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Practices I started in 2011 and will continue in 2012 This list is in no particular order and a bit uneven in significance: 1) Enjoy rich foods as a treat instead of a staple:  If I want to eat foods like cookies, biscuits and gravy, or french fries I have to make them myself . 2) Eat foods my grandparents would recognize as food.  [Thanks, Michael Pollan .]  For the most part, I've replaced boxed cereals with whole grains (such as oats, millet and quinoa)   and canned soups with fresh made soup.  For convenience I buy canned whole tomatoes or beans, not tomato or bean soup, then make my own soup.  It's wickedly delicious and freezes well as single serves. 3) Wear the shoes and clothes already hanging in my closets before buying new things. 4) Use up scented soaps, lotions and personal care products before bringing more home. 5) Deciding not to spend money on storage containers.  The Container Store is very appealing, but even better: Either have a pla...

Wearing a snood the high fashion way Is it: A) a person with a disagreeable personality; B) a Dr. Seuss character; C) a foot condition; or D) an article of clothing. Still not sure?  Well then, read and learn. ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ------------------------- A hot fashion trend this winter will also keep your neck warm. Instead of traditional scarfs, men and women are wearing bulky, woven neck rings.  They are known by many names : an infinity scarf, a cowl, a shrug, or a snood.   They are loops of wool or cashmere, usually knitted, which slide over your head and fit snugly around the neck.  Designers say they are popular because of their versatility. A snood is easy to wear and looks great with, or without a coat.  Last year I spotted them at the Banana Republic, and this year many more designers have come out with them.  How do you like the look?  Here are a few styles from diffe...

The Monkees sing a lovely rendition of Riu Chiu. Me rr y C hr is tm as to y o u .  Have a festive holiday and much peace and love. A Spanish Carol (1550s) The English Translation Riu, riu, chiu... La guarda ribera Dios guarde el lobo De nuestra cordera. Refrain: Riu, riu, chiu... El lobo rabioso la quiso morder, Mas Dios poderoso la supo defender; Quisole hazer que no pudiesse pecar, Ni aun original esta Virgen no tuviera. Refrain: Riu, riu, chiu... Este qu'es nascido es el gran monarca, Cristo patriarca de carne vestido; Hanos redimido con se hazer chiquito, Aunqu'era infinito, finito se hizera. Refrain: Riu, riu, chiu... Muchas profecias lo han profetizado, Y aun en nuestros dias lo hemos alcancado. A Dios humanado vemos en el suelo Y al hombre nel cielo porqu'er le quisiera. Refrain: Riu, riu, chiu ... Refrain: Riu, riu, chiu (nightingale's sounds) The river bank protects it, As God kept the wolf from our lamb. Refrain: Riu, riu, chiu... The rabid wolf tried to bite...

Someone should hire former President Bill Clinton to be a regular book reviewer. Regardless of politics, he has a brilliant mind, loves books and is excellent at reviewing them. And the fact that The Today Show , a news program, as opposed to, just another entertainment show, calls Clinton's selections "smarty pants" choices revels how often real news and issues are being dumbed down.  Too many interviews with celebrities and reality stars does that. Now I enjoy gossip just as much as the next person [Heck, yeah!], but when I read or watch the news from (what is supposed to be) the legitimate press, I want stories about important world issues ... and I want balance ... and the reporters to interview sources ... plus thoroughly do their homework. Hopefully, the folks who write, edit and produce the news, themselves, read compelling books.  By the way, Ann Curry was terrific this morning anchoring the segment.  It was the website -- probably a cyber editor trying to be cute...

Eggnog has oodles of calories, too many to mention.  But since we only drink it once a year, I want the real thing.  Down through history, people weren't afraid of fat or sugar, they just didn't overdo it.  Processed foods didn't exist until modern times, and the majority of people weren't rich enough to be couch potatoes.  So let's learn a lesson from our ancestors.  Enjoy a few holiday treats, but in moderation.  And whenever possible, make them yourself using the finest ingredients.  Trust me, if you prepare eggnog from stretch, you won't get fat, because you won't make it that often! Eggnog comes to us from England, although some historians think it aquired its name in the New World.  The drink became popular with the British upper class, who could afford milk and eggs in an age before refrigeration.  They mixed it with brandy, Madeira wine or sherry.  When the beverage crossed the Atlantic, the colonists, in an effort to avoid a wi...

Gift giving is about thoughtfulness, meeting needs and making people happy.  So giving someone a basket of delectable treats is perfect. A tower of edible gifts can make someone feel like s/he hit the jackpot.  They make smart holiday gifts for several reasons: 1) Retailers offer special deals and combos, making pricy gourmet foods more affordable than at other times of the year.   2) It's a gift few people buy for themselves, but most like receiving. 3) They help you avoid the craziness of the holiday rush.  –  No need to beat back the crowd, nor stand in long lines.  Order online to be delivered.  Look for coupon codes for free shipping too. Codes here . 4) There is a food basket to suit every taste and budget. 5) They are the perfect gifts to send out of town. – And convenient: Via a phone call - delivered right to a friend's door on very short notice.  If you forget a relative, it may be the only way to get gifts to a destination by Christmas...

This pooch looks like our old family dog. Do you get nostalgic around the holidays?  Recently I stumbled upon a video, which made me think of my family dog.  He looked and behaved just like this dog. He was independent and smart.  He liked to lay under furniture to rest.  And when he was bored, watch out.  He was too smart. We had to stay one step ahead of him, or he'd try to take over the leader of the pack role. When he was 6 months old, my aunt came for a one week visit, bringing her 4 young children.  Our dog must have felt displaced by having company in the house, so while we all slept, he found our guests' shoes and chewed up one shoe of each pair.  He didn't touch any of our shoes.  The next day we had to shop for new shoes, so our relatives would have something to wear for the rest of their vacation. On that visit, our dog was put in the bathroom after he got underfoot.  Usually, he had the roam of the house.  So he climbed up ...

Central Park, New York, Photo: Ed Yourdon You may have noticed.  THE SAVVY SHOPPER is primarily a writer's blog, not a design/photography blog.  But that doesn't mean I won't share a clever design, or pictures when they come along.  I am always impressed with how technology has opened up the world to us.  These days if you are not well-traveled, you can still experience, or get a feeling for what you will see if you ever go on your dream vacation.  The internet pushes you out of your comfort zone by showing you places on the globe where you may never think to step foot.  And I mean, show you from your eyeball's point of view, as if you were standing there.  Perhaps you'll be inspired to plan a real trip to see the sights one day.  So take a few minutes out of your hustle-bustle , not-enough-hours -in-a-day life to explore these magnificent 360 degree images. The pictures move horizontally and vertically, and with a click, you can travel up and do...