We hate out bank. I would like to say that the time some dude on the phone called me a fucking bitch was the last staw, but no, it was just the beginning. There was also the monthly call for about 6 months that i had to make because they took out 14 bucks too much for service charges. The manager also had the balls to ask my husband why he called when they didn't follow up on a timely issue. So, no more M&T Bank on Elmwood for us...
Anyone have an horror stories for a bank or branch we should stay away from? Or somewhere they are decent?
Leetee's Journal
My Podcast Link
05/23/2006 10:08 #25634
Bank Recomendations?05/19/2006 19:17 #25633
I'm A Food GeekLast time we were in Toronto, i picked up a brochure for the Toronto Vegetarian Assoctiation. 
Thought it would come in handy next time we are in the city and looking for new or different places to eat. It had a section saying their website had a fast food report. It was interesting to see how veggie friendly some of the fast food places are... or aren't. I saw the section on Subway and thought i would email Subway and ask about the ingredients in the veggie patties they sell here and in some regions. They don't carry them in Canada at all, as far as i can tell. I ended up emailing the Toronto Vegetarian Association and they changed the report slight to read
I also have another phood photo essay for ya'll. Yesterday, i tackled another one of my food fears. I have always wanted to try to make homemade lasagna. I know, some of you might think it's not that challenging to make. Well, for some reason, i was scared of trying and we always ate frozen ones. Not anymore. I must say, i am rather proud of the fact that, wihtout a recipe and just some basic ieads, i made a very yummy vegetarian 3 cheese lasagna.
And emptay pan, some dry noodles and a jar of sauce (well, you didn't think i was going to do the whole thing from scratch, did ya?)
The vegetables...
And the chopping begins...
Boiling noodles... i thought about a no boil recipe, but i just wasn't brave enough my first go round.
Oh, how clever; i just thawed the frozen spinach using a measuring cup and some of the boiling water from the pasta...
Noodles done.
Let the sauteing begin...
The 3 cheeses -- Low Moisture Mozzarella, Aged Provalone and Pecorino Ramano from Guercio's.
Ready to assemble. Cooled noodles, cooling veggies, cheeses and tomato sauce.
Assembled lasagna and messy kitchen (thank you again, (e:Uncutsaniflush) for being my chief bottle washer!)
Gotta let it rest for at least 5 minutes, more like 10 before cutting into it...
Finally. After about 3 hours, we can eat my creation.
Thought it would come in handy next time we are in the city and looking for new or different places to eat. It had a section saying their website had a fast food report. It was interesting to see how veggie friendly some of the fast food places are... or aren't. I saw the section on Subway and thought i would email Subway and ask about the ingredients in the veggie patties they sell here and in some regions. They don't carry them in Canada at all, as far as i can tell. I ended up emailing the Toronto Vegetarian Association and they changed the report slight to read Subway
Updated May 2006. Leette emailed us to say: "Here in the US, in some random locations ... there are veggie patties."
I called their toll line, (800) 888-4848, and was told that they are testing these new products in rotating locations. Some Toronto locations are carrying them. The two new additions are the Gardenburger that contains cheese and egg white and the VegiMax that contains egg white. Subway emailed us the ingredients. There is no mention yet of the new veggie products on their website.
They have a vegan Veggie Delite described as: "a crunchy combination of garden fresh lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, onions, olives and pickles and your choice of condiments served on freshly baked bread. It's like a salad sandwich." All of Subway's breads are egg and diary-free except three cheese breads that contain rennet of unknown origin. Their special sauces all contain egg yolk and/or milk ingredients except for the fat-free Sweet Onion Sauce. Their cookies all contain egg and milk products but are otherwise vegetarian.
See the AllergenChart.pdf (Canadian version at AllergenChartCAN.pdf) and ingredient list (Canada | US) for more information. See their website for more regions. You can call them at (800) 888-4848 to request more veggie options in your home town.
I also have another phood photo essay for ya'll. Yesterday, i tackled another one of my food fears. I have always wanted to try to make homemade lasagna. I know, some of you might think it's not that challenging to make. Well, for some reason, i was scared of trying and we always ate frozen ones. Not anymore. I must say, i am rather proud of the fact that, wihtout a recipe and just some basic ieads, i made a very yummy vegetarian 3 cheese lasagna.
And emptay pan, some dry noodles and a jar of sauce (well, you didn't think i was going to do the whole thing from scratch, did ya?)
The vegetables...
And the chopping begins...
Boiling noodles... i thought about a no boil recipe, but i just wasn't brave enough my first go round.
Oh, how clever; i just thawed the frozen spinach using a measuring cup and some of the boiling water from the pasta...
Noodles done.
Let the sauteing begin...
The 3 cheeses -- Low Moisture Mozzarella, Aged Provalone and Pecorino Ramano from Guercio's.
Ready to assemble. Cooled noodles, cooling veggies, cheeses and tomato sauce.
Assembled lasagna and messy kitchen (thank you again, (e:Uncutsaniflush) for being my chief bottle washer!)
Gotta let it rest for at least 5 minutes, more like 10 before cutting into it...
Finally. After about 3 hours, we can eat my creation.
leetee - 05/20/06 12:32
I've never had a sub at either place, (e:zobar). Guess i always thought that it would be a lettuce tomato and cheese sandwich... never even been inside a DiBella's.
Thanks, (e:boxerboi)... i bet you could do a lasagna if you wanted to. I found it super easy and i don't know why i was scared of making on in the first place...
I so used to be the same, (e:Theecarey).. when i lived alone, i made more basic meals. But lasagna can always be fozen.. that way you wouldn't be stuck with eating it all week! :O)
I've never had a sub at either place, (e:zobar). Guess i always thought that it would be a lettuce tomato and cheese sandwich... never even been inside a DiBella's.
Thanks, (e:boxerboi)... i bet you could do a lasagna if you wanted to. I found it super easy and i don't know why i was scared of making on in the first place...
I so used to be the same, (e:Theecarey).. when i lived alone, i made more basic meals. But lasagna can always be fozen.. that way you wouldn't be stuck with eating it all week! :O)
theecarey - 05/19/06 21:21
omg I am starving. I am sitting here, waiting for food to arrive. I am too tired to cook, or even open a can of anything, so I ordered a sub and jumped on estrip. Your lasagna looks wonderful!!!!!!!! I rarely make stuff like that as I dont have anyone to immediately share it with, or when I do make something, I know that I will be eating it for a few days in a row. Not that I mind :)
omg I am starving. I am sitting here, waiting for food to arrive. I am too tired to cook, or even open a can of anything, so I ordered a sub and jumped on estrip. Your lasagna looks wonderful!!!!!!!! I rarely make stuff like that as I dont have anyone to immediately share it with, or when I do make something, I know that I will be eating it for a few days in a row. Not that I mind :)
boxerboi - 05/19/06 21:08
Holy smoke that looks so good. You're very inspiring. I can't cook, but your pictures make it very encouraging.
Holy smoke that looks so good. You're very inspiring. I can't cook, but your pictures make it very encouraging.
zobar - 05/19/06 19:55
Vegetable subs: DiBella's :::link::: / Wegman's :::link::: all the way. The vegetables are both fresh and plentiful on all their subs. I guess at some time somebody realized that they put so much extra crap on them that you could take out all the meat and nobody would notice. Most places I wouldn't think once about ordering their veggie subs; more often than not when I get a Di B's sub I'll say to myself, 'you know, I think this would taste the same without any meat...'
- Z
Vegetable subs: DiBella's :::link::: / Wegman's :::link::: all the way. The vegetables are both fresh and plentiful on all their subs. I guess at some time somebody realized that they put so much extra crap on them that you could take out all the meat and nobody would notice. Most places I wouldn't think once about ordering their veggie subs; more often than not when I get a Di B's sub I'll say to myself, 'you know, I think this would taste the same without any meat...'
- Z
05/18/2006 18:19 #25632
Rocking Chair, e:Matthew?Are you still looking for a rocking chair, (e:Matthew) ? (E:Uncutsaniflush) and i saw this one today and i didn't know if you would be interested or not. It's an unusual chair, and of course my photo hardly does it justice. Anyway, we saw it at a place called Niagara Frontiers (is that what it was called, Dear, you know how i am with names!) at the Summit Mall, if you're intereted, (e:Matthew) .
05/16/2006 19:59 #25631
The Cabbage Roll CaperToday at lunch, i mentioned to (e:Uncutsaniflush) that i would be ok with making something for dinner that requires use of the oven. Since we don't have a/c, i tend to make dishes that don't heat up the entire kitchen (and the house) come warmer weather days. I thought about making my vegetarian shepherd's pie.
Then, he came up with a brilliant idea. Cabbage rolls! I have never made them, so this would be a team effort. I needed (e:Uncutsaniflush) 's memory of helping his mom.... since we decided to go with her stovetop method, and not the method my grandma used (which she got from my grandpa's Ukrainian side of the family, most specificly, my great Auntie Mary). I called my mom with a few questions about how grandma did some things (she promised to send me a recipe, and i will try her way some time in the future) and (e:Uncutsaniflush) did some online research...
Off we went to Guerico's to get cabbage... and a few other things we needed or wanted that had little to do with tonight's dinner.
A side note on Guercio's. They had fiddleheads! I wish i took a picture, but i didn't.. no one there, but the guy behind the counter and me and (e:Uncutsaniflush) even knew what they were. Oh, how i heard way too much about fiddlehead hunting when i was in Halifax!
OK, so, here goes... a photo essay of our Cabbage Roll caper....
Behold, the humble raw cabbage head.
And the rice cooker beginning it's cooking.
Chopping onion for the filling.
Boiling the cored cabbage in salted sugared water.
Partially cooked rice.
Pot lined with celery ribs.. and Boca, the "meat" part of the filling.
Assembled filling of "meat", rice, sauted onions and seasonings.
Boiled, deviened cabbage leaves ready to be rolled.
Action shot!
All ready in the pot.
After about an hour on the stove.
My plate of food.
(E:Uncutsaniflush) 's plate of food.
Half eaten pot of cabbage rolls.
Yuuummmmmm......... all done.
All things said, i think we did damn good. They were yummy and the cabbage was nice and tender. Next time, more salt...
Then, he came up with a brilliant idea. Cabbage rolls! I have never made them, so this would be a team effort. I needed (e:Uncutsaniflush) 's memory of helping his mom.... since we decided to go with her stovetop method, and not the method my grandma used (which she got from my grandpa's Ukrainian side of the family, most specificly, my great Auntie Mary). I called my mom with a few questions about how grandma did some things (she promised to send me a recipe, and i will try her way some time in the future) and (e:Uncutsaniflush) did some online research...
Off we went to Guerico's to get cabbage... and a few other things we needed or wanted that had little to do with tonight's dinner.
A side note on Guercio's. They had fiddleheads!
I wish i took a picture, but i didn't.. no one there, but the guy behind the counter and me and (e:Uncutsaniflush) even knew what they were. Oh, how i heard way too much about fiddlehead hunting when i was in Halifax! OK, so, here goes... a photo essay of our Cabbage Roll caper....
Behold, the humble raw cabbage head.
And the rice cooker beginning it's cooking.
Chopping onion for the filling.
Boiling the cored cabbage in salted sugared water.
Partially cooked rice.
Pot lined with celery ribs.. and Boca, the "meat" part of the filling.
Assembled filling of "meat", rice, sauted onions and seasonings.
Boiled, deviened cabbage leaves ready to be rolled.
Action shot!
All ready in the pot.
After about an hour on the stove.
My plate of food.
(E:Uncutsaniflush) 's plate of food.
Half eaten pot of cabbage rolls.
Yuuummmmmm......... all done.
All things said, i think we did damn good. They were yummy and the cabbage was nice and tender. Next time, more salt...
hodown - 05/19/06 08:49
Those look seriously good, and they are rooled so nicely! Awesome job.
Those look seriously good, and they are rooled so nicely! Awesome job.
libertad - 05/16/06 22:13
Great post! I had to call my mother to ask her about this, because I remembered she used to make them. Now she hates cooking and I had to beg her to show me how to make them when I go to see her for Memorial Day. She called the dish Holupki or pigs in a blanket. I thought the pigs in a blanket were the little cocktail weenies with croisant rolls baked around them, but I was wrong. She got the recipe from my Great Grandma Swartwood. I'm going to ask my Lithuanian Grandmother if she has a recipe too.
Great post! I had to call my mother to ask her about this, because I remembered she used to make them. Now she hates cooking and I had to beg her to show me how to make them when I go to see her for Memorial Day. She called the dish Holupki or pigs in a blanket. I thought the pigs in a blanket were the little cocktail weenies with croisant rolls baked around them, but I was wrong. She got the recipe from my Great Grandma Swartwood. I'm going to ask my Lithuanian Grandmother if she has a recipe too.
twisted - 05/16/06 22:02
That is awesome! My Dad's wife, Jean (maybe I should refer to her as my step-mom here, but for reasons I have absolutely no basis for, I'm not ready for that yet) is making a family recipe book for her grand-daughter who is getting married next month. It includes all the traditional family recipes for Thanksgiving and Christmas, plus other family favorites, with pictures of the family member most associated with certain recipes. It's a great idea as a gift for someone about to become the head of their own household. Jean is really good at stuff like that. I have a feeling from her side of the family it may seem "pushy," but from my perspective, I can appreciate it. Isn't that always the way?
My family put together a family recipe book about 10 years ago which I still refer to. Jean is definitely taking it to the next level. Maybe by the time my niece gets married I'll be ready to take on the challenge. ;-)
That is awesome! My Dad's wife, Jean (maybe I should refer to her as my step-mom here, but for reasons I have absolutely no basis for, I'm not ready for that yet) is making a family recipe book for her grand-daughter who is getting married next month. It includes all the traditional family recipes for Thanksgiving and Christmas, plus other family favorites, with pictures of the family member most associated with certain recipes. It's a great idea as a gift for someone about to become the head of their own household. Jean is really good at stuff like that. I have a feeling from her side of the family it may seem "pushy," but from my perspective, I can appreciate it. Isn't that always the way?
My family put together a family recipe book about 10 years ago which I still refer to. Jean is definitely taking it to the next level. Maybe by the time my niece gets married I'll be ready to take on the challenge. ;-)
kara - 05/16/06 21:21
Have you thought of using celery seed to enhance the celery flavor? Or instead of more tomator soup, a fresh ripe tomato or some canned diced tomatoes?
I am a closet food network junkie.
Have you thought of using celery seed to enhance the celery flavor? Or instead of more tomator soup, a fresh ripe tomato or some canned diced tomatoes?
I am a closet food network junkie.
leetee - 05/16/06 20:46
Sorry to make you hungry, (e:Kara). They took about an hour, maybe an hour and a half for Walt and i to make them... but we didn't make that many... I got to rambling, so i emailed you our basic recipe. :O)
I don't know how to spell Polish words either, (e:Theecarey)! I wish i had a childhood memory of having or making cabbage rolls. My mom does, though... and i pumped her for info today!
Veggie Shepherds Pie just uses meat substitute, (e:Metalpeter)... like the Boca stuff in my pictures of the cabbage rolls. It's made from wheat and soy type stuff.
Sorry to make you hungry, (e:Kara). They took about an hour, maybe an hour and a half for Walt and i to make them... but we didn't make that many... I got to rambling, so i emailed you our basic recipe. :O)
I don't know how to spell Polish words either, (e:Theecarey)! I wish i had a childhood memory of having or making cabbage rolls. My mom does, though... and i pumped her for info today!
Veggie Shepherds Pie just uses meat substitute, (e:Metalpeter)... like the Boca stuff in my pictures of the cabbage rolls. It's made from wheat and soy type stuff.
metalpeter - 05/16/06 20:33
Even though you didn't make it I love Shepards pie. What is better then ground beef covered by potatoes. It is hard for me to imagine a vegatarian version of that. As much as I try I just can't seem to grasp what it would be. I know at the verry least I would like the potatoe part.
Even though you didn't make it I love Shepards pie. What is better then ground beef covered by potatoes. It is hard for me to imagine a vegatarian version of that. As much as I try I just can't seem to grasp what it would be. I know at the verry least I would like the potatoe part.
theecarey - 05/16/06 20:15
Yum! Looks good, Lee :) We have gulumpkies (sp) once or twice a year. Actually, my mom makes them and I eat them, as she has been a vegetarian for 15+ years. While the meat alternative is good, this is the one time I truly prefer ground beef or turkey. As she used to eat meat cabbage rolls, having it any other way just isnt the same for her, so yeh, she usually makes it just for me. I need to learn the recipe and how exactlty to make them.
Making cabbage rolls is a fond childhood memory--and its really quite a process!! The whole house would smell of cabbage and we would make so many that that is all we'd eat for days (and giant platefuls at that!)--but not complaining, hehe.
Its a great cold weather food, so I better try to make some (with guidance of mom) before it gets hot out there!!
Yum! Looks good, Lee :) We have gulumpkies (sp) once or twice a year. Actually, my mom makes them and I eat them, as she has been a vegetarian for 15+ years. While the meat alternative is good, this is the one time I truly prefer ground beef or turkey. As she used to eat meat cabbage rolls, having it any other way just isnt the same for her, so yeh, she usually makes it just for me. I need to learn the recipe and how exactlty to make them.
Making cabbage rolls is a fond childhood memory--and its really quite a process!! The whole house would smell of cabbage and we would make so many that that is all we'd eat for days (and giant platefuls at that!)--but not complaining, hehe.
Its a great cold weather food, so I better try to make some (with guidance of mom) before it gets hot out there!!
kara - 05/16/06 20:12
Those look incredible, and relatively easy to make. What seasonings do you use? Are they a leetee-family secret? And why does the sauce look tomato-y?
You made me hungry again and I just had dinner.
Those look incredible, and relatively easy to make. What seasonings do you use? Are they a leetee-family secret? And why does the sauce look tomato-y?
You made me hungry again and I just had dinner.
05/15/2006 20:38 #25630
Gather HereEveryone is doing it, so why not me? I wanted this song as a user sound, but my ripped mp3 was too big *pout* so i thought i would put it in gather, for those who are interested. One of my favies. (just so ya'll know, the song starts kinda soft like, but it will get loud and obnoxious if you give it a second). Good ole 1990's punk
Gather: 0966795001147739604
L7
Can I Run?
Are these sensible shoes on my feet
I wear my shades so our eyes don`t meet
I`m scared every fuckin` day
I wear my headphones so i can`t hear what you say
Can i run
Switch to paranoid from having fun
Will he use his hands, knife, or a gun
Knuckles are white, wrapped around my mace
Comes from living in a terrorist state
Can i run
When he`s following me
He`s not my brother, he`s my enemy
Is he behind the door or in back of the tree
Is he under the bed, is he in the back street
Can i run
So, instead of L7, (e:Uncutsaniflush) helped me with another song... My Pal Foot Foot by the Shaggs. :O)
Gather: 0966795001147739604
L7
Can I Run?
Are these sensible shoes on my feet
I wear my shades so our eyes don`t meet
I`m scared every fuckin` day
I wear my headphones so i can`t hear what you say
Can i run
Switch to paranoid from having fun
Will he use his hands, knife, or a gun
Knuckles are white, wrapped around my mace
Comes from living in a terrorist state
Can i run
When he`s following me
He`s not my brother, he`s my enemy
Is he behind the door or in back of the tree
Is he under the bed, is he in the back street
Can i run
So, instead of L7, (e:Uncutsaniflush) helped me with another song... My Pal Foot Foot by the Shaggs. :O)
Thanks, everyone, for the input... :O)
i worked for bank of america for a while, and will have to tell you to stay away. the way it usually works is, the bigger the organization the worse the customer service, but cheaper services, and the smaller the company is, the better the service, but more expensive. i would try one of the smaller banks like greater buffalo, but i dont know how much free stuff they offer. good luck lee!
I've been using an online bank :::link::: for a while, with mixed reviews. My checking account gets crazy interest, but their service leaves something to be desired.
I've also had HSBC for a while. I wouldn't consider them to be either exceptionally good or exceptionally bad in any particular way - which is just about what I want from a bank.
- Z
I'm with the Hong-Kong/Shanghai Banking Concern (HSBC -- gotta love those opium war residuals...). We heard horror stories about M&T when we moved here, and HSBC has been good so far -- everything online for free. The people at my branch, on the corner of my street, are really nice, and I do GF! stuff thru them, too.
Of course, if Washington Mutual (I think they're rebranding as WaMu, haha) come to town, then that's probably the way to go-- everyone I've ever known with them loves it and they've gone national.
I did M&T for awhile - They managed to lose a direct deposit check -- bad times. All are sort of evil, but I hear good things about Greater Buffalo Savings Bank. I'm marooned at HSBC and they max out any services charges -- Satan's financial advisor