The Write Transition

From One Life Chapter To The Next

My Favorite Things

By ,

♫ ♫ Raindrops on roses and info on head mites

Good parent portals and smart healthcare websites

Knowledge of publishers pulling my strings

These are a few of my favorite things ♫ ♫

Today I want to share with you some of my favorite websites. Sites and services I trust to steer me or others in the right direction. If you:

1) Have no children in your life in the form of offspring, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren

2) Cannot or will not move your body

3) Don’t eat or cook

4) Do not give a rat’s tiny hiney about the writing and publishing world,

then my apologies for bothering you today.

If, however, any of the above applies to you, you might enjoy the following (click on the red print to view):

I. Media Reviews

Kids in mind: Film ratings & parents’ reviews that actually work: This is one of my all-time favorite sites. Like us, these unsung heroes go to movies, but unlike us, instead of relaxing and picking Dots from their teeth, they take detailed notes and create a scene-by-naughty-scene synopsis. For example, how many boobies surface, how many heads explode, how many F-bombs fly, and how many bongs percolate. An overall rating from 1 to 10 in three main categories (sex and nudity, violence and gore, profanity) completes the assessment.  In other words, if a flick sticks a 10-10-10, you best leave little Timmy at home.

The above doesn’t only apply to children, however. If frolicking naked nymphs or Bruno’s helicoptering penis aren’t your cup of mocha, you’ll be able to filter out these cinematic delights before you suffer the images.

Common Sense Media: This is another good site to check on a movie’s child-appropriateness, but I use it mostly for video game assessment. Reviews from both parents and children help guide my decision, much to my sons’ chagrin.

II. Medical Websites

Healthy Children.org: This site comes courtesy of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is a great resource for parents. Want to know about toilet training? Search away. Not sure how to talk to your child about divorce or death or any other number of unpleasant topics? Search away. I loved this site for my patients.

Family Doctor.org: As a counterpart to the above, this website comes via the American Academy of Family Physicians and can serve as a useful resource for adult disease. I don’t use it much, but if I did, I’d trust its advice.

III. Exercise

Collage Video: I’ve already shared my perverse love of this exercise-DVD site in a previous post, but their service is so great, I wanted to mention them again. There. Mentioned again.

Cathe: Cathe Friedrich is a well-known fitness guru. Her DVDs boast front-and-center display in my exercise room. And when I’m huffing and puffing and thinking I can’t survive one more cardio minute, I remind myself that this fit chick is older than me.

IV. Cooking/Nutrition

Allrecipes.com: When I need a new dinner option, I can always find something on here.

Diet Facts.com: When I want to know how frightening a restaurant entrée is, I can always terrorize myself on here. (Offers nutrition facts for over 500 restaurants.)

V. Writing

Writers.net: This site is an internet directory of writers, editors, publishers, and literary agents, and it also houses a great forum. Most any writing or publishing questions you have get answered here.

Writer Beware: Although the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America sponsor this site, one doesn’t need to write in these genres to appreciate the information. It’s simply a good site to weed out writing and publishing scams.

So there you have it, some of my favorite things. What are some of yours? Any great websites to share (rated PG-13 or less…)?

All images from Microsoft Clip Art

203 Responses to “My Favorite Things”

  2. Lori D

    Great list. I use allrecipes.com. I’ve taken some online writing courses at savvyauthors.com. Their basic genre is romance. I don’t really write romance specifically, but a few of their writing courses are pretty general and have helped me with my writing. Thanks for the list. Got them bookmarked.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Thank you! And one is never late to this party. It’s an endless thrill ride, I tell you. When it’s not serving as a cure for insomnia, that is…

      Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      You’re welcome. I cheated a little by using the word ‘string’ since it came from the original song, but it went nicely with the rest. :)

      Reply
  9. kabe1

    The first time I’ve stopped by your blog – great stuff! Will have a look at the recommendations – need to check out what the UK versions of the medical websites are – definitely quicker to consult http://www.patient.co.uk with all my family’s ailments than it is to get an appointment with a doctor here!! :)

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Haha. Yes, I suppose some of those sites may not be as useful to my overseas friends. But as you say, there may be some alternatives. :)

      Reply
  11. James

    Hey Carrie

    Great post, enjoyed the poem a lot! (albeitt I now can’t get it out of my head!)

    Another good link for cooking is Jamie Oliver’s FoodTube on Youtube. There’s some great video’s and recipes available!

    James

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Thanks for the recommendation, James! I found Oliver’s site and bookmarked it. I’m always looking for new cooking ideas. And thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  12. 4amWriter

    I have nothing to add now that I’m so late in commenting! I, too, love allrecipes.com — most dishes are basic enough that even my son who says “taste buds change every 2 weeks” will eat ‘em up.

    Reply
  13. whiteladyinthehood

    Good poem! I have checked out Allrecipes (I like it, too) and I don’t blame you for checking out the ratings on the video games! My husband is really into Playstation and just wow – they have some really raunchy ones out there. (When my nephews come over to stay, he gets the you will be in big bad trouble if you let these kids see this speech!)

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Yeah, my boys whine to me that they’re the “only ones” not allowed to play mature-rated games. If this were true, I question the parenting in my community. But certainly it’s not true–it’s just a figment of their imagination. But I don’t need my sons playing games that glorify the killing of cops and/or prostitutes. Eww, gives me the creepies thinking about it.

      Thanks!

      Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      My pleasure. There are two camps on the restaurant nutrition issue: those of us who want to know what we’re getting ourselves into calorie-wise and those of us who don’t (like my husband, who wishes I’d stay off that site…)

      Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      I imagine it’s very frustrating to have limitations. I admire you for giving the gym a go. Many would say, “Forget about it!”

      Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      I cater to all. Until the comment is so perverse I must delete it. Thankfully that’s only happened once. Please don’t do it again. ;)

      Reply
        • Carrie Rubin

          That was a wink, for your information. And though I once swore I’d never use an emoticon, times have changed. Often, I like to throw them in just to annoy curmudgeons.

          Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Yes, I get a lot of traction from that one. I need to start using my iPad for the recipes, though. I have so many printed out recipes from that site that it’s getting a bit disorganized.

      Reply
  20. the curtain raiser

    I was waiting for the whiskers on kittens or you to run across the European Alps in a pinafore! Nice list, it’s good to get a glimpse into what you find interesting.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      You mentioned that site to me before, and it came in very handy (can’t remember now what it was I needed it for though). I haven’t been there in a while. I’ll have to go check it out again. Thanks!

      Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      I’m so glad you passed that site on. I’ve been wanting to find something to photoshop my pics without buying that ridiculously expensive software. I’ll have to go check it out. Thank you!

      Reply
  24. Elliot

    I think I shall be avoiding parents reviews for as long as possible to avoid spoilers and such like, although when the boy gets old enough…. hmm…

    Some of the other ones though… allrecipes is a good one :)

    Reply
  25. Joanna Aislinn

    Nice roundup, Carrie. At present I find a whole lot of story-structure inspiration at Larry Brooks’ website/blog, Storyfix.com; for self-pubbing info and always the latest on the trends for that: Bob Mayer’s Write It Forward (www.writeitforward.wordpress.com). I’m also a big fan of Kristen Lamb’s Writer Warriors, for all things writing-related and social media info (www.writerwarriors.wordpress.com).

    Food: modernchristianwoman.com has wonderful, VERY EASY recipes;
    Canning and/or preserving: pickyourown.org

    You do want some virtual space left on this site, right? ;)

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      I didn’t know Larry Brooks had a site. I’ll have to look it up. I loved his book Story Engineering! And thanks so much for those other sites. I follow Kristin Lamb but haven’t seen the others. I’ll check them out. :)

      Reply
  26. Marylin Warner

    Lots of great information here, Carrie, but what about head mites? (Under child care and not writing information, right?) ;-)
    You are a wealth of information!
    Now, go add cayenne pepper to your Spiced Chai latte, and be happy!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Yes, let’s hope the head mites don’t fall under ‘writing.’ That could make for some itchy typing…

      And I am very much looking forward to my special tea tomorrow. I love my morning ritual of a cup of tea and a read of the paper. Yes, the old-fashioned newspaper. :)

      Reply
  28. Sandee

    Thanks Carrie! I feel so selfish — I don’t ever share useful information. I’m forwarding this to my sister. AND — now I’ll have to rent Bruno — a helicoptering penis — HELLO!

    Reply
  29. iRuniBreathe

    Really liked the movie review sites. So often it seems like movie reviewers are so mainstream: ie/ all kids like the same things.
    Your poetry jingle to set the tone for this post? Brilliant… you are on to something there!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Thank you! I figure any day I can work head mites into a song is a good day. :)

      And I think you’ll like that movie review site. Always good to know what you’re getting into before you take the little ones to a movie.

      Reply
      • iRuniBreathe

        I’ve left too many movies now to even bother risking it. So good knowledge of what to expect is far more worth the price of admission (and my time).

        Reply
        • Carrie Rubin

          Very true. Plus, knowing what they might see ahead of time allows you to talk with them about it beforehand. As I’ve mentioned to other commenters, my boys love when I do this. ;)

          Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      I know! What’s happening to me? You and Polly must be rubbing off on me.

      You’ll love those parent media sites. So useful. Even if you still take your kids to see a movie that has some questionable scenes in it, at least you can talk to them about it beforehand. My boys love when I do that. ;)

      Reply
      • sheilapierson

        I bet they do! I love to do that, but the oldest rolls his eyes and acts like he knows about everything I’m saying already, even when he doesn’t. lol But, I’ve noticed he comes to me when he has questions about things. I try to always be straight with him, hoping he will always feel like he can trust me :)

        Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      It’s a great site. I don’t always agree with everything I see posted on the blog (for example, some of the posts have trashed writing contests, which I don’t think are all bad), but I’ve gleaned lots of great stuff from it.

      Reply
  32. diannegray

    Thank you for introducing these sites! I love Writer Beware and haven’t heard of Writers. Net – but I’m heading in that direction right now ;)

    Reply
  33. Madame Weebles

    I like Allrecipes.com too, and also Epicurious.com. But I think I’ll stay away from Diet Facts. I prefer to delude myself. I like the AAFP sites too, they’re pretty comprehensive and very trustworthy.

    And I visit CuteOverload.com every day.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      That CuteOverload site is great! Thanks for telling me about it. I’m going to see if they have a FB page. Looks like there’d be some good things to share there. Haven’t heard of Epicurious. Must go explore…

      Reply
  34. Christi

    I use allrecipes.com all the time. I love that it has reviews on everything so you can see how people have adapted the recipes. I’ll have to check out these other great sites. Thanks for sharing them!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Yes, the recipe adaptions is one of the best things about that website, I think, especially if some of the ingredients are too fattening or unhealthy.

      Thanks!

      Reply
  35. Chrystal

    Well gee, thanks for getting THAT song stuck in my head. :) This was great. Some of these I was familiar with (allrecipes is a fav!) and others I had no idea existed, like the movie one. Now if only someone could create a website that tells us all the ways our kids are deceiving us broken down by age category, that would be awesome. THANKS! :)

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Speaking of our kids deceiving us, I found out my son was throwing his morning fruit down the garbage disposal. Let’s just say Momma was not pleased. So yes, a website to alert us to these deceptions would be nice. :)

      I bet you’d like that Collage Video site. So many great exercise DVDs and great descriptions of all of them so you know what you’re getting before you buy.

      Reply
  36. A Dog With Fleas

    Love getting introduced to new websites. And always looking for great exercise ones, so will definitely check them out. You are so right about Allrecipes.com….My go-to cooking website!!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      That recipe site appears to be really popular based on the comments so far. And here I thought I was being so original. ;)

      Collage video is the best. They breakdown each workout so you know what you’re getting, and they provide a brief video clip for each DVD. I’ve bought exercise DVDs from them for years. And their service is top notch.

      Reply
  37. char

    Love, love, love Allrecipes. Best site ever! And I finally bookmarked your DVD pages so I can go peruse them when I force myself to. Ick. Have you by chance tried the Cathe low impact dvds at all? Just wondering if they were too easy or if you liked them. Maybe I’ll just have to try one to see for myself instead of being lazy and asking you. But have you?

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      I have her entire low impact series. I LOVE it. But low impact doesn’t mean low intensity. Some of those workouts really get my heart rate up. But moves can always be modified if they’re too much. Most of her workouts fall in the advanced category, but she does have a few intermediate workouts which are a nice starting point. She’s one of the best in the business as far as I’m concerned, but some of her workouts do require a bit of equipment (dumbbells, bands, sliding discs, step boards, etc.)

      Reply
  38. Maddie Cochere

    I use the Allrecipes site pretty often. I used to own over 100 cookbooks, but I never look through cookbooks any more. Thanks for the media review sites; they are right up my alley. ;-) I’ll check out your others, too! Extra points for you today for singing about head mites!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Yay! Extra points for me and my head mite friends. (And knock on wood, lice have never entered my home yet, maybe thanks to my boys’ short hair. Lord knows I received messages from their school about it when they were younger.)

      I have a couple cookbooks I still use religiously–Betty Crocker, a Slow-Cooker Bible (love that one), and one other one I picked up at our school’s bookfair–but beyond that, I tend to get my recipes online. Of course, that means I have hundreds of printed out recipes. I really need to start using my iPad when I cook!

      Reply
  39. annewoodman

    Carrie, You’re absolutely not allowed to start writing songs, because after your career as a physician, writer, blogger extraordinaire… well, you’re just making all the rest of us look bad. Please. ; )

    I didn’t know about the movie site to test for appropriateness! Cool. I usually hope it’s OK and cross my fingers. Do you think my children are scarred and will need therapy? Yes. But do we watch many movies? No. I’ll definitely check that website out next time–thanks!!!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      We go to a lot of movies, so that site has been a great help to me. Even if I still take my kids to a movie with questionable content, at least I know what’s in it so I can talk to them about it beforehand. They don’t particularly enjoy these little ‘teachable’ moments of mine, but that’s life. :)

      And don’t worry, no plans for song writing in my future, but your words are too kind. If anything, my recent ‘transformation’ makes me look like a flighty bird. :)

      Reply
  42. Brigitte

    Carrie, I don’t need to kid ones but my sister would probably love to see these so thank you. I’ve seen the cooking ones and both the writing ones and the exercise one — do you stay motivated doing this at home? Do you belong to a gym? And the medical ones — as long as I don’t go on there and self-diagnose and scare myself, I’ll check those out — thank you!!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      I don’t go to a gym. I always work out at home to an exercise DVD bright and early around 6 am. The variety of DVDs keeps me motivated, and by getting my work out done in the morning, I don’t have to worry about it the rest of the day. And I don’t have to go out in the cold, February air to get to the gym. Best perk of all!

      Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Indeed. I think I’m ready to branch out into the song-writing world. There aren’t a lot of songs about head mites. I think it could really catch on…

      Reply
  45. Sheila

    Thanks Carrie! I don’t usually move around much, but I do like to eat and so it should be fun to terrorize myself with the diet site. I used to do the Writer’s Digest community thing but WP seems to take up most of my computer time these days so I haven’t gone in there in forever. It’s discussion groups for different writer-type issues. I think Absolute Write is similar but haven’t really done that one. There are so many writing ones out there that it can get pretty overwhelming, especially when I keep feeling like I should really be writing.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Oh, I hear you. In addition to my blog, FB, and Twitter, I also visit various forums. All part of marketing, I guess. I keep meaning to check out the Writer’s Digest site, but as you mention, our writing should take precedence.

      Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Oh, yes, a reference to check for drug interactions is a must, even for those not in health care. People can’t always assume their doctor, or even their pharmacist, will tell them about potential interactions. And I’m going to bookmark that acronym one. Will definitely come in handy. Thanks!

      Reply
  48. Smaktakula

    Some interesting resources. I’ll pass the cooking ones and the medical one on to my wife, because those are two resources she uses.

    I think it’s great that you take such an interest in the kinds of things your kids are exposed to. The only programs I’ve so far had to keep from them were Teletubbies (the developmental equivalent of a diet of nothing but Pixie-Stix) and Spongebob (HATE IT), and I do talk to them about some of the fantastic claims made in commercials (“Those shoes don’t really make him run fast).

    I think the only site I visit with any regularity is probably Google News.

    Also, PG-13 is the lamest rating ever. PG or R–either you need parental guidance or you don’t. PG 13 is like letting your 17 year-old- go out on a date, but making him call home very hour and be home by 7:00 PM.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Hmm, I differ a little on the PG-13 thing, especially now that they’ve loosened the reigns on what gets a PG-13 rating. But then again, I’d be a bit of a hypocrite if I didn’t pay attention to this stuff, so I do. That being said, my boys have certainly seen their share of movies that probably weren’t age-appropriate, but like you, I talk to them about it. That’s the common sense approach after all, and sadly one some parents never take.

      Okay. Off my soapbox now. Thanks, as always, for your insights!

      Reply
  49. Pixie Girl

    I’m a bit appalled at my obvious ignorance in the area of publishing at least (since that’s kinda my working environment. Kinda.) No kids yet (soon?), and believe it or not, I’ve only now started learning how to cook at the age of 28 (survived until now thanks to my God-sent husband).

    So – no meaningful contribution from me in those areas but I sure will save those links! look really useful!

    Reply
  50. El Guapo

    And the persecution of the childless continues.
    What about sites and services for the rest of us???
    I guess I’ll just have to cry in my beer when I’ out Saturday night.
    Good thing I can sleep late Saturday…

    Seriously though, great list Carrie!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Well, my list IS a little child-heavy, but there’s adult stuff there, too. Or maybe you don’t care to know that the entree you’re about to eat at The Cheesecake Factory has 3,000 calories in it? I know my husband doesn’t…

      Thanks, Guap!

      Reply
      • El Guapo

        Actually, as an insulin dependent diabetic, I have a few carb info related pages that I find helpful in daily life.

        Reply
        • Carrie Rubin

          I didn’t realize you had IDDM. Well, then, you probably have lots of good info. I’d love the link to one of your favorite sites, just so I’d have the reference for others.

          Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Looks like a lot of people like that recipe site. It comes in handy when I have nothing in mind to make, and I just can’t do chicken Marsala one more time.

      Reply
      • The Bumble Files

        Chicken Marsala sounds delicious. I always wanted to make that! My kids probably wouldn’t like it. I’m going on this new diet. I think all I get to eat is chicken and tuna fish. I’m worried.

        Reply
  55. jmmcdowell

    Allrecipes.com is a great resource. :) But I’ve got nothing to offer! Believe it or not, while I may spend a fair amount of time online, it’s spent at very few sites….

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Ah, yes, I think I’m familiar with those sites, as I log in a fair amount of time there, too (FB and WordPress come to mind…)

      Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      It’s a great site, and I have great trust in the American Academy of Pediatrics. If I question a medical study or a treatment, I make sure to get the AAP’s opinion on it.

      Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Ooh, I’ll have to check that Indian Food recipe site out. I haven’t really done much Indian cooking, but I’d love to try it. My boys are much less finicky when it comes to seasonings and spices now. Do you have a favorite dish that’s not too complex to make?

      Reply
      • Helen Devries

        chickpeas and potatoes… 1lb of each
        Cook potatoes cut into large dice until tender, drain.
        slice two onions, four gloves of garlic, soften in oil, add 1 teaspoon each of turmeric, cumin, ground coriander, cayenne pepper..cook for a minute, add chickpeas and two tablespoons of tomato paste, mix…ad potatoes, then add water to cover and simmer until the sauce reduces to coat the veg.
        Add chopped fresh coriander and serve with natural yogurt.

        Reply
        • Carrie Rubin

          That’s fantastic, Helen! Thank you! I copy and pasted your comment and will print it out. This is something my boys would definitely eat, and it gives me a new side dish to serve.

          Reply
  59. Gus Sanchez

    I’ve become a big fan of Lit Reactor; sure, it seems like yet another writer’s web site, but it’s far more interactive and less snobby than, say, Writer’s Digest. Plus, Chuck Palahniuk and Neil Gaiman love it, and who’s gonna argue with those guys?

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      I haven’t heard of Lit Reactor. Thanks so much for telling me about it. I just found it and bookmarked it so I can peruse the site later. Looks great.

      Thanks!

      Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Well, I think of it as more of a song, but I suppose there’s some poetry in there. But as you can see, if my poetry can’t include head mites and other drivel, then it just won’t happen. ;)

      Reply
  62. Honie Briggs

    I must have missed the memo that today was poetry day. Darn it. I like that you used Roman numerals. Lots of helpful info here, Carrie. Now my plan for today is set. Thanks! :)

    Reply
  64. Janet

    I often use allrecipes.com – the site often saves the day when I can’t decide what to make for dinner.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      It does, doesn’t it? A few too many recipes calling for canned soup–which I avoid–but otherwise, there’s some great stuff on there.

      Thanks, Janet. Hope all is going well!

      Reply
      • Janet

        Thanks Carrie. I know I’ve been quiet lately in the blogging world. I had a hard time getting back into it after the Christmas holidays, I’m not really sure why. I’m just getting back into the flow now.

        Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      You’re welcome. And now thanks to me, you can check out how many horrible calories your restaurant meal has so that it can completely ruin the experience for you. :)

      Reply
      • frankoshanko

        Or add more activities! Annie likes to find ways to make similar items while trimming some of the fat & sugars and salt. Sometimes the results are awesome!

        Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      You’re welcome. And now thanks to me, you can check out how many horrible calories your restaurant meal has so that it can completely ruin the experience for you. :)

      Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Glad it was helpful. That is a great recipe site. I get daily emails from them and print out lots of great recipes.

      Thanks so much for stopping by!

      Reply
  69. Daniel Nest

    Top hats on kittens
    And spikes on my mittens…
    ….yeah, I also have no clue

    Excellent stuff, thanks for sharing! I’ll make sure to consult “kids-in-mind” for all my movie research from now on. Nothing below 9-9-9 will even be considered!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Then you should be good for ‘Django Unchained,’ well, at least in the latter two categories. But what a great movie! But you’re engaged now. Someday there may be little Dukes in the picture, and then you’ll be screening movies and games like me. Well, if you’re a good parent, that is… ;)

      Reply
      • Daniel Nest

        Speaking of “Django Unchained”, just watched that Saturday with my girlfriend. We both loved it!

        And are you kidding me? My kids will be playing Kill Zombie-Pocalypse as soon as they’re old enough to operate a game controller…

        …kidding, of course, but damnit, I need more gaming friends. Converting children into them would be so much easier!

        Reply
        • Carrie Rubin

          Well, if you can put the blood and guts on hold, there are some pretty fun Mario games to play with your kids. My boys love making fun of me when I play, which is really quite sad, because I used to kick butt at the Nintendo 64 Super Mario’s World game. But now I’m old.

          Reply

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