Taking away the Information Advantage

In the internet world, one is capable of leveling the playing field between sales associate and buyer. Stinky for companies, but awesome for the consumer. This wonderful equalizing force reared its head yesterday as I had the responsibility of finding a replacement for our digital camera. You see, digital cameras and heat are not the best combination. So avoid my costly mistake and don't put your camera on the counter next to your working stove. The camera will still take pictures and movies, but they will be almost completely black. Just a tip.

Fernando is usually the one who is in charge of major purchases mainly because he is so into researching to find the best product and is willing to spend hours doing so. I on the other hand get bored of the research after a few minutes and simply look for a good price. Fernando said he wanted to empower me with the feeling of satisfaction that comes from thorough investigation. Hours later, I came up with a few stores that had similar options for similar prices. The camera of choice is the Canon PowerShot A series. Now there are several models available, but upon closer inspection they aren't that different in capacity just megapixels and optical zoom. (But don't take my word for it. . . . empower yourself if you are in the market.) In what I thought was the end, Ritz camera had the best deal: a A570 for $158.99 with tax, a free photobook, a $15 in store gift card, 20 free prints with cd, and a photo class that was supposedly worth $280. The sales reps were trying to push some products on me, but because of my research I was not fooled. When I showed it to Fernando, he started to inspect the camera's parts. He found a wiggly lens. In the real end, I returned the camera with all it's freebies and happened upon a steal of a deal. Office Depot offered a higher model and or higher megapixels and higher optical zoom for the same original price of Ritz Camera, but the sales associate was so wanting to sell me 20% off. So I purchase a $200 camera for $118 and got a protection plan that covers my life eg water damage, dropping the camera, and anything else you could imagine all for $20. I'm happy.

Rachael Ray+Sandra Lee in my Kitchen=Cereal for Dinner

So the other night I was feeling like I should put a little effort into dinner. Menu for the evening consisted of homemade Upside Down Ravioli* with a semi-homemade marinara, homemade garlic cheese bread sticks, and all to be finished at the same time. (ok it was a little longer then 30 minutes for the meal, but really Rachael Ray has some extra helps and no baby belly to work with). Just as the ravioli was about to be assembled, I realized that I had forgotten to get a dish to put it in. Stretching my pregnant self to the fullest extent, I some how was convinced that I could get the necessary pyrex hiding precariously under other pyrex dishes without causing a problem. You know, the same principle that allows magicians to pull a tablecloth out from under a beautiful table scape (to use the words of Sandra Lee). Wrong. The laws of physics would not be mocked and down came the glorious filling. The picture isn't very appetizing as Italian food unassembled and cheese less usually is, but I couldn't help but snapping a few shots. Good thing it turned into an amusing experience since my altered hormone levels could have conjured up disaster.


Recipe for Upside Down Ravioli (my altered version of a Barilla pasta recipe)

Ingredients
8 ounces jumbo pasta shells
1 lb lean ground beef or sausage
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 cup onions, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 egg
1 cup artichoke spinach dip (recipe of your choosing or store bought)
1 cup cottage or ricotta cheese
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1(26ounce)jar spaghetti sauce(Barilla Tomato & Basil Sauce works well says the original recipe. . .way to push your product Barilla)
Lots of your favorite cheese, grated


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook jumbo shells according to package directions, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
3. While pasta is cooking, cook ground beef in large skillet over medium-high heat 4 minutes or until no longer pink, stirring occasionally.
4. Drain grease.
5. Stir in oil, onion and garlic; cooking until softened.
6. Remove from heat; add seasonings and blend well.
7. Let mixture cool.
8. Stir in egg, dip, cottage/ricotta cheese and Parmesan cheese.
9. Pour 1 cup of tomato and basil sauce into 13x9-inch baking dish.
10. Fill shells with meat mixture; place in dish.
11. Pour remaining sauce over shells and smother in cheese; cover with foil.
12. Bake for 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated.