lifecandy - simply sweet living

8 Skills Every Woman Should Master

2008-05-15T07:00:00.001-05:00

Apparently, Esquire's come up with this list of 75 Skills Every Man Should Master. I didn't know about this list; I learned about it from Maggie at Mighty Girl (I know, I know, yet another blog for you to get sucked into, but you'll love Maggie - she seriously rocks!). Anyway, she made her list of 7 Skills Every Woman Should Master. Here's my list of 8, because I like the number 8:

1: Jump-start a car. Change oil.

2: Play poker.
If you find yourself in a room with a deck of cards and a dude/dudette you desire, a game of strip poker is the obvious next step. Be prepared!

3: Identify poisonous relationships, and end them.
I had a family member who expected blind-obedience. Didn't matter what it was. S/he would use all sorts of manipulation and emotional blackmail. I felt trapped, and my self-esteem plummeted. But I still didn't have the strength to break away.
It wasn't until I was an adult with my own family when I realized I was better off without this person in my life. I haven't looked back since.

4: Deliver a good punch.
Make a fist, thumb on the outside and curled along the knuckles. Aim with the middle-finger joint closest to the back of the hand, making a line with the wrist, elbow and shoulder. Deliver the punch from the shoulder blade and back. (I used to take Sikaran, a filipino martial art.)

5: Choose fruit and veggies at the peak or near-peak of ripeness.
Know when you want to eat your veggies or fruit, and know if it'll be ready when you are.

6: Help your partner give you an orgasm.
They won't be offended, and it turns them on too... or so I've been told. ;)

7: Take a good shower in under 5 minutes.
Multi-task and hit all the important parts first. If you still have a minute or two, maybe you can shave. Maybe.

8: Ask a really hot guy out on a date.
Or maybe a game of strip poker.

Wordless Wednesday: Fast Mini

2008-05-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

My Mother's Day 2008

2008-05-13T08:22:00.005-05:00

Okay, I think I've finally come down from my Mother's Day high. It really was a wonderful day, one that I just didn't want to end.

My little family spoiled me rotten with two Zero dark chocolate bars, and a beautiful blue chaise lounger for enjoying the summer sunshine like a queen while Roomie tends the veggie garden and the kids play in their playhouse.
We spent a lazy morning together, and later that afternoon, my family dropped me off on the Corydon cafe strip on their way to see Gramma so I could have some much appreciated alone-time. I had sushi at Sushi-Ya and enjoyed my new favourite roll, their Flower Roll. So good!
(Since that was my first trip to Sushi-Ya, I'll be writing a full post review very soon. Stay tuned for that!)
After sushi, I had a cappucino at my favourite Starbucks, and then strolled home in the beautiful sunshine - with the sounds of Hawai'i on my mp3 player! - for a relaxing rest on my new lounger.

My family returned home from their visit to Roomie's mom just in time for dinner delivery from Charisma of India, my absolute favourite East Indian restaurant in town. We then relaxed the evening away until bedtime. Oh, yes, it was a great day!

How about you? How did you celebrate Mother's Day?

MEM: Eco-Shopping for the Girlie-Girl

2008-05-12T09:00:00.008-05:00

This week's My Earth Monday installment is a bit of a departure from the usual. I guess I haven't yet shaken off the after-effects of yesterday's Mother's Day, and still feel the desire to spoil and indulge myself. :)

So, this week, I'm shopping! Ok, not really buying anything, just doing a little online window shopping. I found some really sweet stuff from Ecoist I just had to share with you today.

I just love Ecoist! They take things destined for the landfill, and through Grupedsac (Group for the Promotion of Education and Sustainable Development), a non-profit organization in Mexico that helps underprivileged citizens earn a fair living on projects that preserve the environment, they hire skilled artisans to create things from jewelry to laptop cases to tote bags.
And for every item Ecoist sells, they plant a tree.

Right now, I'm lusting after their $15 card wallet made from billboards for the movie '300'. :)

Here are some other cool things...

Bracelets by Ecoist - The official "Stop Global Warming" Ecoist bracelets. Adjustable for kids and adults. We plant a tree for every bracelet sold. Help spread the word. Handmade from recycled candy wrappers, soda labels, and food packages.

Rice Bags - These one-of-a-kind bags are made from recycled feed and rice bags from Southeast Asian fishing villages. Each bag is manually woven and lined with cotton. Convenient compartments and zippers add great functionality to these unique bags.
The purchase of these bags provides employment to disabled and disadvantaged artisans and ensures they are paid fair wages and have safe working environments.
Brought to you by Gecko Traders.

Movie Billboard Laptop Cases & Bags - Ecoist collects outdoor movie billboards that were headed for a landfill and produces unique pieces, such as laptop cases, tote bags, messenger bags, and wallets. Colourful and abstract, as well as, sturdy, durable, and waterproof.

We're Ready. Are You?

2008-05-08T06:23:00.007-05:00

May 4-10, 2008 is Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada.

If disaster struck, would you and your family be able to survive the first 72 hours before help arrived?

According to GetPrepared.ca:

"The 72 hour preparedness message is a common standard used across North America by first responders (fire, police, paramedics), all levels of government and non-government relief organizations. They have first-hand knowledge that 72 hours is the length of time it takes to mobilize a relief effort in a significant way."

Last fall, Roomie and I decided that we really had to get off our bums and get to making our own emergency kit. Now, I'm pleased to say that we're almost done; just need to commit plans of action to paper.

Okay, so spring thaw-flood may be pretty much over, and if your furnace crashed and burned today, you probably won't freeze, but depending on your area, you still have tornado and hurricane seasons and the occasional earthquake or two. You don't want to get caught with your pants down!

We're ready. Now, you!

Get Ready:

GetPrepared.ca

Ready (US)

And for our neighbours all over the world, this message is for you too. Get prepared and stay safe!

Blog Morphing... More Changes...

2008-05-06T10:43:00.005-05:00

I always have an eye open for new ways to improve my blog. I realize that I have an advantage over many other bloggers in that I have years of software design and programming experience to draw from to help me change, improve and morph my blog into one that's functionally and aesthetically pleasing... to me at least. :)

In case you haven't had a look around lately, I've done the following:

Changed from a Category Cloud back to a Category List.

Added a 3-column footer for administrative and less-blogcentric items.

Added a clustr map (May 2, 2008).

Added a Related Posts listing at the end of each post, listed according to category.

A By-Post listing of Archives.

A Poll of the Week - a new one every Friday!

For comparison, here's another look at the original template Erudite at Gecko & Fly I used and ultimately changed to get the template you see now.

My next project is to tackle advertising. It's going to be the subject of a whole new post. I have some definite ideas about how I would like to earn money via my blogs... what I personally would like to see and what will make me click to buy. What are your thoughts on blog advertising or ads in general?

MEM: Going Organic... Again

2008-05-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

Image: "Organic Tomatoes" by val'sphotos

Welcome to another My Earth Monday!
This week's installment is not about starting something new but reintroducing a good green habit that I dropped, idiot that I can be sometimes. I will be going organic again.

Now, my real life friends (and maybe some of my online friends as well) might be surprised that I fell off the organic wagon in the first place.
But I did, around January after my short detox, when we all got sick and making the trip to my favourite organic store became difficult. Besides, we're on a rather strict budget, and I thought that a break from the more expensive organics would ease our finances a little.

Well, you truly cannot put a price on health. Over a period of 4 months, I've steadily felt more lethargic, developed worsening monthly cycles, had increasing insomnia, gained stubborn weight, and increased my bodyfat primarily in my middle.

The only thing I've changed is the origin of my food.
My average calorie intake has stayed the same, and I've even exercised more. Unless any of you have any other ideas, I'm willing to bet it's the organic thing.

And I'm not surprised. It's all over the news that North America has the most genetically-modified, hormone-injected, and pesticide-poisoned products in the world... and we also have the highest percentage of obesity.

And, of course, as we're poisoning ourselves, we're poisoning our planet.
By going organic, we're saying no to harmful pesticides and giving our thumbs up to healthier farming practices and local producers.

Two years ago when I started going organic, I lost a lot of weight, gained a lot of energy, and felt really good, and I maintained that until recently. So, I'm hoping I can replicate those results by going back.

If you think your health could use a kick in the right direction, I suggest you try going organic. And let me know how it goes!

10 Reasons Why I Blog

2008-05-02T10:31:00.004-05:00

The Domestic Diva challenged her readers to post why they blog. Who am I to turn down this challenge? :)
Besides, many of you, my readers, may be curious - especially my Real Life friends who might be wondering why their usually private friend has opened her doors, bared her bum, and is airing out her laundry - albeit clean and sweet smelling! :)

In turn, I challenge all of my readers with blogs to post their reasons too.
If you do, be sure to let me know in the comments here so we can come and find out why you blog.

Okay, in no particular order, here we go...

1: I blog to express myself creatively.
I design my blog's layout, pick the pictures from outside sources, showcase photos I take, and be as funny (or unfunny) as I want to be. I create something out of nothing from the crap in my head.

2: I blog for the money.
Okay, not a heck of a lot happening in that department right now, but I am experimenting with blog monetization, trying not to turn off my readers or be an ad-whore. I would truly love to make this my fulltime work especially when the kids start all-day school.

3: I blog to be with the most important people in my life.
Blogging helps me connect with the outside world (whenever I want to), while I am physically at home with my kids watching them grow up.

4: I blog to meet people from all over the world.
I've met the most interesting people online through lifecandy and via twitter. I'm happy to call some of them friends.
Also, I firmly believe that learning about others in other countries helps you appreciate other cultures including your own.

5: I blog to be my own movie star.
I've always wanted to have my own IMDB page. Unless I find myself with a successful showbiz career, this is the closest I'll ever get to that dream. :)

6: I blog to document my life.
I used to journal in real life, and I've documented my kids' development too. I like looking back at old entries and revisiting memories. Since I type faster than I write, this is considerably easier and just makes sense.

7: I blog to satisfy my nerd side.
As my friend harmzie likes to say to me, "once a nerd, always a nerd". She's right. I still love to program. I think I always will. And with my blog, I can flex my coding chops. I just have to figure out when to stop!

8: I blog to practice my writing skills.
I used to write short story erotica. Now, you won't find that kind of material on this blog, but I want to practice and improve the skill of translating my thoughts to words, so when I get back to that kind of writing, it should be easier.

9: I blog to share with others the stuff I like.
This is to give people more insight into what goes on in my head and heart, as well as how I like to live my life. And hopefully, this will also help with #2 above.

10: I blog to prove mainly to myself that, including "Mommy", I am many other things.
This is one of the reasons why I don't just write about parenting. I have other aspects of me, and by living more-than-a-mommy life, I can remind myself of those other sides... and generate writing material at the same time!

Okay, now you! :)

Ode to My Roomie

2008-05-01T09:08:00.006-05:00

Roomie is revving up for the spring college semester, but he can do all his prep work here at home. It's always so nice for all of us to be together as a family. He has such a calming effect on the kids and me, and when he's home, we all seem to laugh more.
I shamelessly stole this meme from Much More Than A Mom just for him.

Do you have a fabulous hubby (or wife)? If so, tell us about him (or her)! Have a go at this quiz in the comments here or on your blog... Consider yourself tagged. :)

How long did you date? 8 years, and that's after I avoided him for 4 months, became friends for 4 years, and best friends for 1 year.

How old is he? 40, exactly 2 years and 3 days older than me.

Who eats more? Him. Hands down. But on "Treat Day", it's a tough call.

Who said “I love you” first? He did, about 2 weeks after we started dating.

Who is taller? Him. Tall, funny, and handsome. But compared to me, almost everyone is taller.

Who sings better? I do, but I don't have the vocal power he does. And I'm a little on the shy side, where he shamelessly belts out the wrong lyrics and goes off key, all with a smile.

Who is smarter? We each have our strengths, but on the whole, his brain is quicker... crappy memory though, but I'll admit he is slightly smarter. :)

Whose temper is worse? Me. He has much more control over his temper, a tranquil river often punctuated by a shout of laughter or two.

Who does the laundry? We both do, but where I sort-wash-dry-fold-store, he just washes-dries.

Who does the dishes? I do it about 19 times out of 20, but I'm okay with it because he runs interference with the kids and I get some semblance of "alone time".

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does... it's closer to the alarm.

Who pays the bills? Me.

Who cooks dinner? I do 99% of the time.

Who drives when you are together? The chump who doesn't get in the passenger's seat fast enough!

Who is more stubborn? Depends on what it is. We're both stubborn when it comes to our individual causes. :)

Who kissed who first? I kissed him first. In fact, I jumped him in his car... then he kicked me out.

Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? It depends on the topic, but for the most part, it's me. I'll reserve judgment until I get further evidence. He'll swear up and down that he's right, until I prove him wrong... then the mocking begins!

Whose parents do you see the most? His.

Who proposed? I did. Naked proposal at 6am, complete with ring. Seriously. Had to make sure he said yes!

Who is more sensitive? Me. Especially after Lam was born. Tears at a drop of a hat.

Who has more friends? Tough call. I'll have to compare our Facebook friends lists.

Who has more siblings? Him. He has 4 siblings, and I have 1.

Who wears the pants in the family? We each have our jurisdiction, but it's pretty much equal. :)

Okay, now you!

Just Being Mallrats...

2008-04-29T12:03:00.001-05:00

Lam had been asking, for weeks, to go Downtown to have lunch at the mall, walk around the other mall, and visit the Millennium Library. There was no school on Friday and the weather was too chilly to hit the playground, so I grabbed the kids and my camera and headed for our city's fair downtown district.

Now, for a millisecond, I thought "hey, I should run some errands while I'm downtown", but I wanted this to really be a day of fun for me with my kids. We could be crazy, funny, weird and wild. I want them to know that, like Daddy, Mommy can be fun too... in a more orderly, scheduled and "inside voice" way, of course. :)

Besides, I learned very early on that, if I had errands at the mall, I should NEVER do it with the kids in tow. Take heed, soon-to-be parents, even the most well-behaved kids occasionally turn into monkeys on caffeine at the mall. My kids are angels (heck, their farts smell like flowers) and, for the most part, do what they’re told, but expecting them to follow me like little Children of the Corn on the rare mall trip is just nuts. So, no errands.

This was the perfect day to try out the new photo tips I learned from Karen, whose blog I've recently found and come to really love reading. The malls have skylights and it was a bright day - perfect ambient lighting for no flash action shots. I was quite pleased with the results. :)

I had tofu curry and honey garlic chicken at Little Bangkok Thai while the kids chose muffins for lunch. The kids loved the various skywalks and tunnels between the Downtown malls, throwing coins in the fountains, and running around the center court with a new friend. The afternoon came to a close with borrowing some Daniel Cook DVDs from the library and - the ultimate treat - picking up Daddy from work.

It was a GREAT day! :)

MEM: The Great Home Purge of 2008

2008-04-28T09:36:00.005-05:00

Image: "Power Poufs!" by decor8

I mentioned a while back that my sister-in-law and her husband are staying with us for a week. Well, they've confirmed that they'll be here on May 8th, giving me 2.5 weeks to get this place decluttered and in tip-top shape for guests.

They'll be staying in the kids' toy room, so we have to move some old toys out and move the futon from the family room there. One of the couches from the living room will go into the family room where the futon was, leaving room for shelves to be moved around in the living room. And yes, it's as complicated as it sounds!

Add to that the fact that we still have Roomie's old stuff from his Mom's house as well as boxes of unknown content strewn about that were rescued from last summer's water heater crash-and-burn in the basement.

Writing it all out now makes me just want to pitch all our stuff in the nearest BFI dumpster. But that's just not earth-friendly now, is it?!

So, for the next two weeks (actually, I started last week already!), the My Earth Monday assignment is to declutter responsibly, with as little as possible going into the landfill. I'll be recycling, reducing, and re-purposing. Here's how:

- old toys: non-cloth toys go to the Children's Hospital, stuffies go to Goodwill.
- kids' clothes: to friends with small kids, the consignment shop, and Goodwill.
- adult clothes: to Goodwill.
- kids' furniture: to consignment shop.
- everything else: to Goodwill.

If you can suggest any other place where this stuff is much more needed, please let me know!

When all is said and done, I'll be monitoring what comes into this house much more carefully to avoid any new clutter catastrophes!

It takes a lot more work than the easy grab-and-dump I was tempted to do, but isn't our Earth worth it?

It's All About You!

2008-04-24T08:41:00.003-05:00

Image: "Dave Wants You" by Chris Owens

Today's post is all about you! For this week's 52WoC task, I want to know about YOU, my dear readers, the clever folk who come and read my pearls of wisdom. :)

So, please tell me...

1: Who are you? What do you like to be called? (Feel free to be creative with that second question.)

2: Where are you from? Which country do you live in?

3: What is your favourite colour?

4: What is your favourite song?

5: How did you find my blog?

Bonus Question: Do you have a blog? If so, please let us know the url, and we'll come visit!

Please give us your answers in the comments. Can't wait to hear from you!

Poll Results: My Favourite Place on Earth

2008-04-22T08:02:00.005-05:00

Image: Hawaii Faves by Dan Zen

Happy Earth Day!
Last week's poll asked if you've been to my favourite place on Earth: Hawai'i. More specifically, I asked which Hawaiian Islands you've visited. Sadly, most of you have never even been to one!

My 4 months living as a local in the fine town of Hilo on the Big Island, getting to know the people and the places, were among the most idyllic and enriching in my life. I highly recommend it as a vacation spot, especially if you get out of the "tourist-y" spots and make the time to visit the historical monuments and heritage sites. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

Now, we all have our preconceived ideas of The Islands. Before I moved there, my views were limited to hula dancers, beaches, and luaus. But there's so much more!

Here are my list of the top 6 things that surprised me about Hawai'i... maybe they'll surprise you too...

1: Aloha Fridays
Fridays are a special day where the Aloha Spirit is celebrated. Men don their best Aloha shirts, and women dress to the nines in their sundresses and muu-muus. Whatever you wear, it must have a tropical Aloha pattern. And everywhere you go, you hear the It's Aloha Friday song on PA systems and speakers.
My husband has continued this tradition of wearing his Aloha shirt on Fridays here in Winnipeg.

2: Cockroaches
These dudes are EVERYWHERE! They're big, and they fly! When I moved there, Roomie had already duct taped every opening he could find to keep them out, but once in a while, one STILL found a way in. You could find them on your toothbrush in the morning, in your bedside glass of water, and in empty pop cans. Yuck...

3: Largest Cattle Ranch
Bread is expensive in Hawai'i because many ingredients have to be imported. A loaf could cost $4CDN. But a quality lean 2 inch steak could also cost just $4CDN because beef doesn't have to be shipped in. Why? The largest contiguous ranch in the US is in Hawaii. The Parker Ranch has about 480,000 acres of land.

4: Oh, the aromas!
The Hawaiian Islands are ripe with the scent of flowers, beach, coconut and ocean. But don't breath too deeply! My husband occasionally complained that, during his bike-ride to work, tempted by a whiff of something sweet and beautiful, he would inhale deeply only to catch a smell of animal manure, rotting vegetation, or animal carcass, when the wind would shift. Lovely.

5: SPAM
And I'm not talking about the email kind! Hawaiians love this canned pork product. All Hawai'i McDonald's have added it to its breakfast menu; Hawaiians developed a Spam sushi (which you can get at 7-Elevens); and there's even an annual festival in Waikiki called Spam Jam. Many call Spam the "Hawaiian Soul Food".

6: Most Observatories
Hawai'i contains the world's largest collection of telescopes and scientific observatories in the world. They are all on the summit of dormant volcanoes. My husband worked at one on Mauna Kea. He took me on a tour. It was cool. :)

Okay, it's Earth Day. Get out there, and enjoy your little corner of the world!

My Earth Monday: Celebrating Earth Day

2008-04-21T09:10:00.006-05:00

Image: Atlas, it's time for your bath by woodleywonderworks

Tomorrow is April 22nd, the 39th Earth Day!

If you're an old pro at doing the green thing, you probably already have plans to celebrate in a big way. But if you're a novice but want to do something quick and easy for the day, try these:

1: Walk, cycle, or take public transit to work, instead of taking the car.

2: Buy nothing, or if you need to buy something, head over to your nearest health food store or organic grocer, and purchase the eco-friendly version.

3: Plant a tree.

4: Make your meals using only locally grown produce.

5: Go vegetarian for the day.

6: Have an Earth Hour.

7: Wear earthy colours such as green, brown, rusty reds, terra cotta oranges, and deep sea blues.

8: Collect all of your raw vegetable waste (ie. banana peels, onion skins, apple cores, etc.), and give them to a friend who has a compost bin.

9: Change one or more of your light bulbs into energy efficient bulbs.

10: Go to one of the many Earth Day celebrations in your city. Check online for festivities near you. In Canada, go to Earth Day Canada.

11: Recycle everything!

So, what are you doing to celebrate Earth Day? Do you have any ideas you can add to our list?

It's Aloha Friday! v.II

2008-04-18T07:28:00.007-05:00

Image: Kalua pig being removed from the imu by tweber1

It's Aloha Friday - No work till Monday!...

It's another Aloha Friday, so let's swig some mango juice, dig up that kalua pig, grab the hula sarong & aloha shirt, and celebrate with a sweet mix of topics...

1) A big THANK YOU to friend and fellow bloggista Jami at Bionic Beauty for nominating me for a Blogger's Choice Award in the Hottest Mommy Blogger category & Best Blog About Stuff category :)
Some people don't get excited about awards, but I do! Frankly, the hottest mommy thing has me blushing a bit, but hey, it could be an award for best trepanation technique or best merkin design (both of which I DON'T have on this blog, by the way), and I'd take it! :)
So, please head over there and vote for me!... because we all know I deserve it. Okay, just kidding ;)

2) It appears that I may have been channeling when I wrote No More Plastic Water Bottles, the My Earth Monday where I ditch plastic water bottles for an aluminum SIGG bottle.
You've all probably heard by now about stores pulling all bottles made with BPA or bisphenol A, a plastic chemical with links to potential long-term risks of breast and prostate cancer. These are baby bottles and workout water bottles, including brands such as Avent and Nalgene, among others.
Makes me thankful my little ones went from breast straight to straw/sippy cups.
Be sure to look through your plastics and look for the recycling triangle with a "7" in the center... those are the ones you need to get rid of.
Go. Do it now. I'll wait...

3) My SIL and her hubby are coming to stay with us for a week next month. They are very nice people, and I want their stay to be a comfortable and pleasant one. But that's not going to happen if I don't declutter this joint! I'm going to have my hands full these next few weeks getting rid of stuff and rearranging furniture. This is the push I need to get me off my complacent bum and get things done. I'm really looking forward to it!

4) I need to stop eating yogurt... I'm becoming addicted again. :)

5) I swear my son is Hermes Conrad. Over the past few months, he's been making me fill out forms, talk through an intercom, and understand his cross-referencing scheme with catalogues, item numbers, and his birthday list (which is tacked on the fridge). And he does a mean limbo! :)

6) Meanwhile, my daughter is becoming quite the little daredevil. I bought both kids big fluffy floor pillows, and I know this weekend will mainly consist of me trying to stop her from launching herself off chairs onto the big pile of pillows... and other potential pointy things underneath.

So, what are your plans for this weekend? Are they as exciting (or nerve-wracking) as mine?

And Pretty Books All in a Row...

2008-04-16T20:11:00.002-05:00

Poll Results: Cell Phones - Never Leave Home Without 'Em

2008-04-15T08:57:00.006-05:00

Image: Samurai on a Cell Phone by rumpleteaser

This week's poll attracted only 5 voters. I'd like to think my regular visitors just didn't know to look for it. :)
The Weekly Poll is new, but it's a permanent feature, so be sure to look for a new poll every week in the sidebar, every Tuesday.

This week's results didn't surprise me at all. All 5 voters considered their cellphones a must-have, never-leave-home-without-it item.

I would've voted the same way. If I'm out with the kids, I like to know that I can call Roomie or 911 in case of emergency, or if I'm out with the girls, I like to know that Roomie can reach me for any "Help, Mommy!" event.

Do you remember a time when we DIDN'T have cell phones? I don't. How did we arrange meet-ups with people on the fly? How did we call our spouses that we'd be late for dinner because we're stuck in traffic? Did we really run to the nearest pay phone only to find we had no quarters? Yipes!

If you have a concern or two that have kept you from getting your own cell phone, I've complied 5 Cell Phone Myths and their explanations.

Myth: You can unlock a car with a cell phone.
False - Unlocking your spouse's car door from home through your cell phones doesn't work because the only thing sent through is the tone of the button being pressed not the radio frequency needed to actually open the door.

Myth: Cell phones cause plane crashes.
Inconclusive - In 2003, the UK's Civil Aviation Authority ran some tests with simulated cell phone signals in a chamber on the ground, and found the signals interfered with the equipment. However, these results were never replicated in a running aircraft. Flight attendants will still make you shut down your stuff at takeoff and landings not only to err on the side of caution but to make sure laptops and cell phones don't go flying in an emergency stop.

Myth: Cell phones cause explosions at gas pumps.
False - Cell phones do not emit enough static electricity to ignite fuel vapours. This rumour was circulated in 2002 and stated that Shell warned of 3 instances of cell phone caused explosions. Shell has since claimed it was a hoax.

Myth: Cell phone signals disrupt hospital equipment, killing patients.
False - In a study performed by the Mayo Clinic in 2006 involving 300 tests, 2 cellular phones with different technologies from different carriers and 192 medical devices, no problems were encountered whatsoever. They encourage hospitals and clinics to alter or remove bans on cell phones.

Myth: Carrying a cell phone in your pocket will affect sperm count and cause male infertility.
True - sort of. An Ohio study divided 361 men based on the degree of their cell phone use, and although they have yet to test for other factors such as drug usage, occupation, etc., there was a correlation between low sperm count and high cell usage.

My Earth Monday: The Done List

2008-04-14T09:39:00.012-05:00

Image: Its Future is in our Hands by aussiegal

You may have noticed when I announced the launch of My Earth Mondays that I gave no end date. My Earth Monday is forever.
Plus, it's not just tasks for us to complete. It's green gadgets, eco stories, and earthy photos I find to share with you to help raise awareness of the world around us.

The "My" part of the title is not just for me. I named it that way so you can all take ownership of this planet and to encourage you to feel you can take part.
This is why I'm so pleased at the comments and emails saying "okay, I'll try that too!" and "hey, have you done this?" Your participation means a lot.

This week, instead of a task, I'm sharing with you the list of green things I already do. I've sent several replies to visitors saying "I already do that. Do you have any other suggestions?", so this should help if you want me to try something out that I've never done before. And maybe this list can give you ideas to add to your list.

So, do you do any of this stuff already? What is on your green list?

Here's my green list:

1. Use a programmable thermostat to automatically turn down the heat at night.
2. Compost.
3. Made all my bills electronic. (I tried to do my phone bill, but they still snail mail me my bill - must call them today.)
4. No smoking.
5. Use wind-up flashlights.
6. Use rechargeable batteries for digital camera.
7. Use cold water for laundry.
8. Use a natural laundry detergent.
9. Enforce a shoes-off-at-the-door policy.
10. Recycle everything that can be recycled.
11. Use reusable bags instead of plastic grocery bags.
12. Use towels at least 5 times before changing them.
13. Growing indoor plants.
14. Use Method dishwashing liquid.
15. Use Norwex cleaning cloths and water for everyday cleaning (diluted dishwashing liquid for heavier dirt).
16. Properly dispose of my used batteries at a local hazard waste depot.
17. "If it's yellow, let it mellow..."
18. Pick up litter when I spot it.
19. Continue to reuse our ugly fake Christmas Tree and reuse our favourite ornaments, instead of buying new Christmas decorations.
20. Have occasional "inside days" when we don't go out and spend money.
21. Drive a fuel efficient vehicle.
22. Own one vehicle for family use.
23. Live centrally where every convenience is in walking distance.
24. Xeriscaping the front yard.

That's all I can think of...Okay, now you!

Results of Last Week's My Earth Monday: Switch to Natural Bath Products...

My new favourite body wash is Desert Essence Organics' Green Apple & Ginger Body Wash. It was not drying, lathered nicely, and had a scent that was vaguely reminiscent of the watered down martinis my friends and I used to down every Payday Friday in the late '90s. I should get harmzie or myrtle to smell my arm... maybe they'll recognize it! :)
They contain "NO parabens, NO Sodium Laurel/Laureth Sulfates, NO Phthalates, NO Artificial Fragrances or Colors, NO Silicones, NO EDTA, NO Glycols and NO Petroleum based ingredients". They are cruelty free and are completely biodegradable. Very nice.
$8.99 for a 237ml tube.

I LOVE my new hair products! I went to my local VitaHealth market and bought the Rejuvenating Shampoo and Conditioner by Green Beaver Company. I even used it on the kids when I gave them their bath last night. My (and the kids') hair is so bouncy! I am more than pleased. They were about $8.99 each for the 325ml bottles. It's not drugstore prices, but it's worth it... oh, and it's a Canadian company using wild and organic Canadian ingredients.

What's Your Makeup Lingerie?

2008-04-11T09:34:00.006-05:00

All my makeup fits in a small Kama Sutra Honey Dust tin... with room to spare. No, I don't have much makeup. Not anymore, at least. In my 20s, I experimented a LOT. I lived in Hawaii (you can get stuff in the US you just can't get in Canada) and Vancouver BC (you can get stuff in Vancouver you just can't get in Winnipeg) at the time. My bathroom counter was lined with every skincare and cosmetics line you can imagine!

But when I hit my 30s (and once again living in Winnipeg), I realized that sinking half my paycheque into an RRSP (registered retirement savings plan) rather than the local M.A.C. counter would probably be better for my future. Around this time, I started to adopt a more natural look, just enhancing what I already had.

Thus evolved what my friend Jen at Mythbuster Beauty calls my "makeup lingerie".

What is "makeup lingerie"?
It's the bra and panties of the face. It's what you would never leave the house without putting on first, just in case you run into an old high school rival or the ex who dumped you, or heaven forbid, you get hit by a bus (hope you have clean underwear on too!).

So, what's YOUR makeup lingerie?

Here's mine:

mascara - Avon Astonishing Lengths waterproof (black) - and my lashes must be curled!

brow gel - Rimmel Style & Shine

tinted lip balm - Aveda (coco plum)

tinted moisturizer - PF Organic wear (Natural to Tan) - used as concealer around the eyes

Okay, now you! :)

Hula Event: Raiatea Helm's 2008 Hawaiian Blossom Tour

2008-04-11T08:19:00.004-05:00

Raiatea Helm's 2008 Hawaiian Blossom Tour
with special guests Kumu Hula Patrick Makuakāne
and Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu

Raiatea Helm is a 23-year-old Hawaiian musical phenomenon the New York Times has described as "poised and utterly elegant." She is a two-time Grammy Nominee (2006 & 2008) and multiple award-winning Nā Hōku Hanohano recipient who brings her acclaimed Hawaiian musical repertoire to San Francisco. She will be performing with Grammy Award winner Jeff Peterson (Hawaiian slack key guitar) as well as her acclaimed band: Aaron Sala (piano) Bryan Tolentino ('ukulele), and Stephen Jones (upright bass).

Guest appearances by world-famous Hālau Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu and Kumu Hula Patrick Makuakāne will make this a night of Hawaiian music and dance not to be missed!

Herbst Theatre - San Francisco
Saturday April 19 7:30pm

Tickets On Sale Now!

For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit the City Box Office web site >

City Box Office

(415) 392-4400

(800) 407-1400

About Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu

Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu is a dynamic Hawaiian dance company based in San Francisco. The company features hula as a full theatrical experience that is visually captivating. Its performances are a rich blend of traditional and contemporary forms of hula.

Learn more >

Purchase Tickets

City Box Office

Raiatea Helm Web Site

Raiatea Helm on MySpace

Quick Links

Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu
1527 20th Street

San Francisco, CA

94107

Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu | a Section 501(c)(3) non-proft organization

Demystifying CRON

2008-04-10T10:26:00.005-05:00

The process usually goes like this... People visit my blog, find my picture and description, see "CRONista", stop and wonder, check the "faq" tab, find nothing about "CRONista" there, wonder some more, and then depending on whether they really care or not, they either shrug and move on to other stuff or find my email and question me.

I love getting questions about Calorie Restriction - Optimal Nutrition, aka CRON. There are a lot of misconceptions about it, and although I've only been practicing it for 2 years and spent the last year more off the wagon than on, I believe in this fabulously healthy way of eating and will do what I can to clear any confusion others may have...

... as long as you're open-minded and not just here to criticize.

Standard Disclaimer: Don't take this post as a "you must do this" lecture. It's not. There is no perfect way of eating for everyone. We are all different, and we all have different lifestyles. CRON is what feels right for me. On CRON, I've felt my healthiest, had the most energy, felt most clear minded, and looked my best. And for heaven's sake, see your healthcare provider and tell them if you're going to change your diet and/or activity level in any way... it's just common sense.
[rant] Oh, and save the "your way sucks" drivel for the bible-thumpers at your front door. [/rant]

So here, I answer the 5 questions I've been asked most about CRON, describing how I practice it and hopefully dispelling any myths you may have heard.

1 - Uh, what's CRON?
CRON stands for Calorie Restriction Optimum Nutrition. Research conducted by biosphere2 physician Dr. Roy Walford showed that, by restricting calories and eating only nutrient-dense food, you can improve your health and extend your life.
Think of it as a "low-calorie/eat-no-crap" diet.
The lower you go, the longer the life. Some people (like me) do moderate-CRON, which is primarily obesity avoidance, which does extend life by avoiding cancer, some mental illnesses, as well as, of course, diseases associated with obesity.
Other CRONies participate try to go as low cal as they can in an effort to truly prolong life; many of these fine folk participate in scientific studies to verify in humans what has already been proven in many other species: that calorie restriction does improve and extend life.

2 - This is just another cookie cutter, fad diet, isn't it?
Not really, because you are only given 2 "rules", and the rest is up to you. You can go vegetarian, low-carb, ayurvedic, alkaline-balanced, etc. as long as the calories are controlled and no empty calories!
To eat this way, you actually have to think. First of all, you have to decide how low in calories to go. Then, you have to make a conscious decision to eat one thing that will nourish you versus eat another thing that will nourish you less. Your calories are restricted so you have to make each one count.

3 - Is it a starvation diet? It sounds like it!
No, it's not a starvation diet because you try to ensure that you get ALL of the vitamins and minerals dictated by the RDA.
As for calorie levels, depending on what your physician and biomarkers (blood pressure, cholesterol level, starting weight, blood glucose levels, BMI, etc.) tell you, you decide on a level of calorie intake that is best for you.
Do you want to go moderate? Do you want to go full-CRON? You have to factor in your level of activity, your lifestyle, if you have a family (people under the age of 21 should NOT do CRON), if you do a lot of socializing where food is involved, among many other things.

It's a quality of life diet. If your workouts are suffering, if you have to eat out a lot for your job, if mealtimes at home are getting tough, don't be afraid to bring calories up a little.

4 - Do I have to count every single calorie? That sounds rather obsessive and extreme.
I don't, but if that's what you want to do, go ahead. Many of my fellow CRONies have a great deal of success doing that. In fact, there are even online/desktop programs designed to keep track of calories and nutrients - here's a good one that many CRONies use.
But if you don't want to calorie count, you seriously don't have to. :)
I've tried it, and it doesn't work for me. Like other CRONies, I've learned to listen to my body's signals. I try to eat slowly, so I can detect when I'm full. I practice what the long-lived Okinawan people call hara hachi bu, which basically means "eat until 80% full".
I avoid empty calories and high-cal/low-nutrient foods, like many grains.
I monitor my weight. I know where I should be, and if I creep up too high, I slowly - over a matter of weeks - I bring it back down.
This is not a "how many pounds can I drop in 2 weeks?" kind of diet, because that kind of practice would make people sick. You want to maintain good health... otherwise, don't do CRON at all.

5 - CRON is just another eating disorder
Personally, I think over-eating is an eating disorder, and so many in North America do that and no one says anything.
Really, people who do have eating disorders are those who tend to hate their bodies, want to harm themselves, or just don't care.
If you're just looking to do those things to yourself by cutting your calories, you aren't doing CRON! Simple as that. CRON is a way for people to feel good and stay healthy, and for many extend their lives.

Okay, that's all. I could talk about this so much longer, but I do want to get to supper eventually. :)

Any more questions? Email me.

Wanna try?

The Longevity Diet by Brian Delaney and Lisa Walford

http://www.calorierestriction.org/

Wordless Wednesday: Squishy & Fun

2008-04-09T16:08:00.002-05:00

The Sun Comes Out and the Snow Boots Come Off

2008-04-08T10:48:00.004-05:00

It'll be 9C today, if the weather people are to be believed, and since it was warm enough yesterday for Mini to forgo wearing her jacket, I figured we should start to make the transition to spring outerwear.

So, I went into the bowels of my home and brought up the spring/summer jackets and shoes. They all still fit for the most part, except for Lam's rain boots. Too small. Bummer, really, because his not wanting to wear his snow boots to school anymore was actually the catalyst for this event. Again, bummer.

Mini, on the other hand, is in rain boot heaven. Her yellow boots finally fit, and she's been wearing them around the house. "Look, Mommy, my boots fit! I'm a big girl, right?!"

You know, it's transitions like these - going from winter to summer and vice versa - that frustrate me. We now have two sets of outer wear in our closet because Winnipeg weather is very fickle until about, oh, June, when it allows us to put our parkas in storage.

Meh, I should just stop complaining. It's getting warmer, and the snow drifts on my front yard are melting. Happy happy. :)

Friends south of the equator are experiencing their seasonal transition too.

So, are you all suited up for the new season? Not yet? Have been for weeks already?