If there ever was a sin....

....It's probably that thing I ate this weekend.

Now, I try to stick to being reasonable, active and veggie-eating on weekdays, but weekends are the time to indulge, so I went to that nice breakfast restaurant. They have to most wonderful crepes ever.
Last week I had the spinach and cheddar one, which was still pretty okay, diet-wise. There were lots of the green.

But this Sunday, I decided to try something called "Country Delight". And it was described as Crepe filled with cream cheese and covered in Raspberry sauce. Nice!

But then I saw the waitress come my way with this embarrassingly *Huge* plate. I don't know if it's just me, but when that kind of thing happens, I get pretty convinced that everyone around is thinking that this girl is quite the pig.

I swear, I must have misread the menu, because first of all there were not one, but two rolled crepes, each one as long as my forearm. The sauce was good and very much tasted like fresh raspberries.
But....it's just unbelievable the quantity of cream cheese filling they managed to cram in there.
The first few bites were excellent of course...but you quickly start to feel like you're eating a full cheese cake melted inside those crepes. So I started to press the rolls with my fork, and couldn't believe how much there was. It kept coming out. There must have had at least a full cup of sugary cheese cream.

I didn't even eat it all (not because I was keeping my resolutions, but because I simply couldn't anymore....and I tried, it was so yummy.) But I'm sure I ate at least 1000 calories that morning. If not more.
And now I feel kind of bad.

Next time I'm bringing someone. Oh my God, bathing suit season is coming so fast!

The Mystic's Dream

Yesterday, as I was walking trough the little "park" near where I live, I suddenly had a realisation:

If I had to chose only ONE song in the history of songs I adore, and only be aloud to listen to that ONE song for ever and ever. The choice would be easy: "The Mystic's Dream" by Loreena McKennitt.


To me, this piece represents absolute musical perfection. A Masterpiece if there ever was one.
I have listened to it for years and always get shivers, and even discover new things about it. It is that complex.

Now, I realise some people would look at me like I am some kind of fool, and pick a Pink Floyd song, or something like that. But hey, we all have something that moves us.

In my case, it's this very eclectic mix of Oriental-sounding drums and percussion.
The mystical effect of the deep Gregorian chants and Loreena's ethereal high voice that makes me close my eyes and shiver as I am transported outside a very very ancient, small stone monastery in the middle of a dark, ageless forest of giant trees in Old England or Ireland. Druids and priestesses, the overpowering beauty, power and mood of nature....

The song makes me relax, or concentrate, or motivates me. It works for everything. It's MY song.

Even yesterday, as I was walking through the trees , after years of listening to it, I discovered that nearing the end, there's even some kind of organ that begins to play softly in the background. And I had to sit. I had never known what made the song get even more intense nearing the end, and now I know. Viva I-pod!

To Fight the Zits....

A simple trick to fight those pesky pimples we tend to get every month....and that make us feel even more hormonal then we already are:

-One drop of Tea Tree Essential oil. (That's it!)

Simply use a cue-tip (or fingertip), pour a drop or two on it and dab on spot.

It works even better if you manage to catch it at the earliest stage, even before it's out. It kills the bacteria, the zit is dead, and you feel much better.

*Reminder-Wash your finger before petting cats or any animal!*

Accepting....

I realized something this morning, as I prepared to pull out one of those dreaded white hair I've been finding on my head for the last ten years or so.

I didn't give them much thought because they were constantly covered in many layers of hair colors and junk, but now that I want to let my hair grow it's natural brown, they are screaming for attention. Being whiter and longer then ever.

Now, it's not that white hair isn't pretty, I have to admit that every time I pulled one out, I looked at it an unnatural amount of time, wondering at how shiny, and pearly and *solid* it looked.
I also have this long time fascination with Albinos and their beautiful whiteness of skin and hair.

The thing is, I am only 25...and there are already 10-15 of these outsiders on my head. So I guess the problem is coming to terms with having a full head of white when I'm 35 or so....
Well it's in the genes....it's the transition that's bothering me really, give me fully white, shiny hair right now, and I will be ecstatic. But salt and pepper at 30?....Meh.

Flax-Seed Gel

Quick Recipe to make your own gel.
Extremely cheap, quick and fun to do. You can have a different scent every week too!

-2 tablespoons of whole Flax seed
-1 cup water

Bring the whole thing to a boil, then let it simmer at a low heat for about 10 more minutes. Until a gel-like substance has formed.
Now, this won't exactly be a Jell-O consistency, more liquid/gel.

But once you've got over your natural aversion to spread that weirdness into your hair, all will be fine. I suggest adding a few drops (2-5) of essential oils to the mix.

Keeps about one week refrigerated in a small glass bottle.

****An important note about essential oils:****
They can be very Toxic to animals. So there is no putting it IN or ON them.
I keep mine carefully closed, but even though I leave the bottles on the counter, I found that my cats aren't particularly attracted to the strong aromas.

Also, E.O. are VERY strong and should be used with caution. Never straight from the bottle, they almost always need to be mixed with a carrier oil or substance.

My three personal favorites are Lavender, Tea Tree and Rosemary. The first two are pretty mild, so less dangerous.
I put Lavender in practically every hair stuff I make.
Rosemary is believed to give shine to the hair and help it grow faster.
Tea Tree is excellent for dandruff, so when I need it, I add a few drops in my Shampoo/Condi mixture.

ACV:The Fruity Gold

We all have heard about Apple Cider Vinegar.

Yeah, you can make healthy and yummy vinaigrette with it, I even heard that it can help you burn fat faster. (But later found out to my great dismay, that it won't really work as promised if you are not willing to abandon fries, and your mom's excellent, excellent deserts. Which I am not.)

I was pretty sceptical when I read it could be put on our hair....I mean, vinegar? That's pretty scary, especially if you were a bleach junky like me at a time in your life, and you have experienced the trauma of seeing your hair burn and break off your head like spiderwebs.)

But I did it. And oh wonders! It worked!
It even worked better then all my expectations. I'm not too sure of the chemistry involved, but I think that this kind of vinegar gently dissolves any residue and buildup from the hair, and closes the follicles. Resulting in beautiful, shiny, bouncy hair.

This shouldn't be done more then once every two weeks though. Here is the super easy recipe:

-2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar
-1 cup water

Mix in a large bowl.
Now the trick is to saturate the hair with this mixture. So I use two big bowls. With my washed and conditioned hair still wet...I kneel and bend over the side of the bath with the empty bowl under my hair, ready to catch the ACV. I pour the content of the other bowl over my head and just switch like that, pouring it over and over again, until I'm tired.

Rinse off, preferably with colder water and plump hair. Voila!

Now and Then

Okay, so here are some testimonial pictures.

It has been two weeks since I've started this Poo-detox method, and results seem to be great.

I mean, look at that! It's practically magic (hence the starry-shimmers I felt compelled to add), considering the orangey bird nest I had to deal with only a few months ago.

The secret to Healthy Hair

First of all, let me say this:

http://www.naturallycurly.com/index.php

Because I can't explain every detail of the routine on this Blog.
So this works amazingly well for curlies and wavies (and wavy-curls like myself)....but I suspect it must work wonders for straighties too. Anyone who wants great hair, I guess.

That's how it goes: Our poor hair and scalp has become addicted to shampoo. Shampoo is harsh on the hair, especially the abused tips. (Curlies are even worst.)
Yes, WE made it this oily. Every time we wash it, we make it oilier. And then we are forced to wash everyday or look like an Oil ball. It needs detox. Warning, detox can be pretty ugly thing....but result will be worth it. So:

1-Eliminate every conditioner that has "cones" in it. That is, anything that ends with "Cone" in the tiny ingredient list on the back. (Suave condies are a good cheap label) Cone is our enemy, to make it easy, it's like putting a film of plastic on every hair. Sure, it becomes all soft and shiny, but it builds up like hell.

2-Eliminate shampoos altogether, or try the half/half method.
The No-Shampoo method is pretty easy, and works better for very very curly hair I believe. The trick is to wash your scalp with Conditioner and let it sit for awhile. Apparently, they have very mild cleansing ingredients that become sufficient with time. (You will need to go on the website for more info, because I don't have it all.)

3-Being a mix of curls and waves, I use the Half method (That should work for straight hair.)
In a small plastic bottle, you mix a small quantity of shampoo with a little bit more of conditioner. Add a lot of water, close the bottle an shake until it becomes a nice foaming/watery stuff.
Coat the length of hair with good conditioner to protect it.
Apply the washing mixture to scalp little by little, rubbing little circles on the scalp with finger tips. Rinse well.

4-Condition all of the hair, and this is the time to detangle while the hair is dripping in moisture.
use a wide-tooth comb or fingers. Rinse well.

5-Never towel hair dry! This kills the curl formation and messes hair up. Gently blot water out with your head upside down. This is called "Plumping" I think, and you can read about it on the site.

6-Add Cone-free Gel or products gently and let dry WITHOUT TOUCHING! I think this might be the most important part.

In the next entry----How to make your own gel with Flax Seed, the wonders of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and Essential Oils for your hair.

Hard to beleive...

They....are...making...a......BRATZ movie!

Yes, those little deluxe hootchie dolls with lollipop head, collagened lips and thong underwear that pass for good role-models to little girls.

Alright, I don't even know what to say about that. The only weirder thing, is that it's going to be a "real" movie with actresses and all.

It's just too out of this world, I can't come to terms with that. Are they really this desperate for ideas?

No more Fringe!

I felt the need to make this oh so very important update!

Fringes are way too complicated when you've got the curls. Down with the fringe! Spring is here!Free the hair!

In the next days, I'm going to post a few amazing do-it-yourself tricks I found on the net lately...Would you like to make your own shampoo? Have you been dreaming of making jewelry with bottle caps? Stay tuned!

Revisiting Moulin Rouge!

It has been a favorite movie of mine since the time I first saw it in the theater.....but years after, I had mostly forgotten about it....until this morning.

I'm pretty sure I could be called very weird when things like that happen. But in all seriousness, there I was, at 7:00AM, walking to the bus station and staring straight ahead with a faraway look, being practically moved to tears by Ewan Mc Gregor's powerful and heartbreaking voice and completely blown away by the orchestra and beautiful tragedy of Moulin Rouge's soundtrack.

I mean, that soundtrack is pure genius! Nothing less!

So please, for all that is good and beautiful, go listen to Tango de Roxanne, or the Show must go on, or Come what May, listen to it on your IPod, get into your little world, and get intense.

Because life just wouldn't be worth living if music that grand would leave me cold.

I take it Back

I think I said things that were slightly insulting about Tori Amos' last album a while ago....

Well, let me just hit myself over the head and take it all back.

I've been listening to The Beekeeper today, and it has completely grown on me. It is AWESOME! Different, but still the same, such a distinct feel to the songs....

Sorry gotta go to my IPod again...because yes, today is the day I have finally learned to work that little piece of technology. Aren't I very modern and hip?

Thank you little brothers!

Feelin' spiritual....

Look at that,

My little brother's stone collection inspired me this afternoon.

I was just looking at all the pretty colors (are colors this brilliant really found in nature? I mean flaming Fuchsia ? My guess is that they are like us women and got prettified with a bit of die.)

So somehow I placed them all like that in a neat little spiral. And now I feel all Zen and relaxed. I don't know if this has something to do with Mandalas or meditation stuff like that.

I do know that spirals have always been powerful spiritual symbols. Now I feel like reading up on it....I know I've got books back at home that talk about that.

Behold, the Power of Hestia

Well, here I am, sitting at my computer again, eating cheap chocolate Easter eggs that are still oh so yummy even though they are Da-Cheap.

So let's get to the point....
Since I read Tori Amos talk about Goddess archetypes (in her book, which I really want to read again soon) , I have been very curious about that. How does one go around finding which Goddess out there resembles you the most. Was there even one for me? Because let's face it, I need to forget about huntresses and love-goddesses altogether.

Ideally, I would have loved to find some Celtic Goddess, because of my huge fanaticism for the Celtic culture...But I found the next best thing...this site:
http://goddess-power.com/index.htm

There is a very in dept test over there, go take it!

It turns out that I am more like Hestia, the least known of the Olympian Goddesses, they say. She minds her own businesses, and mostly isn't "Out there".

Here's what they also have to say that pretty much describes me:

"Hestia - possesses an introverted temperament and is focused on her inner, spiritual world. Hestia is an archetype of inner centeredness.

The goddess, Hestia did not take a partner. A Hestia-type woman, today, may prefer to live a more solitary life or live within a community of like-minded, spiritual 'sisters'.

She resists the amorous advances of men, therefore, placing her in the 'virgin' goddess category. (Good Lord! Eeep!) She is independent, autonomous and, focused on her inner spiritual world, she is not seeking a relationship with a man to complete her. Her energy is impersonal and detached. Her awareness is focused.

She is kindly yet distant - she possesses the ability to love impartially

Possible difficulties for a Hestia-type woman in today's world - presenting herself as a 'non-entity', in other words--she has no desire to stand out, and not as a result of her own family or cultural conditioning, rather, by her own conscious choice. (This I need to meditate on...I feel like it could make me understand many things...)

Hestia type lacks assertiveness - she will not speak up - she is out of place in this modern, fast-paced, competitive world.

Hestia type, due to her introverted nature, tends to be undemonstrative with her feelings toward others even though she may care for them.

Hestia types appear to lack outer ambition - she is a home-body and tends to the hearth/the needs of the home.

Seduced by the need for logical reasoning, she will feel compelled to dismiss her keen intuition because she is unable to 'logically explain herself'. (So sad, but so true)

Hestia's wound is more about the fact that she has little place to exist in this society with the current social values on consumerism--'having more', 'gotta-have-it' - which requires increased work hours to enable increased spending, therefore, creating increasingly frantic lifestyle as a result.

Modern women who are less assertive and less intellectual often feel, inwardly, second-rate in our fast-paced, competitive society. A woman exhibiting a quiet presence, following her own internal (rather than externally exhibited) spirituality is, at best, misunderstood and viewed "quirky", or a "loner".

Hestia exhibited an inner strength which rendered Aphrodite unsuccessful in seducing or persuading any love/Eros desire in Hestia - Hestia has strength to resist all that takes her away from her own center.( So *that* explains it!)

Hestia type focuses on her own inner experience/feelings - she is inwardly connected.

Woman in whom Hestia archetype predominates is often a single woman who lives differently from the conventions of society. Her family or married friends who subscribe to "normal" lives may 'pity' her aloneness. However, it is often the unconscious fear of alone-ness--loneliness within the individual that creates the presumption that the Hestia woman is unhappy or pitiable. (Thank you!)

A Hestia woman has cultivated positive aspects of the 'Recluse'--an independent and creative woman, she craves solitude which offers her the sacred space in which she makes contact with her deepest self--the place where she meets spirit."

I think I found my Archetype!

Easter is quickly running our way!

And that means, of course, four amazing-lazy-sparkling days of vacations. But also.....

Easter dinner! And Easter Gifts!

Because I have this compulsion to make every Holiday extra special, now that I am out of that freak cult they call a religion. (I received one of those Jehovah's Ws tracts again, for their celebration of their own little Easter that celebrates the DEATH of Jesus. *rolls eyes*. Yeah, I WILL be going to that again.)

So I'm turning all Martha Stewart this week, I'd really like to spend some time on the gifts instead of buying those very cheaply-looking and baby-like chocolates and sweets at the store.
I know my brothers wouldn't care at all, they would eat anything....but you know, it's just the principle of it....

Oh god, I don't want to end up buying a basket of purple Peeps again!

That's it! I caught a fringe!

Yes, very original of me right?

I mean, if you look at celebrities these days, fringes are very much like a fast-spreading virus.

It seems like everyone is getting one.

But they're so damn cute!

I think I might have been infected by Nelly Furtado...but more probably, it was Tori Amos....

I'm pondering if it makes me look even more like a 10 years old though...that would pretty much kill the effect. Must add red lipstick....

About Sagittarians.....

I'll admit, I find astrology quite fascinating.

Without becoming one of those slightly wacko persons who take every word of it to be 100% accurate, the zodiac and descriptions of it's signs is a very fascinating subject.

Maybe because it's very old....

So I hate to pass judgement according to someones sign...but my God!

I'd like to have a confirmation from someone, somewhere, that not all the people born under the sign of Sagittarius is a promiscuous-womanizer-who-will-likely-cheat-and will never want to be with the same person for too long.

I keep finding cases upon cases that support that little rule. It's sad, because they are mostly excellent and sweet people, if it were not for that women-hunter gene....

Are you out there? Sagittarians who are part of a faithful marriage or relationship? Who have kids? Who don't need to sleep with everything that looks your way? Make me wrong!

More of the Doll Posse!

Tori Amos news!

A picture just came out from Tori's soon to be released album, and it's even greater then the first one with blood on the leg! Yes, it IS possible!

I just love the whole concept of this weird group of dolls. They all have names, and supposedly, their own blogs too. Rumor has it that Tori Amos will impersonate each of the characters on stage when she goes on her next tour.

I can NOT miss that.

My personal favorite is the one sitting on the ground, called Clyde if I remember well. She kind of reminds me of myself....(Click on the pic for a bigger version)

Of course, the one with the chicken is just awesome, you don't even need to ask if I find that she's the coolest, most freaking hot one of the bunch.

Oh, the possibilities...waiting is torture!

The Real Spring!

Yes, it has officially come today.

The calendar told me two days ago that it was in fact, the first day of Spring. But when the sky is grey and menacing, the wind is cold and so strong it's difficult to breathe, it's silent like death and there's still a good feet of fresh snow....even if the day is March the 21th, it is NOT spring in my book.

I'd rather trust Mother Nature on that one, she knows best.

This morning, the sun is shinning, the air is cool and smells sweet, most of the snow has melted, the sky has put it's Easter colors on and the birds are singing and making babies....THERE you go!

Spring has come on the 23th of march this year, whether we like it or not.

(Photo not mine...many thanks to the person who took it, it's beautiful, and expresses just what I feel !)

Happy St-Patrick's Day! (Weekend)

I've really got no idea why I love St-Patrick so much. But I do!

My adoration of the color green? The fact that for one day, it's okay to go around talking about Leprechauns, wearing a clover pin and using that awesome sparkly green eyeshadow that I can never wear on a normal day?

Maybe.... I don't know. It might be a combination of all those factors that makes the day of the Irish people so cool and celebration-worthy in my mind.

And I always felt that I had at least a bit o' Irish in me....Even though some (older) people in the family would like me to believe that we are all of 100% French descent, I just can't believe that until I see actual proves.

I mean, there are some pretty obvious hints of Irish blood there....we've got freckles, most of us have red/orange tones in our hair, one of my grand-fathers was downright red-haired. Many of both families have tempers not to be messed with..... and they love to drink too. Is that not enough?! Ehehehe

Happy St-Patrick's Day!