ShopEasy with Barb

09/12/2021

Hi, everyone 🙂 I’ve had several inquiries as to whether I am back to shopping yet or not. Unfortunately, the answer is no. If you didn’t read my earlier post, I sustained multiple fractures of my calcaneus (heel bone). You wouldn’t think such a relatively small part of your anatomy could cause so much trouble. I’ve had surgery (see photo) and I’m finally out of a boot (four months later), but full healing will take about a year and a half. I’m not sure yet at which point I’ll be able to return to shopping - I have to be able to manage steps, uneven terrain, and long hours on my feet.

I’ll try to keep you updated as best I can or, at least, when there’s news to be had. Stay safe and stay well!

04/28/2021

Hi, all. If you follow this page, you might know that I was out for a couple of months with a broken wrist. The wrist has healed, but in this week I took a bad fall and severely damaged my right foot. Unfortunately, I will be out of commission for at least three months. I encourage you to check in with my fellow shoppers if you need anything. Thanks!

04/15/2021

Here's a special everyone can appreciate: I've been asked to help my friend, Scott Yusavage, as he campaigns for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Man or Woman of the Year. We hope to raise $10,000 (or more!!) for valuable blood cancer research and treatments. I have very personal reasons to support LLS and its efforts to eradicate cancer, and I'm honored Scott asked me to be part of his team.

To help reach our fundraising goal, I am offering all of my customers, new and old, a complimentary shop - i.e. no service fee - for every contribution of $35 or more. PLUS, if you purchase a raffle ticket for Scott's raffle by 8pm on Thursday, April 15, I'll add another complimentary shop. The raffle prizes include a 5-course dinner for 8 people with wine pairings, a Lenovo laptop computer, Starbucks and Lowes gift cards, a cash prize of $500, a top-shelf bourbon basket, a top-shelf vodka basket, and more. See the links, below, to donate and/or purchase tickets! Thank you, and good luck!

For donations:
https://pages.lls.org/mwoy/wpa/pgh21/bjohnson

For raffle tickets:
https://www.computerfellows.com/raffle/

Link to mobile friendly page.

12/18/2020

Hi, all! If you're planning your Christmas grocery list, keep in mind time slots are filling quickly. I'll try to accommodate everyone, but even I have limits :). Remember, if you need a last-minute gift, I'm not limited to groceries - wine stores, Macy's, Target, or whatever store you want for whatever you need!

11/23/2020

11/02/2020

I feel extremely fortunate for your loyalty and patronage this past year! As we approach Thanksgiving, I'd like to pass on my gratitude and ask for your assistance to help those who are struggling. For the month of November, I'm hosting a virtual food drive: When you place an order, please tell me if you would like to add either particular items or a dollar amount to donate to the food drive. I'll match each donation and, to thank you for your efforts, credit you $10 towards your shopping fee. At the end of the month, I'll deliver all of our donations to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. I hope you'll join me to help others!

09/24/2020

Back from vacation and so excited to see all the great seasonal items at Trader Joe’s! Can you say “pumpkin”??

08/29/2020

Mums the word!! To freshen your curb appeal for fall, consider picking up a few of these lovelies for your front steps, walkway, garden, entryway, etc. These beauties are from SHOP ‘n SAVE and are two for $10 right now.

08/13/2020

Who doesn’t love corn on the cob! It’s plentiful in the grocery stores and at the farmers markets right now and if you have a microwave you can enjoy this fresh, sweet, crisp taste of summer in no time at all.

To microwave corn, keep them in their husks. Limit batches to no more than four ears at a time for the best results. For one or two ears, microwave 2 to 6 minutes; for three or four ears, microwave 3 to 8 minutes. You might need to adjust the time based on the size of the ears, size if your microwave, and your own preferences (crisp vs. mushy) . Once you remove them from the oven, let the ears sit and cool slightly (they’ll be very hot on the inside). Then, simply grab the top of the husks, silk and all, and pull downward quickly. You’ll appreciate how easily the husks come off.

At this point you can either top with butter, salt, and pepper or your own favorite toppings, or roast the cobs on the grill for a couple minutes. You can also use a knife to cut the kernels off the cob for use in salads and other dishes.

Enjoy!

08/05/2020

Did you know I shop farmer's markets? If you're craving fresh produce, locally sourced meats, cheeses, honey, and even wine, check out the local markets including Mt. Lebanon (Wednesdays), Upper St. Clair (Thursdays), Bridgeville (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays), and others. Use the FMNP Market Locater available for iPhone and Android or visit the following link for a daily listing of local markets: https://goodfoodpittsburgh.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-pittsburgh-farmers-markets-2020/.

Here's a great pasta recipe to use those fresh, in-season tomatoes and inspire you:

Ingredients
12 oz of spaghetti noodles or other thin pasta
2/3 cup of olive oil
2 - 2 1/2 pints of grape or cherry tomatoes
5-6 basil leaves - roughly chopped
7 minced garlic cloves
8 oz. burrata cheese
2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar

Directions
• In a large skillet, cook olive oil and garlic on medium heat for 1-2 minutes; do not let the garlic burn.
• Add tomatoes, salt & pepper, and balsamic vinegar and let cook on medium heat for about 6-7 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook pasta according to the directions on the package.
• Once pasta is done, combine tomatoes from the skillet and toss with the pasta. Top with chopped basil, burrata cheese, and garnish with olive oil and salt & pepper.