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I received more campaign garbage in the mail on Saturday, including one flyer that really rubbed me the wrong way.
It was dubbed something like a “complete voting guide” for one of the parties - listing the party’s presidential candidate and all of the local, state, etc. folks running. That was their “complete guide” - a list of names, with the party name emphasized below each one, and the office they’re running for. No mention of the issues.
What really got me is that the list was done in vote ballot format, showing voters that they could either manually fill in their little circles for each one, or that they could just fill in their little party bubble and vote party lines.
That’s always disgusted me. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think anyone should be allowed to place all votes across party lines by simply filling in a little circle (or whatever you do where you are). While I’m sure this is an unpopular opinion, I feel that if you don’t know the issues, you really have no “right” to vote in that particular race. Anything else is ignorance - something we have far too much of here already. I’m sure it happens elsewhere, but obviously it’s on my mind locally with the election tomorrow.
I never vote in a race where I’m not aware of the candidates’ positions on issues that are important to me. I also never vote strictly along party lines - I very regularly end up with a pretty even mix of votes for liberal and conservative candidates depending who I feel is the best man or woman for the job, period. There’s no other valid reason to vote for someone as far as I’m concerned. And frankly, as an American, knowing exactly what we’re voting for is more than a simple suggestion - it’s our responsibility.
So if you’re an American who plans to vote tomorrow, I truly hope that you’re more than just a label.
I’m only 28. I say “only,” because I know in the grand scheme of things I’m still relatively young. Yet I feel so damned old sometimes. It’s part biological clock, and part simply biology. I’ve been working on a novel that deals with a near-thirtysomething female. It’s a comedy. The character certainly has some similarities to me (geography for example, because it just worked for the story, and of course general age), but she’s still far from me on most levels.
In order to take the novel from the completed outline into drafting, I’ve been doing everything I can to get into her head. One of those things involved taking a good hard look at myself - my job, my body, my emotions, and how all of those things make me feel knowing that 30 is just around the corner. Am I where I wanted to be? Am I seeing signs of aging? etc.
Much to my dismay, I looked a bit too hard. While looking in the mirror I noticed my eyes weren’t quite as bright as they once were. There were dark spots under each towards the inside of the eye. The skin around the eyes seemed oddly dry. And then I saw them… no… no… NO!!! Little lines starting to poke out from the sides of my eyes. Oh my god. I’m getting crow’s feet!
Sure, they’re inevitable. But I will NOT succumb to wrinkles before I’m 30. You’d damned well better believe I’m gonna put up a fight. So immediately I started exfoliating and deeply moisturizing around the eye area. After a few days, the lines didn’t look nearly as bad (still had them though - and those dark spots).
Then I was talking to my sister (she’s ten years younger than me, so still a teen). I mentioned my cosmetic drama, and she had the nerve to say something to the effect of her teachers telling them to use eye creams now so they don’t get wrinkles when they’re “my age.” “MY age??” If there was ever cause for a sisterly cat fight, that was it. But I kept my composure, left, went home, and sunk myself into work.
Yesterday I broke down and went out to buy some new products - needed new face products anyway, was looking for a decent microdermabrasion kit for home use but couldn’t find one, and yes, I picked up some eye cream.
I must have read the package of every eye cream, eye gel, and collagen filler created - twice. I had no idea what to buy. I’d already used eye gels in the past. While they feel refreshing, they don’t tend to make visible changes. So I ruled them out. I figured that since the skin was so dry around my eyes, a thick cream would be best. I went with Garnier Nutrioniste ultra-lift anti-wrinkle firming eye cream. Sounds like it does it all, right? I actually only settled on it, because I liked the perky looking little green tub it comes in (I don’t normally like Garnier’s products).
I slathered the cream all around my eyes last night after washing my face - under them, over them, and on both sides. Sure, my eyes looks a bit more “glowy” then - what else would you expect with the wet shimmer of freshly-absorbed cream on your skin?
What really shocked me was waking up. As I was about to put the cream on again this morning, I was looking at my eyes in the mirror and noticed that my dark spots were VERY much lighter! As a matter of fact, I barely have any darkness under my left eye at ALL! I still can see my little sideline friends (don’t get me wrong - you probably wouldn’t even see them if you weren’t specifically looking for them - it’s just traumatic when you first see your own lines forming - I’ve now sworn off magnifying mirrors). However, they’re even a bit less visible next to my right eye already.
I’m not a big believer in miracle products. To this date, I’ve only found one - oregano oil (kills a cold in 1-2 days flat, and completely, killed strep throat when antibiotics weren’t working, clears up congestions - the shit can do anything - it’s awesome - tastes like something died though).
Now I can say I’ve found two. This stuff actually works. Hopefully it will keep working over the long haul and I’ll see even more changes - I certainly never expected to see changes literally overnight.
Organic Fudge - Chocolate on the Job
Author: Jenn, Category: Stuff
One of the greatest things about blogging being a part of my overall business model is that all of the great things I do or try for the sake of reviews are technically a part of my work. This past week that included eating chocolate “on the job” - lots of it. Envy me ladies.
I had some organic Rich Rainforest Dark fudge sent over for review from Earth’s Sweet Pleasures. Here’s my review:
Not previously having any kind of organic food shipped via mail, I had no idea what to expect when I received the Rich Rainforest Dark fudge from Earth’s Sweet Pleasures. I was imagining that something like fudge would arrive on the soft side given the summer heat.
Much to my surprise, it arrived in perfect condition - no melting; no stickiness. As a matter of fact, there was a “dry” element to it that a lot of fudge lacks. I mean that in a good way. Dry to the touch, but it could practically melt in your mouth - now that’s what fudge is supposed to be like if you ask me.
In addition to being new to organic fudge at all, I’m also not a big chocolate lover. It’s rare that I actually want to eat chocolate, but I found that once I tasted this, I was loving it (and sharing it - it was equally loved all around). The fudge was so rich that it was ideal - it could satisfy any chocolate craving, but you wouldn’t find yourself mindlessly devouring it (something that rich has to be savored; not inhaled).
In addition to loving the organic fudge itself, the way it’s packaged was wonderful (probably even moreso for the chocoholic types) - it’s broken down into individual one ounce cubes, so you always know exactly what you’re eating - something anyone counting calories would love. I don’t know what exactly makes this fudge so outstanding. All I know is that I fully intend to order more.
Fudge = Family Female Bonding
OK, so we didn’t actually “bond” over fudge, but not being the chocolate-craving type myself, I decided to share with my mother and my sister. I brought some over to their place, and they both loved it. My sister’s first reaction had to do with the “dry” element (in a good way) that I mentioned in the review above. My mother doesn’t particularly like fudge - but this she said “went down easy” - she loved it. See that? It isn’t just me. This is some good stuff.
How it Measured Up
Why share one type of fudge if we could share three? I hadn’t eaten any kind of fudge in ages, so I didn’t feel that a review alone was enough (and you don’t have to be a chocolate addict to occasionally just want an excuse to eat more of it).
I decided to pit it against two other types of fudge: Plain chocolate fudge from the local Gertrude Hawk shop, and some plain chocolate fudge from a local department store, Boscov’s (they make it “in-house”).
The organic fudge from Earth’s Sweet Pleasures came out on top when all three of us compared all three types of fudge.
For my mother and me, it won hands-down. The department store fudge tasted like glorified canned cake frosting rather than fudge (I couldn’t eat more than a dime-sized piece to test it - gave the rest to them, and I believe it’s still just sitting around). My mother said the Gertrude Hawk fudge seemed sweeter - too sweet compared to the organic fudge she had earlier. I loved the Gertrude Hawk fudge, but not as much as the other option. It was definitely rich. My problem has more to do with how it was stored - they had it sitting next to peanut butter fudge, and it picked up the taste (disgustingly so - a rich chocolate fudge that’s “plain” shouldn’t have a lingering and somewhat overpowering taste of peanuts).
For my sister, the same complaints were made about the department store fudge. She had a tougher time choosing between the shipped fudge and the Gertrude Hawk fudge.
In the end, if I wanted fudge immediately, I’d run to the store and get it from Gertrude Hawk. If I knew I was going to need it (special event, just to have for a weekend, for a gift, etc.), I would absolutely order from Earth’s Sweet Pleasures instead.
YogaToes Knock My Socks Off
Author: Jenn, Category: Stuff
I learned a long time ago not to take my feet for granted. I pamper them often enough I suppose. I’m also a fan of yoga. But yoga for your feet? I’ll admit the YogaToes name was the first thing that got my attention.
After looking into YogaToes (from YogaPro), I found myself itching to try them. But I was hesitant. The price isn’t ridiculous or anything, but it was just enough to make me wonder if I really wanted to spend that much for something I was going to stick between my toes.
Then two things happened:
- I was having guy issues (and man-induced mood swings are best alleviated with personal pampering), and
- I was paging through a magazine and saw a coupon for $15 off YogaToes (or something like that).
In that moment of “weakness” I let out a big “Why not?” and went online to order a pair.
Remind me to spend more money when I’m down.
YogaToes are the best purchase I’ve made for myself in a while when it comes to things that simply make me feel good (and I went on a pampering “binge” just a few months ago, so that’s saying something). I’d say they’re “better than chocolate,” but that wouldn’t be saying much, as I’m anything but a chocoholic.
OK. I love them. But what do they do?
Yoga toes are toe separators on steroids. You know those little toe separators you use during a pedicure? It’s a similar concept - only it feels awesome.
You slide your toes into the holes in the rubbery (although honestly scentless, not to mention easy to clean) YogaToes, and they’re basically pulled apart. You can wet the YogaToes if you find it hard to get them on, but I generally find that I don’t need to do that.
My only wish is that they offered a larger size (I have big old freaky feet, so I used the medium size - they also have small). However, it’s not their fault that I don’t feel more of a stretch (and I do feel a stretch). I would say I wear flip flops 95% of the time, and I pretty much never have my feet in pointy-toed shoes. In otherwords, my feet aren’t as abused as those of many women - my toes aren’t regularly crammed together, so they didn’t need to be stretched out much.
The longer I keep them on, the more I forget about them, but the more I feel them working. Yes, I know that sounds contradictory, but it’s the truth.
I feel most of the stretch between the last two toes on my right foot, which are closer together than my other toes for whatever reason. You could call it pain. But I love it. No, I’m not a masochist - it’s the kind of “pain” that lets you know something’s working, but not so uncomfortable that you want to stop. It’s good pain.
I wear my YogaToes as often as possible. I’m even wearing them right now while I’m blogging. I couldn’t suggest strongly enough that you do the same.
Whether you abuse your feet daily in pointy-toed heels, or you just want to treat your feet to a bit of deserved attention, YogaToes are more than worth the investment. Not only do they make your feet feel great, but they’re as close to effortless as you can get when it comes to any kind of stretching - you just put them on and forget about them.
Personally I bought the pretty blue ones you see here in the pictures, but don’t fret - there are plenty of feminine (and even manly) options to choose from.