LOVE Real Simple.  I call the rubberband trick "the man" because when my boyfriend isn't home I use that to open jars.  :)

First of all, I LOVE Real Simple as well! 

I also love your blog.  I have been a Mom blogger for over 3 years.  I know that celebrities are real people, too.  I know.  Being on TV is your job.  But, I find it wonderful that you are willing to share the real side of you online.  You are going to make amazing connections here with many wonderful people you otherwise would have never met.

I am a freelance writer and learn something new with each project.  I started my blog as a project for work.  I had no idea what a blog even was before I was assigned the task of starting one.  Over the past few years, I have learned about: blogging, prefab housing, WWII German POWs in Canada, electronics recycling... and other random stuff.  Each new project opens me up to another world I would not have explored on my own.  I never know what my next project will be.  It's kinda awesome.

Those are some great ideas!  Megan is adorabe!! Thanks for sharing!!

Thank you for sharing Ali!  Love the olive oil tip for removing makeup and soften cuticles.  Never would have guessed that.

Hi Ali,

I totally love your blogs by the way and I admire you for all that you do and how you are able to manage it all... kudos.

I agree with you that we are often so wrapped up in life, work, family ....that yea sometime the only ME time we have is when we work out. My brain needs additional stimulation and not only workout time.  I have looked back at the last 2 years of my life and realised it was time I stop putting things off for others....and take the courses I really wanted to.  I did decide to finally take some courses that would allow me to become a personal trainer.  Although I have not studied in a long time,  this is something I really wanted to do for years. My way of giving back........ I need this challenge....and when its all done, I will be a Certified Personal trainer and Resistance trainer....I cannot wait.

I also love Cooks Illustrated and appreciate the details that are explained and the how and why of the ingredients and what they do.  In fact, several years ago they had a pumpkin cheesecake recipie that is now my go-to recipie for Thanksgiving (it is our family tradition that I make the desserts, although in recent years my Dad has been making pies too).  Even though I had another recepie that I had been using for years, this one is much better and I definately learned new techniques to apply in other areas.  Love it when I learn something new that I can carry forward!

Great tip about the post-its to clean between the keys on the keyboard, Ali. Thanks!

I look things up on the internet - total information junkie. It's amazing what random and wonderful things are out there to learn! Then my husband and I discuss politics/religion/etc when we go on our evening walks. It's good to think!

I also enjoy reading, and doing Sudoku puzzles.  I don't much time either.  I also play mystery games on the computer.   (eg Nancy Drew games)  you have to read, figure out puzzles, take clues and figure out where to go and how.  Fun and I get to use my brain.  But again.  Being a mom of 2 little kids (age 2 and 10 months) I don't get much me time either.

I got an email today that I thought was a cute tip.  Cut the lid off of a water bottle, pop bottle etc. and put the top of a plastic baggy though it with the lid off and then put the lid bag on and it is sealed.   Cool eh.

I just picked up a copy of All the days of my life so far by this lady I really admire. That is what I'm going to learn during my lunch hour.

My job is reading the news, blogs etc for Transportation news. I get a lot of information through all that reading every day. Newspapers are going to be a thing of the past soon. Blogs and Electronic media will be the thing of the future. Keep writing, and reading and check out new things every day. If you veg in front of the TV... (After your dose of Days or Biggest Looser of course) try the History Channel, or Discovery. Just leave it on in the back ground and you will be amazed what you pick up while cooking etc...

Much love from South Carolina.

Janie

Another jar opener;  flip your jar/bottle upside down, firmly hit the bottom a few times, this usually breaks the air seal inside allowing the lid to come off easier.

Another "brain game" I learned from my Grandfather; look through the dictionary, find the longest word you can and write it at the top of a legal sheet, then see how many words you can make out of the original word...fun, and you may learn a new word, plus the benefit of making your brain work.  We used to work these puzzles together (sometimes there would be 3 or 4 of us at a time)..or  we would all use the same word and "compete" to see who could find the most words.  Also is a good family memory!

Good morning! Your daughter is adorable -- she looks just like you!  I enjoy "Real Simple" as well -- especially their articles on how to keep house in a green, non-toxic manner.  "Cooks Illustrated" is also one of my favs -- even after cooking all these years, I still need pics! Can we say visual learner?  Olive oil on nails is great -- not only does it soften your cuticles but it strengthens your nails and helps them grow.  The tip about cleaning your keyboard with a sticky note is genius!

Woohooo...I'm using the post-it notes to clean my keyboard TODAY!  Thanks! :)

Ali...I haven't read a trashy novel is so long!!!   I need a good one...What did you read? Or even one of those type of books that you can't put down.   Maybe if I had something other than food always on my mind to reach and grab. 

ps..Your daughter is beyond precious.. Oye those little toes!!

My kids have a DS, and my husband bought for me scrabble and also Brain Age.  I love Brain Age, as it gets you doing a variety of different excercises for your brain as well as tells you your brain age.    I also love crosswords and word searches.  We watch discovery channel and history channel all the time, but I also love going to Museums and Science Centres.  When we need to have a relaxing time, I usually pack up the kids and we hang out at the museum.  Lots of fun things to learn!

I love doing crossword puzzles and playing mystery games - the Mystery Case Files games on www.bigfishgames.com are my favorite! I also check out the History Channel, Discovery Channel, and HGTV from time to time. I love watching specials on Egypt and other ancient civilizations! One of my favorite shows, though, is How It's Made on the Discovery Channel. It's amazing to see what goes into making some of the things people use everyday! :D ♥♥♥