Friday, April 25, 2008

Yesterday was a very good day

First, my boss told me some very big news that was a huge compliment to me and make me very excited to see where things go in one year (sorry to be so cryptic but um, yeah. I'm FUHreaking excited).

Then while in French class a girl who is big into theatre casually mentions that the Phantom of the Opera touring show is coming to San Diego in July!!!!! So immediately after I get home I check and sure enough tickets are still available! WOOOO!! Once again I am FUHreaking excited!

Yesterday was a very good day.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Happy Belated Earth Day!

Yesterday I was away at meetings and then I had my French class until 9pm. By the time I got back to my empty home (Dave is away on a business trip and the cat has turned into a teenager who only graces me with his presence when he wants to be fed). Anyways, I got back so late and immediately crawled into bed for my seventh (or eighth I've lost count) viewing of Phantom of the Opera before falling asleep.

As a side note my head was about to explode after learning the use of the pronoun y in french class. I'm just impressed that I can say that I am going to the mall (Je vais aller au centre commercial). I really don't feel the need to learn to say I am going there (J'y vais). While it is shorter and easier to say I think I'll just stick with my longer version, k thx bai.

Anyways, back to topic at hand: every Earth Day I like to do a little something to better my footprint (somewhat like a green resolution). Last year it was installing bamboo floors instead of normal hard wood. That actually wasn't too difficult since the bamboo floors look pretty awesome (although more expensive).

This year I had 2 green resolutions.
1) Stop drinking out of plastic water bottles
2) Convert from plastic grocery store bags to re-usable bring your own bags.

I must admit my two newest resolutions haven't been difficult to implement only because I found such cute replacements.

For the water bottle I went with a Sigg aluminum bottle (no toxic plastic nalgene bottle for me). Not only is it super stylish (they have a million designs available) but it keeps my water colder longer and doesn't spill when tipped over (how it does that I have no idea. Magic). I highly recommend a Sigg water bottle to anyone who is looking for a cool new bottle. They even have cute designs for little kids which makes me want to give these out next Xmas as gifts. I have 3 so far (they keep adding cool new designs and I have to have just one more ...)



For the shopping bags I bought some cheap plain bags from greenbag.info ($1 each). As well as these super cute ones from GreenWorldBags.com. They are cute enough to not be boring but not too girly that my hubby wont use them when he goes grocery shopping.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

If you don't like my fire, then don't come around ...

Today has been an eclectic music day for me. I keep switching between Phantom of the Opera and Ben Harper. Today feels like a Ben Harper type of day ;-)

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Call me Mrs Butler

One of my most vivid memories is of attending the Phantom of the Opera musical in 1992 at a famous play house in LA. I was 12 years old at the time and the musical was a special night field trip for the honors students at my middle school. We were told to dress up and at the time I was at a fashion challenged age and my mother has never been into dressing up or fashion (to be honest growing up on a farm there is little reason for a dressing up). That night I ended up wearing my mom's turquoise turtleneck sweater that was a size too large for me and black jordache jeans. I wish so badly that I could go back in time and take my 12 year old self to the mall so I didn't look like quite a doofus. As we were being seated at the theatre I remember wishing and hoping with all my might that a certain cute boy in my class would sit next to me and hold my hand. I think I actually did end up sitting next to that cute boy but there was no romantic advances. The one thing I remember most vividly is the chandelier falling right before the intermission. I was shocked (as anyone who watches the play for the first time is). When I came home I couldn't stop singing the songs or reliving the best parts of the play over and over in my mind.

I watched the 2004 film version of the play this weekend. It's been in my netflix queue for quite some time but I haven't been motivated to watch it until we went to Las Vegas and there was several billboards up announcing a new LV version of the play. I had forgotten quite a bit of the storyline even though I remember much of the songs. The film version was so good and brought back so many memories for me that I've watched it twice so far. The second time I guilt tripped my hubby into watching it with me. I can't stop waltzing across the house singing masquerade! at the top of my lungs. What a great film. The only disappointment for me is that Christine did not choose the Phantom at the end of the story. I know he's evil and all but Gerard Butler as the Phantom is one HOT pantie dropper. I would marry him and have his babies any day. N'est-ce pas?







PS - Total weekend watch count - 5. Minor addiction.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Oh Noes!

Something I actually did today:
Made a mental list of all the friends I know who have babies in the immediate area. Contemplated inviting one of the friends over just so that I can hold their baby and smell said baby's head. I've had an overwhelming urge the past few days to get a big nose full of fragrance eau babe.

Mmmmmm ... baby smell.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

My Pet Peeve: Organic Foods

I'm a big champion of the environment and all in favor of the reuse, reduce, recycle mentality. Yet I have one HUGE pet peeve that many across America seem to embrace and credit entirely too much. My absolute biggest pet peeve is when people claim that the only healthy way to go is with organic foods and that they taste so much better then conventionally grown products. The "taste better" claim is the one that really gets me because honestly there is nothing different about the actual taste of an organic apple versus an apple of the same variety that was grown conventionally.

I think my biggest pet peeve of it all is that people are not thinking for themselves. Like little lambs they are blindly following a popular way of thinking that has very little basis in fact. The one way that organic is slightly better for the environment is due to the fact that it does use less pesticides. But gone are the days when farmers over sprayed their crops. Today most conventional farmers turn to integrated pest management methods before looking at expensive pesticides. I know there are those who say that they prefer organic because of the lack of pesticide residues. I've taken quite a few pesticide courses in college and I can assure you that the amount of residue left on an orange is negligible. Plus the timing of the pesticide applications are mostly very early in the fruit growing season and have a lot of time to dissipate before harvest begins. Mushrooms are grown in fecal matter until they are picked and you don't hear people complaining about the poo-poo residues! I can guarantee that there is more poop left on a mushroom head then there is tebuconazole pesticide on a peach.

MSN had a great article that I think FINALLY dispelled many of the myths about organic food: Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious?

You're in a bit of a dilemma standing in front of the produce section of your local supermarket. In one hand, you're holding a conventionally grown Granny Smith apple. In your other hand, you have one that's been organically grown. Both apples are firm, shiny and green. Both provide vitamins and fiber, and both are free of fat, sodium and cholesterol.

The conventionally grown apple costs less and is a proven family favorite. But the organic apple has a label that says "USDA Organic." Does that mean it's better? Safer? More nutritious? Several differences between organic and nonorganic foods exist. Become a better informed consumer for your next trip to the supermarket.

Conventional vs. organic farming

The word "organic" refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution. Farmers who grow organic produce and meat don't use conventional methods to fertilize, control weeds or prevent livestock disease. For example, rather than using chemical weedkillers, organic farmers conduct sophisticated crop rotations and spread mulch or manure to keep weeds at bay.

Here are other differences between conventional farming and organic farming:

Conventional farmers vs Organic farmers
Apply chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth. Apply natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost, to feed soil and plants.
Spray insecticides to reduce pests and disease. Use beneficial insects and birds, mating disruption or traps to reduce pests and disease.
Use chemical herbicides to manage weeds. Rotate crops, till, hand weed or mulch to manage weeds.
Give animals antibiotics, growth hormones and medications to prevent disease and spur growth. Give animals organic feed and allow them access to the outdoors. Use preventive measures — such as rotational grazing, a balanced diet and clean housing — to help minimize disease.

Organic or not? Check the label

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established an organic certification program that requires all organic foods to meet strict government standards. These standards regulate how such foods are grown, handled and processed. Any farmer or food manufacturer who labels and sells a product as organic must be USDA certified as meeting these standards. Only producers who sell less than $5,000 a year in organic foods are exempt from this certification.


Products certified 95 percent or more organic display this USDA sticker.

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If a food bears a USDA Organic label, it means it's produced and processed according to the USDA standards and that at least 95 percent of the food's ingredients are organically produced. The seal is voluntary, but many organic producers use it.

Products that are completely organic — such as fruits, vegetables, eggs or other single-ingredient foods — are labeled 100 percent organic and can carry a small USDA seal. Foods that have more than one ingredient, such as breakfast cereal, can use the USDA organic seal or the following wording on their package labels, depending on the number of organic ingredients:

100 percent organic. Products that are completely organic or made of all organic ingredients.
Organic. Products that are at least 95 percent organic.
Made with organic ingredients. These are products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients. The organic seal can't be used on these packages.
Foods containing less than 70 percent organic ingredients can't use the organic seal or the word "organic" on their product label. They can include the organic items in their ingredient list, however.

You may see other terms on food labels, such as "all-natural," "free-range" or "hormone-free." These descriptions may be important to you, but don't confuse them with the term "organic." Only those foods that are grown and processed according to USDA organic standards can be labeled organic.

Organic food: Buy or bypass?

Many factors may influence your decision to buy — or not buy — organic food. Consider these factors:

Nutrition. No conclusive evidence shows that organic food is more nutritious than is conventionally grown food. And the USDA — even though it certifies organic food — doesn't claim that these products are safer or more nutritious.
Quality and appearance. Organic foods meet the same quality and safety standards as conventional foods. The difference lies in how the food is produced, processed and handled. You may find that organic fruits and vegetables spoil faster because they aren't treated with waxes or preservatives. Also, expect less-than-perfect appearances in some organic produce — odd shapes, varying colors and perhaps smaller sizes. In most cases, however, organic foods look identical to their conventional counterparts.
Pesticides. Conventional growers use pesticides to protect their crops from molds, insects and diseases. When farmers spray pesticides, this can leave residue on produce. Some people buy organic food to limit their exposure to these residues. Most experts agree, however, that the amount of pesticides found on fruits and vegetables poses a very small health risk.
Environment. Some people buy organic food for environmental reasons. Organic farming practices are designed to benefit the environment by reducing pollution and conserving water and soil.
Cost. Most organic food costs more than conventional food products. Higher prices are due to more expensive farming practices, tighter government regulations and lower crop yields. Because organic farmers don't use herbicides or pesticides, many management tools that control weeds and pests are labor intensive. For example, organic growers may hand weed vegetables to control weeds, and you may end up paying more for these vegetables.
Taste. Some people say they can taste the difference between organic and nonorganic food. Others say they find no difference. Taste is a subjective and personal consideration, so decide for yourself. But whether you buy organic or not, finding the freshest foods available may have the biggest impact on taste.
Buying tips

Whether you're already a fan of organic foods or you just want to shop wisely and handle your food safely, consider these tips:

Buy fruits and vegetables in season to ensure the highest quality. Also, try to buy your produce the day it's delivered to market to ensure that you're buying the freshest food possible. Ask your grocer what day new produce arrives.
Read food labels carefully. Just because a product says it's organic or contains organic ingredients doesn't necessarily mean it's a healthier alternative. Some organic products may still be high in sugar, salt, fat or calories.
Don't confuse natural foods with organic foods. Only those products with the "USDA Organic" label have met USDA standards.
Wash all fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly with running water to reduce the amount of dirt and bacteria. If appropriate, use a small scrub brush — for example, before eating apples, potatoes, cucumbers or other produce in which you eat the outer skin.
If you're concerned about pesticides, peel your fruits and vegetables and trim outer leaves of leafy vegetables in addition to washing them thoroughly. Keep in mind that peeling your fruits and vegetables may also reduce the amount of nutrients and fiber. Some pesticide residue also collects in fat, so remove fat from meat and the skin from poultry and fish.

Monday, April 07, 2008

Rolling Along

I had something much more important to blog about today but I seem to have forgotten what it is I wanted to write about. This either means it wasn't that important to begin with or that my mind is filled with kitchen remodel details.

This weekend we finalized much of the design details. This might be TMI but I really, really want to make slow sweet love to the kitchen appliances that we picked out. We have a stainless steel french door refrigerator, a slide in range (slide in! do you know how cool they are????), matching microwave and a bosch dishwasher that is so quiet that a red light needs to come on so that you don't accidentally open it while it is running. Plus we picked out the slabs for our granite countertops (hawaiian bordeaux). I'm trying to not think of the countertops too much even though I love them. There are a million reasons why granite countertops are bad for the environment and everytime I look at them a part of me will want to rub my boobies on them and the other part of me will want to slap myself for being such a selfish consumer.







Wednesday, April 02, 2008

A Running List

Things I want to do before insemination of my ovaries occurs:

1. Gorge Camping Trip to see DMB - August 2008 (I talked to Dave about this last night and he is all lights go on the idea. We really want to go with a big group of friends so if anyone who reads my blog is planning on going email me. We will probably rent a hybrid and drive all the way up the Pacific coast. EEEE!!!!!)

2. 3rd Trip to an all inclusive resort in Mexico - January 2009 (maybe)

3. Trip to Europe (Switzerland and France) - Date TBD

4. Wine tasting trip to Napa/Sonoma for my 30th Bday - April 2010

5. Trip to the tiny coastal town where Dave and I had one of our first dates - April/May 2010

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

30 Days Til my Bday and All I Got was This:









Just Kidding! For some reason this year I have been in a very festive April Fools spirit. Usually, I forget that April 1 is even April Fools Day but this year I feel like being a prankster. Maybe I am regressing and slowly becoming the immature, bratty, drama filled 17 year old that I never was. Who knows.

Last night I did bring up to Dave the "Baby when I am 30" idea. I'm a big believer that one can never plan their life. Too many things happen to spoil even the best laid out plans. I could get pregnant tomorrow unexpectedly. We could have infertility issues. I could reach the age of 30 and freak out and decide to never become a mom. Dave could die. I could die. There is a saying that says "Man Plans, God Laughs" and I firmly believe that. Today is a gift and that is all I can be assured of.

So when I told Dave about the Baby When I am 30 idea, I meant it more as a heads up. Dave doesn't deal well with the whole spring something up on him and he also isn't spontaneous or impulsive (in fact he is the opposite of those two things). I wanted to plant the idea of me becoming pregnant when I turn 30 in his brain now so he can ponder and over-analyze it as is typical of him. Then in 2 years when it actually comes time for me to try and get pregnant it wont be a huge deal. He has two years to get used to the idea (and so do I. Eeek!).

Actually he responded to the whole idea much better then I thought he would have. Two years ago if I had brought this idea up I would have expected him to laugh nervously and then say he didn't want kids (even though during his softy moments he admits that he wants kids but is scared). Last night he still laughed a little nervously but asked why after I turned 30 and I told him it's because I want to be able to visit Napa Wine Country for my 30th birthday and drink it up. Many of Dave's friends are getting their significant others knocked up and I think Dave is seeing the idea of kids as something inevitable. I don't mean it to sound so harsh because I know we would both make awesome parents (we have money, are stable, intelligent, patient, and kind). It's just that for so long we've been on the fence about the baby making issue and sometimes thinking of it as inevitable helps to take away the power of our over-analyzing tendencies. Sometimes I envy those girls who have the "I was always meant to be a mom" mentalities. They never have to deal with this "should we or shouldn't we" see saw.

More then ever this makes me think of all the things I really want to do before having a baby: trip to Europe, camping trip to Gorge to see DMB or Pearl Jam, at least one more trip to Mexico, etc. I'm almost 28 and feel like I've had a lot of years to do the stuff I should want to do but in my head there are so many more things left to accomplish. I better get on it.