Now If Only I Could Disapperate....

I’m not very handy around the house. In the kitchen, I’m a wizard – cookies are my specialty, but I can make a lot of tasty things. Anyway, that’s off topic – what I’m talking about is a moving tool specifically for people like me, who tend to get kind of overwhelmed by a task like moving that requires a lot of heavy lifting and truck driving and other manly talents. I can find Penske coupons, but after that, I’m lost. Fortunately, Penske provides a useful tool for their customers called the “Truck Wizard.” It’s even patented!

            The truck wizard helps you to figure out how much space you need to pack up everything you own. The basic wisdom is to allow 150 cubic feet of truck space for every furnished room in your house, and with a knowledge of truck sizes, you can make a pretty good estimate from there. A 12 foot long truck, for example, has 450 cubic feet of space, while a 26 foot long truck has 1,400 cubic feet of space for stuff.

            But for the mathematically challenged, this might still sound a bit tricky. This is where the truck wizard comes in to save the day. The wizard gives you a checklist so you can go through your home and evaluate what you have, then you just complete an easy online form and the wizard will recommend a truck for you. Pretty cool, eh? It’s as easy as printing Penske coupons and will make sure you don’t rent too little or too much truck space for your move. 

Unsung American Heroes: Navy SEAL Dogs

            It was international news when United States armed forces took down Bin Laden, and one of the interesting facts about that event which emerged in the following days was that a dog was involved in this historic event. I didn’t know that until I was looking for Purina coupons online the other day, but it’s actually a pretty amazing story.

            The team that took down Bin Laden was composed of 80 members, one of whom had four legs and a tail. Though the dog’s breed has not been certified by the US military, he was likely a Belgian Malinois, a Newfoundland, or a German Shepherd – these breeds are commonly trained for and excel at military service. According to the New York Times, the canine involved in this important mission was strapped to a Navy SEAL and was lowered from a hovering helicopter before the raid of Osama Bin Laden’s compound.

            The military often employs dogs for their bomb-sniffing abilities, though they have other capabilities that make them valuable during wartime. Some dogs can locate snipers and boobytraps and then silently warn their human handlers of impending danger, for example. According to the Atlantic, the dog on this SEAL team could have been trained to sniff out enemy troops from as far as two miles away, which would have helped the SEALS pinpoint Bin Laden’s exact location.

            Though all dogs have keen sensory perception, the best service dogs have these natural abilities as well as the proper disposition – a personality somewhere between that of docile tracking dogs and that of aggressive attack dogs is considered ideal.

             “The capability they bring to the fight cannot be replicated by man or machine,” said General David H. Petraeus said last year.

            Contemporary dogs in military roles are officially referred to as Military Working Dogs (MWDs) or are identified by the code K-9, which is also a common designation used for dogs in police roles. The roles of such dogs can be highly varied, but it is rare for them to be used in front line missions such as this, which makes this dog’s role especially fascinating.

            Perhaps even cooler is the fact that SEAL dogs are usually outfitted with titanium fangs capable of ripping through an enemy’s protective clothing. Each titanium tooth costs about $2,000, but we equip our human soldiers with state of the art weaponry so it makes sense that we would do the same for service dogs.

            I’m sure the brave canine who completed this mission got a lot of treats and belly rubs as a reward for his bravery – and I’m glad he’s earning the recognition he deserves. I’ve owned dogs and used Purina coupons for decades, but I never cease to be amazed by their incredible abilities!

Canine Climate Control

As a human being, I am very grateful to William Havilland Carrier for inventing the miraculous machine we know as the air conditioner. This 100-plus degree summer wouldn’t be bearable without an AC in my house, but I’ve learned that humans aren’t the only ones who suffer when the dog days of summer hit with full force. Dogs obviously can’t sweat and have much more body hair than humans, so they’re especially susceptible to the dangers of heat stroke in the summer. You can use Lowes coupons to protect your pet’s health by installing an AC in his dog house this summer.

You might think that sounds crazy – who gives their dog their own personal air conditioner? But canine climate control isn’t just for the pampered pooches of the rich and famous, it’s a relatively inexpensive way to ensure the health and safety of a loved one as temperatures rise. According to the Humane Society of the United States, a dog house does not provide adequate refuge from summer’s soaring temperatures because the lack of air circulation in these structures can cause the temperature in the doghouse to swell high above the temperature of the outside environment – and if you won’t be home during the day to let your dog come in and enjoy the cool air in your home, using Lowes coupons to get a small, cost-efficient air conditioner for his house is the best way to protect him from the summer heat. You can find instructions for how to easily install an ac for your dog here.  

Old Spice: An Explosive Success

         Old Spice made an explosive entry into the marketing world last year when the company introduced a new ad campaign featuring bare-chested manly-man Isaiah Mustafa, aka “The Old Spice Guy.” The ads went viral; the company’s image was instantly given a hip, funny revamp; and the use of Old Spice coupons skyrocketed.

         But as it turns out, Old Spice has always made headlines – just not always on their own terms. I was recently cleaning out my grandma’s basement when I found, in an old issue of the Boston Globe (July 1968 to be exact – the basement cleaning I did was looooong overdue), a story about a guy who tried to hijack a plane by claiming that he had a grenade in his hand. The hijacker waved a fake gun around, demanded to be flown to Cuba, and then pulled out his “grenade” to scare the plane’s 64 passengers into compliance —but that grenade turned out to be a bottle of Old Spice cologne, and the hijacking was ultimately unsuccessful – though the story successfully reached the pages of newspapers across the country.

         I know Old Spice is powerful stuff, but it’s not powerful enough to do what that crazy hijacker wanted it to do! You can’t use Old Spice coupons to induce terror, thank goodness – you can only use it to smell great. 

Seinfeld Loves Cereal Too Much To Return to TV

        

     Jerry Seinfeld will never do another television show because he likes using Cheerios coupons too much. That might be oversimplifying the situation a bit, but according to the man himself, eating cereal is one of the things he loves, and that thing would be disrupted too much if he were to produce/star in another sitcom.

         Jerry, no longer the bachelor he played on the hit 90s sitcom that bears his name, now has three kids and he recently told a crowd at one of his live shows that his morning ritual of pouring four bowls of cereal – one for him, and one for each of his kids – is one of those things he really appreciates and is unwilling to sacrifice.

         Besides, the 57-year-old says that another show is unnecessary because “I’m old, I’m rich and I’m tired.” Seinfeld’s new life – the kids and the fact that he’s been married for 12 years now – might provide plenty of new material if he were to do another sitcom. It already provides the material for Jerry’s standup act. 

         “A lot of wives complain about their husband not listening,” Seinfeld said to the crowd of his latest sold-out performance. “I have never heard my wife say that.”

         The comedian also continues to find humor in the world as he observes it – Cialis commercials, Pop Tarts, standing ovations, and 5 Hour Energy (“meth-lab Hawaiian Punch jello shots”) were also punch lines at the show.

         But Seinfeld also assured his audience that as long as the world continues to be weird – presumably, forever – even all the Cheerios coupons in the world won’t stop him from asking questions, making comments, and telling jokes. It’s nice to know that some things never change!

A Doggone Good Summer Read

            

           Calling all pooch-loving, Pedigree-coupons-using bookworms: I have a summer reading suggestion for you. It’ll require a bit more brainpower than your usual beach book, but it’s also expand your mind a lot more so I think it’s well worth the extra work.

            The book was written by John Bradshaw, director of the Anthrozoology Institute at the University of Britstol. He’s studied the behavior fo dogs and their owners for more than 25 years, and he definitely knows his stuff. The book is called In Defence of Dogs and it’s basically composed of Bradshaw’s life’s work, redrafted for the common reader.

            This isn’t the kind of lovely-dovey dog memoir like My Dog Tulip or Marley and Me, it’s definitely a research-based book. It’s full of conversations starting facts you probably never knew and will give you a whole new appreciation for your best friend.

            For example,  did you know that dogs share 99.96 percent of their genes with wolves but are not descended from some world that came in from the cold to hang out with a cave man? Dogs and wolves ahd a common ancestor way back when, but the fossils of that animal are something of a missing link. Bradshaw goes on to talk about dog learning styles and behaviors at different life stages, which is sure to make you think differently about your pet the next time you use Pedigree coupons. Yeah, it’s kind of a thick book – but you’ll look awfully smart reading it, and you’ll feel awfully smart when you’re done. 

At The (Wiener Dog) Races

          

          At the Kentucky derby, gents in suits and ladies in fancy hats drink Mint Juleps and bet on fast-running horses with funny names. At the wiener dog derby, loving owners try to encourage heir funny looking dogs to run fast. It costs more than a million dollars to raise and train a horse for the Kentucky Derby, it takes only Eukanuba coupons and the enticement of treats to prepare a wiener dog for the wiener dog derby. The Kentucky Derby happens just once a year in Louisville, Kentucky. Weiner dog derbys, you may or may not know, are happening multiple times a year all over the country.

         Probably because a wiener dog derby is a wonderfully whimsical spectator sport that seems so wrong it’s right. The long-and-low wiener dog does not seem built for speed like their lean and lithe greyhound counterparts, but it is cute when it tries. Weiner dog derbies are held on racetracks and any dachshund who wants to dash can participate. You’ve got to see this video from a recent round of wiener races – it’s adorable! The dogs seem to get kind of distracted by eachother, and some of them wanted off course to sniff things and never cross the finish line – but other are swifter than you’d think. You can look for wiener dog races in your area online – there’s usually a small entry fee but there are prizes for the winners. While you’re on the web, don’t miss out on these Eukanuba coupons – you’ll need to fuel up your little friend if he’s going to zoom to glory! 

Cali Paper Celebrates Extraordinary Pets

I read a lot of celebrity profiles in magazines, but none are as memorable as the adorable Pet Profile I came across online the other day. It’s out of a local online newspaper in Newark, CA, where every week they celebrate a different begin strips loving, tail-wagging, slightly-slobbery best friend. I wish my paper at home did this! My dog would definitely get his 15 minutes of fame.

         Anyway, the profile I read was especially amazing because it was about a border collie mix named Press who is totally blind! Press owners adopted him when he was just three years old, and in the eleven years they’ve been family, Press’s parents have been amazed by how mobile he is. He even roams around the neighborhood and uses his sense of smell to get home! According to the pet profile, Press’ favorite activities are lounging on the sofa “like an old man,” barking at random sounds, and sleeping underneath beds. His favorite toys are golf balls and his favorite treats are begin strips and taco meat mixed with watermelon (ew?). My dog may not be that quirky, but he’s definitely photogenic so he’d look good in his portrait! If you line in the Newark area and have an interesting pet you’d like to see in the paper, e-mail nika.megino@patch.com.

Deodorant Thieves Strike FL Winn-Dixie

        Two apparently malodorous criminals are on the lam, but these fugitives from justice could have avoided the life of crime all together if they had just used deodorant coupons! It’s not everyday that hygiene products are the aim of a heist, but that was the case in Florida last week, where two women shoplifted 75 (yep, seventy five!) sticks of deodorant from a grocery store last week. Police are currently on the case.

         The sticks were taken from A Winn-Dixie store in Ft. Pierce Monday afternoon, and the duo of deodorant thieves were caught in the act by security cameras that show the women stuffing a purse in a shopping cart with deodorants as they shopped. The ballsy gals waltzed out of the store and came back in with another empty purse and repeated the technique. The total amount of merchandise stolen by these thieves amounted to hundreds of dollars worth of Gilette and Secret deodorants.         

         f you know anything which might aid police in the apprehension of these criminals, call the Palm Beach County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-tips. And kids, don’t get sucked into the sinister criminal underworld of deodorant theft – if you have deodorant coupons, it’ll be practically free anyway! 

Tasty, Easy-to-Make Sprite Chicken

Cooking can be really fun, but after a long day, it can also be really annoying. You don’t have to resign yourself to eating Spaghettios out of the can after your boss made you stay late and there’s no time to put dinner on the table (that just adds insult to injury) – just grab some sprite coupons and whip up this piece-of-cake recipe for Chicken in Sprite (trust me, it’s fantastic) courtesy of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

RECIPE

4-5 pieces of chicken (drumsticks are good)

1/2 can of sprite (NOT diet. That won’t be delicious)

1/2 cup cranberry juice

1 small can pineapple slices

6 fresh dates, halved

6 pieces dried peaches or apricots (optional)

1 tablespoon cornstarch

½ cup cashews

DIRECTIONS

Mix everything but the chicken together in a large bowl. Just throw it in there and stir it around for a sec (I promised you this recipe was easy, remember?). Put the mixture in a Ziploc bag, then put the chicken pieces in the bag with the marinade. Let it sit for half an hour while you take a shower or enjoy a glass of wine or whatever. Remove the chicken from the bag, place it in a baking pan and cook at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. The dish goes great with noodles or a green salad. Whoever thought Sprite coupons could be such a tasty dinner solution?

Frosted Flakes Are Good For You?! It's True!

       

          I’ve recently gone on a health kick. It’s because I’m getting married next year, and I want to look great in the dress (duh) but eating really healthy can be a real pain in the butt. I used to just shop based on store sales and discounts – if I had Frosted Flakes coupons, I’d eat cereal for breakfast for a while, if oatmeal was buy-one-get-one-free, I’d eat that. But the most healthful things aren’t always the most cost-effective, and that’s only one part of the problem – the foods high in nutrients like fiber are rarely the highest in flavor. I’ve had enough cardboard cereal to know!

         After two months on the pre-matrimony diet for masochists, I nearly jumped for joy when I flipped through the paper and found Frosted Flakes coupons for a new cereal that’s really the trifects: healthy, delicious, and affordable. What is it” Frosted Flakes with Fiber and Less Sugar! I’ve loved Frosted Flakes since I had teeth to chew cereal, but I thought I’d have to give them up in favor of “grown-up” cereals with more nutrients and less sweetness. This is the perfect compromise, and I’m so excited to see Kellogg’s improving classic cereals with the advanced nutrition so many consumers are looking for. I hope healthy Captain Crunch is next! 

Crave-Worthy Candy Apples

I get really lost on the internet. I log on with the intention to check my email and print Rice Krispies coupons, but I end up watching penguins on youtube and reading about how Kate Middleton does here eye makeup. Last week, I somehow found myself perusing the web page of DeBrito Chocolate Factory, which ultimately leg to me spending fifty dollars on various varieties of caramel apples. I had buyer’s remorse almost the instant I hit “Order” but all of my guilt was washed away and replaced with total joy when my order arrived a week later.

            DeBrito has more than 36 varieties of candy apples in every flavor you can imagine, and all five of the flavors I ordered were awesome so I’ll bet the other thirty-some varieties are equally tasty. This family-run factory began with Arlene DeBrito, who began making chocolate dipped apricot candies for friends and customers of her husband’s farm implement business for Christmas but whose creations became so in-demand that Arlene decided to open up a candy factory to supply all her fans with the sweets they loved.

            Today, the factory still uses the best California fruit and premium ingredients to make all sorts of scrumptious sweets, including the decadent candy apples that are my new obsession. In an adventurous mood? Try the “Great Balls of Fire,” a caramel covered apple rolled in spicy chili-mango and chili-lemon peanuts and drizzled with milk chocolate. How about the sweet and salty “Peanut Butter Crunch” Apple, which is covered in caramel, marshmallows,  pretzels, and peanut butter drizzled with chocolate? My favorite is the “Earthquake” apple --  caramel, rice krispies, peanut butter, all dipped in chocolate.  Come to think of it, the rice krispies component of my favorite apple is probably how I got to the hunt from Rice Krispies coupons to DeBrito’s site – thank goodness for the digressive potential of the internet, or I never would have found my new favorite treat! You can get one of these yummy apples delivered direct to you from Debrito’s site. 

Swanky McDonald's Locations Around the Globe

Who says McDonald’s isn’t a classy place to take a lady on a date? While conventional wisdom suggests that McDonald’s is at the bottom of the fine-dining totem pole, these three super-swanky McDonald’s locations prove that McDonalds coupons can in fact be the key to a very nice meal indeed for those lucky enough to live nearby.

            Number One Fancy Golden Arches Location: NY, NY

            This restaurant was designed by NY-based Studio Gaia to work with an “Urban Living” theme designed specifically for city locations. This store has a range of custom seating options from loungers to bar stools to banquettes, so diners are encouraged to sit down, stay awhile, and enjoy their meals they way they might in an upscale coffee shop – which is certainly unexpected from a bastion of the fast-food industry. With its light wood floors, artful wood ceiling, pendant lights, and streetscape artwork, this store is definitely more high-end restaurant than quick-service chain!

            Number Two Fancy Golden Arches Location: Porto, Portugal

            Porto’s Café Imperial is something of an architectural marvel, so when it was turned into a McDonald’s, controversy ensued. The former coffee house has been classified as a national monument, so McDonald’s has argued its heritage by restoring its historic features, including lovely stained-glass windows. McDonald’s has also put its distinctive stamp on the location, though, as evinced by the imperial-inspired McDonald’s sign outside and the chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling inside.

            Number Three Fancy Golden Arches Location: Holborn, UK

            French Interior designer Philippe Avanzi designed this McDonald’s location in 2006, and it’s a great place for jet-setters to use their McDonalds coupons. This store’s less-is-more aesthetic has a sleek contemporary look that has high-end designer furniture paired with rich textured surfaces of leather and timber. 

15 Minute Cookout Solution: KFC-Style Coleslaw

         

           It’s not summer without a cookout, and it’s not a cookout without coleslaw. You could bust out a few KFC coupons and pick up some slaw for your next get-together, but there’s something about home cooking that really adds to the experience (plus, you can claim the praise when guests ooh and aaah over it!).

            Here’s a recipe for killer coleslaw based on KFC’s killer side dish that’s sure to compliment your next cookout perfectly.

INGREDIENTS

            8 cups finely-chopped cabbage (approx 1 head)

            ¼ cup carrot, shredded

            2 tablespoons minced onion

            ½ cup mayo

            1/3 cup white sugar

            ¼ cup milk

            ¼ cup buttermilk

             2 ½ tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice

            1 ½ tablespoons white vinegar

            ¼ teaspoon black pepper

            ½ teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS

            For a really scrumptious slaw, the cabbage and carrots need to be very finely chopped – aim for pieces the size of rice.

            In a large bowl, combine mayo, sugar, buttermilk, milk, lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper. Beat until smooth.

            Add cabbage, carrots, and onion. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours minimum. This recipe serves 10 to 12.

            Who wants to spend time slaving over a hot stove when it’s already hotter than a firecracker outside? This recipe rocks because it’s quick, easy, and inexpensive – the perfect pot-luck contribution that’s also a universal favorite. Of course, if you can’t be bothered to chop cabbage, you can always print out a few KFC coupons and grab some on your way to the party – but then all credit goes to the colonel! 

Melt The Pounds with Smart Choices at Quiznos

          

       You don’t have to give up your favorite foods or the great deals you can get with Quiznos coupons to eat healthy and lose weight – you just need to make smart choices when you’re eating out, as online health guide “Eat This, Not That!” has shown. Don’t believe me? Check out the toasty sub selection guide below to find a whole menu of flavorful, low-cal subs that will delight your taste buds, satiate your hunger, and keep your wallet full – all without wrecking your diet. All calorie listings are for small (6” subs).

            Try The:                                                    Instead of::

Black Angus Steak Sub                             Prime Rib Cheesesteak Sub

350 Calories                                                    400 calories

Roadhouse Steak Sammie                        Sonoma Turkey Flatbread Sammie w/ Cheese

180 calories (WOW)                                    280 calories

Honey Bourbon Chicken                        Honey Mustard Chicken w/ Bacon & Cheese

320 calories                                                530 Calories

Cantina Chicken Sammie                        Alpine Chicken Sammie w/ Cheese

410 Calories                                                 590 Calories

   Of course, choosing a lower-calories sandwich doesn’t give you license to neglect the rest of your dietary concerns. If you pair a healthful entrée with fried potato chips, a big sugary cookie, or a calorie-laden soft drink, you’re doing yourself no favors. Pair these sandwiches with water or a diet soft drink and a healthful side like a broth-y soup or fresh fruits and veggies.

   I’ve seen news items about people who have lost weight eating nothing but Taco Bell ad McDonald’s, and these side-by-side calorie comparisons prove that whether you pack the pounds on or melt them off is dependant upon the choices you make. Quiznos coupons can be part of your weight-loss routine, just eat smart. With great choices like these, you won’t have to sacrifice flavor for fitness!

Of course, choosing a lower-calories sandwich doesn’t give you license to neglect the rest of your dietary concerns. If you pair a healthful entrée with fried potato chips, a big sugary cookie, or a calorie-laden soft drink, you’re doing yourself no favors. Pair these sandwiches with water or a diet soft drink and a healthful side like a broth-y soup or fresh fruits and veggies. 

I’ve seen news items about people who have lost weight eating nothing but Taco Bell ad McDonald’s, and these side-by-side calorie comparisons prove that whether you pack the pounds on or melt them off is dependant upon the choices you make. Quiznos coupons can be part of your weight-loss routine, just eat smart. With great choices like these, you won’t have to sacrifice flavor for fitness! 

Toasty Turkey & Cheese w/ Cup of Chili      Chili Bread Bowl

320 Calories                  760 calories (ouch!)

   Of course, choosing a lower-calories sandwich doesn’t give you license to neglect the rest of your dietary concerns. If you pair a healthful entrée with fried potato chips, a big sugary cookie, or a calorie-laden soft drink, you’re doing yourself no favors. Pair these sandwiches with water or a diet soft drink and a healthful side like a broth-y soup or fresh fruits and veggies.

   I’ve seen news items about people who have lost weight eating nothing but Taco Bell ad McDonald’s, and these side-by-side calorie comparisons prove that whether you pack the pounds on or melt them off is dependant upon the choices you make. Quiznos coupons can be part of your weight-loss routine, just eat smart. With great choices like these, you won’t have to sacrifice flavor for fitness!

Coolest Job Ever: Dunkin Donuts Head Donut Dude

            What’s the coolest job in the world? There’s probably not one right answer, but Rick Golden’s job description comes pretty close. Rick is the Research and Development Manager for Dunkin Donuts Bakery, which means he’s responsible for creating the tasty treats you use your Dunkin Donuts coupons on!        

         Rick says his donut-creating team calls him the “Ambassador of Dunkin Donuts” and “Manager of Donut Excellence,” but he’s basically a donut-loving dude with a cool job.

         He started working in the original Dunkin Donuts location in Quincy, Massachusets when he was just 14 years old. From the store level, he moved up in the company and became an Operations manager and then donut baker before joining the company’s culinary team. He earned a degree in restaurant management while working his way up, but Rick thinks that the familiarity he gained with the brand from a young age got him to where he is today.

         Rick likes donuts because they make people smile. He says his research team seeks to make donuts that are first and foremost delicious but that are also simple enough that they can be replicated in individual stores.

         Rick also acknowledges that a lot of donut innovation comes from the people who use Dunkin Donuts coupons most – the customers often provide inspiration for baked creations. That gives me hope that, though I’m already ten years too old to get my foot in the door at Dunkin Donuts like Rick, I might still be able to make a splash in the donut world. 

What Do Japanese Women Want? Spam, Apparently

           Spam may be an object of ridicule here in the US – we’ve even appropriated its name as a label for junk e-mails – but in Japan, the canned meat has so many fans that the execs of Burger King Japan are betting people will line up to swap their Burger King coupons for sliders made from the packaged precooked meat product.

         For whatever reason, the small sandwiches are being marketed primarily to women, with the slogan “What women want, women get.” I find it hard to imagine that women are demanding Spam in Japan or anywhere else, but Spam is evidently extremely popular in Japan and the sliders are expected to sell well.

         This isn’t the first time BK has spammed it up. In 2007, the restaurant added the Spam Platter-- two slices of the stuff between rice and scrambled eggs – to its breakfast menu in Hawaii.

         Spam is as big in Hawaii as it is in Japan, and Hawaiian residents consume more than 5 million pounds of Spam every year. There are more varieties of Spam sold in Hawaii than anyplace else in the world, but there are no plans to debut the BK Spam Sliders in Hawaii as of yet.

         BK Japan seems particularly invested in bringing its consumers distinctive reasons to use Burger King coupons, as they also recently introduced the “Meat Monster” sandwich, which is like a Whopper with two beef patties, bacon, and grilled chicken.