Product Review

Some of you may be wondering how I'm doing on my 1 month no sugar/no refined grains diet. Well, around week 3 things started getting hairy. Not literally; I've actually been shaving pretty regularly, but my drive for sweets and carbs started really kicking in. I decided that if I was to have success, I needed to relax the grain rule a bit and really focus on the sugar goal. So, alas, while I'm still trying to choose whole grains for the most part, I have partaken of some french bread and, even, a white roll. I've remained pretty diligent in the sugar department, completely avoiding cake, cookies and *gasp* Cadbury mini eggs during several confrontations. I knew my will-power was waning, so in preparation for all kinds of Easter temptations, I equipped myself with some Sugar Free Dove dark chocolates. I truly felt like I was cheating, as these smooth, creamy chocolates tasted almost as good as regular chocolates. In fact, if I had not known they were sugar free, I wouldn't have guessed it. It should be noted that Dove had to make up for their lack of sugar with a lot of saturated fat, so one should not feel that they are eating healthy by opting for these chocolates, but for those who can't/won't tolerate sugar, they are a good choice. A word of warning, however: In small letters near the ingredients list on the back of the package are the words, "Excessive consumption may produce a laxative effect."

!!!

I'm sure more than one person learned that lesson without reading the label. In the end, I can only conclude that anything that makes your guts react so extremely should be eaten with caution.

Over Christmas break (oh, so long ago) we stayed at Dandi's house where I was introduced to Pero. Since then I have learned that I am one of the last Mormons out there who do not know about Pero. But just in case there are more out there who share my previous ignorance, (and you don't have to be Mormon) I would like to introduce you: You, Pero. Pero, You. Pero is basically coffee for people who can't drink coffee. It's a lot like Postum, which apparently is not on the market anymore. Caffeine free and made from barley and rye, it has a strong, bitter taste very similar to coffee. For those of you, like DH, who think that coffee is nasty, you will not like this, but for those of you who linger a little longer in the coffee aisle at the grocery store breathing in the strong scent, you just might. Like coffee, it can be consumed "black," or with cream and/or sugar. I prefer it with a teaspoon each of coffee creamer and cane sugar (though I've lately been using Splenda instead). I purchased a can around Christmas time and I've gone almost completely through it, entirely on my own.

Happy Birthday to me! (In two days). I decided in January that for my birthday I wanted a pair of Chacos. I've spent months researching these not-cheap sandals to ensure finding the perfect pair and these are the ones I ended up with. After hearing testimonial after testimonial about how these sandals are heaven for your feet, virtually indestructible and perfect for activity of all sorts, I was sold. They are particularly geared toward people who spend a lot of time outdoors because their polyester webbing dries quickly and never fades. The webbing is continuous, aside from the ankle strap, making it possible to adjust the tightness in every area to conform to your foot exactly. The sole offers superb arch support. After months of shopping and stopping at REI to try on various pairs I decided on this style and color and then just waited until I came upon them to pounce. That time came last week at a little store in the city where I've been attending school. My size, my style, my color. My sandals. And because I'm an adult and don't have to wait for my birthday to use my birthday presents, I've been wearing them. We are currently in the breaking in stage, but so far, so good. I think this is the beginning of beautiful friendship.

Last fall, when I was going through my "water makes me sick" phase, I was really trying to figure out a way to keep myself better hydrated. That was when I remembered TLee and family carting around their Camelbaks and decided that a nice water bottle might be worth a try. At $14 a pop, it may seem a little excessive to spend so much on a container for water, but I will tell you that it has been completely worth it. I got mine in my stocking. Thanks Santa *coughmecough*. DH got one as well. Mine's purple. For those who've never seen how they function, that little sipper spout folds down when not in use, keeping it more sanitary and completely leak free. When you do want to sip, you pop the spout up and bite on it a little, opening the slit, and then suck on it like a straw. The design makes it so that unless the bottle is in your mouth with a little pressure applied to the slit, no water can get out. I love it because you can take slow steady draughts without feeling like you're guzzling. Without really realizing how much you're drinking, you take little sips here and there and before you know it, all 24 oz of water is gone! You never have to tip the bottle, it's convenient to carry, and basically ups your cool factor a half of a percent. (This is scientifically proven.) I have stayed much better hydrated since getting my Camelbak. DH hasn't become as big of a fan as I have, but we realized that the slit in his bottle must be a little smaller or something because the flow seems constricted. Maybe he just got a freak bottle and needs a new one. *Note: Camelbak also has a filtered water bottle just like this. The Camelbak "Groove," as it's called, filters your water as you drink and costs $25.00. You do have to replace the filters occasionally, however.

Last fall, in a freak clothing adjusting accident, I ripped my fingernail very badly. Deep down into the pink of the nail it ripped across more than halfway through. First the pain dance, then blood, then wooziness, then cringing and nausea as I had to try to clip it down, which tugged and bent it, then bandages. I had to keep it covered for about two weeks, (and then I super-glued it after that) so I went through a lot of bandages. I must sing the praise of Nexcare fabric bandages, which we happened to have on hand as a result of them recently having been on sale. They conform, adhere and breathe better than any other bandage I've tried. They are soft, so they don't feel like as much of an unweildy hinderance as their plastic-y counterparts. I'm also a fan of the shape. The fact that they provide more adhesive surface on either side of the padding makes it easier to secure them at any odd angle, of which there are many on the human body. I'm a convert. Nexcare gets my business from now on.

If I was told I could only eat one kind of cracker for the rest of my life, I would choose Wheat Thins Crunch Stix. I don't know why an ultimatum like that would ever present itself; It's not like some terrorist is going to destroy all the nation's cracker factories and I have the power to save just one, leaving me the sweat-inducing decision of which to choose. However, if that did happen, I would save the Wheat Thins Crunch Stix factory. (And, hey, maybe they're made in the same factory as regular Wheat Thins, so then I'd be saving multiple varieties!) But I digress.

I really like these crackers. They are super crunchy and fun to eat. I think that most food is probably better when presented in cylindrical form, don't you? Think about it.

So they have multiple varieties, including Fire Roasted Tomato, Chipotle Pepper and Cinnamon Kick, but I prefer good ol' Honey Wheat. These are not particularly low fat, low calorie, or even low sugar (5 g a serving) but I deluded myself into allowing them into my diet this month because the first ingredient is whole wheat flour. They do include .5 g of saturated fat per serving, which is no no, but hey, it was either these or Krispy Kreme, so I still think I made the better choice.