The Savvy Shopper Is Three Years Old

You know the old saying about how time flies?  It's true!  THE SAVVY SHOPPER celebrates another year {tomorrow, 3/3 - to be exact}.  Who knew?  

Thank you, Readers, for stopping by ... and contributing.  I love reading your emails and hope you find some wisdom, practical tips and entertainment here.

Going forward, let's attempt another spectacular year of writing.  Now for the presents!

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Companies offering birthday gifts to you ... free, if you sign up:

Retail:

1. Aveda – Get a free Personal Blends Pure-Fume, or body care product custom blended with the aroma of your choice, worth up to $24.

2. Sign up for The Body Shop's Rewards Card to receive a free birthday gift, plus 10% off on all purchases and other promotions.

3. Old Navy – Subscribe to Old Navy's emails and get a $10 gift card on your birthday.

4. Sephora – Join their birthday club to get free beauty products.

5. Victoria Secret – Receive a free $10 gift card in your birthday month, plus free products throughout the year, for carrying an Angel card.

Food

6. Baskin-Robbins – Get a free scoop of ice cream on your birthday.

7. Ben & Jerry's –  Eat free ice cream on your birthday.  In April, there is always a free cone day: It's April 3, 2012 this year!

8. Benihana – Receive a free $30.00 gift certificate on your birthday.

9. Captain D's –  Spoil yourself with a free fish or shrimp birthday dinner.

10. Cold Stone Creamery – Get a free birthday creation for joining the Cold Stone Club.

11. Denny's – Receive a free grand slam on your birthday.

12. Dunkin Donuts – Get a free medium beverage.

13. Godiva – Sign up for Godiva Rewards Club and receive a free chocolate truffle/candy each month, including the month of your birthday.

14. Gold Star Chili – Receive a free 3-way chili.

15. Hard Rock Cafe – Celebrate your birthday with a free sundae, along with a shout out from the staff.  No need to sign up for this one!

16. Hooters – Get a free menu item on your birthday by joining the Hooters eClub.

17. iHop – Offers a free birthday meal for joining the Pancake Revolution. 

18. Johnny Rockets – Join their e-club to receive a free birthday burger.

19. Ponderosa – Sign up to get a free steak dinner.

20. Starbucks – Get a birthday beverage of your choice.  Starbucks provides employee benefits that are not typical in the food industry, which is another incentive for me to buy their coffee, occasionally.

If you apply yourself, you can drive around on your birthday redeeming all your free gifts.  The perfect comedy sketch for Ellen Degeneres, no? 

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Favorite Oscar Dresses 2012

1. Angelina Jolie is posing in a black, velvet Atelier Versace gown; 2. Natalie Portman's red poka-dot dress is vintage Dior Haute Couture; 3. Cameron Diaz has on a glittering, Gucci gown with Tiffany jewels; 4. Stacy Keibler is wearing a stunning, liquid gold, Marchesa dress and her for-now boyfriend, a debonair George Clooney; Penelope Cruz's smoked blue gown is a custom designed Armani Privé.

Overall, the attendees looked smashing at last night's Academy Awards, in my opinion.  I didn't see any big missteps.  Since actresses hire stylists today, we don't see many embarrishments.  I think celebrities had fun with this year's gowns, but still appeared glamorous.  While last year's dresses were classic and pretty, the trends this year were gowns with one shoulder and other asymmetrical pieces ... plus a few long sleeves.  As you can see, I didn't mind Angelina's leg, but most of the one-shoulder gowns didn't make my list.  Fashion is subjective. [I love that shimmering blue dress behind Penelope Cruz above too.]

So ... who wore your favorites? 

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Healthy Oscar Night Munches

This Sunday night millions of people will watch The Academy Awards.  It's usually a long night, so many of us will make several trips into the kitchen for snacks.

A snack is supposed to be a portion of food that's smaller than a meal, but it doesn't always work out that way, does it?  Ideally, snacks should be 200 calories or less.  Healthy snacks are a combination of protein and complex carbohydrates.  Snacks that are good for you will satisfy hunger, stabilize blood sugar and provide long lasting energy.  Nutritious snacks are also low in calories and high in fiber.

Here are several food items I will have on hand to sustain a very long, but hopefully, entertaining night with the Oscars:

1. A walnut (unsalted) and almond (roasted, salted) mix – I buy pound bags of each of the nuts and mix them. About 24 nuts is 150 calories, or one snack.

2. Fruit: apples, cherries, blueberries, strawberries, bananas, plums

3. Cheddar cheese and whole grain saltine crackers

4. Swiss cheese and whole grain pumpernickel bread

5. Peanut butter – A dollop on apples, bananas, carrots or celery.

6. Yogurt: Coconut-pineapple, cheesecake and pomegranate flavors. Top with dark chocolate shavings.

7. Hummus

8. Spicy Popcorn – Make your popcorn anyway you like.  I use a Hot Air Popper.  Then sprinkle with a bit of olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt and cayenne pepper.  Toss.  It's awesome! 

9. Spinach Dip –  See below.

10. Red and sparkling rosé wine – Cheers!

Spinach Dip

Ingredients:

16 ounces 1% cottage cheese

10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

2/3 cup low-fat mayonnaise (Don't use fat-free. It's awful!!!)

1 small onion

1 stick celery, include the leaves

1 teaspoon garlic powder

A dash of onion powder

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste

1 teaspoon soy sauce

½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon cider vinegar

Seasoned salt to taste, begin with ½ teaspoon

Directions:

Throw all the ingredients into a food processor and blend until creamy.  (Instead of celery, you can use a sweet turnip, or watercress, or red bell pepper to get a crunch with a different flavor.)  Pour into a serving bowl.  Use the dip for vegetables, whole grain crackers and crusty breads.

Watching the Academy Awards with family and friends is fun, but the show will undoubtedly run on ... and on ... and on.  So while you stay up to the very end, satisfy your cravings and boredom with these healthy snacks, so you will still fit into your own dresses and trousers in the morning.

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Chanel's L.A. To Paris Makeup Palette

Thank goodness, I'm not an emotional buyer.  Because ... I see something from Chanel I want.  But if I got everything I liked, I'd be broke.  Plus I'd live in a cluttered home.  Thinking about the most horrifying show on television, Hoarders, will keep me in line!

That said, when you really do need a product, you should invest in quality.  And when it comes to makeup where rich pigments matter, Chanel is the gold standard.  Makeup that contains good pigments will stay on you face all day, so you won't have to touch up as often.

Chanel created an all-in-one makeup palette.  It has everything a woman needs in one lightweight compact.  Called “L.A. – Paris,” the plum harmony kit consists of 2 lip glosses, 1 sheer-wine-red lip color, 2 cream concealers, cream blush, and 3 powder eyeshadows.  With individual applicators, the universal colors flatter most skin tones.

This exclusive palette is ideal for travel since it's the only makeup you'll need to pack.  Now ... be still my heart and go away temptation.  Cost: $85.

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Happy Valentine's Day

Aren't you glad you have a partner in life who watches your back?  Valentine's Day is just another day to let him/her know you care.  Everyone likes a few surprises, to feel appreciated and to know their mate enjoys spending time with them.  Here are a few of my favorite surprises.  And certainly, I'm not alone in liking them!

White and dark chocolates

Sparkle: diamonds and crystals and rhinestones

A nice dinner 
(Douse mine with gravy♥)

A heartfelt note

The right gift is thoughtful, but one you can afford.  Your goal is to make someone happy.  Enjoy the gift of a loved one's company.  If you are single, spend the day with your friends.  Happy Valentine's Day.

Click the first link below to know how the ♥day♥ became celebrated.

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The Goodness Of Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is delicious.  Economical, filling, and nutritious, peanut butter is a good source of protein, resveratrol [a substance that studies suggest may extend the life of cells], vitamin B3, vitamin E, magnesium, folate, and fiber.

Once you develop a taste for pure peanut butter, made with only one ingredient, namely roasted peanuts, it's very addicting.  Many health food stores have peanut butter makers, and just like George Washington Carver, you can grind your own.

Peanut butter is scrumptious combined with so many foods, from a peanut butter and jelly sandwich washed down with a cold glass of milk to a ripe banana with a dollop of peanut butter on each and every bite.  Peanut butter is a perfect snack, whether you eat it as is off the spoon, or spread on a saltine cracker. It's equally good on fresh bread or on toast with a bit of honey.

And of course, you can cook and bake with it.  I like to make a simple Peanut Sesame Sauce to pour over noodles. Here is my recipe for one large or two regular servings: For the noodles: Prepare 5 ounces of spaghetti according to the box directions (I cook Number 8 size spaghetti for 7 minutes) and transfer to a bowl (use the bowl you will eat out of so you save yourself washing 2 bowls). Save the salted pasta water. You may use more pasta water as the noodles are getting tender.

For the peanut sauce:

Ingredients:

1 cup pasta water

3 tablespoons peanut butter

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon vinegar

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon of garlic

1/6 teaspoon of red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon of sesame seeds

Sprinkle of parsley

Top with crumpy diced vegetables (carrot, green onion, etc.)

Directions: 

1) Pour 1 cup of the salted pasta water into a 12-inch skillet on a stovetop, and bring to a boil.

2) While simmering add about 3 tablespoons of peanut butter, and stir until smooth. Update: As Barry (below) reminded me, fresh or dried ginger gives the sauce an extra kick, so begin with 1/2 teaspoon of ginger.

3) Next add 1 teaspoon of vinegar to the hot mixture.

4) Season with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of garlic, 1/6 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds, and parsley to taste.  I eyeball the seasonings. The red pepper flakes are tricky as I don't actually measure 1/6 of a teaspoon. I use a pinch of red pepper flakes. A little gives the dish a nice kick, but overdoing it ruins the dish with too much heat.

5) If the peanut sauce gets dry, add a bit more of the pasta water, but just a little at a time. You want to end up with enough sauce, so add more pasta water if needed.

6) When the sauce has thickened, it is done; turn off the heat.  Throw the pasta back in the pan to coat with sauce, then return the noodles to the bowl to eat.  

7) Optional: For crunch, top with a bit of finely chopped lettuce, carrots, and green onion (or even diced regular onion).

Voilà, you are ready to eat! 

Also once you've made the dish over and over like I have, you won't have to remove the noodles from the pan to make the sauce. With experience, you'll be able to make the sauce while the pasta is cooking, near the end of the noodles' cooking time. Not at 1st because you may overcook the noodles, but with the repetition of making peanut sesame noodles you'll become a pro.  I also like the dish with linguine noodles. {If you have the more expensive sesame paste you can toss a tablespoon in to make the sauce, but I think it is unnecessary. The dish is a balanced protein, simple and delicious as is!}

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Baking with peanut butter is quick and easy too.  My Reese's cup-inspired cookie bars are always a big hit.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients:

2 cups peanut butter

2 eggs

¾ cup sugar

12 ounces chocolate

Directions: 

1. Mix the peanut butter, eggs, and sugar together and spread on a cookie sheet. (Line the pan with aluminum foil so you will only have to rinse, not wash the pan. We're not work-hugs here. Think of ways to save labor!) 

2. Bake at 350 degrees F until golden brown 25 - 30 minutes.

3. Remove from the oven and lay the chocolate on top.  I slide the tray back into a warm oven with the heat turned off.  Allow the chocolate to melt, then spread.

4. Cool completely and cut into bars.

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TotalBeauty: 3 Lipsticks That Flatter Every Woman

Savvy Shoppers strive to make smart decisions.  The goal is to live well while spending less, as well as, avoiding mistakes.  Do you buy lipsticks that are all wrong for the undertones in your skin?  It's disappointing when a new color doesn't work for your complexion.

After consulting celebrity makeup artists, then testing their recommendations on women of varying skin tones, TotalBeauty came up with three no-fail lipstick shades, which flatter everyone, regardless of a woman's (cool or warm) undertones, or her (fair, medium or dark) coloring.

The three universal lipsticks are:

1. Light pink: Prestige Lipstick in Passion, $6.50.

2. Coral: Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lip Color in Coral Lustre, $7.49.

3. Wine Red: Two Faced Lip Of Luxury in Drop Dread Red, $16.

So you can reduce and save. Get rid of all those other lipsticks you never wear, and spruce up your look with just three, mistake proof, hues.  Now ... that's savvy shopping at it's core.

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