What do you see as your talent? How do you use it?
Sunday, November 22, 2009
When Sunday comes...
What do you see as your talent? How do you use it?
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Maria
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6:56 AM
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Labels: Getting to know me, Religion
Friday, November 20, 2009
Friday Feature: Kindle app for iphone
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Maria
at
6:44 AM
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Labels: Friday Feature
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Awareness
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Maria
at
1:44 PM
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Labels: Getting to know me, Health, personal care
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Deodorant versus none
It's not sweat that causes the odor, but for most people the bacteria that are in the armpit (your scalp and other hairy areas excrete an oily sweat from the glad, as opposed to the rest of your body that sweats more fluid/water) munching on the oils that cause the smell . More than you wanted to know, right? The trick is to form a barrier between the bacteria and oily sweat, if the odor bothers you. I notice regularly that I can smell myself but others cannot.
Antiperspirants use aluminum to block the sweat gland, where as deodorants try to minimize bacterial growth by changing the pH of the skin. Equally worth avoiding are aluminum (linked to Alzheimers) and parabens (found in many breast cancer tumors). What I use and don't use depends on the time of year/season. I also try to avoid as many chemicals as possible, so generally that is where I am coming from.
In the summer months, when it is hot and I sweat more, I use Tom's of Maine. It is the easiest to find/most mainstream of the non-Aluminum deodorants and uses hops to inhibit microbal growth. I generally do not like to use fragrance (most fragrances are carcinogens).
In the spring and fall, when it is still warm, I tend use crystal body deodorant stick.
During the winter, unless I know I will be in a sweaty situation, I use nothing.
You can make your own by mixing cornstarch with baking soda and apply it with a puff after you are thoroughly dry post bathing. You can actually do this anywhere you feel the need. You can also make your own with a recipe.
You can always check the chemical make up of your deodorant, etc on the EWG's skin deep database-- 0 is the best rating and 10 the worst.
________________
Since I wrote that I have given up all deodorants and the crystal, but lately I have come to a dilemma due to shower timing issues. This might be TMI, but I need to find an answer!
I used to shower every other day, mostly due to my hair getting funky. However, now that I have ditched the poo, my hair can go three of four days without a washing (amazing, no?), but my underarms cannot! So, the way I see it, I can a) shower every other day and wet, but not wash my hair each time; b) shower every three or four days but use the crystal, if that works; c) shower every three or four days but use Tom's or similar deodorant stick; or walk around stinky.
Now, obviously when I am working out as I should and not every three or four days like I have been, I will need to switch up my shower pattern, but I'm not really sure which I want to do as far as my body or the environmental impact.
Who said being green and making conscious decisions about product usage is always easy and straight forward?
Anyone want to chime in?
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Maria
at
3:26 PM
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Labels: Environment, Health, personal care
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Good ol' Meme to get to know me.
Kearstin, a fellow basketball wife, posted this on her brand spanking new blog today, and I am borrowing from her. :)
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME I CRIED? Yesterday.
3. DO I LIKE MY HANDWRITING? Hmm... my rushed writing? no. My take my time writing, yes.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? No meat please.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? The Boy...our one and only.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes. :)
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Sometimes.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? They exited the premises without me.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Definitely!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? No cereal please.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Absolutely!
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Hmm... Dairy Queen!
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their smiles or lack thereof.
15. RED OR PINK? Pink.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Sometimes I am easily excitable, and not in a good way.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Kevin. No contest, hands down.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE ELSE TO PUT THIS ON THEIR BLOG? Seems like it could be fun, so yes!
19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black patent leather.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? A juicy pear! Nummy!
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The Boy's breathing.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Definitely a rich green color.
23. FAVORITE SMELL? A spring day after the rain.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? A coworker who kindly updated me about the traffic situation, so I could make it across town in time to pick up The Boy. Construction EVERYWHERE + Accidents = long drive
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I stole it outright, and yes, I like her.
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Gymnastics- hands down, but I also like basketball.
27. Hair Color? Dark blonde/light brown.
28. EYE COLOR? Hazel .
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No.
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Watermelon.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings, but I struggle to make it through movies. Too much sitting!
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Madagascar 2. No comment.
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Black and maroon.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer...in Minnesota...
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs. And kisses.
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Hmm... this is so complicated. Who can pick just one?
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Um, no one.
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? 99% of the people visiting this blog.
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? The Memory Keepers Daughter, Eating Animals and Respectable Sins.
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don't use one.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? TV? What's that? LOL!
42. FAVORITE SOUND? "Mommy, I love you." is right on up there with Kevin saying he loves me. Other than that, I LOVE silence!
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles.
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Um, Izmir Turkey? I think that's the furthest, but I am not going to get a map out to check.
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Talent? Um, I make milk! Well, I used to anyway.
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Paynesville, MN
47. WHOSE ANSWERS AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO READING? Everyone's!
Play along! :)
Posted by
Maria
at
8:42 PM
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Labels: Getting to know me
Monday, November 16, 2009
When Basketball and Charity Collide
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Maria
at
9:47 AM
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Sunday, November 15, 2009
Crown Financial Ministry And More
Posted by
Maria
at
9:26 AM
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Labels: Religion
Saturday, November 14, 2009
And the winner is...
I wasn't sure how this topic would go over when I posed the question, and I might have changed the wording because "activism" means different things to different people and even different dictionaries, but I certainly am glad that so many took the time to ponder the question, no matter what or how you view the term! I have learned something from each post, and I hope that everyone will take the time to read the entries.
Without further adieu-- the entries and results!
Carrie writes at After all the Folderol, "I try to encourage others to be green, not tell. I try to explain, not insist. And I try to inform, not preach. And I try to be positive, not judgemental." Check out her full entry!
Bethany at Adventures in Mommyhood writes about being torn between her job requiring her her to insist on proper dosage and taking the back seat when the situation warrants it for other passions. Bethany got a bonus entry for tweeting the contest. :)
Anadia from Desperately Real Housewife wrote, "how do i balance being humble while attempting to spread the Word, advance His kingdom, remain in love, and fulfill His will? it's written plain and simply in His Word... give him the glory. ... i find my balance in LIVING the Word." Anadia earned a bonus entry for tweeting too. :)
Carol left a comment on my post about being passionate and saving humbleness for later.
Alexandra from Traveling Allowed writes about being an encourager and motivator and "I think the only way to achieve humility in activism is by asking God for help" and "Living a life of humble activism means understanding that there may be more than one 'right' answer."
Erin from Married to a Baller focuses on Jesus and God's grace. Erin writes, "The best way I know to stay humble is to know who I truly am."
And the winner is... (yes, I made a video of The Boy pulling a name out of a hat.)
Congratulations Alexandra! Pick your prize. The Kleen Kanteen or the itunes gift certificate.
Thank you again everyone for entering. :)
Posted by
Maria
at
7:09 AM
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Labels: Contest
Friday, November 13, 2009
Friday Feature: Envirosax & Baggu
I love the Baggus for throwing in my purse and carrying in my pocket. Their individual pouches are handy (throw it in the bottom while bag is in use), and I have a sack to carry them to the market. I also REALLY love their produce bags. They are durable, easy to use, and super light. Baggu now offers a "Duck Bag," which is made of 100% recycled cotton canvas.
I have found the quality to be equal for both brands, and both companies allow you to send the bags back for a credit of $1 off the purchase of a new bag once a bag has become damaged (not enough for a new bag, but a little something), so they can reuse/recycle the material.
Friday Feature...a two for one special.
Tomorrow, I'll announce the contest winners! :)
Posted by
Maria
at
7:44 AM
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Labels: Contest, Friday Feature
Drawing for Contest to be Saturday morning...
Posted by
Maria
at
6:12 AM
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Labels: Contest








