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Superwoman of the Day: Hungry Girl

I'll admit it: I got sucked into watching Rachael Ray this morning as I plotted my writing schedule and Thanksgiving plans. It's all Hungry Girl's fault. She popped in as a guest and promised to make a fettuccine alfredo-like meal at just over 100 calories. Are you kidding me?! This makes her my hero.

Here's the recipe. If you make it, PLEASE let me know how it turned out. If it's as amazing as the calorie count, Hungry Girl may have a new disciple. Because I like my comfort food. But not what excessive carbs do to my waistline.

4032hungrygirl_pasta_320_thumb_white_lg.jpgHungry Girl's Totally Pumpin' Fettuccine

Per serving (entire recipe): 129 calories, 3g fat, 639mg sodium, 19g carbs, 6.5g fiber, 6g sugar, 7g protein

Ingredients:

1 package House Foods Tofu Shirataki Fettuccine Shaped Noodle Substitute
One-half wedge The Laughing Cow Light Original Swiss Cheese
1/4 cup plain light soymilk
1/4 cup canned pure pumpkin
1/4 cup fat-free chicken broth
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon reduced-fat Parmesan-style grated topping
1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic
1/8 teaspoon salt
Dash black pepper
Optional: additional salt and black pepper
Yields: Makes 1 serving

Preparation:

Rinse and drain shirataki noodles well. Pat dry. Place noodles in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute.

Drain excess liquid from noodles. Dry noodles thoroughly, using paper towels to soak up as much moisture as possible. Cut noodles up a bit using a knife or kitchen shears. Set aside.

In a separate dish, combine soymilk, pumpkin, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside.

Bring a small saucepan to high heat. Add chicken broth, onion, garlic, and cheese wedge half. Stirring occasionally to break up the cheese, cook until broth has mostly evaporated, 2 to 4 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook for just 1 minute or so, until onion and garlic begin to brown. Add pumpkin mixture. Stir until sauce is thoroughly blended and hot.

Add sauce to your noodles and stir well. If you like, season to taste with more salt and pepper. Finish with Parm-style topping and enjoy.

Be sure to check out Hungry Girl's official site. I might be in love.

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Breast Cancer: Reduce Your Risk

Statistically speaking, the average American woman (I'm assuming Canadians aren't far off) has a 1-in-9 chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime. Some risk factors are beyond our control: age and genetics. Others, however, are not. Up for a lifestyle change? I am. Especially if it reduces my risk.

According to MSNBC, there are eight ways you can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer:

Watch the scale. "Women who become obese after menopause experience a 50 percent increase in their risk of developing cancer."

Get exercise. "Studies have shown that women who work out regularly — and vigorously — have a 20 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer compared to those who rarely exercise."

Avoid alcohol. "One recent study found that even moderate drinking drove breast cancer rates up by 35 percent. Heavy drinking resulted in an almost two-fold increased risk."

Avoid hormone replacement therapy (HRT). "A Women's Health Initiative study found that women who had been taking a combination of estrogen and progesterone for five years experienced a 28 percent increase in the risk of developing breast cancer."

Add soy to your diet. "A recent study that followed more than 73,000 Chinese women for over seven years found that women with the highest levels of soy in their diets had a 60 percent lower risk of breast cancer compared to women who consumed little soy."

Eat your veggies. But you already knew that.

Drink green tea. "A recent study that looked at more than 2,000 Chinese women found that the risk of developing cancer dropped by 40 percent among women who consumed large amounts of green tea."

Quit smoking. Do it. NOW.

Read the entire article here
. And start making changes today. Okay, I'm off to get some exercise now. No time like the present....

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Women's Health Decodes Your Cravings

Recently, I've been craving dark chocolate. Almost an insatiable craving. Fortunately, dark chocolate is good for the heart. Unfortunately, this "good" is recommended in small doses. I don't do small.

I came across this fascinating Women's Health article. It decodes our cravings, looking at what our bodies might be telling us when we crave salt. And then it gets fun and also looks into what the craving might say about us. I disagree with the dark-chocolate assessment. I'm hardly the life of the party. But you want to believe otherwise, I won't stop you.

A brief look at their craving decoding:

Salty:

Chocolate:

Spicy:

Check out the rest of the article for explanations of your sweets and sweet-and-salty cravings. Do you agree with the assessments of personality?

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Recommended: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen

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I've finally come to my senses about sun protection. I am now proud of pasty white skin in the middle of the summer. Beats sunburn, aging and cancer.

I hate the texture of sunscreen. I have oily skin, so slopping on greasy cream isn't exactly on my list of fun things to do on my weekends. But then I discovered Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen (SPF 55). All problems are officially solved.

The first Saturday I tried the product, I stood in the hot sun at Ontario Place. All day. I did not reapply. The next morning, I awoke to discover that my skin didn't have a hint of sun-kissed color.

Two weeks later, I tried my skin-protecting experiment again. This time, at Canada's Wonderland. Nothing.

If I had three thumbs, I would give this product three thumbs up. That's how much I love it. It lives up to its "dry-touch" name, and doesn't assault the senses with a chemical smell or uncomfortable goopiness.

Okay, your turn. What summer sun product can you not live without?

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Sharing Secrets: Removing Deodorant Marks

I hate the term "beauty secret." It implies competition, that we're hiding important information from each other. So I'm going to start spilling. Right now.

I wear a lot of black. Even in the summer. I also wear a lot of deodorant. These two things don't always go together well, no matter the magical invisible brand of Secret/Dove/etc. But I no longer stress about white marks. AT ALL. Why not, you ask?

Drum roll, please....

Nylons. Rub a pair of old nylons over a deodorant mark. It's a wonder eraser. And your life will never be the same. Apparently the super-fine weave of the nylons can access every little groove in your shirt's fabric. Or something like that. I'm no "fashion scientist," but I know it works. You know those little nylon footies? I carry one in my purse at all times for deodorant-smudge emergencies.

There. It feels so good to get that out there.

What about you? Any fun secrets you're dying to share?

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Canada Day Party

Canada Flag Cake.jpg Canada Day is tomorrow. It seems to have snuck up on me this year, unannounced and, unfortunately, soggy. This doesn't stop my family from getting together for our annual picnic at the family farm, even if we have to move inside this year. (My brilliant cousin suggested we hook up a stereo in the barn and host a barn dance. I hope this more than a pipe dream.)

Seeing as I'm completely unprepared for the holiday, I'm trusting the folks at Kraft Canada to inspire me before I stock up on groceries this afternoon. If you're looking for simple festive recipes to celebrate your home and native land, be sure to check out their Canada Day menu! Who wouldn't be thrilled with a Canadian Flag Cake?

Looking for more ideas? Canadian Living has an easy Canada Day barbecue for 8 menu for you. And they have irresistible eager beaver cupcakes that are sure to make your guests smile.

Happy Canada Day, everyone. Here's to family, friends, food, and our gorgeous nation.

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Nanny Toolbox Makes Organizing Information For Daycare, Babysitting and Nannies Super-easy!

nanny toolboxHere at Superwoman.ca we're always on the lookout for things that can make your hectic life a little easier. With so much to organize and plan for, it's easy to feel overwhelmed with details, especially when it comes to logistics of running an efficient household. Whether it's a daycare provider, nanny or babysitter, you have particular ways of how you want things done for your family. But communicating all of that information to your providers and/or helpers is no easy task, until now.

The Nanny Toolbox is the first set of ready-made tools that we've seen that really gives you a comprehensive kit full of forms and information that makes organizing all of the itty-bitty details of running your house as simple as it can be. Instead of making your own to-do lists from scratch on a word processor or spreadsheet, the Nanny Toolbox does it all for you. All you have to do is print it out and start checking off and/or filling out pre-made forms that were specifically designed for communicating with daycare providers, babysitters and nannies.

As a working parent with a hectic schedule and a demanding job, I know how overwhelming it can be to hand over the care of your family to a complete stranger! You always want the best for your children, and you want to make sure that whoever is caring for them is well versed in what makes your children unique. You need to make sure that the important details that can keep your child safe, healthy and happy are made available and accessible at all times.

We live a stressful life, and what little time we have should be spent enjoying our families, not hunched over a notepad or computer struggling with spreadsheets and schedules! THE NANNY TOOLBOX™ eliminates that stress and saves you time… and who doesn’t appreciate that?

Hiring a new caregiver can be a stressful time for a parent. With THE NANNY TOOLBOX™, you can at least eliminate the hassle of having to assemble all of the schedules and forms to communicate important information to your new nanny. Everything you need to share with her is already in THE NANNY TOOLBOX™ – it has never been easier to communicate right from the start!

THE NANNY TOOLBOX™ isn’t just for nannies… it can also be used to share information with babysitters, grandparents, daycare providers, or anybody who will be caring for your family. Just fill out the appropriate forms, print, and share!

Take a deep breath and check out the Nanny Toolbox, help is on the way!

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Superwoman of the Moment: Susan Boyle

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If you haven't heard of Susan Boyle by now, you've probably been living on a remote off-the-grid farm, far away from all things media-related. The 47-year-old woman took Britain's Got Talent, and then the world, by storm merely for being immensely talented. Which is in some ways a breath of fresh air. In other ways, however, it's a disappointing reflection of the world we live in; we're stunned to hear beauty come from the mouth of someone not deemed "attractive."

The Guardian posts an interesting article here.

When Susan had finished singing, and Piers had finished gasping, he said this. It was a comment of incredible spite. "When you stood there with that cheeky grin and said, 'I want to be like Elaine Paige', everyone was laughing at you. No one is laughing now." And it was over to Amanda Holden, a woman most notable for playing a psychotic hairdresser in the Manchester hair-extensions saga Cutting It. "I am so thrilled," said Amanda, "because I know that everybody was against you." "Everybody was against you," she said, as if Susan might have been hanged for her presumption. Why? Can't "ugly" people dream, you flat-packed, hair-ironed, over-plucked monstrous fool?

For those who've missed it, check out Susan Boyle's brilliant moment. I happen to think she looks lovely.

And yes, she recently dyed her hair and shaped her eyebrows. You would start caring about appearance, too, if the Today show came calling. Let's not give her a hard time.

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Celebrate Earth Day!

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On April 22nd, honor your planet by celebrating Earth Day in your community.

Canadian Living has the following suggestions for the big day:


  1. Attend or conduct a tree-planting ceremony.

  2. Adopt a stream, field or forest.

  3. Challenge schools, businesses, or neighbours to a conservation contest.

  4. Organize a fund-raiser in your community and donate the proceeds to a local conservation group.

  5. Go for a walk and enjoy the outdoors


Even the busiest of us should make the effort to embrace the last suggestion. And with the glorious weather we've been having, what better way to enjoy our planet than to take a long walk, consciously appreciating the nature around us?

Check out the official Earth Day Canada site for more ideas. Eco-friendly living is the hottest trend out there, and one that shouldn't be going away....ever.

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Beauty Secret: Wetslicks Amazemint

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Yesterday I discovered Cover Girl's Wetslicks Amazemint lip gloss. I'm a daily Wetslicks-wearer, so this brilliant new product instantly became my new favorite.

CoverGirl Wetslicks Amazemint isn't just a lipgloss, it's a smile treatment! Crest Peppermint Oil provides a minty breath sensation while the gloss itself gives a dazzling high-shine without all that "sticky".

Yes, your lips feel a little tingly and minty and fresh with one quick swipe of color. And for those looking for budget-friendly beauty, I'd go as far as claiming that the "Freedom of Peach" shade is a great alternative to the Nars equivalent in its famous "Orgasm" shade. I may even prefer the Amazemint. Yep, I said it.

Head on over to the closer Cover Girl aisle and give it a try. Be "amazed."

You're welcome.

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Clear Clogged Drains the Eco-Friendly Way

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My shower's drain clogs easily. About once a year, I'll notice that long after my shower is over, an ankle-deep pool remains at the bottom of the tub. And with the slow draining, shampoo and soap residue starts demanding that I scrub my bathtub almost daily. Not fun.

I went to the drugstore to stock up on drain-clearing products, but quickly grew uncomfortable with all the hazardous warnings on the bottles. Some told me I needed to wear glasses and a mask. In a well-ventilated space. My bathroom is tiny with no windows. I doubt it qualifies as "well-ventilated."

So I decided to seek clog-treatment elsewhere.

My solution? (Okay, The Good Human's solution.) Baking soda, vinegar and boiling water.

Step 1 - Put the DRY baking soda down the drain. I use about 3/4 of a cup.
Step 2 - Pour 1/2 cup of vinegar down the drain after the baking soda. Be sure to cover the drain immediately afterwards with a rag or plug, filling the hole completely so nothing can escape. This is because the interaction of the two will cause a “mini volcano” that will want to come up and out of the drain..you want to keep it down there.
Step 3 - Leave this concoction in the drain for about 30 minutes. While you are waiting, boil a tea kettle full of water.
Step 4 - After 30 minutes, remove the plug and slowly pour the HOT water down the drain.

And the result? Hardly impressive. At first. And then I did it again. And the water now flows easily down the drain.

Cheap, planet-friendly and effective. A triple threat.

Check out other eco-friendly do-it-yourself drain-unclogging options here.

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Valentine's Decadence: White Chocolate Lace Cups

The easiest most impressive dessert you can make for your sweetheart. Indulge.

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The super-simple recipe is here. Believe me, you will be loved.

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