Robert Stinnett

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Archive for category Home Life

June is National Gay Pride Month – Celebrate Diversity

May 27

Posted by Robert Stinnett in Home Life, My Adventures | No Comments

Gay Pride FlagAcross America June is National Gay Pride Month.  First recognized by President Bill Clinton in 2000, President Barack Obama carried the tradition forward in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.  It’s a great time to celebrate not only the diversity gay friends, co-workers and family members bring to our lives – but also to recognize that the USA, and indeed the world, is one huge melting pot.  We are all different, and it’s those differences that make the world, and ourselves, such an interest place to live!

You may not know it, but I guarantee you that you know someone who is gay.  Chances are there is even someone in your own family who is gay.  They are ordinary people – like yourself – who are living life.  Yet everyday these normal people face a backlash from hate mongers and extreme-far-right religious zealots who want to oppress them and in some cases do physical harm to them.  Why?  Just because they are being who they are.

During June take some time to celebrate the diversity that LGBT people bring to the world. If there is a local pride event happening near where you are why not stop in and join the celebration — you will find that the pride events are family-like atmospheres that are welcoming and fun to attend (I’ll be at St. Louis Pride Fest 2012 from on June 23 – 24).  If you know someone who is gay take the time to find out more about them. Invite them out to lunch or dinner and make a night out of it laughing and learning about who they are and what their dreams and aspirations are.

We are all different – and that is what makes us all so unique.  Celebrate diversity!

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Diversity, Acceptance and Getting Along…

May 1

Posted by Robert Stinnett in Home Life, My Adventures | No Comments

This week I talk a bit about our global society and ask questions about why is it that the small minded, bigots get all the attention in the world while the decent, good people get so little?  I talk a little about our home, my partner and how I view the rest of the world.

Diversity, Acceptance & Can’t We All Just Get Along?–Vlog #2

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From Blog to Vlog–Isn’t Technology Fun?

Apr 21

Posted by Robert Stinnett in Get Fit, Home Life, My Adventures | No Comments

Today, and hopefully for a while to come, I’m going to switch over from my usual blogging habits to doing video logs (vlogs).  So much has changed with me this year that I’m excited to share it with my loyal readers (or should that be reader?).  Finally, you can meet the guy behind the text…

 

Vlog #1

Wal-Mart: Made in China at the Highest Price

Oct 8

Posted by Robert Stinnett in Consumerism, Home Life, Retail | 4 Comments

This weekend one of my projects was to finish up replacing receptables and some switches in the house to complete a project I started over a year ago.  I was replacing all my electrical outlets with new “square faced” designs and all my switches with the paddle type.  It’s amazing how small things like this can really give the whole place a “fresh look”.

Unfortunately, I was one outlet short.  Determined to finish the project this weekend I decided to head over to our local Do-It-Best store to pick up one.  Unfortunately, the locally owned store was closed – the owners were away at a conference according to the note tacked to the door.  This meant I only had one choice left – the place I hate the most – Wal-Mart.

I figured that I would just run in, get the outlet, and get out.  I hate shopping at Wal-Mart and it’s the place I use for absolute can’t wait until tomorrow emergencies.  Home Depot, Lowes and Menards are all a 20 minute drive from where I live in rural Missouri and it wouldn’t be until Monday when I’d be over their way.  So I justified my decision to go into Wal-Mart with the notion that it was for one item to finish a project that was long overdue.

I quickly found the electrical aisle and the outlet I needed.  It was a GE brand, though about $0.75 higher than what I was used to paying for similar outlet switches at Home Depot.  I was just about ready to grab it and get out of that place when I turned the package over and saw those three dreaded words, “MADE IN CHINA”.

I was floored.

Here was a product that cost more than the equivalent American made product (Levtron) from Home Depot and yet it was made in China.  I absolutely refused.  I have just had about all I am going to take seeing American jobs being shipped overseas.  It’s one of the reasons I loathe Wal-Mart so much – they are the biggest drivers of sending manufacturing overseas.  I was not about to help them achieve their goal of getting rid of every last job in America.

It’s a slap in the face really – the reason they “outsourced” and “offshored” these jobs was for lower prices.  After all, why pay an American worker a living wage when you can get Chinese people to work for $2.00 a day?  Yet this Chinese made product cost MORE than the Made in America product.  Where was all the savings going?  Who was profiting off this?  Oh, that’s right – Wal-Mart and the manufacturer, GE.

I walked out of that store in disgust.  People around here praise Wal-Mart yet they really have no idea.  They are paying more for the products that are of inferior quality and helping ship their own jobs overseas in the process.  They are literally shopping themselves out of a job.

As much as I wanted to finish this project this weekend, it can wait.  I’ll give Home Depot my business and buy their cheaper, Made in America outlets.  Not only will I save money, but I can leave the store with my purchase knowing that I at least did a small bit to help keep American workers working.

Wal-Mart is a scam.  Plain and simple.  Wake up, folks.

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Cutting off Walmart

Jan 9

Posted by Robert Stinnett in Consumer Advice, Consumerism, Customer Service, Home Life, Retail | 2 Comments

For years now I’ve been anti-Walmart, but still maintained a sort of quasi relationship with them.  I distrusted them, complained about them and decried their employment practices.  Yet, I still did about 10-15% of my shopping with them because – well, because it was convenient at times.

That all changed last Thursday while surfing Netflix on demand for a movie to watch and came across “Wal-Mart:  The High Cost of Low Prices”.  This 2005 documentary interviewed many former and current employees of Wal-Mart from all ranks—from cashiers to high-level executives.  The story throughout was the same – Wal-Mart considers employees and small, family owned businesses enemy #1.

Tale after tale of tactics by the company to push employees to work longer, harder and many times off the clock.  Stories from executives of how many employees were told to use welfare and other public assistance programs just for necessities.  Can you imagine being a full time employee and still having to use WIC or Medicaid?   Apparently that is common practice with Wal-Mart.  Their own employees making below the poverty levels, and Wal-Mart really not giving a damn. 

Then there were the stories of the China factories that produce for Wal-Mart.  The horrific working conditions these people have to face on a daily basis.  Stories of young males and females who should be enjoying their youth working and living in the factories because that was policy.  It was nothing more than modern day slave labor.

I could go on, but I really encourage you to watch the documentary yourself and listen to employees tell the Wal-Mart story.  You be the judge.  If you can watch this film without shaking your head in disgust then perhaps Wal-Mart is the store for you.

As for me, I’m officially 100% Wal-Mart free.  The one holdout in our family, my dad, has even switched with me.  We now support our local merchants, which we are lucky enough to have quite a few of (the Wal-Mart in Boonville, MO hasn’t managed to put them all under yet – though I am sure they are trying ). 

The amazing thing is – even after a weekend of shopping at local businesses, many of which are family owned – I noticed something:  I wasn’t paying more.  In fact, in a few cases we noted we were paying less – much less than Wal-Mart.  What’s more we noticed that many of the goods we were now buying were stamped “Made in the USA”.  Something that Wal-Mart has just about managed to destroy completely – American manufacturing.

As for me, and the rest of my family – we took the pledge to be Wal-Mart free.  I encourage you to do the same.  Don’t be fooled by the high cost of low prices –  many of which aren’t really low after all.

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Looking Back and Remembering When–Some Video Trivia

Dec 18

Posted by Robert Stinnett in Home Life | No Comments

No doubt about it; the more we get older the more we look back and go “Remember when…” or “I remember back in the good old days…”.  No matter how old you are, the previous years always tend to be the “good old days”.  With that in mind, here is a little something I put together for my friends and such to spend a little downtime and have some fun looking back and remembering when.  When you think you know the answer, click on the Youtube link to see if you are right.

· This popular show took us back to the days of drive-ins and sock hops.  However, it was never meant to be a series, and was originally made as a one-off episode.  Do you know the name of the show?  Better yet, do you know the ORIGINAL name for the show? Hint:  “Sit on It!” 

o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8A9WFrBK0w

· It was 1986 and Wal-Mart was still mostly unknown to many people.  This retail powerhouse was the largest in America, and owned a wide range of companies including Borders Books, Builders Square, OfficeMax and the Sports Authority.  Originally known as the S.S. Kresge company, this retailer is still in business today but has since lost its top stop to Wal-Mart.  Do you know the retailer?  Hint:  The “light” in this store became a pop-cultural icon.

o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXKsJHs6rmA

· This company brought us many of our modern innovations that we take for granted today – computerized speech, cellular communications, fiber optics, high speed data lines and teleconferencing to name a few.  There is almost a 100% chance you use their technology on a day to day basis.  Hint:  You would “reach out and touch someone” with them.

o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhOWtEooLBk&feature=related

· They were the one of the largest automotive service companies in America for most of the 1960s through the 1980s.  Their trademark “Muzzler” was probably on one of your dad’s cars and the name of their batteries would later go on to be a popular movie series featuring Bruce Willis.   Long before AAMCO and Jiffy Lube, many people took their car to this retail giant for car maintenance.  Hint:  There was always “more for your life” at this store.

o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAMWcjBR-Ys

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Post-Thanksgiving Calorie Burner

Nov 25

Posted by Robert Stinnett in Get Fit, Home Life | No Comments

So you’ve eaten the turkey, had a slice (or two) of pie and managed to even stuff down some of Aunt Gertrude’s infamous green bean surprise.  If you are like the typical American, you have consumed a gut-busting 4,500 calories by the time Thanksgiving is over and done with.  Instead of throwing in the towel and resigning yourself to putting on an extra pound, here are some ideas on how to burn some of those calories off after the big meal:

  • Window shop with friends.  Wal-Mart and others are starting their black friday sales at crazy hours tonight.  Call up a few friends and invite them to go window shopping with you.  Walk around the stores, watch others go nuts, but go there with a purpose – to burn off those calories, not empty your wallet!  It’s fun to people watch and a good way to catch up with friends after the big meal.
  • Put on your jacket and hit the trail.  If you live in an area with walking trails, parks or hiking paths go on a leisurely walk and see what nature has to offer.  It’s that perfect time of year to enjoy a nice hike with friends and family and watch nature prepare for winter.
  • Good news:  your gym is probably open!  If you believe to a 24-hour fitness club, chances are they never close.  So don’t skip that workout!
  • Play games with your family.  Break out the Wii, pick up a baseball glove and mitt, or just go in the backyard and go nuts! 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Whole Wheat Flaxseed Cookies

Nov 23

Posted by Robert Stinnett in Home Life, Yum! | 2 Comments

A while back I happened to run into @MizFitOnline who has a great website about fitness named, aptly, MizFitOnline.  We happened to be talking about healthy treats (or at least treats that aren’t as bad for you as traditional sweets) and I shared with her my recipe for Whole Wheat Flaxseed Chocolate Chip cookies.  It’s been a favorite of mine for a long time, and I’m always happy to share with others things I think are Mmm, Mmm good!

Well wouldn’t you know it a few days later I decide to make some sweets for the family to enjoy and I discovered that the cupboard was bare of chocolate chips.  Oh no!  What’s a chocoholic to do?  So I took that opportunity to improvise on the original recipe and come up with a slight variation, and introduced a few new ingredients. 

Before we get started let me state that these are not “eat all that you want to” cookies.  No cookie, cake, pie or anything is like that.  This is a healthier version of a favorite classic goodie, the cookie.  While it has some healthier aspects to it, you still need to watch how many you are eating.  Remember, sweets are a treat – not the main meal!

Also, if you don’t know of the benefits of Flax Seed I highly encourage you to read up on its nutritional properties.  This little seed packs quite a punch!  You should be able to find them in your grocery store bulk section.  To get the full nutritional value out of them you will need to grind them up.  I highly recommend this Toastmaster coffee grinder if you don’t have one already.  It is one of these essential kitchen appliances you need, even if you don’t drink coffee. 

You’ll notice we are using whole wheat flour instead of white.  Whole wheat flour is much better for you and gives your body the whole grains it so desperately needs.  We’re also using applesauce to replace some of the fat content.  You can use all applesauce instead of butter, but be warned the cookies will come out more cake-like. DSCF0173 (Large) I still think they are great but some people don’t like their cookies that way.

So, having said all that, let’s get to the good stuff!  (Be sure to read the additional ideas after the recipe)

Here’s what you’ll need…

  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar (You can use Splenda for Baking if desired)
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter (I have been known to cut this down to 1/4 cup)
  • 1/2 cup Applesauce
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla (never use the artificial stuff – bleh!)
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups Whole Wheat flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp ground flax seed
  • 5 tbsp cocoa powder

Start off by mixing the sugars, butter, applesauce, vanilla and egg together.  Then stir in your flour, baking soda, salt and flax seed.  Add in any extras at this point as well (see below).

Drop by rounded teasponfulls about 2” apart onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees.

Suggested “extras” if desired (note:  this will increase your calorie and fat content):

  • 1 cup of dark chocolate chips (add to mix)
  • 1 cup of raisings (may sound strange for chocolate cookies, but give it a try sometime!)
  • After cookies have baked, pull from oven and add a small piece of dark chocolate to them while still warm on top.  I highly recommend 70% or better dark chocolate.

If you make the cookies “plain” (i.e., without extras) I think they are great little chocolate treats to have in moderation that aren’t too sweet.  Enjoy!

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How to Survive (and Beat) the 4,500 Calorie Thanksgiving Meal

Nov 21

Posted by Robert Stinnett in Get Fit, Home Life | 1 Comment

If you ever needed motivation to hit the gym, this one should do it.  According to the folks at the Calorie Control Council, the average American will consume 4,500 calories this Thanksgiving.  But wait, it gets even worse!  That figure doesn’t include breakfast or or the late night snacking that will inevitably take place after the big meal. Waistlines all over America are working overtime preparing to expand at least one full size!

When I first read that I was sure there was a mistake.  So I took to web to look for more information – unfortunately, I found it and all of it confirmed what I read.  In fact, that 4,500 calorie estimate may be on the conservative side considering that it doesn’t take into account the belly-busting desserts that normally accompany the meal.  Come on now, when is the last time anyone ate just one little piece of pie?

The good news is that you can take a few simple steps when preparing the feast this year to significantly reduce the calories and fat that will end up on the table.  No worries, we aren’t talking about radically changing recipes or serving some “Experimental” food to your guests.  All of these ideas have been tried and tested for generations and no doubt even your mom and grandmother used a few of them when they were preparing dinner “back in the good ol’ days”.

 

While your cooking…

  • Substitute chicken broth (use the reduced sodium variety) for milk in mashed potatoes and save not only calories but a good deal of fat as well.
  • When baking the sweets substitute applesauce for butter in cakes and muffins.  You can cut the fat content by more than 2/3rds while reducing calories at the same time.
  • Ditch the store bought rolls and breads and make some whole wheat rolls to compliment the meal.  Your body will appreciate the whole grains and your guests will love the fresh taste of homemade bread!
  • Offer an alternative to the gravy boat – fat-free sour cream for the potatoes; olive oil and Italian spices to dip the rolls in.
  • Don’t drown vegetables in butter, in fact skip the butter altogether.  Steam vegetables such as corn, broccoli and green beans.  Then spice them up a bit with a little bit of garlic (fresh is best) and other seasonings. 
  • Don’t put butter on the table at dinner.  Out of sight – out of mind!

For cooks and non-cooks…

  • Start Thanksgiving day off with a family walk.  Find a park, trail or other area nearby and head out for a nice 2-3 mile hike. 
  • If you know that Thanksgiving is going to pack on the calories, commit to adding 20 minutes to your workout each day this week to help work off the extra calories.
  • Eat breakfast on Thanksgiving!  Don’t “save your appetite” for dinner by starving yourself.  You will end up overeating and your body’s metabolism will be slowed down since you didn’t eat that morning.
  • Skip the holiday nog and other calorie-loaded drinks.  Stick with tea and skim milk.

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Want to Eat Healthier? Pick Up a Shopping Basket!

Nov 19

Posted by Robert Stinnett in Get Fit, Home Life | No Comments

Wow.  Look at all that food.  Aisles and aisles of everything you could desire – fruits, breads, meats, soups, cookies, ice cream.  It’s all there for you to choose from – take as much as you wish.  How about a free sample?  If you buy one, we’ll throw another one in for “free”.  Go ahead!  Indulge!

Can you guess what place I’m talking about?  It’s the grocery store – a mecca of temptation and a cathedral to all that is filled with fat.  We walk into the grocery store and, like clockwork, we emerge an hour later our shopping cart overflowing with deli meats, processed foods and that chocolate cake we just couldn’t say no to in the bakery.  Not to mention the chips, candy bars and Ho-Ho’s we managed to slide into the cart as well – after all, they were on sale!

Good grief – is it no wonder we as a nation are fat?  It’s not like fattening, unhealthy food is all the grocery store sells.  It’s just that we have this big shopping cart, and the displays are so tempting.  I’ve always said its too bad the produce department can’t get some of the folks who market the Ding Dong’s to help them come up with an ad campaign sometime.  The sale of asparagus would go through the roof!

If I’ve learned anything over the years is that when it comes to the grocery store you have to know how to play the game.  We all know by now that the healthiest foods are normally found on the perimeter of the store – and that the processed, bad stuff is usually found in the middle.  Of course, the grocery stores know that we know, so they have started to rearrange a few things.  Notice how the bakery is now to the right of the front door?  And those frozen food displays, they someone managed to go from the middle of the store to along the wall.  How convenient.

The good news is you can win at this battle in the grocery store.  You can not only eat right, but you can also get in a mini-workout at the same time.  It’s simple – just say “no thanks” to the shopping cart and pick up a shopping basket!  With this one move you’ve made it a lot harder to pile up on the bad stuff, and a lot easier to burn a few calories while shopping. 

Think about it for a moment.  When you go to the grocery store you usually go because you need something.  Maybe you need some tomatoes, flour, some bread.  The problem is when you leave you have piled your cart full of other stuff, and in the process you forgot all about the tomatoes, flour and bread!  I was terrible at this – the local grocery stores used to love to see me coming because they knew their profits were going to be up the day!  So that’s when I decided to ditch the cart, pick up a basket and take matters into my own hands – literally!

With a basket I tend to focus on what I came into the store for.  There simply isn’t enough room in that basket to load it down with junk food or impulse purchases.  Of course this means I make more shopping trips per month than most, but that is OK.  I look at them as a time to get in a little mini-workout carrying my basket around, walking through the store.  Who would have thought it – eating right and getting some exercise all at the same time!

My friend Randy Pickard, who has been involved in retail for many years and is what one might call an expert in shopping baskets, told me that on average shopping baskets have went from something that was an afterthought in many stores to now being scattered around the store, ready for you to grab at a moment’s notice, and they are getting bigger!  I guess the stores figured if they couldn’t force us to take a cart, they might as well make the basket a bit bigger to encourage us to shop!

Give it a shot next time; skip the cart and pick up the basket.  Then when you get home take a look at what you bought.  I’ll guarantee your shopping mix is going to be healthier than what you would have brought home before.  Instead of chips, boxed foods and the sort you’ll probably find you stuck more to the fresh foods, cooking staples and healthy meats. 

So what are you waiting for?  Let’s go Krogering!

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