Not My Favourite Chore

Attempting to sweep soggy rice krispies, cheerios or corn flakes off the floor after breakfast is definitely not my favourite chore, that is for sure.  Dried cheerios that never met the milk - easy peasy - but damp, soggy, cereal clinging to the hardwood floor for dear life and not responding to my desperate sweeping strokes of the broom - gross. And then if you're too aggressive they start to somewhat disintegrate and break apart and well, now you're rubbing your floor with a new cornflake polish.  Another challenge exists when the cheerios harden onto the floor and require you to actually pick them off with your fingernails, or via my lazy way using the opposite end of the broom handle (sometimes I would rather attempt my lazy way with the broom, taking ten times as long than having to crouch down and scratch at the cereal).

I also don't enjoy stepping in abandoned cereal pieces throughout the day as I navigate past my kitchen table (gasp! no, I don't usually sweep after breakfast).  It's also really nice (insert sarcasm) when you feel the crunch under foot as you walk on the family room carpet and realize that you have just pulverized a cheerio (that had been tossed aside from a snack cup) into a thousand little crumbs ... and then I usually take another step and bull's eye, step on another few before making a successful exit.  errrrr!

This is where all you families with dogs can have the last laugh (I have mine while I'm out walking and don't have to carry that blasted poop bag with me)!

Thinking about switching to eggs this morning? They are absolutely no better.  Maybe we'll smoothie it :)

Happy Friday!

P.S. In regards to the Lead in Your Lipstick posts earlier this week, if there are any specific types of beauty produces i.e. mascara, deodorant, baby powder, that you are interested in learning more about, let me know and I can share some info from the book.

Staggering Facts

So earlier this week I mentioned that I had purchased the book, There's Lead in Your Lipstick, by Gillian Deacon.

I'm approximately half way through and am thoroughly captivated and enjoying the book (regardless of how painful and staggering the information provided is).

I received a lot of comments from you indicating your interest in the book and the topic. Thought you may like a few excerpts from the book to further entice ... be prepared to be scared and shocked:

• "The average woman uses a dozen personal care products every day. (And these numbers arent' much different for men, so don't feel too smug, fellas.)  According to Environmental Defence Canada, before she heads out the door in the morning, that same woman has sudsed, soaked, slathered, and spritzed herself with 126 different chemicals, many of which are toxic."  page 6
• "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval rating "safe for human use" simply means that the product didn't give the test subjects a terrible rash five minutes after they smeared it on; it does not in any way reflect an understand of that product's impact on internal health or mean that the product will be safe to use over the long term." page 8
• "They (the Organic Consumers Association) recently posted a list of "fake" organic products ... in spite of their best labelling attempts to convince you otherwise, these are products to avoid:  Avalon Organics, Earth's Best organic, Giovanni Organic, Jason Pure, Natural and Organic, Kiss My Face Obsessively Organic, Nature's Gate Organics and Stella McCartney 100% Organic." page 10
• "Sperm counts worldwide have dropped by 50 percent over the past forty years." page 37
• "A 2004 study found parabens in the tumours of 19/20 women with breast cancer." page 38 - check your labels ... guarantee you there are parabens in your face wash and cosmetics!
• "Formaldehyde is classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a carcinogen. It is banned in Canada, Japan, and the European Union but is deemed safe for use in cosmetics in the United States." page 37. It can be listed on labels as" ... formalin, formic aldehyde, methanal, methyl aldehyde, oxomethane, oxymethylene, DMDM hydantonin, diazolidinyl urea and imidazolidinyl urea." page 32

So perhaps your response is just to gloss over, ignore or even make light of topics such as chemicals in cosmetics or antibiotics in our food, etc.  But I urge you to learn a bit more.  It's not as if you have to give up makeup or never use a nice shower gel again, nor do you have to make all of your own products and start only shopping from dread locked hippies, there are plenty of safe and healthy options out there. 

With so much cancer out there and heart ache over lossed loved ones, don't you want to know what could be contributing to this and other illnesses? Even more, wouldn't you want to make changes that could ultimately affect you and your family's health? 

Would you want to be diagnosed with breast cancer and then told that it was because of that fancy mascara and nail polish that you wore for twenty five years? I'm guessing not. Have a read.

Closet Cleanse: Final Step

Getting Back To The Basics ...

Guest Blogger: The Farmer's Trophy Wife

For the final step of the closet cleanse, its' all about restocking the wardrobe.

You've already written out a list of what you have that fits and you love ... so now it's time to fill in the blanks.  This post includes all that will build a BASIC wardrobe.  Once you have this, you can mix and match easily and adding the frills is the fun part after!!

Taking a good look at your wardrobe every season is a great way to keep on top of what is and isn’t working for you. Everyone has those items in their closet that take up space and never seems to be appropriate or look “right”. And who hasn’t had a day of “I have NOTHING to wear!?!” while standing knee-deep in clothes!

Well ladies, here is a list of the basics that EVERY closet needs to be usable and incredibly fantastic. Just take the basics, add YOUR flare (style personality) to them and poof….you have a closet to envy!

• Fitted White Shirt (buy 2 if you find one that looks fab!)
• Trench Coat (in neutral or leopard…whatever floats your boat!)
• Turtleneck, Fitted Tees & Tanks (each in a couple neutral colors)
• Jeans (straight leg, trouser, dark & a fun “weekend” pair)
• Sweaters (v-neck, cardigan and a fun chunky knit)
• Pencil Skirt
• A classic black blazer (hat can be thrown over virtually anything - slacks for a suit look, a sleeveless dress for a business function or a tanktop for a cool evening date)
• A pair of neutral colored fitted Trousers
• Little Black Dress (of course!!)
• A GORGEOUS wool knee-length coat (I have one in turquoise…doesn’t have to be the basic black!)
• Knee high boots
• Bras that fit right -  Tshirt, strapless and sexy versions are all important (nude colour is a life saver!)
• Undies suitable for everyday, dress and more transparent fabrics
• Pumps (black)
• A pair of cute flats/those GREAT cowboy boots you can’t live without!

Photo from Mink&Manure.ca

Now these are just the basics…mix and match to your taste and only buy what works for you!! (You've worked so hard on your closet cleanse, so don't fill it back up with whim purchases or items that you don't feel 100% like you in.) 

To the basics you add YOUR style…a hot Hair-on-Hide purse, that smokin’ large turquoise stone necklace or that HUGE pair of sunglasses…that’s the fun part and what will make your closet yours. And by having the basics and layering your accessories on top, it will take your wardrobe from impractical and frustrating to one a Farmer’s Trophy Wife would be proud of!!

Good Luck!

__________________________________

Thank you so much to the lovely Cathryn at the Farmer's Trophy Wife for all of the great information and posts on our closet cleanse adventure. This is by no means a 100 per cent complete list so we would love to hear some of your "staples" and we'll add them to the list. Thank you to everyone for their comments and encouragement.

My Latest Trip to Chapters

Last week I went to Chapters and picked up these three books:

1) Positive Discipline for Preschoolers
by Jane Nelson Ed.D.
For Their Early Years - Raising Children Who Are Responsible, Respectful, and Resourceful

This was recommended by a friend. Hoping it will provide some helpful hints and solutions to some of the current power struggles. I will let you all know if it holds the answers to all of our challenges!

 2) There's Lead in Your Lipstick
by Gillian Deacon

I happened upon this book when I heard a snipit of the author on CBC one day.  "Organics" and living healthy and clean has always been something I strive for, but something that is very hard to get information about. Sure, "organic" is everywhere and in your face at every aisle and page of a magazine, but finding out real information about what is in our beauty products so we can make our own educated choices (instead of just trusting words and claims on a bottle) is difficult. I have read the first few chapters of this book and with every page I have to pick my jaw up from the floor. The information that is provided and the sad and sick truth about what we slather on our bodies and ingest on a daily basis is heart breaking.  I urge each of you to pick up a copy.

3) The Year of Living Biblically
by A.J. Jacobs

This is a book I picked up for a book club.  Haven't started it yet so nothing to share. Looks like it could be a great blend of humour and serious insights.

 Have any of you read these books?  Started any other good ones you'd like to share?

Any how are those closets looking? Do tell.

FNL vs. Mad Men - Pllllease!

When I tell my friends about Friday Night Lights and ask if they have ever seen it because:

• it is awesome
• they would love it
• your husband would love it
• it is awesome
• Riggins
• Coach and Tami
• Saranson & Julie
• the stories and characters are soooo good
• it is awesome

I often here a "no, I haven't, but you know what else is really good ... have you seen Mad Men?"

So until recently, I had not. I was intrigued ... what was this Mad Men that people were talking about?

A couple of weeks ago my husband and I started watching and all I have to say is:

Pllllleeeease!!!! Mad Men can sit down right now.

I can see why people like it. Interesting characters, catchy idea, but no way. FNL = WAY better!
(If you missed my review of FNL back in September, click here.)


Friday Night Lights I enjoy so much more, not to mention the upside that after watching it I don't feel dirty and like throwing something at Don (the philanderer) Draper or any of the other "gentleman" on the show.

FNL has heart, gorgessity, actual plot lines, hunks, drama, football and adrenaline for the hubby, heart break, morals, real marriages (you know the ones where two people are together and actually like being together) ... you get the idea.

I have no idea why this show has not hit the "big time" as so many people I know that have started watching it become totally enthralled and obsessed (Go Panthers Go!). But hey, if you prefer those dancing stars or kardashians live than perhaps we have different viewing habits :)

It's Friday. Do yourselves a favour - Rent/Buy/Google/Download Friday Night Lights Season One.

Source

You can thank me on Monday.

Cheers!

P.S. Keep in mind I am not a huge TV person so for me to go on like this means something.