Drinking Tips

I have a little hint for you today for making drinks involving dry drink mixes. We drink protein shakes for breakfast made from a dry mix. I always used to put the mix in the cup first, but I ended up with gunge in the bottom of the cup. no matter how well I mixed. Lauren said I needed to put the liquid in first. It works far better for avoiding clumps! If you get the swirl going fast enough, you'll avoid the powder flying everywhere. Leave space in the top of the container for this reason. Or use a shaker.

This week I saw something about mixing dry hot chocolate mixes this way as well. The manufacturer said to put the powder on top of the liquid and stir it in. (Although I do NOT drink hot chocolate. I would not, could not on a train. Not in the dark. Not in the rain... Blech.)

I researched the topic online and have seen professional mixer articles that say put the powder on top of the liquid. Then, I happened upon the tried and true, the ultimate powder into liquid  tip:

Put the powder into the cup. Mix just a little liquid to make a homogenous paste. Then pour the remaining liquid into the paste. Ahh HA. This probably works best, although it takes too long for breakfast, so I'll stick with the powder on top method.


Saturday 9: Straight Up (1988) 
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. 

1) In this song, Paula sings about being in a dream. Did you dream last night?
Yep, I dreamed that our cat, Maya, had become a miniature pig. She was presented to me as a "new pet pig," but I recognized her face. Creepy.

2) When Paula enrolled at California State University, she planned on studying broadcasting and becoming a reporter. Think about your career aspirations when you were 19. Did you follow through and stay on track or, like Paula, did you veer off and find success elsewhere?
When I was 19, I was on track to be a radiation safety engineer at a hospital or a nuclear power plant. I veered off during grad school and got into clinical research.

3) For a while she was a "Laker Girl" and performed at L.A. Laker games. Do you have a favorite NBA team?
No, but I was a Rockets fan growing up in Houston.

4) Paula was once married to Brad Beckerman of Stillhouse Spirits, a company that specializes in whiskey. What's your favorite alcoholic beverage?
Mexican Martini

5) Paula has been dancing since age 8 and, as you can see from the video, Paula moves very well in heels. Tell us about your most comfy shoes.
They are orange wedges. Not juicy "orange wedges" from Florida, but pretty high heeled wedges that happen to be orange. SO CUTE. And the most comfy shoes I own.

6) Paula admits it was her passion for jewelry and that inspired her to design her own line for QVC and Avon. What is your favorite thing to go shopping for? 
earrings

7) She advises young girls to "keep the faith and don't lose your gut instinct." How about you? Are you more logical or instinctive?
instinctive

8) In May, Paula traveled to Austria for The Life Ball, a fundraiser to help those afflicted with HIV/AIDS. When is the last time you left the country?
this past March- to Germany

9) Paula Abdul is a spokeswoman for Avon's "Go Check Yourself" campaign for breast health awareness. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Do you know anyone who has been touched by this disease?
Me! 23 years cancer-free!