This entry will, hopefully, be the first in a series entitled, “Against the Mainstream.”  The series will aim to dispel popular, or mass media, themes, trends, recommendation, tips, or programs.  Does the Cash for Clunkers government program make sense for a practical or frugal individual?  Before we dive into the question, let’s consider some facts via the official Cars Allowance Rebate System […]

Recipe: Homemade Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil One of my favorite, all purpose, condiments on this little planet is sun dried tomatoes preserved in olive oil.  Authentic sun dried tomatoes capture the essence of the tomato and can be enjoyed year round.  There is a difference between tomatoes that have been truly dried in the sun and dehydrated tomatoes (click here to […]

There’s something about eating good food outdoors that makes me feel utterly alive and happy.  It may be the fresh air cooling my shoeless feet or the sound of pouring cool Esino Bianco into a wine glass (have questions about wine, click here).  Ultimately, however, it’s the wonderful homemade food that makes outdoor dining so enjoyable.   We have a […]

At no point in one’s life do humans bare so little responsibility for their own survival as they do when they are swimming around in their mother’s amniotic fluid (Ron Currie Jr.).  Think about it: newborns need to learn how to digest liquid, take in oxygen and pump out carbon dioxide, dispose of their waste, learn how to sleep, and […]

For most sane men, seeing their significant other give birth is a mind blowing experience.  My brain, for example, is already beginning to elicit nausea every time I think about my wife’s upcoming labor and delivery.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m terribly excited about the arrival of our first baby, but the birthing process isn’t like renovating a kitchen or bath.  Delivering a baby, at least […]

Daniel Gross, a columnist at Newsweek and Slate, published a recent article in the NY Times Book Review that argued that today’s über rich are essentially leisure-less tycoons who need to work around the clock.  Gross goes on to argue that, “among Type-A, self-made members of the leisure class (read ultra wealthy), there’s a sort of reverse prestige associated with […]

For much of Sunday’s epic Wimbledon Final Andy Roddick outplayed Roger Federer.  Roddick out served Federer, played with more intensity, and had a number of incredible winners (including many backhand winners to Federer’s forehand side).  So, how did Federer manage to beat an opponent who played exceptionally well and, in some way, wanted the Wimbledon Championship more than Roger himself? […]

I wasn’t always a coffee drinker, in fact, I made my way through my senior thesis at the University on granola bars and orange juice alone (I must have been crazy not to consume caffeine).  However, once I graduated and began the 9-5 routine I needed a pick me up to get me going in the morning and sustain me […]

I’m kicking myself for missing a great food article by Mark Bittman published back in January.  The article, “Fresh Start for a New Year?  Let’s Begin in the Kitchen”, is a one stop source for what every aspiring cook needs to have in his/her pantry and fridge to cook well and, more importantly, quickly! Let’s get right down to the […]

Next to renovating your kitchen, a bathroom renovation can, in most cases, provide outstanding ROI for a homeowner.  Beyond ROI, a newly constructed bathroom can also provide a homeowner with years of leak-proof functionality and enjoyment.  If you’re considering renovating the one room in your house that can make you look pretty, here are some quick tips: 1. Porcelain is […]