I did the Midsummers Night Run just for fun, because it was in Corvallis, and was a fund raiser for a local high school's Track and Cross Country team, and because I thought it would be good practice for my upcoming 10k in July.
It didn't quite go as planned. It was very hot, and there were big hills which I wasn't prepared for. But I had fun, and surprised myself by beating my personal record by 12 seconds. It was a good course and I have gone back to that area to challenge myself on thse same hills to help improve my speed and strength.
Smith Rock 10k here I come!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
I love Corvallis
My love for Corvallis grew even more today.
After biking around with Joey this weekend, and with the promise of less rainy weather I biked to work today. Its really not that far, and I have been feeling guilty for being an oil consumer, and being part of the reason for the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
The route to get to work was incredibly less complicated than the route I took from our last house, its basically a straight shot. Not only that but I realized that all the major stoplights on my way have bicyclist sensors. No more waiting for a car to come signal the light to change, or having to push the pedestrian button. To top it off, the travel time totaled 15 minutes. It takes me 15 minutes driving. I don't want to ever drive again.
Corvallis also has very affordable day camp options. Ocean, Raine and Layke are coming in July to spend a month with us. I'm very excited. So I have been looking for some activities to do while I'm working, I plan to reduce my hours to between 24-32 or so, which leaves those hours to be filled. The Parks and Recreation Department of Corvallis offers day camps M-TH starting at $35/week. Some of the Day camps offered elsewhere just about cost enough that it wouldn't make sense for me to work at all between the camp fee, cost of special activities and all the time and energy running them around to various places.
Another thing I love about Corvallis. We went Strawberry picking this weekend. Heavenly. I made Strawberry Jam, froze some of them, and we ate plenty. But we quickly realized that we would need more Strawberry Jam. So we are going back this evening. There is a farm about 5 miles from our house.
Another thing I love is going places and being recognized, and treated like a friend. Today at work I took a group out for lunck and the owner and several of the workers recognized us, and wondered how we were doing and were very accompdating and very nice, just like we were their good friends. We hadn't been to that particular resturant in about 6 months or more. It was a pleasant surprise.
Corvallis doesn't have a Walmart. This is a fact that I love. We do have a Kmart, a Fred Meyer and several Safeways. But we we also have a fun food Co-op of which I am a member, and a wonderful downtown area filled with various locally run shops.
Corvallis has a wonderful farmers market. As I'm sure that many areas do. Ours is along the river front, and there is always fun life music.
Basicly I'm in love with Corvallis. We will eventually be moving to North Carolina to be closer to the kids, (and I'm sure I'll love Asheville) but for now I'm enjoying Corvallis to its fullest.
After biking around with Joey this weekend, and with the promise of less rainy weather I biked to work today. Its really not that far, and I have been feeling guilty for being an oil consumer, and being part of the reason for the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
The route to get to work was incredibly less complicated than the route I took from our last house, its basically a straight shot. Not only that but I realized that all the major stoplights on my way have bicyclist sensors. No more waiting for a car to come signal the light to change, or having to push the pedestrian button. To top it off, the travel time totaled 15 minutes. It takes me 15 minutes driving. I don't want to ever drive again.
Corvallis also has very affordable day camp options. Ocean, Raine and Layke are coming in July to spend a month with us. I'm very excited. So I have been looking for some activities to do while I'm working, I plan to reduce my hours to between 24-32 or so, which leaves those hours to be filled. The Parks and Recreation Department of Corvallis offers day camps M-TH starting at $35/week. Some of the Day camps offered elsewhere just about cost enough that it wouldn't make sense for me to work at all between the camp fee, cost of special activities and all the time and energy running them around to various places.
Another thing I love about Corvallis. We went Strawberry picking this weekend. Heavenly. I made Strawberry Jam, froze some of them, and we ate plenty. But we quickly realized that we would need more Strawberry Jam. So we are going back this evening. There is a farm about 5 miles from our house.
Another thing I love is going places and being recognized, and treated like a friend. Today at work I took a group out for lunck and the owner and several of the workers recognized us, and wondered how we were doing and were very accompdating and very nice, just like we were their good friends. We hadn't been to that particular resturant in about 6 months or more. It was a pleasant surprise.
Corvallis doesn't have a Walmart. This is a fact that I love. We do have a Kmart, a Fred Meyer and several Safeways. But we we also have a fun food Co-op of which I am a member, and a wonderful downtown area filled with various locally run shops.
Corvallis has a wonderful farmers market. As I'm sure that many areas do. Ours is along the river front, and there is always fun life music.
Basicly I'm in love with Corvallis. We will eventually be moving to North Carolina to be closer to the kids, (and I'm sure I'll love Asheville) but for now I'm enjoying Corvallis to its fullest.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Four days of Utah fun
Wow. This trip to visit my family was extra jam packed with activity. I hardly had time for eating, sleeping, or showering...
I went thrift store shopping and found a super cute shirt and pair of shorts,
ate at a restaurant I had never been Eggs in the City
and had an amazing veggie-stuffed omlet,
enjoyed the sun at Sugarhouse park (you should see my tan line),
had fun visiting and catching up with my mom,
and sisters about their jobs and life in general,
Made us breakfast, then took my little sister shopping at the Mall
to find a cute outfit to celebrate her birthday, very belated,
did some body decorating henna with two of my sisters in celebration of being together and for our upcoming race,
went rock climbing,
caught up with some friends from high school Ashley who was cute and 9 months pregnant and Chrissy who I hadn't seen in years,
ran a 5K with Aprielle, and
cheered on my sister Clarissa running her marathon,
and my parents in their half marathon,
AND right before getting dropped off at the airport I helped my brother move his things into his new house.
Phew...
I loved it. The first day was the most relaxing. I hung out with my sister Aprielle until she had to get back working to get a paper turned in on time. I didn't realize how busy I would be. I had a fantastic time though.
We had a crazy rainy rock climbing adventure I'll have to post about after I get the pictures from my sister. I brought my camera, but forgot the memory chip, and found precious pictures of the kids I didn't know I had and didn't want to delete. So I took pictures with my phone, and everyone around me took pictures... Just not accessible to me right now.
When I got back to Portland I was really looking forward to Sunday sleeping in, and enjoying some down time. My husband was excited to get out so we met up with one of the guys he works with, and his wife and children and went hiking to the Menagerie Wilderness. We got home with just enough time for some serious chilling. It was a wonderful long weekend, and I was glad to be back to work so that I could relax a little bit. :)
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Going "Non-Toxic"
There are a wide variety of chemicals found in many personal care products from shampoo, lotions, bubble bath, and even many baby care products. After reading The Green Beauty Guide: Your Essential Resource to Organic and Natural Skin Care, Hair Care, Makeup and Fragrances I have learned a lot, and have been going through the process of becoming "Non-Toxic"
Here is a short summary of some specific chemicals to avoid. For more information about other ingredients go to: http://www.safecosmetics.org/ or http://thegreenbeautyguide.com/ .
1,4-Dioxane
1,4-Dioxane is petroleum derived, and forms during a cheap shortcut called ethoxylation which makes harsh ingredients more mild. That's fine, but it creates byproducts which are not required to be listed because they are not an "ingredient" because they are created during the manufacturing process. The EPA lists 1,4-Dioxane as "probable human carcinogen", and may also cause birth defects. One single product containing it could lead to 970 excess cancers in one million.
To avoid this chemical requires carefully scanning ingredient names for anything that contains an "eth". A few common ones include sodium laureth sulphate (or PEG), polyethlene glycol, oleth, myreth, and ceteareth. Also it is not found in products certified USDA organic.
Aluminum
Aluminum still continues to be in antiperspirants and antacids, even though its negative effects have been know for years. Growing up I remember my dad telling me that I should use deodorant rather than antiperspirant because of the aluminum. Its very interesting the science behind why aluminum works. Aluminum ions go into the skin cells which line the sweat ducts. When aluminum ions are in those cells water flows in, the cells swell and squeeze the ducts closed and sweat cannot get out. Why is this bad? Besides disrupting your body's natural toxin elimination, aluminum is a powerful neurotoxin, and alters the function of the blood brain barrier.
Aluminum has been shown to contribute to breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
Propylene glycol
Propylene glycol is mainly used as aircraft deicing fluid because is is biodegradable, and doesn't accumulate in soil or water. It is often disguised in ingredient lists by using plant names. It is generally recognized as safe, but was banned from cat food in 2001.
Propylene glycol aggravates acne, eczema and can make the body's pH more acidic, leading to metabolic problems. Propylene glycol also often contains impurities such as lead, iron, and arsenic.
Names of other glycols are: ethylene glycol, Diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol.
Although often used as 2% or less of a substance, it is best to avoid all glycols, especially since there are so many nontoxic alternatives.
Synthetic Preservatives
Synthetic Preservatives include such substances as formaldehyde, and act as contaminants and are skin allergens. Synthetic preservatives are safer than conventional preservatives, however there are also some natural options. The down side of natural preservatives is the shelf life is shorter, up to 6 months maximum. In making your own products using natural preservatives such as vitamin C will lengthen shelf life. Using oil (rather than water) as a base for products can also lengthen shelf life.
Synthetic Fragrances
Synthetic Fragrances are created by the hundreds to meet the needs of the trend of increasing fragrance. Even naturally occurring fragrance ingredients can cause allergic dermatitis.
Most manufacturers won't disclose their ingredient list to keep their fragrances trade secrets, nor are they required to. Most often you will find in the ingredient list "fragrance".
The bright side
The bright side is that there are many natural simple personal care products you can make at home, often with ingredients from you kitchen. Such as olive oil, baking soda, sugar, and various spices, vegetables and fruits. With the investment of a variety of oils, and some essential oils you open up the possibilities even more.
I personally went through all my lotions, and cosmetics and got rid of everything old or toxic that could be easily made or cheaply replaced. Somethings I will need to slowly replace because of the cost, such as nontoxic mascara...
I have had a lot of fun trying out recipes for homemade face cleansers, lip gloss, body scrubs. Next on the agenda is a shampoo recipe to try. When I have the results of these recipes I will share them!
Here is a short summary of some specific chemicals to avoid. For more information about other ingredients go to: http://www.safecosmetics.org/ or http://thegreenbeautyguide.com/ .
1,4-Dioxane
1,4-Dioxane is petroleum derived, and forms during a cheap shortcut called ethoxylation which makes harsh ingredients more mild. That's fine, but it creates byproducts which are not required to be listed because they are not an "ingredient" because they are created during the manufacturing process. The EPA lists 1,4-Dioxane as "probable human carcinogen", and may also cause birth defects. One single product containing it could lead to 970 excess cancers in one million.
To avoid this chemical requires carefully scanning ingredient names for anything that contains an "eth". A few common ones include sodium laureth sulphate (or PEG), polyethlene glycol, oleth, myreth, and ceteareth. Also it is not found in products certified USDA organic.
Aluminum
Aluminum still continues to be in antiperspirants and antacids, even though its negative effects have been know for years. Growing up I remember my dad telling me that I should use deodorant rather than antiperspirant because of the aluminum. Its very interesting the science behind why aluminum works. Aluminum ions go into the skin cells which line the sweat ducts. When aluminum ions are in those cells water flows in, the cells swell and squeeze the ducts closed and sweat cannot get out. Why is this bad? Besides disrupting your body's natural toxin elimination, aluminum is a powerful neurotoxin, and alters the function of the blood brain barrier.
Aluminum has been shown to contribute to breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
Propylene glycol
Propylene glycol is mainly used as aircraft deicing fluid because is is biodegradable, and doesn't accumulate in soil or water. It is often disguised in ingredient lists by using plant names. It is generally recognized as safe, but was banned from cat food in 2001.
Propylene glycol aggravates acne, eczema and can make the body's pH more acidic, leading to metabolic problems. Propylene glycol also often contains impurities such as lead, iron, and arsenic.
Names of other glycols are: ethylene glycol, Diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol.
Although often used as 2% or less of a substance, it is best to avoid all glycols, especially since there are so many nontoxic alternatives.
Synthetic Preservatives
Synthetic Preservatives include such substances as formaldehyde, and act as contaminants and are skin allergens. Synthetic preservatives are safer than conventional preservatives, however there are also some natural options. The down side of natural preservatives is the shelf life is shorter, up to 6 months maximum. In making your own products using natural preservatives such as vitamin C will lengthen shelf life. Using oil (rather than water) as a base for products can also lengthen shelf life.
Synthetic Fragrances
Synthetic Fragrances are created by the hundreds to meet the needs of the trend of increasing fragrance. Even naturally occurring fragrance ingredients can cause allergic dermatitis.
Most manufacturers won't disclose their ingredient list to keep their fragrances trade secrets, nor are they required to. Most often you will find in the ingredient list "fragrance".
The bright side
The bright side is that there are many natural simple personal care products you can make at home, often with ingredients from you kitchen. Such as olive oil, baking soda, sugar, and various spices, vegetables and fruits. With the investment of a variety of oils, and some essential oils you open up the possibilities even more.
I personally went through all my lotions, and cosmetics and got rid of everything old or toxic that could be easily made or cheaply replaced. Somethings I will need to slowly replace because of the cost, such as nontoxic mascara...
I have had a lot of fun trying out recipes for homemade face cleansers, lip gloss, body scrubs. Next on the agenda is a shampoo recipe to try. When I have the results of these recipes I will share them!
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