Cracking Good

THE WHOLE WEEKEND
Shop Local!
Go gift shopping, take in a yoga class, have some delicious food…all for 20% off. Visit the Local First Arizona site to print out your 20% off Golden Tickets and find out who is participating.

Shop sales!
- 40-80% off at Karmaloop through July 8. Take an extra 10% off with coupon code INDY4TH
- 15% off sitewide at Lulus.com through July 4th. Enter coupon code “Firecracker” at checkout
- 30% off all sale items at Pink Mascara through July 6. Enter coupon code EXTRA30
- 80% off selected summer merchandise at Shop Intuition, and take 20% off full-priced items using the coupon code STARSTYLE
- 40% off Max Studio
- 60% off on selected items at BlueBee.com

SATURDAY
Miniature Tigers @ Star Swim Pool Party
One of my favorite local bands is playing the all day July 4th pool party bash. Bring your swim suit and join the hipster stew.

Star Swim Pool Party
Wyndham Hotel
50 E. Adams St., Phoenix, AZ
1 - 11:30 p.m.
$6 per person

SUNDAY
Intro to Permaculture
Get a brief introduction to all things permaculture.

East West Exchange
2051 W. Warner Rd. (SW corner of Dobson & Warner)
Chandler, AZ
3 - 3:30 p.m.

Get your nails done @ Sundrops
Summer sun and sandals take a toll on the toesies. This weekend, take $5 off any mani/pedi combo.

Sundrops Nail Spot
3949 E. Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ  85018
11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday

I try not to think about what goes into a hot dog…and focus more on what goes ON a hot dog.

Fourth of July seems like the perfect time to get your hot dog on, after all, how all-American can you get; There’s virtually a different style in every region of the US.

How do you like your dog?

1.) Chicago-style: Steamed dog on a poppy seed bun, white onion, neon green relish, tomato wedges, a dill pickle spear and peppers.

2.) Connecticut Hot Dog: Probably my fave: A split-cut dog, brown mustard, sauerkraut, chopped onions, bacon, sweet relish and ketchup.

3.) Corn Dog: The origin is questionable, the product is not. Battered, fried and eaten with mustard (and/or ketchup). Mini corn dogs are a great late-night party treat.

4.) Southern slaw-dog: Southerners keep it simple. Hot dog smothered in coleslaw. Chili optional.

5.) No(gales) Dog: A post-drinking Phoenix staple: Bacon-wrapped hot dog with a choice of mayo, beans, tomato, onions, jalepenos, cheese and lettuce. Hangover, take THAT!

6.) Kimchee Dog: Just saw one of these at a Brooklyn flea market. How it’s done: A hot dog is paired with kimchee (Korean spicy sauerkraut) and sweet Japanese mayo.

7.) Coney Island dog: A pork hot dog on a steamed bun topped with chili, yellow onion and yellow mustard.

8.) Seattle-style: A dog topped with mustard, onions, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese.

What’s Cracking Good — Frozen treats involving cookie dough

Lactards everywhere have had to live with a very limited variety of frozen dessert choices.

No 31 flavors for us.

But I just got an e-mail about Purely Decadent’s coconut milk ice cream in cookie dough.

It’s not butter fat, but it’s a start.

What’s Cracking Good — Shopping local

No Wonka Bar necessary for a Local First Golden Ticket.

Visit the local first site to print out a 20% off coupon to use at any participating local businesses during Independents Week, June 29 - July 5.

I think I’m going to purchase a yoga mat at A Desert Song, maybe some pens and paper at Arizona Art Supply, and browse all the cool stuff at Frances with a little less guilt.

Take THAT Veruca Salt!

Take a look at my Spinning Wheels blog to see what some Montreal women are wear. Warning: It looks good on about 3 people.

Dreaming about fresh fruits, veggies and yoga was a sign that I’d over-consumed. Though not the first or only sign.

A sampling of what I ate in Montreal & New York:

1/2 pastrami sandwich with french fries
1 fried lobster salad sandwich
1 fried chicken, hush puppies, mashed potatoes, and corn dinner
1 smothered chicken breast with waffles (see above)
1 everything bagel with tofu cream cheese
1 greek dumpling plate
A lot of french bread with butter.
A lot of alcohol.

Despite walking copious distances, I feel pretty disgusting.

It’s detox time!

Now that I’m home, I started off pretty well. Anti-oxidants abounded in my berry smoothie and green tea breakfast.
From there, it went downhill. Lunch: Takoyaki with mayo and sauce. For dinner, a bagel with cream cheese, tomato and cucumber. For dessert, an ice cream sandwich.

I think I’m going to make these peach popsicles. At least it will take the bad dessert out of the equation.

Ingredients:
3 ripe peaches
1 lime, juiced
2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped
1/4-1/2 cup sugar, depending on desired sweetness

Directions:
Slice peaches and remove pit. Place peaches, lime juice, 1 tablespoon of mint and 1/4 cup sugar in blender and pureed until well incorporated. Stir in rest of mint.

Put it in a popsicle container and freeze for 4-6 hours.

Voila!