Yummy trip to San Antonio

Fresh, hot chips with cool, spicy salsa


Grilled tilapia fish tacos with cabbage lime slaw and a little chipotle mayo. And a big iced tea.

Area Book Lover Disappointed

Local woman and voracious reader Amina Hafiz has been sorely disappointed with her latest reads.


The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder was just "too fluffy" according to Hafiz, who claims to enjoy a beach read now and then.

She wanted to like The Pretend Wife, but the plot was so thin it was not enjoyable. "I can't believe I finished that book," she stated.

Hafiz's highest hopes were on Best Friends Forever, and while it had some endearing qualities, it was merely the story of a caper. Of course the formerly overweight heroine (all of Weiner's heroines struggle with weight in some way) ends up happily ever after in a nontraditional way. Sigh.

Commencement got great reviews, but Hafiz found the characters stereotypical and flat. And the role of extreme feminism seemed to be a morality tale, a warning post-college grads. "I found the message of this book to be that paths for women after college graduation are slim, feminism is dangerous and that The Gray Lady can make an overly-sentimental, poorly written book a bestseller," Hafiz said.

Thrifty Girl Report – June

Local Produce
I bought a half share of a local community supported agriculture and pick up a box of farm-fresh produce every week. The local produce is good and I love summer fruits, so I’ve been happy with it so far. The half share is the right size for My Heart’s Desire. This week I got sweet corn, peaches, blackberries, tomatoes, and sugar snap peas.

Cards & Coupons
I’ve been using shopper’s cards without exception. They really do help me save money! And at the lunch place near my office, I picked up the buy 10 get 1 free lunch card (7 to go!). I also signed up for deals for restaurants I frequent and use the coupons they send.

Let’s Meet For Coffee
I’ve been suggesting meeting friends for coffee instead of meals to save a little money. Instead of buying a meal, I get an iced tea and still have a good time.

What does Consumer Reports Say?
My Heart’s Desire and I both like Consumer Reports. Because of it, we have changed our toothpaste, laundry soap, and more. It’s a great resource for helping us save.

Operation Beautiful

I love the idea of Operation Beautiful, a grassroots effort to encourage women to feel better about themselves via notes. It also can change the way we talk to ourselves.

More articles about Operation Beautiful are in the Orlando Sentinel and on Slate.

A few days ago, I left the note below in a Starbucks ladies room.
And it's true.