Repelling Cats

I've been traumatized by a recent experience with cats. Plus I'm really allergic to them. Anyhow, does anyone have suggestions for repelling cats? Too many stray cats are meandering in the neighborhood, and I need to find a way to repel them...without buying a dog.

I've heard that people spray a mixture of cayenne pepper and water anywhere they don't want cats. I've also read that people put motion-sensor toys to freak them out - I'm not a big fan of this idea, cuz it might scare me too! :)

Any suggestions would help. Thanks!!!

Cinnamon Basil Pesto

One of my friends gave me a bunch of cinnamon basil from her garden. I didn't even know that cinnamon basil existed! Imagine basil with a subtle hint of cinnamon mixed in. Actually, when I smelled a big bunch of it, it smelled like Big Red gum.

Anyhow, she gave me a big bunch, and I decided to try my hand at making pesto. So simple - basil, pine nuts, garlic, parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt and pepper - so delicious. You don't even really need to do anything except toss it in the food processor! Oh, and while it smells like cinnamon, it doesn't taste like it, so don't worry if you want to try it in place of regular basil.

She gave me tomatoes from her garden too. Homemade pesto and garden fresh tomato on a toasted French roll with some melted mozzarella...and a dash of good balsamic vinegar. Mmmmmm....

Kashi TLC Granola Bars

In an effort to be a little healthier, I've tried a couple of things. But I'll only talk about one of those things here. I've tried to eat breakfast...in one form or another. Lately, it's been a granola bar, and I do love Quaker granola bars.

Then I figured that I should try eating a healthier granola bar. What did I choose? Kashi TLC Dark Chocolate Cherry granola bars. Wow, no granola bar can make you feel like an adult like this one can.

If you're looking for a "healthy" treat that tastes like a candy bar, this is not the choice for you. Stick with the kiddie granola bars and get your good ol' sugar rush!

Sprinkles Cupcake Truck

As if cupcakes weren't easy enough to get in Los Angeles...they're now coming to you!!

Yes, soon Los Angeles will have a cupcake truck joining its fleet of moving street food. It will be very similar to the ice cream trucks of our childhood (and my present-hood, since it comes down my street every Saturday afternoon at 3:00ish). The only difference is that it will be selling delicious Sprinkles cupcakes (individually boxed) for $4 a pop.

And if you're going to have a party and would like to cater these cupcakes, the truck can be reserved for private parties. Can you imagine a party that has an In-n-Out truck, a Hot Dog on a Stick truck, a Carls Jr. truck (the only one that serves french fries), AND a Sprinkles truck? Oh, you can throw in any one of the numerous taco trucks in the mix as well. Wow, something for everyone...and all you have to do is pay!

No-Go for Jell-O (ice cream)

I tried the Jell-O ice cream at Coldstone Creamery yesterday, and I thought I liked it and got a 'Like It' size of the two flavors (chocolate and butterscotch) side by side.

Oh boy, was I wrong. After a few bites, it was hard work to get that stuff down. It's pretty thick...like eating frozen custard, or pudding (duh). I ended up not finishing it.

My recommendation - you should try it, but don't have any expectations. It would be better to stick with the new Jell-O Pudding Pops.

Now if they would bring back the Tootsie Roll popsicles and Fruit Corners Fruit Bars, I'd be in 80s snack heaven!!

Jello Pudding Ice Cream

You may be too young to remember the original Jell-O Pudding Pops, but luckily, the Pops have been resurrected and distributed by the Pop-sicle brand!

And now Coldstone Creamery has Jell-O Pudding ice cream - in chocolate and butterscotch - for your enjoyment. I'll be trying some soon, and I'll update you as soon as I do!

Beefy Chicken - KFC Grilled Chicken

The El Pollo Loco commercial is right. KFC Grilled Chicken is marinated in beef powder and rendered beef fat. KFC lists it on their ingredient list. Wow. Guess the people who don't eat beef will have to trek over to El Pollo Loco huh?

Why would you have to marinate chicken in beef? Do people want their chicken to taste like beef? Isn't it enough that McDonald's french fries are beef-flavored? Why aren't people happy with potatoes tasting like potatoes...or chicken tasting like chicken?

So confused...

Jack in the Box - Mini Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich

Yes, the Mini Sirloin Burgers commercial was awesome. It still is. But the brilliant minds of the Jack in the Box marketing team have done it again. I saw their commercial for the Mini Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwiches, and it is quite awesome as well!

You can watch it - in English AND in Spanish - right here! I can only imagine that everyone will be doing it in a couple days time...

Whale in Marina del Rey

There was so much interesting new yesterday, and I thought I would share some of it with you.

In Marina del Rey, there is a gray whale that has been chillin' off the shore. All of the scientists that have been observing the whale say that she's on her migration route and is just taking her sweet time.

Oh, the best part? They named her Baby Nicole. :)

Sweet Harts - Sherman Oaks

Melissa Joan Hart opened a "sweets shop" (for lack of a better term), and I need to find some time to visit this weekend. It's called Sweet Harts in Sherman Oaks. They have frozen yogurt, gelato, candy, and other desserts. Check it out here...