User:	snopes_dot_com
Date:	2010-03-19 15:00
Subject:	Bump Truck
Security:	Public

http://www.snopes.com/photos/accident/pushcar.asp

	User:	naturalliving (posted by guarhana)
	Date:	2010-03-18 15:28
	Subject:	Clear reusable baggies?
	Security:	Public

Hi all!! I just want to say first off that I love this community and I check this thread more than once a day. :D
I looked in the memories and couldn't find exactly what I was looking for but did find some helpful tips.

See, I'm making A LOT of changes in our household. For example, I'm getting rid of all tupperware and switching over to glass and/or stainless steel and/or reusable baggies.  I have a 20 month old and she LOVES her snackies. It just bothers me giving her a little plastic ziplock bag that's going to end up being thrown away...even after several washings....they just don't hold up that well. What I'm having a problem with is putting the tiny reusable baggies in the fridge.  It's kind of like 'out of site-out of mind'.  So I end up forgetting what's in the little baggy and it tends to go bad. What a waste and definitely not what I'm going for! So I'm curious.....is there a clear reusable baggy out there? BPA free too?  I keep thinking of those little clear make up bags they have. I have no clue if they're BPA free though.

I have this odd feeling like I'll just have to stick with my little pyrex bowls.  It just seems so pointless to put one or two little slices of apple in a bowl. 

I can't seem to find a clear PUL either. Is there such thing??

Plus, I'm concerned with hiking and camping this year. When I open my pack I don't want to have to open every single little baggy to remember what's in them. Call me crazy but I can't be expected to remember EVERYTHING...not anymore anyway. LOL

Just curious if you guys have any suggestions or ideas. :D

Thanks a bunch!!!

User:	snopes_dot_com
Date:	2010-03-18 15:00
Subject:	The Body Under the Bed
Security:	Public

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/gruesome/bodybed.asp

User:	snopes_dot_com
Date:	2010-03-18 15:00
Subject:	Girls Aloud
Security:	Public

http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/girlsaloud.asp

User:	snopes_dot_com
Date:	2010-03-17 15:00
Subject:	Sonny Tufts?
Security:	Public

http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/radio/sonnytufts.asp

User:	snopes_dot_com
Date:	2010-03-15 15:00
Subject:	The WHY
Security:	Public

http://www.snopes.com/photos/boats/whyyacht.asp

User:	snopes_dot_com
Date:	2010-03-12 15:00
Subject:	Welcome Home, Daddy!
Security:	Public

http://www.snopes.com/photos/military/welcomehome.asp

User:	snopes_dot_com
Date:	2010-03-11 15:00
Subject:	WalMart Immigration Raids
Security:	Public

http://www.snopes.com/politics/immigration/walmart.asp

	User:	naturalliving (posted by laviefacile)
	Date:	2010-03-18 13:35
	Subject:
	Security:	Public

I've been using this recipe for body sugaring for years now. Sometimes the recipe works up fine and sometimes it doesn't. Anyone else have this experience? How do you troubleshoot and fix a botched recipe? I made it today and it's super-smooth and doesn't stick to the hair. I added water, and that made it a sticky mess.

And I'm still hairy (not that there's anything wrong with that).

	User:	naturalliving (posted by ballcrusherrox)
	Date:	2010-03-18 13:19
	Subject:	Natural Allergy Remedies
	Security:	Public

I'm looking for a natural way to prevent/treat seasonal allergies. In the spring and summer, I my allergies get really bad (and it makes my asthma really difficult to manage.) Last year I had constant asthma attacks in the summer from any little irritant and had to be put on several very strong inhaled steroids. Obviously I would like to avoid that this year, but I hate taking antihistamines regularly and they don't work very well for me. I've been reading up on natural remedies and I have consistently come across Nettle extract (Urtica dioica) and quercetin. (I also saw ephedra a lot but since I have hypertension I don't think I should take it.)
Does anyone know about these two remedies? Are they helpful/are there side effects/risks I should know about?

	User:	naturalliving (posted by angeltorcida)
	Date:	2010-03-18 10:33
	Subject:	Sprouts?
	Security:	Public

Hi everyone!

I want to start eating more sprouts, so I'm going to get a seed sprouter.

Does anyone have recommendations for sprouters and/or tips for sprouting?

	User:	thaadd
	Date:	2010-03-18 09:14
	Subject:	Not so bad
	Security:	Public

This morning, the only thing that really hurts is my crotch, from biking on minneapolis roads - even a fairly nice seat couldn't save me from some serious spankin....


Also! Woo - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8573948.stm Hobbit starts filming.

Also, finally got my xmas present from my buddy in the UK. Cakes, weird shortbread treats, tea, some Warhammer stuff, and most importantly PICKLE. This weird assortment of flavors, in a little jar, for spreading on toast. My tongue is trying to pry apart the flavors - definately chili, tomato, onion. There is some cinamon, maybe mace? I can see coriander seeds.... It's this sweet spicey vegetable spread for toast. I wish I knew the recipe :(

	User:	naturalliving (posted by goansmile)
	Date:	2010-03-18 19:21
	Subject:	Green Living
	Security:	Public

Hi All,

Found some great tips that we all can follow. Here goes..

1. Plant your own garden: If you have the space, plant a kitchn garden in your backyard. You get fresh organic vegies and also a workout while gardening.

2. Reuse the water: When you wash your lentils, rice and vegetables, save the water and put it in your potted plants. This way they also get some extra nourishment.

3. Soak 'em up: Soak your lentils and rice for a couple of hours before cooking. It uses less time and fuel to prepare. And don't forget to cover it while it cooks, best is to use a pressure cooker.

4. Ditch the paper: Get cloth wipes and towels which can be washed and reused rather than using paper wipes.

5. Off the microwave: When not in use, switch off power to your appliances like the microwave, oven, food processor etc. This cuts down on 'vampire power' and can reduce your electricity bills by 5%.

6. Use appliances judiciously: Avoid using the electric chopper if you can use the knife. Don't just shove food straight from the fridge into the oven, let it thaw for a while before you put it in to cook. And DON'T preheat the oven more than required. Making as best use of the oven as possible -- cooking more than one thing at once, for instance -- is wise.

7. Star gaze: Look for the Energy Star rating when buying new appliances or replacing your old ones.

8. Use CFLs: Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). They last about 15 times longer than regular bulbs, fit into standard fixtures and use up to 75% less energy.

9. Use the dishwasher only when full and skip the heated dry cycle and let your dishes air-dry if you can.

10. Don't place leftovers in the refrigerator while they are still hot. This will raise the appliance's internal temperature, and use more energy. Instead, let food come to room temperature before refrigerating.

11. Find greener substitutes to chemical cleaners. Spray countertops with plain tap water then wipe with a microfiber towel to eliminate 97% of germs and bacteria. To achieve an even deeper clean, wipe countertops with rubbing alcohol, which kills 99.9 percent of germs.

 

	User:	naturalliving (posted by evershadowed)
	Date:	2010-03-18 21:01
	Subject:	mineral makeup, cleansing grains and brown rice
	Security:	Public
	Mood:	sick

This may or may not be a redundant question, but the current makeup quandary is driving me nuts so here goes.

I used to use mineral makeup a few years ago then became dissatisfied with it. But liquid feels so heavy and gross lately, plus summer is coming up here in Shanghai which means insane humidity. I mostly need to minimize the look of pores and even out skin tone (sensitive skin, so it gets uneven or red or blotchy somewhat easily from various things).

I've used the more commercial mineral makeups (BE, and something called Sheer Cover) but those made me itch. I used Aromaleigh for awhile and I have tried Everyday Minerals. So, I know the mineral makeup market has expanded in recent years...if you use (and like) mineral makeup that is NOT one of the brands I mentioned, please suggest!


Has anyone used a cleanser (bought or made) consisting of grains (I know various places like MountainRoseHerbs make things called cleansing grains or similar) and/or clay based (another example http://www.manorhallsoapcompany.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=313)? As a daily cleanser (I still do OCM several times a week, but daily use of it was too hard on my skin)? Do you find it to be effective as liquid soap(or similar) based cleansers? If you make your own, feel free to share the recipe.


Okay, last thing. Living in China, so I not have an oven, fyi. But, I am looking for not too horribly hard recipes involving brown rice. I used to melt shredded cheese in it back in the states, but I want to branch out. Suggestions?


Thanks again everyone.

	User:	naturalliving (posted by mahsox_mahsox)
	Date:	2010-03-18 19:08
	Subject:	Water miscible lavender oil?
	Security:	Public

The shops here sell pure lavender oil and water miscible lavender oil. I would like to make the second out of the first as needed. Is mixing it with cheap vodka sufficient to do this, or would I need to buy some other sort of alcohol or solvent? We don't have vodka on hand but it is easy to get. Has anyone used it successfully for this purpose before? I don't want to buy a bottle of vodka if it isn't going to be useful.

The only other alcohol I have on hand is methylated spirits, which does work to dissolve essential oils, but I'd rather not use it in a laundry rinse situation.

User:	snopes_dot_com
Date:	2010-03-18 15:00
Subject:	Girls Aloud
Security:	Public

http://bit.ly/bq36oL

	User:	naturalliving (posted by chellyisme)
	Date:	2010-03-17 23:41
	Subject:	Eating Locally and in season
	Security:	Public

It always amazes me when looking through recipes and it states that "the rich and mapley flavour of this dish would be perfect for a fall get together". Fall?! Did I read that right? Why the hell would you be eating maple syrup in the fall?! Every time I go to a potluck (I am Pagan and our feasts are potluck so this happens quite frequently) I always try to incorporate at least 1 local in season ingredient so that I am making the attempt to eat how I should be living in the area.

It is slightly hard to do that living in Canada and not knowing how it was done in the old times when there was much more snow and no preservatives as we know them today, but I do try.

It is very frustrating though that people think that they should eat one thing just because it tastes best for that season. It comes out at a certain time for a reason.

Sorry, end rant now, on the topic of maple, does anyone have any good potluck friendly recipies incorporating maple syrup? I have one to go to on Sunday :P

	User:	thaadd
	Date:	2010-03-17 18:16
	Subject:
	Security:	Public

Woot. Cut work early (used PTO) because it was gorgeous out. Hit Target. 20 minutes later, I was the proud owner of a 80$ bike, a 40$ rack, helmet, pump - already had a lock, lights, and a squishy seat thing.

Just got back from an hour fortyfive minute bike ride. Holy crap am I out of shape. Was fun though, went across the U, down the river road (river smells funky though) up through the edge of philips, down franklin a bit, then back through the west bank to home.

I have a feeling getting out of bed tomorrow is going to be like *ow* (climbs over to loft bed ladder) *ow ow* *thump* (as I tumble 5 feet to the ground).

Still. Something I am glad I did. Going to work myself up (heart/lungs NOT in shape) then maybe see about biking to work. Got to find the route that Jason said he knows to avoid the godawful hill on Industrial.

	User:	viajes
	Date:	2010-03-17 16:33
	Subject:	On the Road Again
	Security:	Public

The Rogue was amazing, but afterwards, I didn't feel like doing anything except going home. I was done with the road trip. I could have handled another week in Fresno, honestly, but I wasn't up for new adventures in new cities. I completely changed my itinerary and took the shortest route home, skipping northern Nevada and the Loneliest Road and also condensing five days of driving into three so I can get home sooner (if more exhausted and completely braindead from the final 14-hour day of driving).

I'm in Denver now, and I'm taking the day off to chill with my friend Justin, and then tomorrow I'm planning to drive all the way home and get in at some absurd hour. Unless I get exhausted and crash in Omaha or something; we will see. At any rate, I'll be officially back in the Twin Cities as of Friday.

Some random and cool stuff I witnessed on the road:

1 - Did I mention that Berkeley public libraries have tools? So if you need a sander or an electric screwdriver or something, you can just check one out for the weekend? I think that's pretty cool.

2 - Some random gas station outside Vegas gives away free coffee -- they only charge for the cups. A colorful hand-written sign listed the price for coffee "in our cups" but then added "in your cup: free!"

I saw this sign right after filling my travel mug, but I was still perplexed. I mean, for real? That doesn't seem possible. But when I went to the counter, sure enough, the woman smiled at me and said, "Just coffee? You're good," and I left without paying a dime.

	User:	meus_ovatio
	Date:	2010-03-17 16:46
	Subject:
	Security:	Public

Today at Horsey Manor was a fat, lazy, gassy, farty day. All the different herds were pretty much laying about and farting. Never really seen that before. They are all on the same schedule I guess.

I was worried at first, because something seemed wrong with Lucky:

She was docile and well-behaved.

There is something wrong with my horse. She is docile and well-behaved.

She followed about eight feet back, and I guess she wanted to lay around and fart. I began to worry that she was sick.

But then the wind came, and the ground stirred, and the winds whooshed through the trees and opened up her nostrils like sails and well... there's my baby!

No! Back! Hey! Don't! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

"Well where have you been for the past thirty minutes? Nice of you to join me!"

I trimmed up her mane. Man, her mane grows like wild grass. She would be one of those you see in breeding advertisements where their manes is like five feet long or something. I gave her a nice curved trim that followed the line of her shoulder and then tapered off up to her ears. Keeping things somewhat natural looking, instead of just cutting it straight across.

She has grown a bit as well, and now walks with a presence. Granted, with the other horses she is just a little girl, but she is getting some weight behind her and really coming in.

I think the most magical thing about a horse is how their mane doesn't flop about, but rather streams and alights with the wind and sort of just flows while running. Suspended, almost.

Anyway, blah blah blah, horsey horsey horse...