marvellous monday

in front of the wind turbine, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

Wee Guy: i really like spending time with you
Me: speechless

friday forte: halfway thru?

i've decided to declare my 45th birthday a halfway point of some sort.

it seems kind of midlife-ish; my great grandmother lived till she was 93y so i feel almost halfway there.
my mid-life crisis is hopefully sliding down the other side of the hill towards graceful acceptance, so maybe it's peaked and i can get on with living once more.
i've cast off certain expectations, found i can relax and let go to enjoy myself - maybe this is maturity?
but i also feel as though i can still be passionate enough and interested in what's going on around me to still hold an opinion - maybe this is maturity too?

anyway, and in summary, i no longer feel like i'm staring down a steep and utter descent into darkness.
i don't feel so much that it's all too late and there's not much i can do about forging my own path in life.
i still feel nervous, and i still feel as if i really shouldn't waste another moment.
but i don't feel quite so un-guided.
i feel hopeful.
i think i may have an inkling of a route map.

i think it's about bloody time!

Got Milk?

OMG!

I just recently discovered a beverage that knocked my socks off for flavor, substance and nutritional value.

It just so happens that while preparing my breakfast early one morning, I was watching the news when a commercial came on that caught my attention.

I had tried their products in the past since on occasion I would suffer a bit with lactose intolerance. But it was difficult for me to swallow Soy milk....not really crazy about the flavor. It kind of left an after taste of .....well...a chalky, coating in my mouth, but then I can't really describe it, but let's just say "blech"....wondering, how can people drink this stuff? (my son had to drink soy milk when he was a baby, then outgrew the allergy to milk by his 6th birthday.) All I can say, poor boy...had no idea what he endured drinking this stuff.

Then I managed to do fine on Non Fat milk products, but still had a bit of intolerance to it some days also....but for the most part this worked for me, and it gave me the refreshing taste of ice cold milk with my weight watchers oatmeal chocolate chip cookie....okay, the chocolate isn't part of the recipe, but hey..... what's a cookie without chocolate?

Perhaps this was the new dietary beverage for me?

Applause...Applause!

I am sure most of us have seen the SILK commercials for alternative milk products, and primarily for their Soy milk drinks. These of course come in several flavors, like chocolate, vanilla, original and very vanilla. However, there are some that are allergic to Soy as well, so these get removed from the diet also.

What is a person to do that wants a bit of milk with their coffee or a splash on their cereal?

The answer is here.....now they have introduced Almond Milk Drinks. And all I have to say is OMG. This drink is absolutely delish....rich and creamy texture, with a subtle hint of sweetness. Absolutely refreshing when served over ice. It almost tastes like I am drinking melted ice cream, but without the calories....and I am left with a clean after taste. Only 60 calories per 8 ounce glass with only 7 grams of sugar....that is 20 calories less than non fat milk....wow! It is lactose free and comes in other flavors as well....Vanilla and Chocolate.

It provides as much calcium and Vitamin D as regular milk, only without the saturated fat and lactose of milk, making this excellent for weight loss and lowering cholesterol.

It is also rich in antioxidants and they claim it to be gluten free!

Even though you may be tempted to try the vanilla or chocolate, there is a slight caveat on these two flavors. Don't assume the labels are the same across the board in terms of calories.

Vanilla ~ sugar doubles from original and calories increase to 90 per 8 ounce glass.
Chocolate ~ sugar triples from original and calories increase to 120 per 8 ounce glass.

You can check nutritional labels at their website, just click on the almond milk link in the above paragraph and click on the various tabs at the top for all the information you'll need.

So if you don't have glucose issues or aren't needing to watch your weight, then these can be quite enjoyable. However, let me assure you the original Almond Milk is all I need for a luscious treat, or for using on my cereal in the morning. It is my new guilt free pleasure!

Plus it only runs about $2.60 per half gallon carton, and once opened, needs to be consumed within a weeks time.

The Alternative

Apparently another company produced the original which I had no idea about, not having seen their commercials or anything, but discovered them in the dairy case when I went to buy my first carton of Silk Almond Milk.

It is manufactured by Blue Diamond called Almond Breeze Almond Milk. This is only 40 calories per 8 ounce glass when you purchase the unsweetened Vanilla.....decisions, decisions....but a caveat, always keeping an eye on ingredient labels, it is a Soy based product in all the flavors and percentage of fat is the same in the original flavor as the Silk products, but unlike the Silk Almond Milk, it increases in fat calories with change in flavors. However, when you click on the link above and then on nutritional information, at the bottom of the label, there is another link to click on for the soy free version.... so this is good news for those that still don't want soy and get even fewer calories than they do with a touch of sweetness, in the unsweetened vanilla.

In every other respect, the labels are just about identical to Silk products including calories, with just the slight variations I listed.

It also runs about the same price, so depending on your desires you have several to choose from....indeed. Just a side note: It is of course made from nuts, so if allergic, this would not be a wise choice.

I think next time I make pancakes or some other recipe requiring milk, I am going to substitute almond milk and see how it makes a recipe taste....it will certainly be interesting to find out!

Personally, I don't know if I would enjoy this as much without a touch of sweet....and not sure I care to find out. I have found my pleasure with this delightful drink and hope you'll give it a try too.....Yum!

Cheers, or should I say bottoms up?

wordless wednesday:Pender beaches

view into the bay, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

Life is indeed a beach:)


heron on beach at Roesland


Gowland Point


just round the corner from Gowland Point


Peter Cove


Medicine Beach


Clam Bay


our lunch beach, last day :(

and it's tuesday (not wednesday)

For some reason, best known only to himself, the Wee Guy was adamant it was Wednesday thus wishing away a day of holiday.

???

He wasn't convinced until we signed in for kayak rental then took the word of a complete stranger.
Yes .....

But the family holiday still lurches along. We've instituted a 'no potty mouth' rule to cut down on the amount of poo talk (which is a bit ironic seeing as one of the toilets is blocked and won't flush solids, despite bringing it to the attention of The Front Desk), set up a curfew for dinnertimes so they don't extend into the wee small hours (a very unpopular move that was) and attempted to find him friends his own age/size while on holiday (you can guess how well that has been - we found a dog on Sunday). Today we took him kayaking and he loved it. Sadly no pics yet as they're in the disposable camera (it has a film to be developed - remember them?) but lots of 'lovely memories'. No one fell in.

Other good news; the spare camera battery is operational (forgot the adapter plug for the charger) so I can take more pics. Managed to wangle some embroidery time at the beach (where else?) and again at the cafe. I also engineered some 'quiet time' for me and the computer during the evening swim (them, not me and 120V) but the internet in the cottage is trying to kill me by not performing.
I'm a little tense.

School starts in two weeks (first day back is only half an hour - don't get me started on that little
issue).

Keep the faith.

(Honestly, I am enjoying myself.)

idyllic holiday, my arse

Forgive the title but .... Pender Island is awash with millions of these little fuckers right now. As soon as I sit down on the deck I'm surrounded by them checking me over for foodscraps. Having a picnic outside has been "interesting" unless the spot is well picked, and they're even active on windswsept beaches.

fuzzy foreshore courtesy of the millions of wasps buzzing around

It's not very relaxing. They are even appearing in tweets.
This evening we gave up on attempting dinner on the deck and stayed inside. The last few evenings have been a movable feast as we get and run mid-course when the onslaught gets too much.

Leave us alone! We're on holiday! (trying to be at one with nature btw, but you're not helping)

But I guess we have arrived slap-bang in the middle of their most active season for aggressively collecting sweet stuff (I kid you not). Late summer coincides with the time when most wasp colonies have grown very strong and the new crop of females are flying around looking for mates. Interestingly, it's only the females which sting and also it's only the fertilised females which survive an over-wintering. These fertilised females store sperm inside their bodies to start the new wasp colonies the next spring. Although they typically use and re-use the sperm to fertilise their eggs (have you noticed it's always the women of the family that get stuck with carrying out the reduce, re-use, recycle message?), by late summer they are 'empty' and need a new mate . A holiday is probably the last thing on their mind .... or maybe they too have heard of the hedonism of Ibiza during the summer?

I admit, I'm impressed. Yay for the wasp sisterhood (they do good work by eating crop-destroying and garden pests) and their social structure, but I wish they'd keep out of my holiday. Much as I realise I shouldn't swat them (since they release a chemical cry for help to attract more buddies) or wave my hands around in a flustereed fashion (as I don't want to be a contriibutor to the Schmidt Sting Pain Index), I do find leaving the odd cadaver a just reward for the amount of aggro they are currently causing.

the one that didn't get away!

 PS: otherwise holiday going well so far. please click on the link below to help subsidise my next one :)

dogged

Nellie: Gowland Point, Pender Island, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

We spent the day at the beach ..... well a wee bit of the morning and all of the afternoon. One of the many pleasures of beign on holiday is not having to conform to the norms of daily life by the clock, so it was just before noon when we finally rolled into the car en famille. Our destination was Gowland Point, the southernmost tip of South Pender; home to a beautiful shingly beach which we had visited on our last holiday here.


Nellie joined us for lunch .... and behaved impeccably

This year, to the delight of the Wee Guy, we were joined by a friend. Nellie, a young border collie decided to adopt us and train us for the afternoon. She taught us, especially the Wee Guy, to throw sticks for her to fetch. I had completely forgotten what a true joy it is to mix dog and beach together. Not since dear old Toby have we had such a fullbeach experience :)



Seeing the two of them playing together (and Nellie was so good with our little boy) reminded me that kids and dogs can go very well together. Although he's a little young right now, I do see a special dog in our Wee Guy's future. Pets are great way to teach responsibility, biology, life, death and empathy, and they can also fill the void of companionship for a singleton. A dog can be a friend, a confidante, a comfort when all the world is against you, a brother-in-arms, a partner in crime, or even a scapegoat. A dog can be a first love and a first loss.


keeping an eye out for a stick-throwing opportunity

In fact, this evening the Wee Guy did once again berate us for not providing him with a sibling. It's become a frequent event recently, but for matters biological not something we can readily remedy. Although I do understand where he's coming from, I don't think we're doing to badly for him as parents. True, there's no one to deflect the constant two-on-one discipline issues but on the other hand, he doesn't have to share our attention or our finances. We seek out socialisation for him, though I am apparently crap at organising playdates, and provide him with stimulating life experiences (geez, I sound like a crunchy parenting manual). In short, I don't think we do too badly in everything apart from demo'ing our fertility.


with his first canine companion

At my age, a dog would be easier :)

humph

Pender Island Famer's Market, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

All I can say is, kids have all the fun!
He even got a "stop, drop and roll" refresher as well as the fancy hat.

humph!

Caffeine Acne

I don't know about you, but I am a huge fan of coffee. Not that gourmet stuff you get at places like Starbucks or some other joints that require you to take out a signature loan for a cafe latte or mocha whatever. No, just give me a simple cup of Joe, keep them coming throughout the day and I am good to go. No sugar, no creams, just a strong black beverage that has some kick to it that will get me up and keep me going. I know I picked up the habit from my dad and cherish our memories and moments we had over a morning cup of coffee.

Unfortunately, my predisposition to acne also seems to benefit from the black nectar. While I avoid other caffeinated beverages like sodas and energy drinks (I just don't like them, too sweet, syrupy and expensive) I have no intention of giving up my coffee. So what's a person to do?

Well, the way I see it, if caffeine is going to play havoc with your acne, you have three choices. You can resign yourself to the fact that pimples are going to be a part of your daily life and wear those bad boys with pride and determination. You can cut out the coffee (caffeine) and feel sluggish and deprived. Or you can find a remedy that will offset the negative effects and allow you to enjoy this simple pleasure in life. The choice is yours. What's it going to be? Do you hear the Jeopardy theme song in the back ground? Can't you see Bob Barker telling you to pick a door?

Well, when I was younger I though there were only two choices. Cut out the coffee or enjoy and live with the acne. Like I said, my dad hooked me up with my taste for coffee (I don’t know why he didn't pass on his flawless complexion gene) and I would be dammed if I was going to miss out on those precious moments that I shared with him over a cup. It wasn't going to happen, no way no how. Acne was just going to have to be the price I paid.

Well, one day our morning ritual changed. After we finished our cup of coffee, my father got up from the table, grabbed a lemon from the refrigerator and ran it under some hot water. He then proceeded to roll it on the counter with the palm of his hand, applying slight pressure. He got two glasses of ice and water. Then cut the lemon in half and squeezed the juice from each half in their respective glass. At the time he said something about having an upset stomach and the lemon cutting the acidity of the coffee. But looking back, I realize that it was his way of noticing the effect the caffeine was having on my acne and his attempt to help. His upset stomach was a cockamamie story.

I don't know where he learned that lemon juice can get rid of caffeine acne. But from that day forward, my acne improved and every other day or so, our morning cup of coffee was followed by a half of a lemon squeezed over a glass of ice water. God, I miss that man.

friday forte: a late edition

....... and a happy birthday to me.
Another year older, another year wiser?
Well, another year thru my forties I suppose.




















PS: still happy :) except that I flippin' forgot the camera charger when packing for holiday! There might not be that many pics coming! Grrrrr.

Update at Summer’s End

I hope you are having an enchanting summer. I know I am. Mr. Connoisseur and I are having so much fun with baby…

I cannot believe it is almost the end of August and the fall season of The Daily Connoisseur is almost upon us!

The following are some updates, observations and announcements:

The 5 minute face (otherwise known as le no makeup look) has been my savior. I am getting little to no sleep what with the baby and all and in the morning it boosts my morale tremendously to be able to hide the dark circles and apply a touch of lip gloss and mascara. My friends even tell me I don’t look tired in the least! (Although they could just be saying that to be nice… I do have thoughtful friends).

My house has spiraled out of control into a veritable dumping ground for baby apparatus, unopened mail and other objects I can't be bothered to pick up. You all warned me it would happen and it has. Granted it is not dirty as I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful lady that helps me clean twice a week, but as far as method and order are concerned, it could be described as Hercule Poirot’s worst nightmare. As I write this my desk is so messy, I’m thinking of moving my computer to another room! I’m sure once I get a grip on things my home will return to its usual sense of order, but until then I must learn to juggle both baby and the Sisyphean tasks that I dread (like organizing my office).

Madame Sportif has departed back to Paris, but in the meantime I have befriended a new French couple! (I know… I’m like a moth to a flame). The story with this couple is quite remarkable- I will share it with you soon. And I, of course, have already racked up some observations Comme les Français to share with you (also forthcoming).

I will be starting a new series in September called The Top 10 Things I Learned While Living in Paris. Although I am having a hard time narrowing it down to just 10 things. Right now it’s roughly 17. It might stay that way too- even though “The Top 17 Things I Learned While Living in Paris” doesn’t sound as nice as "The Top 10"… we shall see.

I am finding little pockets of time here and there to write and I am finally able to start the last rewrite of my mystery novel… It is a fun, old school mystery about a modern girl living in Santa Monica that solves a case involving murder, some missing rubies and a little international intrigue. Think Agatha Christie- but Daily Connoisseur style. If you know of any literary agent or publisher in need of such a revolutionary novel, do let me know.

Lastly, Baby Connoisseur is a splendid little bundle of joy. She is healthy and vibrant and getting bigger every day. Thank you again for all of your lovely comments and messages.

And, as always, if you have any requests for future blog posts, leave me a comment, or email me and I will do my best to honor your request!

Bisous,

Jennifer xx

Pictured above is a beautiful bouquet of flowers given to me by Mr. Connoisseur.

Does Using Organic Mean Safer Ingredients?

What To Believe

This is a question that has been asked and answered throughout the internet, and by many who have an ulterior purpose for meeting a certain agenda such as marketing their products, or by those trying to convince you that "organic" is the only answer to safer cosmetics and personal care products. My primary formulations in my skincare products are comprised mainly of organics and I fully support the effort to be more natural in the use of skincare ingredients, but I also realize that to have safe organics, entails utilizing a small percentage of synthetic preservative to keep them safe and free from bacterial growth. The fact is, there are some fantastic synthetically created age defying ingredients available which will outperform any organic one, and are proven just as safe. This simply is not a black and white issue.

We are dealing with this very premise in terms of the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010. Most of the information being promulgated about "toxic chemicals" are biased and are coming from the EWG, Campaign For Safe Cosmetics and those that take their rhetoric and spread it throughout every blog, website or online news channel. And unfortunately, most of their information is an ideology they wish to impose on the rest of us without any of the information they disseminate as being anywhere close to scientific.

I hope you enjoy the information that my next guest author brings to the table based on his educational background, years of experience and his ability to explain things in simple detail. He provides a rationale to this ongoing debate we are currently exposed to as others assign themselves as the ultimate authority, wishing to do our industry irrevocable harm based on supposition and unscientific documentation.

Introducing Doug Schoon, Our Guest Author Today!

Doug Schoon holds a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry from Cal State University and Masters of Science Degree in Chemistry from the University of California-Irvine. Doug is an internationally-recognized scientist, author and educator with over 30 years experience in the cosmetic, beauty and personal care industry. He is a leading industry authority, known for his technical and regulatory work that has helped shape the beauty industry. He is Co-Chair of the Nail Manufacturers Council (NMC), and as Creative Nail Design’s (CND) Chief Scientist, was head of the R&D laboratory, QA, and Field Testing/Evaluation departments for almost 20 years.


Give Me 100% Organic

We all know that words are important tools, but it is easy to underestimate their incredible power. Words communicate useful ideas. This is especially true of the terminology used in the professional beauty industry. Professional terminology allows you to understand me, even though I’m on other side of the world. For example, if I used the word “pedicure”, you’d know that I was talking about a service involving the feet. The opposite is also true. Problems can develop when terms are misunderstood or used incorrectly. Would you want your blood drawn by a nurse who confused your “veins” and “arteries”? Imagine the problems of a jockey who always said “giddy-up” when he meant “whoa”. In my last article, I used the word “cuticle” as an example of a widely misunderstood word (See Where’s the Cuticle? Professional Beauty, July-August 2007). This issue, I’d like to talk about five more words that are causing a great deal of confusion.

THOSE DARN CHEMICALS

The first word is “chemical”. The very word conjures fear in many people. To some, all “chemicals” are dangerous and others wish they could completely avoid “chemicals”. But the truth is we cannot live without them – not even for a second! Why? Because everything you can see or touch, except light and electricity, is a “chemical”. Water, milk, vitamins, food, air; each of these are all made entirely of “chemicals” and all living things are 100 per cent chemical. So it always confuses me when I see a product that is “chemical-free”. How can that be true? How can any product “contain no chemicals”? What secret allows the creation of products that use no ingredients? Because the truth is – like everything else – all cosmetic ingredients are chemicals, no matter where they come from or how they’re made or whether they’re derived from synthetic or natural sources. Anyone who tells you differently is not telling you the truth. All of these are chemicals, so obviously there’s no reason to fear chemicals. Everything (including nature) is made completely out of chemicals, so they can’t be all bad. In fact, the overwhelming majority of chemicals you’re exposed to during your life time will be safe and harmless.

“BUT, IT’S ORGANIC AND NATURAL”

“Organic” is another misunderstood word. Organic substances are primarily composed of carbon. Since all living things are carbon-based, they are “organic”. Just about everything on Earth is organic, with the exception of rocks, sand, air, metals and water. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of cosmetic ingredients are organic and so are plastic containers, caps, ink and labels. Just about any type of product can claim to be organic, including every type of artificial nail enhancement product. Nail tips, fiberglass resins, adhesives, removers, monomers, polymers and UV gels are all organic, so this is a meaningless claim. Never choose a nail enhancement product simply because it claims to be “organic”. I recommend that you choose your products based on their long-term performance, ease-of-use and the quality of the education provided; not marketing buzzwords like “organic” or “natural”.

When you think of “natural”, what comes to mind, visions of cascading waterfalls, rainforests or open plains of wildflowers? All these are wonderful thoughts, but certainly not the whole picture. Think about it, nature is pretty wild and dangerous, filled with poisonous and harmful substances. For example, many millions of people suffer each year from allergies to “all natural” ragweed, pollen, cat dander, dust mites, peanuts and poison oak, etc. Natural substances cause most of the allergies we suffer from! So, why do we automatically assume that “natural” means safer and better? Remember, everything “natural” is also 100 per cent chemical. Never assume that “natural” claims make something safer or better. All the word really means is “occurs in nature”. That can be said about many things including petroleum, soot and tar.

NON-TOXIC IS BEST, ISN’T IT?

A well-meaning environmental activist told me she believed that cosmetic products should contain only completely “non-toxic” ingredients. The problem is – that’s an impossible expectation! “Non-toxic” is a marketing term with no set scientific definition and definitely not what’s needed to ensure cosmetics are safe. Here are a few examples to illustrate my point. Drinking excessive amounts of water over a short period has caused many deaths. Doctors will tell you that even water can be “toxic”. Swallowing a large spoonful of rubbing alcohol could cause death to a small child. Does that mean that rubbing alcohol cannot be used safely? Of course not! Concentrated hydrogen peroxide is potentially dangerous and highly toxic, but two per cent solutions are safely applied to a child’s injured knee to kill germs and prevent infections. Should we avoid hydrogen peroxide antiseptics or forbid water as a cosmetic ingredient because they can be “toxic”? Absolutely not! That would be ridiculous! So what is important?

In most cases, the concentration (the percentage of an ingredient in the product) is the most important factor for determining product safety. For example, a skincare ingredient may cause some users to experience irritation, redness, swelling and itching when used at a 25 per cent concentration, but the same ingredient can be extremely soothing, moisturizing and non-irritating at a five per cent concentration. This is why manufacturers of beauty and cosmetic products utilize many types of scientific methods and techniques to ensure cosmetic ingredients are used at safe and appropriate levels. We’ve all seen “non-toxic” claims, sometimes in the strangest places. Next time you see a product that claims to be “non-toxic”, think about what would happen if you ate a kilogram of it every month? In most cases, I don’t think that would be very safe or healthy. I’d be especially cautious if the product claims to be “100 per
cent organic, chemical-free and based on all natural and non-toxic ingredients”. Remember, the more you understand about the meaning of these words, the better choices you’ll make. Don’t be fooled; be informed!

friday forte: happy and content

happy birthday me, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

Right now I'm happy and somewhat content.
It's a nice feeling.
It's not that there's nothing to write about but I just thought you might like to know that it's not all angst in world.
Right now I'm feeling happy.
There are still Things I Need To Do.
I still don't have nearly enough time in the day to get them done (some very strict self-scheduling required here).
There are still aspects of my life as a SAHM which I would love to change.
And I'd still like some sympathy and understanding of what I have been going through. I don't want solutions or commiserations; I'd just like you to say, "Yes, it sucks. I'm sorry it's been happening to you. I don't like it when someone I care about is going through a bad patch."
I don't want to be told to 'pull myself together' or to 'quit griping, there are those worse off than you' or that my problems are either nothing or are my own fault.

And I hope that I can remember this when I meet someone else going through a troublesome time.

PS: the birthday's next week; chocolate, cheques, bath goodies, fine wines, iPods, smartphones, etc. can be mailed to the usual address ..... ;)

Are Parabens Making Us Fat?

The Devil Is In The Details

Recently I came across several websites which sell organic all natural products and now are pushing a new mantra of "parabens making us fat" in order to promulgate a certain agenda, hoping to create more fear so they can promote their products.

Do I even have to suggest this is ridiculous let alone a disgusting marketing ploy? I mean everyone knows that if you can't sell your products on their merits, then by George, scare the customer into buying them....customers love that! Plus it begins the spiral of spreading this rumor by those that believe, which in turn scares more people, which in turn becomes reality through ones perspective, literally taking on a life of its' own. These types of marketers are hooked on the "chicken little syndrome" and can only sustain in our world by dealing with the negative aspects of it. I prefer to live in the positive...but that's just me!

There are few things that scare me in life, but when I read these blurbs on blogs and websites, I get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when I read this hyperbole, which I am sure is similar to those that get the same feeling whenever they buy into this propaganda as reality.

Many of us enjoy a thrill ride or a scary movie for the adrenalin rush, but for some a roller coaster ride can be quite nauseating. I equate this to a roller coaster of truth versus deception, and this is not a thrill ride most care to endure, and can be quite draining to the person seeking the truth. And to those that do this type of thing to the unsuspecting consumer by spending this much time turning over every little rock to come up with and spread this latest science fiction, is reaching an all new low and is disingenuous to say the least.

Equating Science With Theory

They like to compare the introduction of parabens into our personal care products as to the increase in thyroid cancer over the past 25 years. Well this could be scary except this has little meaning and little to do with science when increases in any illness is due mainly to increases in the population, and our reporting bases have become more sophisticated in tracking this data.

In fact research shows that incidences in cancer are dropping since 2000 and people are living longer due to healthier lifestyle changes. This is a given!

Furthermore, these spreaders of myth and hysteria go on to state that the increase of obesity in this country and globally is linked to the use of parabens because they are still debating the issue as to them being endocrine disrupting. Basically having an oestrogenic effect which behaves similarly to estrogen we make within our bodies, which is then stored in our fat cells, which in turn is making us fat.

Great theory, but scientifically inaccurate! Plus, as a woman, who since being a young adult, used birth control, some hormone replacement therapy for a time and now passing through the gateway of menopause, I can only say from my experience, in every instance of using estrogen, I lost weight. So how can this be?

My estrogen has since been tested to see if I am truly entering menopause and my levels have fallen considerably, so based on my analysis of my hormones of estrogen, then why am I slowly increasing in body mass when estrogen is falling? Shouldn't I theoretically be getting thinner?

I'll tell you how......my diet isn't the best, exercise is lacking due to my work schedule, basically fell off the yoga and workout wagon, my sleep habits are terrible which scientists correlate with obesity as well due to the cortisol effect from lack of sleep, (that's a whole other subject), and I take full accountability for where my body is today. I make no excuses and I blame no one or any one thing. Diet and exercise are key to being at a healthy weight and to stave off cancer and other diseases.

This is similar to theorizing which came first, The Chicken or The Egg?

It is fact, that estrogen is stored in fat cells, it is fact that the more obese we are the more reoccurring estrogen within our bodies along with an increase risk of cancer...but it is also fact, that when we lose fat, estrogen levels will drop and restore to normal or fall below depending on what life change we are in.

So the question remains, is it the estrogen that makes us fat or is it the fat that retains the estrogen? It is the latter as we all know.....lose the weight and estrogen levels will fall. This is why extreme female athletes deal with amenorrhea, absence of periods, caused by reduced body fat. Plus when eating all those healthy fruits and vegetables, your body will benefit from low levels of estrogen they provide for keeping us heart healthy and fight off osteoporosis, some of which can also help with hot flashes and night sweats.

The Truth Of The Matter

We have become a sedentary nation and our youth are heavier than they have ever been before in the history of it. Improper diet, unsupervised eating habits of junk food and soft drinks, and video games has created an epidemic of obesity, not only in children, but adults also.

When I was younger, I was a full on athlete, never being at home much once I entered junior high. I was an English equestrian, riding in competitions, karate, racquet ball, played tennis, water and snowed skied, volleyball, swimming, ballet, you name it, my mother had me in it....and I loved it all, well except for the French and piano lessons. On summer evenings we were outside with our friends riding bikes, playing green light, red light, hide and seek and tag. The activity was boundless....and I ate two Big Mac's almost everyday with fries and a coke. I weighed 100 lbs soaking wet at 5' 3" tall all the way up until I turned 30....until then it was Metabolism baby!

I look at myself today, and some times ask myself, "what the hell happened?" And to answer myself back, "LIFE happened!" Some say this is the beginning of insanity when we answer ourselves....I just say it is empty nest syndrome and menopause!

Go to any gym, observe our athletes, young or old, or walk around a park and notice the joggers, the cyclists, the aerobics class our Hollywood actresses, etc, etc, of which I am in awe of, they are in shape, look great and did so through proper diet and exercise....literally working their buns off to achieve the bodies they have. They didn't get them by eating twinkies and watching the boob tube endless hours, complaining that parabens are making them fat.

Our bodies are designed to move and spending 8 hours a day at a desk will take its toll on any person unless they get up and move after work. Go to the couch later and it is a repeat of the day we spent at our desks.

Blaming parabens as causing us to be fat is a cynical viewpoint and one that does not hold water. The blame game in order to avoid personal responsibility about our choices in life is something that is a growing epidemic.

Let's Compare Shall We

Fruits and vegetables contain parabens. They also contain phytoestrogens. Asian nations have some of the lowest rates of cancer and obesity......why?....because mainly it is how they eat and the level of exercise they perform. However, an increase in obesity is occurring in China and across the globe. A study was conducted by Rutgers on why we are starting to see obesity occur in certain nations while others are still remaining quite fit and healthy.... and I can assure you it is not linked to Parabens. It has been noted and linked to transportation as prosperity grows, and you can read the report Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2008, 5, 795-814.

Basically with increase of personal transportation to and from destinations, level of exercise decreased, when the typical method of getting around was either walking or riding a bike.

The benefits of anti carcinogenic and anti mutagenic properties with a diet rich with leafy greens, fruits and other vegetables is the best argument for increasing these in our systems, while reducing fatty meats, sugars and chemically laden processed foods. Our bodies were not designed to metabolize synthetic chemicals in our diets. Plus, calories in, calories out....if you are consuming more than you burn each day, you will gain weight....common sense is that simple.

However, this tired mantra espoused by these marketers to sell their products of stating absorption of skin care products is at an alarming 60%, is the perpetuated myth we see over and over on the internet and now is supposedly linked to obesity through the absorption of parabens.

Where did they get this number? I have tracked this repeatedly, and I can't find a single source of scientific evidence to support this theory. In fact, unless the product is completely made up of nano particles, this is impossible since most all skincare products and cosmetics are created with larger micron size which is designed to not penetrate much below the skins' surface. This is standard knowledge within the industry. These may absorb into the epidermis as moisturizing creams are designed to do, (surface barrier) but will rarely reach the dermis much less penetrate into the blood brain barrier.

The Science Presented By Dene Godfrey August 8 2010:

Dene Godfrey is President at the Society of Cosmetic Scientists in the United Kingdom and has over 28 years experience of preservation of personal care products in technical and commercial roles, including NPD (New Product Development).

Can Parabens Make You Fat?

A very simple question, but one that requires a detailed scientific answer, unfortunately!

Recently, one or two web sites have started to ask this question, or even state it as an unassailable fact. At first glance, the claim seems ridiculous, but there is a sort of strange logic behind it, albeit based on misinformation. The logic is based on the erroneous claim that parabens mimic oestrogen. Oestrogen is related to increased body fat (one of the reasons why women tend to have more body fat than men – at least, in different places!). The problem with this train of logic is that parabens do not mimic oestrogen, despite what many anti-chemicals organizations and commentators may claim.

The main source of this information was a study by Routledge in 1998 (Routledge, E.J, Parker, J, Odum, J, Ashby, J and Sumpter, J.P. Tox. & Appl. Pharm. 153, 12 - 19) which measured the oestrogenic activity of several of the parabens, both in vitro and in vivo – the in vivo results are the more relevant, because they better reflect “life”. ( In vitro means “in glass”; “in vivo” means “in life”.)

This study found that butylparaben had oestrogenic activity 100,000 times weaker than the natural oestrogen tested alongside for comparison. The same study also found that methylparaben had NO oestrogenic activity. (if you check for information on Skin Deep, the Environmental Working Group’s cosmetics database, you will see that they have quoted this Information incorrectly). The terminology here is confusing, because “oestrogenic activity” does not mean that the substance behaves in the same way as oestrogen – it simply means that the substance can bind to the oestrogen receptors in the body; so oestrogenic activity does not automatically mean oestrogen mimicry. In fact, a further study carried out in 2006 (Pugazhendi, D, Sadler, A. J, Darbre, P. D, J. Appl. Toxicol, 27, 67 – 77) showed that the potential to mimic oestrogen (by measuring the effect on global gene expression – the REAL measure of oestrogen mimicry) was extremely low, because the researchers found that the parabens all behaved differently – not only from each other – but also to oestrogen in their effect on global gene expression. Basically, it is of relatively little importance that substances can bind to oestrogen receptors ; what matters is the effect they have whilst they are bound, and parabens do not mimic oestrogen. – this 2006 study proves it.

Parabens do NOT mimic oestrogen, and nor is there any proven link to cancer, despite what you may read elsewhere.

So, the short answer to the question “do parabens make you fat” is “NO”!

End Report

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

tuesday (in no particular order)

new Fluevogs, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

This is the last week of Any Organised Camp For The Wee Guy so I'm trying to race through all the Stuff I Should Be Doing uninterrupted. He told me yesterday that he wished he was in fulltime after school care because he finds being at home with me boring. He could meet new friends everyday instead of being stuck at home with me.

Please go check out my blog posts from a month ago to see how "great" that one made me feel.

Then run a search for 'playdates' or 'childcare failures' .......

Sigh!

Apart from his Words of Wisdom I'm actually feeling a little bit up (gasp). I've got a new distracter figured out (a website revamp) and a couple of orders have come in from one of my (almost empty) Etsy shops completely out-of-the-blue. I sold some earrings today and have a pendant to deliver on Thursday. I even sold a necklace at the farmer's market last week! (yes, in the heat!).

I am however, Still No Closer To Sorting Out My Life but then maybe my mission is to continue the search. The out-of-school care question and the Y2Play pass for Grouse this winter are subtly screaming at me to avoid fulltime employment (sorry mr ebb). Maybe the lure of unlimited playtime on snow will focus my afterschool care search?

or maybe this nice pair of Fluevogs will be my salvation?

local news: BC suffers in the summer

on the road, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

the start of our slow food cycle ride through Pemberton Meadows two years ago

BC (that's British Columbia aka the west-est bit of Canada to those of you with a hazy grasp of global geography) is currently reeling from its summer dealing of wildfires. The forests round here are so tinder dry that they are literally going up in flames. Some of this is due to lightening strikes but unfortunately the majority are due to human carelessness (and in some cases, deliberate acts). Communities are under evacuation order or choking in smoke. Even Lower Mainland (that's the bit at the bottom left next to the pacific and the US) is under a hazy blanket of smoke/smog. Rain today has been a welcome relief and I hope it's bucketing down in the areas suffering from forest fires.

If it's not burning, it's sliding. A massive landslide occurred to the north of Pemberton early on Friday morning, obliterating a forestry road and blocking a creek outflow. Caused by the melting Capricorn Glacier, this event (the second largest slide in Canadian history) initiated an evacuation order for the Pemberton Valley 65km away due to fears of catastrophic flooding if the artificial dam breached suddenly. The evacuation order has now been removed and residents can return to this beautiful area.


a slideshow of our cycle through Pemberton Meadows during the slow food cycle two years ago

Snake Venom, Is This The New Botox?

The Snake That Bit Me

Well after seeing an episode of "The Doctors", my curiosity was piqued over a new ingredient being utilized in various skin creams. Don't remember the name of the cream they promoted, but only the ingredient as the next miracle cure for the aging process.

They were touting that the ingredient which is synthetic snake venom, a small peptide which mimics the polypeptide found in the venom of the Wagler's Temple Pit Viper, would perform similarly to Botox, yet without enduring the injections.

Now... since I have a natural aversion to snakes, I find it all to be a bit unsettling. I don't quite get the marketing premise, promoting smearing snake venom or its' derivative on ones' skin. Making this skin cream an adjunct to snake venom and equating a toxin with younger skin, I am just not making that association.

The whole thing sort of creeps me out personally...but then again I am not crazy about pumping botulism up under my skin either.

The Closed Study

Pentapharm, a pharmaceutical and cosmetic R & D company, and the creator of this ingredient through their research on snake venom, which is referred to as SYN-AKE, or under INCI, as Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, claims it acts the same as venom, a neuro toxin, blocking neurotransmitters which freeze, or as they like to refer to it in press releases, as "kill" the aging process through reduction of muscle activity, whereby causing their relaxation when applied topically.

Now I would like to point out, the in vivo study they performed was not peer reviewed or independently tested, nor was identified as a "blind study". It was extremely short term, only lasting 28 days, conducted on 45 volunteers. They further stipulate that wrinkles are smoothed and not as deep.

Okay,....let's go with that....now let's ignore the fact that any good skin cream with a complex blend of what we would consider the "good stuff", will have similar effect utilizing other anti aging ingredients. Since the study does not disclose the placebo and only used acetyl hexapeptide-3, this in comparison may show benefit. However, this also created a completely controlled, limited study without providing all the necessary data to prove or disprove the benefit of this latest "fad" ingredient against others. Basically it was peptide against peptide.

Then they point out that in vitro studies showed a remarkable improvement as much as 82%. Wow...that's significant. Never mind the fact that in vitro is completely controlled and can be manipulated to whatever the researcher needs it to be. In fact, it is this very type of testing, and a perfect example which has got so many of us in the cosmetic biz upset with EWG, since this is most of their configured data proving supposed harm to humans, yet no human studies have been proven to show same.

In vitro as described by Wikipedia: Short Version; A procedure performed in vitro (Latin: within the glass) is performed not in a living organism but in a controlled environment, such as in a test tube or Petri dish. Many experiments in cellular biology are conducted outside of organisms or cells; because the test conditions may not correspond to the conditions inside of the organism, this may lead to results that do not correspond to the situation that arises in a living organism. Consequently, such experimental results are often annotated with in vitro, in contradistinction with in vivo.

Ask yourself this question on in vitro versus in vivo; Why such better results in the petri dish, yet on human tissue, and only on a single volunteer, they claim 52% improvement?

I don't consider this remarkable at all...out of 45 volunteers only a single one had this type of results claimed. To me that is the equivalent of testing any ingredient on 45 people and only one got a rash.

Pentapharms' Research Data, PDF

Truth Or Hype

There is no doubt that peptides have been shown to increase resilience of skin, helping to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, as has many other great ingredients designed for the purpose of achieving similar results.

However, the claim of freezing the muscles temporarily would also have to mean that this penetrates deep within the dermis, then to the muscle, causing a type of paralysis similar to Botox. After all it is facial muscle repetition which creates our frown and laugh lines.

So when looking at an actual snake bite where the neurotoxin goes about the work of paralyzing the victim and then killing them, the snake clearly injects venom through its' fangs deep into the muscle, also entering the blood stream. There is nothing topical about this action.

Similarly again, look at Botox, it must be injected into the facial muscles in order to paralyze them, giving the face a frozen look. I mean really, if skin could take up ingredients like EWG (negative aspect) and many large cosmetic firms (positive aspect) want us to believe, then we could slather Botox on our skin and not endure the pain of sticking a needle in our face. In fact, this analogy is something to consider, if you were to stick your hand in a glass of vodka, or whatever is your poison, you should be able to get drunk without having to suffer the empty calories through internal consumption....how's that theory workin' for ya?

So does common sense dictate this is the new anti aging ingredient? You decide!

For me, I believe snake venom is just another snake oil designed to dupe us into believing this is the next fountain of youth in a jar. But hey, if it sells skin cream, I guess it is okay to overstep federal regulation.....yes?....no!

Internet Claims Abound

Now along with researching this ingredient, I also located many formulations touting this ingredient and how the skin is tighter, more toned, fewer wrinkles, etc. etc.

Make no mistake, this may be true in regard to the overall emulsion, but let's not pin our hopes on the synthetic snake venom, since toning and tightening of the skin will come from a multitude of other ingredients....so it all depends on what else is in these skin creams.

Is It A Drug?

All of the companies I located utilizing this ingredient are also crossing the "drug claim" line with their anti aging, anti wrinkle claims. Making these claims based on the study put out by Pentapharm and using the descriptive SYN-AKE, does not make the claim accurate. Without the FDA approved testing of this ingredient with efficacy numbers stated as they relate to a finished emulsion, like in the studies performed by its' creator, these companies using this ingredient are in violation of FDA and FTC regulations. However, including the creator of this ingredient, there are no monographs present such as "active" on any ingredient deck with percentage of efficacy, warning statements, dosage, intended use and so on, clearly stated on the label, as "drugs" must have. At least I didn't find any on the ones I could locate.

Botox is clearly an injectable drug. Usually administered by a doctor, or plastic surgeon. This equation by those to botox, which are using it in their formulas, is not at all the same thing, yet they go over the edge of making the "drug" claim.

Pentapharm recommends 1-4% added to the solution it is used in. But the question remains for the companies using it....have they tested their emulsion with these ratios and proven that efficacy was retained and results are similar or exacting of the non peer reviewed study of Pentapharm which were performed at 4% ratio? Highly doubtful!

Craze Happy

This is the latest craze and it certainly won't be the last, but topical application means just that,"topical", not into nerves or blood or muscle tissue....but topical..... and, many luxurious skin creams will work to treat the surface of the skin, and only a few of those may go as deep as the dermis with only as much improvement as one cream can accomplish.

Close those purse strings, because this is the new marketing hype surrounding this ingredient, and based strictly on, because it is the new found "craze".

crafty take aways

crafty take aways, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

Almost cheating but a quick update on some new projects I've been working on for this Thursday's New Westminster Farmer's Market - wire crochet craft kits!



For the full story check out my other blog (this is the cheeky bit)!
Hope to see you at the market! It's a great place for a late afternoon family outing, with lots of scrummy food, not-too-busy face painting and even a children's play area!