This is soooooo funny!!! I practically exer-cried! Jimmy Kimmel is brilliantastic!
Monday 28 February 2011
Saturday 26 February 2011
Toxic Chemicals In Beauty Products - What To Avoid
A friend of mine suggested to me tonight that I do a post on chemicals in our beauty products. I had been toying with the idea too and thought it would be a great one to talk about. I actually read about this last summer and it inspired me to switch all of my beauty products over to healthier ones.
There are twelve chemicals that are used in personal care products that are harmful to humans, and include things like carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, and hormone disruptors. The list of these chemicals is called the dirty dozen and you can find them in your soaps, shampoos, moisturizers and make-up, among other things. One of the scariest things about this, is that though each of your products may have only one or a two of the chemicals in them (but many have more), the combination of using all of your products together means that you may be using many or all twelve of them daily. And they get absorbed into your skin when you use them. I checked all of my beauty products and every single one of them had at least one, or more, of the chemicals on the list. Even my kids' shampoo and baby wash had these chemicals in them! I couldn't believe that these products specifically, which are marketed for children and babies, have toxic chemicals in them. The stuff that is label to be "gentle" and "pure," is not at all.
So go ahead, check out that list and compare it to your beauty products. Go and see what you are really using. I bet it isn't what you thought. I went out and found some healthy alternatives at a heath food store. Even some of the big box stores are carrying organic and healthy product lines now, which aren't that much more expensive. It certainly was a switch that I am happy with. To find out more, check out this great article.
Wow, The Public Outcry Worked!
I am so happy that the CRTC is withdrawing it's proposal to allow lies in the news in Canada. People responded to this proposal with a huge public outcry and it worked. Almost 100,000 people signed a petition to stop this, and the CRTC listened. What a relief! It makes me feel like the people can make a difference! Check out the article:
www.cbc.ca
The CRTC withdraws a controversial proposal that would have given TV and radio stations more leeway to broadcast false or misleading news.
What Is A Good Friend?
I have to give props where props are due. I just started this blog and got lots of great advice from a good writer friend of mine Kyra of The Scribe's Desk (I needed the advice too, I was nervous about doing this, about writing and putting my thoughts and opinions out into the ether, for anyone to read and possibly diss). And what a good friend she is, commenting on all my posts and giving me great feedback. A good friend is someone who is supportive of your new endeavors, who has your back when you need it, and even if you don't talk for awhile can pick up just like no time had passed. I really appreciate all the help and support you have given me and I can't wait to read your new children's book, Tale of the Lost Swan Egg. I bet my kids will love it!
Friday 25 February 2011
Adele - What A Voice!!!
A friend of mine posted this song on Facebook and I'm in love, I can't stop listening to it! Her voice is so beautiful and haunting. You can read the lyrics in the description part of the YouTube page. They really made me think back to my late teens, early 20's, and all the falling in love I did back then. I think that this is a song that almost anyone can relate to, talking about love and glory days. It makes me all nostalgic. It's crazy how a song can elicit so many emotions and memories out of you, just by someone sharing a story or experience. It's like that story makes you feel connected to the person singing it. Anyways, it's a really beautiful song, check it out if you like...
Wednesday 23 February 2011
Libya: Stop the Crackdown, Sign This Petition
In Libya, Colonel Qaddafi's armed forces are using machine guns and fighter jets against pro-democracy protesters -- hundreds have already been killed and, without immediate international action, the situation could spiral into a national bloodbath.
I've just sent a message calling on the UN and the EU to take immediate steps against Libya's brutal regime to stop the crackdown on protesters. Join me!Tuesday 22 February 2011
I Love This Carrot Soup!
A friend of mine gave me the best carrot soup recipe ever. Every time I make it I feel like a good cook (even though I'm not so much). I told my husband yesterday that I would make it today, and he held me to it. I offered to pick him up from work and he chose to take the bus home instead, so that I could stay home and make the soup (it takes me awhile to make it). That's how much he likes it, and he always has seconds. Let me share this hearty, thick, healthy recipe with you:
3 tbsp butter or margerine
1 large onion, chopped
1-2 cloves of garlic, crushed
3 cups carrots, sliced
3 3/4 cups vegetable bouillon
3/4 tsp ground cumin
2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
1 cup potato, diced
2 tsp tomato paste
2 tsp lemon juice
2 fresh or dried bay leaves
about 1 1/4 cups skim milk
salt and pepper
-Melt the butter or margerine in a large pan. Add the onion and garlic and cook very gently until soft.
-Add the carrots and cook gently for a further 5 minutes, stirring frequently and taking care they don't brown.
-Add the bouillon, cumin, seasoning, celery, potato, tomato paste, lemon juice, and bay leaves and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes until the vegetables are tender (I find if you cut the veggies small enough you can cook it for about 20 minutes if you're in a rush).
-Remove and discard the bay leaves, cool the soup a little (I never cool it myself, I just use a hand blender right away in the pot, I'm always in too much of a rush), then press it through a strainer or process in a food processor or blender until smooth.
-Pour the soup into a clean pan, add the milk, and bring to a boil over low heat. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Serves 4-6, prepares in 15 min (takes me longer, I guess I am slow), cooks in 45 min.
Enjoy!!!
PS I usually double this recipe so that I have lots left over, perfect for freezing or having for a few nights in a row.
3 tbsp butter or margerine
1 large onion, chopped
1-2 cloves of garlic, crushed
3 cups carrots, sliced
3 3/4 cups vegetable bouillon
3/4 tsp ground cumin
2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
1 cup potato, diced
2 tsp tomato paste
2 tsp lemon juice
2 fresh or dried bay leaves
about 1 1/4 cups skim milk
salt and pepper
-Melt the butter or margerine in a large pan. Add the onion and garlic and cook very gently until soft.
-Add the carrots and cook gently for a further 5 minutes, stirring frequently and taking care they don't brown.
-Add the bouillon, cumin, seasoning, celery, potato, tomato paste, lemon juice, and bay leaves and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes until the vegetables are tender (I find if you cut the veggies small enough you can cook it for about 20 minutes if you're in a rush).
-Remove and discard the bay leaves, cool the soup a little (I never cool it myself, I just use a hand blender right away in the pot, I'm always in too much of a rush), then press it through a strainer or process in a food processor or blender until smooth.
-Pour the soup into a clean pan, add the milk, and bring to a boil over low heat. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Serves 4-6, prepares in 15 min (takes me longer, I guess I am slow), cooks in 45 min.
Enjoy!!!
PS I usually double this recipe so that I have lots left over, perfect for freezing or having for a few nights in a row.
Monday 21 February 2011
The Bachelor - My Review
Okay, I know this is super cheesy but, I love The Bachelor. I know it's my guilty pleasure (along with those Doritos I ate tonight while I was watching), but I can't help myself, I'm a romantic. Just like I love romantic comedies, it's the way I am built. I get excited every Monday, when most people are hating the day, I am looking forward to putting the kiddies to bed and watching it in chasing playback on my DVR. And tonight was no exception.
I especially liked watching the show without that witch Michelle in it. She was like poison for Brad. I know they put personalities like that on the show to give it some drama and spice, but man I did not like her. The way she was always saying "he's mine" was so presumptuous and self centered. And she was so callous to what the other women were feeling and going through, she had to make everything about her. Let's just say I am happy he finally came to his senses and realized she was not right for him. He finally saw that, though they had some fire there between them, there was no real depth or connection. She just kept using her sexuality to confuse him and make him think that there was more there, than there actually was. Whenever there is a girl like that on these shows (or a guy on The Bachelorette), it makes me so nervous that the person won't see through it. But I guess that's all part of the suspense of it all.
Anyways, yay she's gone and we can get down to the realness of it. The real connections and the real, true women. Each of those ladies are stand up, true, beautiful people that have depth and kindness and good hearts. I feel like he could really of picked any of the four and have a really great person to be with. But of course he has to go with his heart and find out who he has the best connection with and who he could to spend the rest of his life with. So I am really torn on who to root for. I love Emily, she is really sweet and I can see them together (and her daughter is adorable!), but there is just something about Brad and Chantal. It's their connection, it's their spark, I don't know but I want it to happen for them. And it was great that he got along so well with her family (I know he got along well with all the families), the affinity that he had with her father was amazing, just adding to the chemistry of his relationship with her. I like Ashely and Shawntel but I don't really see either one ending up with him. So I wasn't too surprised when Shawntel didn't get picked tonight. She's a great person though and I really respect the way she left. She didn't freak out, she wasn't rude (like some witchy people we know) and she wished him well, what graciousness. I really hope she finds someone great someday soon, she deserves it.
So I can't wait for next week, my favorite episode, the fantasy dates. We will see how Brad's connections with these beautiful women deepen. I am guessing that Ashley will go home, but of course I could be wrong. We will see. Anyways I practically wrote a book here, don't think I am shallow for loving this show. In a world where I hear about so many crazy things going on and see so much bad stuff on the news and elsewhere, I just need a little fluff and romance to help me relax for a bit. I'll fret about all the crazy stuff after, don't worry.
I especially liked watching the show without that witch Michelle in it. She was like poison for Brad. I know they put personalities like that on the show to give it some drama and spice, but man I did not like her. The way she was always saying "he's mine" was so presumptuous and self centered. And she was so callous to what the other women were feeling and going through, she had to make everything about her. Let's just say I am happy he finally came to his senses and realized she was not right for him. He finally saw that, though they had some fire there between them, there was no real depth or connection. She just kept using her sexuality to confuse him and make him think that there was more there, than there actually was. Whenever there is a girl like that on these shows (or a guy on The Bachelorette), it makes me so nervous that the person won't see through it. But I guess that's all part of the suspense of it all.
Anyways, yay she's gone and we can get down to the realness of it. The real connections and the real, true women. Each of those ladies are stand up, true, beautiful people that have depth and kindness and good hearts. I feel like he could really of picked any of the four and have a really great person to be with. But of course he has to go with his heart and find out who he has the best connection with and who he could to spend the rest of his life with. So I am really torn on who to root for. I love Emily, she is really sweet and I can see them together (and her daughter is adorable!), but there is just something about Brad and Chantal. It's their connection, it's their spark, I don't know but I want it to happen for them. And it was great that he got along so well with her family (I know he got along well with all the families), the affinity that he had with her father was amazing, just adding to the chemistry of his relationship with her. I like Ashely and Shawntel but I don't really see either one ending up with him. So I wasn't too surprised when Shawntel didn't get picked tonight. She's a great person though and I really respect the way she left. She didn't freak out, she wasn't rude (like some witchy people we know) and she wished him well, what graciousness. I really hope she finds someone great someday soon, she deserves it.
So I can't wait for next week, my favorite episode, the fantasy dates. We will see how Brad's connections with these beautiful women deepen. I am guessing that Ashley will go home, but of course I could be wrong. We will see. Anyways I practically wrote a book here, don't think I am shallow for loving this show. In a world where I hear about so many crazy things going on and see so much bad stuff on the news and elsewhere, I just need a little fluff and romance to help me relax for a bit. I'll fret about all the crazy stuff after, don't worry.
Sunday 20 February 2011
Every Canadian Should Watch This!!!
Or watch the whole thing here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ohnocanada/OhCanadaMovie#5452543728926279634
Hello Blogosphere!
This is going to be fun and daunting all at the same time. I am starting this blog to fill a creative gap that I have had in my life for quite some time. Since before kids even. I feel like as the years have gone by, I have become less and less creative. With age I lose creativity and gain wrinkles, hardly seems fair. So here is my push to get it back. I've come to realize as I've gotten older (not that I am that old, I'm only 34) that if I want anything to happen, I have to make it happen. So here is me making it happen, the next stage in my life. A creative outlet that is all my own, my own personal virtual journal for all the world to read. Will I touch anyone's lives, will I have anything of interest to say? I hope so. So I plan on talking about many different things; parenting stuff (since I am a mom to 2 little kidlets), stuff that's happening in the environment, maybe some politics, entertainment, guilty pleasures (like the Bachelor), and a lot of things that just really interest me, and hopefully others will find it interesting as well.
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