Why I watch 'The Hills'

The plots are predicable, insipid, obviously staged. The drama is paltry. For not acting, the acting sucks. There are commercials every 3 minutes. And yet, I still watch The Hills. If Jerry Seinfeld created the ‘show about nothing’ genre, The Hills exemplifies it. Even Charlize Theron agrees,

“The Hills” is about nothing. I think the girls are beautiful and when they cry their mascara runs and that’s real, but I don’t get it!”

I didn’t get it either. When the show is on, I can’t seem to pull myself away. The show isn’t even meant for me. I am after all, past the demographic that would aspire to be BFF’s with LC and the gang. Beach party with Brody and Frankie – no thank you. I’ll choose my hubby and my grubby t-shirts anyday.

Last night, I finally understood the appeal. The scenes, the characters…so familiar…almost nostalgic…then it hit me.

Lauren Conrad is Barbie.

A pretty girl with a nice car, and dream house who has a gang of equally pretty friends who love boys and fashion. I have played out the very same dramas hundreds times with my own Barbie dolls as a little girl. The parallels are quite startling. I made clothes for my Barbie, Lauren Conrad is a fashion designer. Lauren has Brody, Barbie has Ken. Lauren is a mega-celebrity, attending red carpet galas one day, then goes to work and school the next. So does Barbie. Barbie has huge boobs and are made of plastic, so does Heidi. Each new character has a sister coming in and out of the picture (Lauren, Whitney, Audrina, Spencer and Heidi all had their sisters ‘guest star’) just as Mattel created sisters for Barbie – anyone have a Skipper/Kelly doll?

The plots, far from being real reality are sappy daydreams of a six-year-old. ‘Let’s go to the pool.’ ‘Let’s get dressed up and go to a fancy party.’ ‘Let’s have lunch. Nyam nyam nyam (chewing)… (after 3 seconds) I’m done. Let’s go shopping!’ Break-ups, girl spats and sibling rivalry are as gritty as it gets. Nobody has a drinking problem, nobody gets an abortion. It makes me wonder if any of MTV’s writers are of legal working age.

As Lauren Conrad leaves the show, it makes me question the show’s future. Like when my favourite Barbie found her tragic fate flushed down the toilet, will Kristin Cavalari take her place as the new doll out of the box. I predict a strong start, with interest waning over time. If you don’t believe me, just ask any six-year-old.

Beyond Hummus

Part of my background is Israeli so I grew up eating hummus. If you've ever watched 'Zohan' you know what I mean. Hummus went mainstream over the past decade or so and people from all cultures have been making their own very healthy, very easy dip. However, lots have found that once the hummus is gone, they have 1/2 a jar of Tahini left in their fridge and aren't sure what to do with it.

I'd love to share with you 2 recipes for equally delicious, easy healthy, vegan dips using tahini that do not use chickpeas at all. I love them both and I invite you to give them a try.

Onion Tahini Dip

2 large onions
4 tbsp tahini
2 tbsp vinegar (I use sherry vinegar)
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Bake onions in a 350 preheated oven for 30 mins. Remove and allow to cool. Place with remaining ingredients in a food processor, then process into paste.

Sweet Potato Tahini Dip

1 jar baby food sweet potatoes (or you could bake and mash your own. the baby food is a shortcut)
4 tbsp tahini
juice of 1/2 a lemon
1/4 cup parsley, finely minced
1 clove garlic, finely minced
Salt and pepper

Combine by hand

About Tahini. If you've never bought it before, you will definitely find it in Middle Eastern specialty stores, or any grocery store with a Middle Eastern ethnic section. You will also find it at most health food stores, around where they sell the nut butters. I find it costs a lot more in the health food store.

My new Workout Philosophy, lessons learned from my Crockpot.

An Inspiration Junkie finds philosophical insights from anywhere and everywhere, even kitchen appliances. Today I made a chicken stew using my crockpot, letting it simmer all day. It was great to come home to a prepared dinner and the stew tasted awesome. I’ve made stews before using my stovetop and they came out equally as good. Naturally, this made me think of the gym.

At the peak of my fitness, I was working out 2-2.5 hours a day, at moderate intensity. I call this the crockpot method. I got the results I had wanted. The problem was that it wasn’t practical to devote all my time to lengthy workouts, so over time I maintained the same intensity, and shortened my workout time. Eventually this backfired all the results I worked for were lost. I was devastated and went through over 2 years of disheartened half-assed working out. Over the past two months, I’ve tried something different. Short workouts. (20-45 mins) Butt-kicking, limbs on fire short workouts. I am going to call this the stovetop method, and I’ve been seeing some results.

Yesterday, while stirring my stew, I realized that both the crockpot and the stovetop will yield a delicious final product. I just have to pick one cooking method and stick with it. One cannot make a stew on a low temperature for a short time – that just gets you flabby, half-raw chicken.

A related aside: I was a little nervous leaving my crockpot unattended while I was at the office yesterday – in case the house burned down. I thought that I should probably install a webcam so that I can watch it simmer from my computer at work. Like they do with daycare. What do you think of that idea?

Anise Biscotti Recipe

I must admit, I've never been a fan of black licorice. Nor have I ever been fond of Sambuca, Pernod or Ouzo. Ironically, licorice is my mother's vice. On my trip to Mexico in January I did acquire a taste for D'Aristi liqueur - The traditional Mayan Anise/Honey liqueur. The fact that I liked it surprised me too, and now I even crave a little shot in my coffee every once in a while. The coffee-anise combo inspired this biscotti recipe. I created it by modifying a more traditional biscotti recipe. A great combo with espresso. You can find Anise extract in specialty baking stores.



Micki's Anise Biscotti

1/3 cup boiling water
1/3 cup almonds, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup oil2
tbsp anise seeds
1/2 tsp anise extract.


Preheat oven to 325. Spray cookie sheet.In large bowl, combine almonds, four, sugars, cinnamon, anise seeds baking powder and salt. Stir in beaten egg with oil and hot water. On baking sheet, shape the dough into 10 x 3 inch log. Bake for 30 mins. Remove from oven; let cool completely. With a serrated knife, cut on the diagonal in 1.25 cm wide slices. Arrange slices on their sides on the same cookie sheet. Bake for 30 mins or until crisp and golden, turning once. Let cool completely.

25 Random Things about me.

This is one of those things that will be a Facebook classic. People found them ridiculous but I really enjoyed the little 2-week-long fad. I love getting to know lesser-known things about people. Even silly sounding things. I think it's the silly little things and the fact that we all have them that connect us as humans.

Here was the list that I had submitted.

1) I have songs playing in my head 24/7/365. If you ask me at any time, I will be able to tell you what song is playing.

2)I spend more time on my hair than most people spend on their pets or children.

3) Superman 3 is the most terrifying movie I've ever seen in my life.

4) I feel a deep sense of pride and accomplishment when I finish things like a bottle of shampoo or ketchup or butter...like I've actually done something worthwile.

5) My favorite food in the whole world is LOX. I would choose it over chocolate.

6) I have a supernaturally good memory and have very clear memories starting from when I was 18 months old. If you ever told me something, chances are, I still remember it.

7) I am obsessed with dachshunds and when I see them on the street, I chase them.

8) My dream is to visit Europe someday.

9) I hate most movies. I tried to sit through Godfather and Star Wars and was bored.

10) I love my friends more than they'll ever know.

11) I am missing a certain groove in my ears which makes wearing IPOD earphones physically impossible for me.

12) I would go home to South Africa in a heartbeat.

13) The smell of meat or onions at night keep me awake.

14) Kindergarten and University were the worst experiences in my life.

15) I am a leftie and feel a genuine sense of discrimination at a world made for right-handed people.

16) I always eat dessert first.

17) I've never built a snowman or gone toboganning.

18) I deplore Swiss Chalet chicken. I don't understand how people can eat that slimy crap. Actually, I have an aversion to most chicken and won't eat it unless there's no other option.

19) I am a fanatic of the Pet Shop Boys and if I could meet anyone on earth it would be Neil Tennant.

20) I don't really like the outdoors, but I feel like I'm supposed to love it.

21) I would rather stand in front of a big crowd of people and speak than do anything else on this earth.

22) None of my baby teeth fell out on their own, and eventually had to be pulled out.

23) When I was two, I used to want to grow up to be Olivia Newton John. I didn't understand that you couldn't grow up and be another person who already exists.

24) When people are flakey, it really bothers me. Flakeyness is becoming more an more socially accepted and I find that a shame.

25) I've never used a port-a-potty in my life.

Tomato Soup Cupcakes...the official baked-good of the recession.

Eating at my house is like Fear Factor without the money.

I adore my friend 'Suz' for many reasons, but one of them is that she doesn't get grossed out by stuff I cook. So when she was having a get-together, I knew it was time for something funky. I found the recipe for Tomato Soup Cupcakes from Vanilla Garlic , one of my new fave blogs, I had to try it.

There's a whole can of tomato soup in these cupcakes! Apprently this type of thing was big in the '40's and '50's in low-income households, so I felt it was apropos given our worldwide plunge into the financial sewer.

Gross as it may seem, These were yummy! The tomato taste was undetectable. Instead, the acidity of the tomatoes really punched out the cinnamon/clove spicyness.

I did lick the bowl after baking. For lycopene - of course.

I'm sold on silicone - and not in the way you're thinking.

My first blush with silicone bakeware was around 2 years ago when I took a chance on a mini-muffin tray. Many moons, mini muffins and cupcakes later I decided that I need to get a regular size silicone muffin tray.

After work, I made a quick dash to the St. Lawrence Market before it closed to visit my fave haunt for kitchen ware, Placewares. Luckily, I got so much more than just my muffin tray. The very smart cashier opened my eyes to a whole new world of uses for my little plastic tray. It was super silicone serendipity. Who knew you could do so much like make:

• Gigantic ice-cubes
• Jello Shots
• Individualised sorbet desserts
• Poaching eggs in the oven or the microwave
• Little toast cups for hors d'ouvres
• Mini meat-loaves
• Ice-cream sandwiches
• Baking falafel

I do get really excited over stuff like this (as husband rolls his eyes) and yes, I have overdone the alliteration in this post.