro stating he has to give a 30 day notice. I don't know what is going on with him and will soon find out since he can't keep his mouth shut about his personal business. It bothers me none that he will soon move out but having him paying to share my space sure was nice. 

Cold Feet

When the temperatures are low and the wind blows, my feet suffer. For many years now, I have not been able to handle cold weather like a champ. I double up on everything and still can't keep warm. Swimming outdoors, especially in the evening is not always the easiest thing to do. The air can be cold and pool warm yet the moment I slip my sandals on, my feet freeze, for hours. As of late, I have felt warm and well enough to sleep however my feet, especially the right, take three hours to warm up. I put on socks, use fleece sheets, turn on the heat, fold my leg under my butt and grab them with my hands to try to transfer heat. Nothing works. Today is a cold and windy day but not enough for me to put on a thick winter parka. I swam this morning and felt fine. I returned home shortly after 9a and now, nearly eight hours later, my feet are still cold. It feels as if I have been standing on ice. Burr! In talking to my father about this problem, he has informed me that he too, suffers from the same, even with the right foot. Genetics. I am amazed how much he and I suffer in similar ways but at times, I wish my mothers genetics would take over so that my feet would not be as cold as they have been.

Revolution in the Arab world

Some weeks ago Tunisians revolted against the government then the Egyptians followed with great force. So much force that after three weeks, Hosni Mubarak relinquished his power to the Vice President who will also step down once his term is over. The military will have to figure something out to create a new Egypt so that the people are all equal and possibly have jobs. Hours after Egypt was "liberated," Bahrain and Yemen went up in smoke too. Many have been killed yet not enough to stop the revolution. These people want an immediate change. Since the power of the people is growing stronger day by day, Libya is now on fire. Libyans are tired of Ghaddafi and so is the rest of the world. After 42 years in power, the man should give up even if power be handed to his stupid sons.
Ghaddafi is another crazy leader who thinks he is sane and everyone, insane. He gave a speech today telling the people to be happy and dance in the streets. What a buster. these are the very people who hate him with a passion. They want a change, jobs and a better life, not a leader who is mentally ill and has billions of Euros hidden in European bank accounts. Forget about all of means he has to kill his own, send foreigners out of the country or whatever else his followers wish to do but this man is going down, fast. If he does not pass of old age or mental illness, he will be executed by one who will be considered a martyr, not him. Give up Muammar!

Dumpster Diving

I have seen and read about the small American population who dumpster dive because they are disgusted with corporate America and the overall waste created. I completely agree with these groups of people because I am not a fan of waste of any sort, especially that of food. There are major supermarket chains that simply dispose of day old or soon to be baked goods, produced or damaged items they cannot or chose not to sale in the stores or donate to the local food banks. Once this food is tossed in the dumpsters, it is fair game for people to take at their own risk. A lot of the supermarkets will donate such items to some food banks or missions to make use of.  Being that I volunteer weekly at the local mission, I see more waste than imaginable.
I always thought that any soup kitchen would make use of all foods donated because of the large populations served. This is not the case. I am a witness to shear waste. Whenever I am volunteering, I see large amounts of good foods being tossed and/or destroyed. Most of it being baked goods such as cakes, loaves of breads, bagels and pastries. I have checked the expiration dates and noticed some still have a week left. It is all in the trash bin waiting to be tossed. Shucks! No one bothers to make croutons or crisps, they simply toss it.
On occasion, I, along with another volunteer take some of these items home and share them with others. Because of this, I am able to save a little money and have food to eat. I am not a bottom feeder but one who wants to save money and hates waste.
There is nothing wrong with dumpster diving, as long as others are able to benefit from the waste of others.