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Tuesday, November 23, 2010
From Travolta to Trouble Sleeping
I'm already behind on my blogging--and I have a lot I want to discuss. I've been editing for Demand Media for a year now. I thought it was finally time to do a little writing as well. I completed my first three articles over the last week, making me an official DM writer. Of course, it isn't like my last job, where I was interviewing the likes of Chuck Yeager and John Travolta, but I do like learning and this gives me an opportunity. One of my first "how to" articles was about choosing a CPAP mask. If you think you might have sleep apnea, you might be interested: http://www.ehow.com/how_7503815_choose-mask-cpap.html.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tonics and Tokidoki

One of the best tonics is time spent with friends. I got a double dose of friendship tonic yesterday. First, I met Karleen for a makeup and lunch date. After a hamburger at Johnny Rockets, we headed over to Bare Escentuals to look at the holiday kits. We both invested in one of their fun new products, "Brush With Genius," which is a magnetic, double-ended brush handle and five interchangeable brush heads in a stow & go case. Next, we went to Sephora to browse their holiday goodies. Neither one of us was familiar with Tokidoki, and we both fell in love with the packaging. If you're not familiar with Tokidoki, it's a Japanese-inspired lifestyle brand created by Italian artist Simone Legno. The brand includes apparel, footwear, accessories and, of course, makeup. The Tokidoki makeup line includes eyeshadows, eyeliners, a makeup mirror, makeup cases, a curling iron and lots of other fun stuff. I doubt if I'm going to try the makeup, because I doubt if it's gentle enough for my sensitive skin and eyes, but I have my eye on some of it for my Christmas list.
After we oohed and aahed sufficiently, we parted ways. I headed to Deb's house, so we could discuss my blog. She gave me some great ideas which I plan to incorporate. Afterwards, we headed over to Centennial Airport, where we met her husband Barry, and took advantage of the $10 dinner and $10 bottle of wine specials at the Perfect Landing. It was truly a great day.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Cruising in Mid-November

I never thought I'd like to bike ride, period, let alone ride a bike in mid-November. But, I just got back from an hour-long/10.5 mile ride. When I checked the weather this morning, it was 38 degrees, with a predicted high of 45. That wasn't thrilling. I haven't quite prepared myself for cold-weather riding. I started riding in mid-May, when we bought my Electra "Boney Finger" for me and Electra's "Eight Ball" for John. Before the snow hit this week, I had about 1,050 miles on it. My bike-riding friends have been giving me advice on cold weather gear, but there is one difference. They ride road or mountain bikes, not cruisers. My vanity gets in the way of me wearing the same gear they wear on their bikes on a cruiser. Today, I donned my jeggings, tennis shoes, long-sleeved shirt and hoodie, as well as this goofy looking "martial arts" cap I bought at Wal-Mart, thinking it might work. I don't have gloves yet, but my hands really didn't get cold. Just my face did. I went on the Little Dry Creek Trail a short ways and then got off and rode around Lake Arbor. I only saw one other biker out, but plenty of people were walking their dogs. I made a new Pandora station: Teenage Dream by Katy Perry. It was a good choice; nice mix, from Katy to Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga to Kesha and Rihanna. Overall, I was surprised at how pleasant riding in 45-degree weather can be--especially since there was no wind. I still plan on looking for an indoor alternative for the coldest days, but I have hope that I can get some more outdoor days in for a while.
Labels:
beach cruiser,
bike riding,
Boney Finger,
Eight Ball,
Electra,
Justin Bieber,
Katy Perry,
Kesha,
Lady Gaga,
Lake Arbor,
Little Dry Creek,
mountain bike,
Pandora,
Rihanna,
road bike,
Teenage Dream
Thursday, November 11, 2010
A Little Encouragement
A little encouragement can do wonders for your soul. You could say it's a great tonic. Every time I send a writer an email pointing out the "passive voice" in their articles, or other grammatical issues, I wonder if I'm going to step on someone's toes. Once in a while, someone does comment that she thinks I've gone a little overboard. Sometimes, like today, someone actually thanks me. This person took my critiques as "helpful and constructive," and said he was new to the company and had been struggling to learn the guidelines, but that my thoughtful explanations of my edits had been very helpful. That makes me feel good, and makes me nostalgic for the writers I worked with for 10 years at Airport Journals. Happily, I still keep in touch with many of them--I just don't edit them!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Sweet, Elusive Sleep
My mom never has trouble sleeping, but I do. I'm always looking for a way to get a good night's sleep. In the past, I've relied on sleep aids such as Ambien and Lunesta, and at times, night time pain relievers. But I am trying to get to sleep in more natural ways these days.
I can't even attempt sleep without a nice, relaxing bath. Usually, I add Epsom salts, to help take care of any aches or pains. I also add one of many bath products I always have around.
Lately, I've had good luck with melatonin. Our brain naturally produces melatonin, which is responsible for regulating sleep. But some of us need more, which we can get with melatonin supplements. The melatonin I take is tinctured with theanine. Until today I didn't know what that was. According to the label, it's a natural compound found in green tea.
Tea is something else that helps a lot of people. I make a point not to drink green tea before bed, because it does contain caffeine, but chamomile and mint, separate or together, are good choices.
Another suggestion is to make sure you are getting enough calcium and magnesium; if you have insomnia, you may be deficient in one or both of these.
I haven't tried it, but one of the articles I edited today states that sprinkling a few drops of lavender on a tissue and placing it under your pillow should help you sleep, because lavender reportedly increases slow-wave sleep, a deep sleep that allows your body to relax completely. On my next trip to the Vitamin Cottage, Sunflower Farmers Market or Whole Foods, I'll get some to try.
Another recommendation is yoga, which helps relax your mind and body. I'm not at the yoga stage in my life, but I'm sure that's worth a try.
I can't even attempt sleep without a nice, relaxing bath. Usually, I add Epsom salts, to help take care of any aches or pains. I also add one of many bath products I always have around.
Lately, I've had good luck with melatonin. Our brain naturally produces melatonin, which is responsible for regulating sleep. But some of us need more, which we can get with melatonin supplements. The melatonin I take is tinctured with theanine. Until today I didn't know what that was. According to the label, it's a natural compound found in green tea.
Tea is something else that helps a lot of people. I make a point not to drink green tea before bed, because it does contain caffeine, but chamomile and mint, separate or together, are good choices.
Another suggestion is to make sure you are getting enough calcium and magnesium; if you have insomnia, you may be deficient in one or both of these.
I haven't tried it, but one of the articles I edited today states that sprinkling a few drops of lavender on a tissue and placing it under your pillow should help you sleep, because lavender reportedly increases slow-wave sleep, a deep sleep that allows your body to relax completely. On my next trip to the Vitamin Cottage, Sunflower Farmers Market or Whole Foods, I'll get some to try.
Another recommendation is yoga, which helps relax your mind and body. I'm not at the yoga stage in my life, but I'm sure that's worth a try.
Labels:
Ambien,
calcium,
chamomile,
Epsom salts,
insomnia,
lavender,
Lunesta,
magnesium,
melatonin,
mint,
sleep,
sleep aids,
Sunflower Farmers Market,
tea,
theanine,
Vitamin Cottage,
Whole Foods,
yoga
Winter is Here
This weekend John and I discovered our favorite bike path so far (Ralston Creek Trail). Now, winter has hit in Colorado! Saturday, I was wearing a t-shirt, shorts and sandals; today, it's a sweater, jeggings and boots. I haven't given up my bike for the season, but the change in the weather does mean I have to figure out what fun exercise to do indoors now when it's too cold outside.
What does any of that have to do with Teas, Tinctures and Tonics? Well, I'm going to classify my Electra beach cruiser "Boney Fingers" as a "tonic." It definitely has done a lot to make me feel good this past spring and summer.
I started thinking about writing this blog last week when I was editing for Demand Media. I read something about the writers linking their work to Facebook and Twitter. It made me feel nostalgic. It's been over a year since I've written anything for a publication. However, I am having fun learning about the subjects I edit, mostly for articles that post to eHow.com and Livestrong.com. Since I enjoy the tidbits I learn, I figured I'd start sharing, as I continue my never-ending search for knowledge of alternative treatments, the latest and greatest makeup, the perfect teas and teapots, etc., etc.
What does any of that have to do with Teas, Tinctures and Tonics? Well, I'm going to classify my Electra beach cruiser "Boney Fingers" as a "tonic." It definitely has done a lot to make me feel good this past spring and summer.
I started thinking about writing this blog last week when I was editing for Demand Media. I read something about the writers linking their work to Facebook and Twitter. It made me feel nostalgic. It's been over a year since I've written anything for a publication. However, I am having fun learning about the subjects I edit, mostly for articles that post to eHow.com and Livestrong.com. Since I enjoy the tidbits I learn, I figured I'd start sharing, as I continue my never-ending search for knowledge of alternative treatments, the latest and greatest makeup, the perfect teas and teapots, etc., etc.
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