Just for Fun

Do you like checking on your horoscope?

I'd suggest you haul yourself to : http://www.astro.com

I put in my data as a guest user (therefore: FREE), and here's what they have to say about my personality (mind you, this is only a part of what they've written):

Sun and Moon in Aries
You have the potential to be a natural leader. Your thoughts and feelings are harmonious with the actions you ultimately take. You are a very dynamic individual who loves action. You are an ardent, somewhat aggressive, and commanding person and you make others aware of these qualities.
These qualities of your character are generally beneficial, but at times you may run into trouble because of your impatience.
There are three keys to balance your character better and permit the most development. First, exert more control over your impulses; second, have more patience in dealing with others; and third, realize that you don't need to prove yourself repeatedly by rushing toward danger.

Ascendant in Virgo, Mercury in the Seventh House
At the time of your birth the zodiacal sign of Virgo was ascending in the horizon. Its ruler Mercury is located in the seventh house.
This indicates that throughout your life you will assume a reserved, quiet, analytical, critical, and receptive attitude.
Although you are not an individual with a very strong ambition, you possess the ability to persevere and exert ingenuity.
Some selfishness is noted. However, if you are able to counteract this trait with your natural helpful and sympathetic attitude and address your positive qualities to resolve the problems of others then you will accomplish your highest spiritual duties and your degree of consciousness and perception will be expanded.
You are not afraid to work but you like to do things where you can use intellectual resources rather than mechanical ones. There is some independence here but don't try to be forceful about it because Virgo's natural habitat is one in which the person is led by some powerful authority and where the important decisions are best made by others.
You are very attentive to detail and this makes you a good worker, especially so in those jobs that require a great deal of precision and observation. You have a desire for purity and though you don't mind relating to others there is something that you do dislike: continuous intrusion of your privacy. Business and practicality should be very important in your life. Although we are not advising you to turn against your natural traits, which make you slightly reserved, we would suggest that when in love you let yourself relax and respond so as to be able to return some of the affection you are receiving.
Life will find you in many situations in which you will function as advisor and counsellor; make use of these opportunities to project the power of your creativeness.
Your life will be geared to the acquisition of success through joining associations and uniting with people. Your partner may be too intelligent and clever for your own good as he may not always be sufficiently trustworthy. He may not only be active and progressive, but also slightly shrewd.

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Pretty neat, huh? I think it's pretty dead-on (except the part where they say I'll be a "natural leader"). I never was a "leader" type, I'm pretty much happy with being the wallflower.

P.S.

They ask for your date and hour of birth, your country of birth, etc. So yes, it's a pretty exciting and detailed result for a free reading!

Do You Believe in Fasting?

I've recently discovered this interesting link to fasting as a way to "diet," or detox.

Here's the link:

http://www.phifoundation.org/fast.html

Some notable passage from the website:

"...The fasts talked about in this are therapeutic fasts with only pure water. Many trying a fast prefer to try the Master Cleanser Lemonade Diet created by Stanley Burroughs (not Borroughs). His book from 1976 is at the bottom of this page. Elson M Haas, M.D. says "Ever since I did my 10 day Master Cleanser back in 1975, I do it every spring with a group of 20 or 30 people at my office. It is such a profound experience."

On the Oprah Winfrey Show, Beyonce Knowles announced that she lost 20 pounds in 10 days for the movie, Dream Girls from the lemonade detox diet. Also Robin Quivers, Howard Stern's assistant, lost 73 pounds from doing the master cleanse lemonade diet 3 times (218 down to 145). She said after losing that weight "I never felt this good about my body before" according to People Magazine. She heard about it from the famous magician, David Blaine.

You can drink lemonade, instead of water, throughout the entire day (6 to 10 glasses). It has almost all the benefits as water fasting except for the benefits for serious health problems like cardiovascular disease. Only water fasting can reduce hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), which causes high blood pressure according to Dr Fuhrman who has studied the recent medical research on fasting. For some people, just losing weight will lower blood pressure and the master cleanse is great for weight loss, like for the prom..."

Is fasting really a way to give your body a "rest" instead of starving yourself 'thinner?' The matter is still up for a debate. It depends on which side you're on.

Coffee soap? Does It Really Work?

Are you a caffeine addict who decides to cut down on your morning pre-work coffee drink?
Now, there's a new caffeinated soap called Shower Shock ($6.99) available for purchase at http://www.ThinkGeek.com

Quite a name for a soap, isn't it? Worry not, because it doesn't contain harsh ingredients like ethanol, diethanolamine, polyethylene, glycol or cocyl isethionate. It's a gentle soap scented with peppermint oil and infused with caffeine anhydrous.

Each bar of Shower Shock contains approximately 12 servings/showers per 4 ounce bar with 200 milligrams of caffeine per serving (more than a cup of coffee). The makers claim the caffeine is absorbed through the skin. Hum, not sure about this one. If you're still interested, then buy it from ThinkGeek.com.

As always I am curious, what do you guys think? Would you skip your Starbucks/or what-have-you for morning coffee, for this?

It's Michael's Birthday, Happy Birthday Michael!

Today is Michael's birthday.

He's turning...nevermind! (I'm sure he will mind me telling everyone his age!)

But really. Happy birthday, darling!

He looks ten years younger than his age. We had a really good time celebrating his birthday yesterday (on Earth Day) at his parents'. His mom is such a great cook, no wonder he always misses her cooking! :) He's so excited too to get these news parts for his truck from his bro. It's almost too cute.

Anyhow, unfortunately for him, he couldn't miss a day off work today. But we're going to celebrate his birthday better next weekend (here's to hoping!).

Love,

Tracy
xoxo

Happy Early Earth Day (April 22nd)

How about...going Organic for Earth Day!

To celebrate Earth Day, thousands of grocery stores and organic manufacturers are working together to make organic food more affordable/cheaper. All you need to do is sign up and give your address so that they can give you the coupon books for discounts with your participating local grocery stores. No hidden agendas. This is very fantabulous since organic food is basically pricey and they rarely go on sale.

For more information of this campaign go to:

http://organicearthday.org/

Or call them at 866-I-GO-ORGA to sign up!

My Sad Attempt @ Becoming a Commercial Artist

If you think you're creative and you think your art is marketable, you may want to try designing your own products via:

http://www.zazzle.com

All you need to bring is your creativity and design, and voila, you may have your art all over coffee mugs, t-shirt, greeting cards and so on. Of course, you can only earn 17% of the purchase price, but when you're an 'artist,' who cares about $$, right? :)

I've just finished making my own as you can see:

buy unique gifts at Zazzle

True to my 'style,' I opted for an organic fabric for my t-shirt, which undoubtedly boosted up the price considerably.

And here's my gallery:

http://www.zazzle.com/msfrugaltracy*

I hope you enjoy browsing there, I've only created 1 t-shirt, but more is a-coming!

Thanks for stopping by.

Tracy

P.S. Michelle, do you happen to recognize the face on the coffee mug? LOL. If someone purchased it, the $$ is yours, darling. ;)
Freya sure is sooo cute! I'm sure she's even cuter now.

Sinful Delight

I believe in indulging my sense of taste from time to time, to feel guiltless about what I consume and feel pleasure from the experience of eating.

And whenever I feel indulgent, there's no other place that can actually bring so much pleasure than Pix.

The best place to enjoy the signature French pastries. Currently, there are 3 Pix patisserie opened in Portland area, each with its own personalities, and each brings European flare and innovative edible art with an assortment of elegant pastries and handmade chocolates.

In short: They're decadent. They're delicious. They're sinful delight. You're missing out if you never have the pleasure of eating in one of the chic locations.

To complement each delectable masterpiece, Pix Pâtisserie serves an array of dessert wines, Belgian beers, and fine spirits. And not to worry about the service, everything is personalized to your liking.

My personal experience with Pix has always been very pleasant. The year they opened their branch on SE Division, my girlfriends and I went and fell in love with the place at first sight, the bright yellow wall color, the comfy shoulder-to-shoulder seatings. It's chic, kitschy and lovely. What happened next was pretty predictable (from what I've described so far about the place), we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves immersed for once forgoing all notion on being on a diet and so forth, and just indulge our palate. Sinfully good.

Pix also has different events every week for its customers where you can hang out with the local hip urban crowd. Of course, during all these events, there'll be more goodness from the kitchen (by the way, did I mention they've come out with their brand of ice cream too?)

So if you just have to enjoy local scenery, with the hip urban crowd, all the while pleasuring your tastebud. By all means, go to Pix. You can go to either one of the three location depending on your travel.

Here's their website if you need more information regarding location and such:

http://www.pixpatisserie.com/

Good night for now everyone!