I've never really cared for the taste of meat. I don't like the smell of it, the texture of it and I especially hate raw meat. This is why I was a vegetarian for over 10 years -- which, conveniently enough, got me out of ever having to touch meat.

But, a few years ago I started craving turkey, in a bad way. It was shortly after the birth of my second daughter when I started thinking..."Boy, I could go for a big roasted turkey." No one was more shocked than me. My chiropractor -- a fellow runner (who was putting my hips back into place after having delivered said daughter) -- suggested that I might want to listen to my body. Though he didn't want to talk me out of the vegetarian lifestyle, he cautioned that it was especially hard for an athlete to live the meat-free lifestly and get the necessary proteins.

That was all it took. He confirmed what I already knew. For whatever reason, my body wanted bird. Big time.

I had my first Subway Turkey Sub the next day. I added some chicken back into my diet too, but I really don't care for it all that much -- seems to be just the hapless turkey my gut cries out for.

Truth be told, the only time I eat turkey or chicken is when someone else makes it for me (restaurant, parents, etc.). I'll just say it -- I'm a lazy cook. I never really learned how to cook and never really cared. I could live on pretzels, popcorn, bagels and fruit (and I kind of do).

But, every once in while, I feel inspired to actually cook a family dinner. So, last night, I dusted off and cracked open a cookbook I bought at a Pampered Chef party (yeah, me at a Pampered Chef party -- that's funny) and decided to whip up some Greek Turkey Burgers for dinner.

Now, usually when I do this kind of stuff, I mess it up. I substitute ingredients, I leave things out that I don't have, I add things I shouldn't. Truly, I have no business being in a kitchen. But, these burgers actually turned out really great, so I must brag and share my recipe with you:

Greek Turkey Burgers
1/4 cup plust 2 tablespoons onion, finely chopped, divided
1 pound lean ground turkey
1 container (8 ounces) nonfat plain yogurt, divided
1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
1 egg white
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 teaspoon oregano, dried
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 medium tomatoes, sliced
2/3 cup cucumbers, thinly sliced
6 whole-wheat pita rounds
6 lettuce leaves

For burgers, finely chop onion and combine ground turkey, 1/4 cup of the onion, 1/4 cup of the yogurt, bread crumbs, egg white, garlic, 3/4 teaspoon of the oregano, salt and black pepper. Mix.

For sauce, stir remaining 2 tablespoons onion and 1/4 teaspooon oregano into remaining yogurt; set aside.

Form turkey mixture into 6 oval patties, 1/2 inch thick. Grill 10-12 mintues or until meat is no longer pink in the center.

Slice tomatoes and cucumber. Cut one third off top of each pita bread to form a pocket. Fill each pita bread with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and turkey burger. Top with reserved yogurt sauce.

Then, gobble, gobble!

NUTRITIONAL FACTS: 1 sandwich: calories 320, fat 7 g., Sodium 660 mg. dietary fiber 2 g.

So, here I go from posting about homemade turkey burgers to bragging about how quickly I can get dinner on the table.

How quickly, you ask?

Forget about those 30-minute recipes. Are you kidding? I haven't got time for that.

Tonight I made dinner in 30 seconds.

Want my secret?

Chef Boy Ardee spaghettios.

Open the can, dump contents into a bowl, stick a spoon in and call the kids to dinner. I don't even warm them up -- why bother? Then I just have to sit there and blow on them because they're "too hot."

I feel kinda guilty, but a workin' mom's gotta do what a workin' mom's gotta do.

And, seeing how this workin' mom is still sitting here in her workin' skirt and heels at 9:35 p.m. workin' in her home office, what I gotta do is get my priorites back in order.

Or stock up on spaghettios.

My husband is mad at me and I can't say I blame him. I've been a real witch lately (and that's the PG term for what I've been lately). I'm overwhelmed by life right now and he's been bearing some of the gale force of hurricane Heather. Poor guy lives with the eye of the storm.

I've snapped at him a few times too many lately and well, apparently, he's had enough. Which means that I have stepped way over the line because my husband is not easily riled.

In almost 13 years of marriage, I can count on one hand how many times he's ever been mad at me (when I haven't started the fight). He is not quick to anger and has the patience of Jobe. Which is good because he balances out my hair-trigger temper and type-A impatient nature. Together, we make a pretty formidable team.

I just need to remember that he is on my team.

Gotta go, I have some humble apologizing to do.

Get out your credit cards parents and loving aunties and uncles. Disney's got a big sale on winter PJs. Check it out:

http://disneyshopping.go.com/DSSectionPage.process?Merchant_Id=2&Section_Id=14904&CMP=EMC-eml&att=20061006DSI

The sale lasts all weekend, so if you don't have time to shop now, surf over this weekend. I plan to let the girls pick out a few pairs tomorrow.

Have a great weekend.

And, yes, the husband's speaking to me again.

P.S. ladies -- are you attending the For Women Only Expo this weekend? It sounds like a lot of fun. I hope to squeeze it in on Sunday, but the husband's spending the weekend at hunting camp, so I've got the kids. The Times will have a table there & be handing out Her Times information. Stop at the kiosk to pick up a copy of our new cookbook, too. It's less than $20 and includes a really cool stand you can prop the book up on to hold it upright as you cook.

If you've got young kids (under 5T or less) and you haven't rounded up a Halloween costume, take a trip up to Old Navy. They have, by far, the cutest costumes I've seen and they're less than $20.

We were there this weekend & bought a frog for my 3 year old -- her choice. I was partial to the monkey, but ... she now has an opinion of her own, so Frog it is. It's still cute as sin.

There's a really cute chicken, too. Yes, chicken. It's adorable! I also loved the lion and the dinosaur.

They're big, thick, plush and oh' so cute for the price. Way better than any of the flimsy costumes all the major department stores are selling.

Here's a fun fact for Old Navy shoppers: Guess how much money Old Navy makes in the at Bouncy Ball machine? You know..that one the kids always make you give them a quarter for? Girlfriend Toni V. who works at the Millcreek Mall's Old Navy told me that as a corportation Old Navy made over $4 million in bouncy ball machines last year! FOUR MILLION DOLLARS -- quarter by quarter, bouncy ball by bouncy ball.

My avid hunter of a husband spent all weekend in the woods of Warren with a bow and arrow stalking whitetail deer.

Funny thing is, he never saw one until Monday morning ... when he hit it with his truck.

I had to chuckle when he told me (and then I felt bad for laughing at the deer's misfortune).

My husband loves the TV show "My Name is Earl" so you'd think he'd get the whole Karma thing.

I told him to watch out for a flock of turkey. They owe him.

My apologies for being a bad blogger. I've been wrapped up in directing my first ever race -- the Her Times 5K -- which takes place tomorrow at Presque Isle Beach #1 at 9 a.m. If you're not participating, come on down & cheer the ladies on!

I've also be wrapping up production on our October issue of Her Times Magazine. The theme is "friendship" and we've covered it all -- from finding friends to keeping friends to breaking up with friends to sharing bread with friends.

We've even got a cool new Her Times friendship plate -- painted for us by Linda Daugherty and donated by Claytopia -- that will start making the rounds -- going from home to home spreading friendship and bearing yummy food.

And, of course, we'll cover the race -- with plenty of race photos and a complete race wrap-up. But, first...we have to get through the race, so I have to get to work!

In preparation for the Her Times 5K, I gave our DJ a list of cool women-power songs. I compiled the list by emailing random friends and coworkers and asking them to add to the list. Here's what we came up with.

* "Respect" -- Aretha Franklin
* "Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves" -- Annie Lennox and Aretha Franklin
* "Express Yourself" -- Madonna
* Ladies Night - Kool and the Gang
* Girls Night Out - The Judds
* I'm Just a Girl - No Doubt
* Vogue - Madonna...this is kind of a girly song!
* "Bitch" - Meredith Brooks
* "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman"
* "Any Man of Mine" - Shania Twain
* "American Girls" - County Crows
* "Holaback Girls" - Gwen Stefani
* "Brown-Eyed Girl"
* "Closer to Fine" - Indigo Girls
* This one's for the girls" -- Martina McBride
* Fighter -- Christina Aguillara
* Survivor -- Destiny's Child
* I Will Survive -- Gloria Gainer
* Girls Just Wanna Have Fun -- Cyndie Lauper
* Independent Women — Destiny’s Child

Can you think of any more? If so...add to the list (post a comment or email me at heather.cass@timesnews.com).

Wouldn't it be cool to go to itunes.com and create a custom girl-power CD with these songs. Perfect for running to or...playing on those days when you need a pick-me-up.

For a report on the race, see my other blog "Runner's Notes."

My Mom called me at work earlier today to tell my that my 3-year-old had been complaining all day of pain in the right side of her abdomen -- she had even complained to her preschool teacher about it that morning.

Of course, my mother immediately started poking her abdomen and Lauren kept saying that her right side hurt. She'd also been tired and laying around all day -- which is completely out of character for the energetic kid she normally is. Mom mentioned that she had also been very thirsty all day, but she didn't have a temperature.

I thought it was probably nothing. She did have a bad head cold and she had been up late the night before messing around in her room. Gut instinct told me it was nothing more than an overly tired, semi-sick kid.

But, then, I googled her symptoms. And, soon I was convinced it was appendicitis or cancer.

Now, I'm not the kind of parent who easily freaks out. I can count on one hand how many times both of my kids have been to the doctor for anything other than routine checkups. But, once you start reading about all the things it could be -- well, it doesn't take long for even the most laid-back, laisse-faire Mom to rush her kid to the ER.

So, I called the pediatrician for some information -- things to watch for. I forgot they were closed on Wednesday afternoons. When the Doctor called me back he was fishing somewhere in Fairview. He said he'd need to take a look at her and I felt guilty dragging him in off the lake, but relieved nonetheless.

Dan picked up the girls, then me, and we rode out together after work. Lauren was singing all the way there and I knew I'd been duped. There was nothing wrong with that child except for a head cold and I knew I was going to feel really stupid.

Sure enough, Dr. F said she was fine (aside from the cold) -- no signs of appendicitis or kidney infection (or anything more serious).

Doctors must hate that more and more parents are diagnosing their children thanks to the volumes of medical information that can be had with a few keystrokes and mouse clicks.

Should've just listened to my gut. It's never been wrong yet.

But, then, no harm, no foul. Worst thing that happened is that I was embarrassed and the Dr. had to cut his fishing trip short.

It gives me great peace of mind to know that he would do that for a patient (and a mother who's spent too much time at Web M.D.).

OK, ladies, bet I can make your eyes roll. I just read in Redbook Magazine (Sept. issue, I think) that there's a good reason to hang onto the seeds you scoop out of your kid's jack-o-lantern this month.

Turns out pumpkin seeds are a "sexy snack."

Here's what Redbook had to say about the slimy seeds:
"Less pricey than oysters but nearly as potent, pumpkin seeds are loaded with zinc, which keeps testosterone levels and sperm counts high."

Eyes rolled back yet?

Yeah, cause what we need are men with more testeosterone and higher sperm counts.

Who are they writing this stuff for?

Pumpkin seeds? Are you kidding? You want to get me in the mood, do the dishes ... fold the laundry ... mop the floor ... clean up the pumpkin seeds stuck to the kitchen floor ....

I've never cared much for the circus -- the animals always looked so sad and no matter how the much the trainers tried to tell you that bears like to ride bikes, you just know it's not right and that the bear would much rather be foraging in some forest.

But, last year I begrudgingly took my then-4-year-old to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus at the Civic Center because it was a rainy weekend and we needed to get out of the house. I ended up paying top dollar at the door for not-so-great seats.

We got there too late to enjoy the before-show festivities and I was sorry. Turns out you could walk around backstage and see the animals -- including the elephants -- up-close. You could also meet the performers and have them autograph your program.

The show itself ended up being very good and not nearly as animal-humiliating as I remember the circuses of my youth being. There were no animals on unicycles or dancing bears. There was, however, lots of fascinating and fun "acts" -- death-defying stunts (of course), hilarious clowns and respectable animal performances.

So when the circus rides back into town this year (Nov. 1-4), we'll be there. But, this year, I wised up and bought tickets early. If you are planning to go, I suggest you do so too. You will get the best seats now.

I just got opening night tickets (Wed., Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.) near the center and just 20 rows up for $10 each ($14 when you add in all the extra fees). By the way, did you know the opening night for many of the kids shows that come to town are discount admission. For the circus, opening tickets are just $10 each. Prices vary based on seating choice for the other performances, but most good seats start at $17 for adults, $12 for children (and, of course, add on four dollars or so for all the "convenience" and "building" charges).

So, if you think you want to go, get your tickets now and plan to get to the show early. And, don't forget your camera.

If ever there is a time of the year I could (and probably do) become depressed it's late October and the entire month of November. Were it not for the distraction of Christmas, I might never get out of bed in November. But, there are cookies to bake, presents to buy, lights to hang, cards to address ... .

Most Erieites say they get depressed in the spring when it keeps snowing and hailing all over the tulips and daffodils, but I don't mind snow in the spring -- I can take it then because I KNOW it can't last much longer. I know it's a matter of weeks (or, in wacky-weather Erie, days) before we're busting out the summer shorts and halter tops.

But, this time of year ... ugh -- there's nothing to look forward to now except months and months and months of miserable winter weather, nearly-constant darkness, dreadful hours on the treadmill and being cooped up indoors 24/7 -- driving each other nuts, eating continuously, gaining winter pounds and sharing cold viruses.

Just yesterday I finally gave in and put my summer sandals, skirts and shorts away and hauled out the bins full of sweaters, boots, tights and wool skirts. Frumpy, lumpy, bumpy clothes for a frumpy, lumpy, bumpy season. Just getting the stuff out depressed me. And, I've spent a considerable amount of money on winter clothing in an effort to make myself like it better.

I have a few (just a few!) friends who love winter and relish the site of the first flakes (you know who you are) and they delight in torturing me with weather forecasts this time of year -- e-mailing every time they see a flake. But it's these same snow-loving flakes who come to me whining in spring when they grow tired of the boots, slush and swirling tornados of snow.

At the risk of wishing away perfectly good months of my life, I already can't wait for spring.

I know what you're thinking -- then why do I choose to live here? One word -- makes all the winter weather and misery worth it -- Family. They're here -- most of my and my husband's siblings, cousins and aunts and uncles are here. And, so, here I will stay because with them, I can weather any storm.

After my negative winter-bashing depressing post yesterday, I've decided to focus on the positive today and list ten things I actually like about winter.

1. No shorts and bare legs -- no need for daily shaving. Which is good because you need the extra time in the morning to drive to work.

2. Six-month pedicure pass. No need to keep your piggies painted and pretty in winter when they're stuffed into trouser socks, tights and boots.

3. No need to weed, feed, divide, deadhead or mulch when all your flower beds are six inches under snow.

4. The pure, unadulterated, uncontrollable belly laughter that occurs when rocketing down a slippery mountain on a hot pink plastic saucer sled.

5. Pefect snowman snow -- that heavy, wet stuff that sticks together like glue and means you can build a whole snow family in a matter of minutes.

6. You can get away with gaining a few pounds because it's easily hidden under layers of clothing. It sort of a relief to not worry about having to bear my arms or look good in a bathing suit for a while.

7. Hot coffee in a ceramic mug warming my hands on a cold winter morning (or night).

8. Football season.

9. Guilt-free mall shopping or mid-day movie watching. I always feel guilty wasting time indoors shopping or watching TV in the summer. Come winter, I catch up on both.

10. Tissue paper snowflakes, construction paper witches, handprint turkeys ... and all the other projects kids bring home from school. I put my daughters' masterpieces up all over the house -- on the pantry door, on the front of the kitchen cupboards, in the hallway, on the entertainment center -- they make me smile, decorate the house and serve as a calendar of sorts as Santas eventually give way to shamrocks and Easter eggs.

What makes you feel happy about winter? Feel free to add to my list by posting a message.

I just finished up production on our Holiday Events Guide (publishes Nov. 3)and have been editing stories for our upcoming Holiday Gift Guide (publishes Dec. 17), so I've got Christmas on the brain.

First up on my Christmas chore list is coming up with a Christmas Card idea. I love, love, love photo cards -- I love taking them, I love making them, I love sending them and I really love receiving them.

Last year I lucked out and happened upon a gorgeous fall scene when I took the girls for a leaf walk in the gorge. I drug the husband back later that week, we set the camera on a stump and voila -- a great photo. Actually, it's the photo in the header of this blog.

This year, with the girls a bit older (and therefore easier to direct, hopefully), I wanted to do something different, but wasn't sure what.

So, I did what all resourceful Mommies do & I googled it (how on Earth did we ever live without google?) and I happened upon the coolest site that was full of lots of great ideas. Whether you're looking for something elegant, silly or fun, you'll find a great idea here. http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf988253.tip.html

I already know what one I want to do -- all I need is a metal flagpole ... .

Last night I did something I haven't done since I was 16 years old.

I ran out of gas.

Truth be told, I deserved it. I push the limits of my gas tank and ignore that little red "need fuel" light regularly. I'd drive for days with that thing lit up before I'd finally stop and fuel up.
I just hate getting gas. It's cold out there and it stinks and I'm always rushing wherever it is I'm going and I hate to take the time to stop ... .

My husband has chided me driving with the "need fuel" light on for years. It always made him nuts when he saw the light was on and somehow I always managed to time it just right -- so that he was driving somewhere when I needed gas. He'd always stop and fill it up for me. I'd sit in the nice warm car and wait like the little princess I am -- just hand me my tiara.

I knew I was pushing the limits yesterday when I called him on my way home from work to tell him I was skipping the gym and coming right home and that something was wrong with my gas guage because it kept flipping wildly from full to empty. I asked him if he'd go get me gas when I got home so that he could see it for himself (yes, my not-so-sly way of getting him to go get me gas). He agreed (because he's a sucker and he loves me) and I said I'd be home in a few minutes.

Pulled onto my road and sputter, sputter, sputter....my luck ran out.
I grabbed the cell phone (thank God for cell phones) and called the husband back and said "Or, you could just bring some gas to me now."

I sat in my car reading through some work I'd brought home and he rode to my rescue a few minutes later -- laughing, of course.

I got out as he was filling my car and a co-worker -- a press man -- came out of a nearby house to chastise the "organization queen" for running out of gas.

Hey, even the mightiest queens and princesses stumble sometimes.

You just call your white knight, brush off your tiara and move on.

Lesson learned -- I will no longer drive with the red light on for more than one day. Two at the most.

It was a marathon Halloween fun day for the girls and I yesterday and what a GREAT day to run around all day -- the weather was perfect (finally). We left home at 9 a.m. and never got back until after 6 p.m. -- tired, dirty kids (and Mommy) in tow.

First they had their preschool Halloween Parade-around-the-block. I can sum it up for you -- almost every girl was a princess and almost every boy was a superhero. At 3 & 4 they are already very aware of their gender.

After school, it was off to Aunt Pam's office, Grandma's and then to the newspaper where we do an annual trick-or-treating event for our employees children (or grandchildren) -- parading them through all the departments. I was a little disappointed I wasn't working yesterday -- I couldn't see everyone else's kids (but, we take photos and they're all on display today).

We stopped at the Plymouth for a quick lunch and then drove (for miles and miles and miles, it seemed) to Port Farms Pumpkin Farm in Waterford. Some friends had raved about it and it was such a great day that we decided to check it out.

Let me just tell you -- that place was a preschooler's paradise. They had all these slides, a little corn maze, a little hay maze, goats and sheep to pet, a tricycle race track, a little village complete with play cars and houses, hay wagon rides, dogs to pet and -- the coolest cornbox (?) -- it was like a sandbox, only it was filled with kernals of field corn -- the kids LOVED it.

And, get this, the concession stand sells PB&J -- for a $1! Actually, all of their prices were reasonable at the concession stand. (Admission was $5 for kids and $3 for children.)

They had plastic adirondack chairs everywhere so parents could sit and watch the kids play (or, join in...all of the stuff was parent-friendly -- including the slides, which were a BLAST!).

The best part -- they're open during the day -- perfect for little ones who may be intimated by older kids (my kids sometimes are).

Of course, today is the last day for the Halloween festivities at Port Farms, but I still wanted to tell you about the place so you can put it on your list of to-do's for next fall. It really was worth the money and the long drive (for us Waterford is a long drive).

We got there at 3 p.m. and I had to drag the kids out of the cornbox kicking and screaming at 6 p.m. as the sun was going down.

Got home and peeled their clothes off for the 2nd bath of the day and corn came raining out of every pocket, shoe and hood -- evidence of one fun, albeit corny, day.