Blog Categories

General

Just days away from switching…

We are just days away from switching to a new and bigger server for this website! Along with the switch will be my new blog and shortly after that, we’ll be adding a bunch of new How-To videos. This time I’ll be doing my healthy hot-fudge sundae and a Dutch Baby pancake. I went out last night to get a few props for the new videos. My only goal is to motivate more people to cook and get healthy.

Do Biore Strips Really Work?

Hi Jenny,

I happen to find your page because I was looking for foods that make your skin glow. I eat most of the stuff that you listed but was amazed by other things such as red peppers! I’m going to favorite your page. I like your skin routine as well. I’m going to go find me a clay mask. I was wondering do those biore strips really work? I have a few black heads or dark spots on my face, do you know what should I do to get rid of them?  Thank you kindly,  Janise.

Janise,

I do believe the Biore strips work but it also helps to thoroughly clean your skin every day, and if your skin is oily, use an oil-free moisturizer so your pores don’t get clogged. Take care.

Jenny

Under-eye baggage

Dear Jenny,

Do you have any tricks for under-eye bags?  I’ve had them for years and have tried everything but nothing seems to work.  Please help! – Anne D.

Dear Anne,

I know they say that placing cucumbers, raw potato slices, or tea bags, etc. on the eyes can help but that doesn’t seem practical because you have to stop what you’re doing, lie down, etc., plus I’m not sure those things even work. If you’ve had this for a long time, one thing to realize is that it can just be hereditary or it could also be caused by allergies, either known or possibly some you are not aware of. And the cause could be dietary. So the first thing I would do is look at your salt intake. If you start reading labels you may be shocked to see how much salt is in so many foods, like canned products and microwave popcorn, and certainly restaurant food. If you can seriously cut down your salt, which makes the body retain fluids, you may see a difference. A healthy diet with lots of fresh fruit & vegetables can only help, avoiding too much sugar and caffeine (so soft drinks are out). Also, try not sleeping on your side or stomach. I hope this helps – let me know.

Jenny

April Fools

It’s April Fools Day and I always wonder how that got started. Do you suppose some guy was trying to impress a woman: “I’ve got a private jet waiting to take you to Paris for lunch. Join me in a drink?” And she says, “Do I get to ride to the airport in that Ford Fiesta I saw you pull up in?” Guy says, “I was kidding!!! There’s no jet. It’s April 1st and that’s April Fools Day in my country. It’s what we do. Gotcha! Now, how about that drink?”

Cooking Q&A

I’m working on some website changes in preparation for my next cookbook. In the next few days I’ll be starting a “Cooking Q&A”column to answer anyone’s questions. I’ve been cooking for almost 40 years and my goal is to encourage more people to cook at home and eat healthy food. Once the column is up and running, my new blog will be next!

“Nice Condom for Rental.”

They didn’t use my “headline” last night on the Tonight Show. I thought it was really funny. It was a rental ad on Craigslist, the 10th one down on the list: “Nice Condom for Rental.” (maybe it’s too good and they’re holding it for sweeps!)

Vicki writes…

Vicki writes…
Dear Jenny,
My daughter is 14 years old and I know I’m not supposed to pry but I looked in her room and found a note she either wrote or got that ended with, “Let’s get high.” Well I’m no dummy and I know she must be smoking pot. But here’s what I’m confused about. If I confront her, she’ll know I was snooping. What’s even worse is that I did some drugs in my past (not any more!) so how can I tell her not to do it when I did? Please help.

My response…
Dear Vicki,
Whatever you did in your past, don’t let it keep you from being the best parent you can be. Your daughter doesn’t need to know you were snooping which, by the way I don’t see as a problem. Why not sit her down to have “the talk” about sex, drugs, and boys, etc. You don’t have to confront her or tell her you found the note, just make it part of a larger conversation. If she knows about your past, focus on the negative impact that drugs had on you. Tell her it’s a different world today with a lot more dangers than when you were a teenager. You know that’s true. It’s tougher than ever to be a parent and I know it’s not easy but you can do this. Find your own way to advise her about boys, sex, and drugs. It’s your job to give her the best direction you can and keep that little voice of yours in her head. And the next time she’s confronted with a risky situation, let’s hope your voice is the loudest one she hears.
Jenny

Bobbie writes…

Bobbie writes…
Dear Jenny,
I just don’t know what to do anymore. I’m dating this guy for almost 2 years now. His ex-wife uses their sons (19 & 21) to talk to him. The boys are grown and his 21-year-old lives with us. I have 2 daughters (18 and 22). If I want to know something I call them and NOT my ex! She won’t! She has to call my man! He told me right before Valentines Day that she wanted him back and she was just using her boyfriend until she can get back on her feet again. When we moved in together she had a fit! She was soooo mad! I later found out from a friend of theirs that he told her they would be back together in 2 years. She has been in our home. And we started getting her junk mail! She has NEVER lived here so why are we getting mail with her name on it? She said she gets mail for him too! She keeps calling and sending him text messages which he clears from his messages except for her name. His phone rang the other day and it was a text from her saying that and he sends her emails of porn. WTF!!! He hides her messages and calls her when I’m not around! We were in Florida for Christmas and she called him to read The Night Before Christmas to him! Knowing we were together! Where was her boyfriend? Why couldn’t she read it to him! He talks to her more then he does me.

My gut is telling me to watch out! I feel like I’m more a maid then a girlfriend! We only fight when her name comes up! I HATE her!!!!! I want to kick her fat ass soooooo bad! She even posted nude photos of herself online! She’s about 300 pounds and 6 feet! Come on! He says I’m the best thing to happen to him but if so, why does he send her porn? Or emails! I love him but I don’t know if I’m just over reacting. I know she’s trying to come between us! Should I let her? I sold EVERYTHING to move here and be with him! I left all my friends and
family for this shit?!? When I called her she said this wasn’t my home but her sons! WTF!!! Hell no! I work and their son doesn’t! This is mine and my boyfriends home!!! No one else’s!
Am I in the wrong here?

My response…
Dear Bobbie,
Are you wrong here? Yes! You are mad at the wrong person. Your boyfriend is totally disrespecting you by maintaining a relationship with his ex. HE is the one hiding her messages, saying he’ll be back with her, sending her emails (and porn!), letting her come to your home, get mail there, accepting her calls and messages. How many signs do you need? She’s only there because he wants it that way. He says you’re the best thing to happen to him and it’s true. You work, you clean his house, and you are letting him have a relationship with his ex. What guy wouldn’t want that? Why are you letting him use you like that? If you gave up a lot for him, then he needs to give up his ex for you. Otherwise, find a man who doesn’t want to play games.
Jenny

Some more new How-To videos…

We posted some more new How-To videos today. They were really fun to make so I’ll be doing more soon. Because of continued extra traffic on this site, today we also went to a larger server so the videos should load faster. I bought some tomato plants for my garden and went to the drugstore for band-aids and floss.