Doing Other People's Dishes

When I think about dishes in the sink...

If you eat, there will be dishes to clean. Unless, of course, you're living off cup noodles and plastic sporks and leading the life of a broke-ass college student, then this article is not intended for you; come back later when you can afford to feed yourself. For the rest of us who use the sink for its intended purpose, read on.

Sharing is caring, and if you're looking for another way to show that you care (and possibly that you're a bit OCD and a clean freak), do your dishes AND other people's dishes that are in the sink. I never really understood this notion of "oh, I'll clean only the dishes that I've used and leave the rest of (names of people living with you)'s dishes in the sink." If you're already in the act of scrubbing and washing, then I see no point in leaving dirty dishes in the sink just because you didn't use it.

I actually think it's selfish to do so. Why? Because the moment you decide to put down that sponge and walk away from a sink still full of "other people's" dirty dishes, you're essentially saying you only care about your actions and that you are not willing to contribute to the betterment of your surrounding just because the mess was not created by you.

(For my philosophical rumination on this topic, which it kind of turned into in the above paragraph, please read the last section of this article.)

Of course, if the person/people you are living with constantly leave dishes in the sink for days or refuse to wash them at all cost, then it's time for a conversation, not a passive-aggressive "they'll learn to take care of themselves if I just don't do it for them."

Most importantly, I think doing other people's dishes shows you care about that person. You are giving the gift of time by sacrificing your own, no matter how short it may be. You are giving them peace of mind because we all know that dreadful feeling that comes with the words "dirty dishes." All in all, you do it because you care and there is no better reason.

Special Thanks

I'd like to thank my mom for being the first to show me the power of such a small, inconsequential act. In the past, I have found myself leaving dishes in the sink because I was in a rush or preoccupied with one thing or another with the full intention of washing the dishes later when I was not so busy. Many times I would come back to an empty sink and clean dishes. And every time that it happened, I would feel grateful and know that I was cared for.

Philosophy on Doing Dishes

Who'd have thought talking about doing dishes could turn into something philosophical? I didn't when I first sat down to write this. But I guess I couldn't help myself, the thinker in me just kind of took over. So I'll try to keep this short:

The way I see it, this is similar to arguments surrounding being a responsible member of the community and how certain people will turn a blind eye on something that is blatantly wrong. There are people in society who think everyone has certain responsibilities to fulfill--be a good parent, don't litter, don't waste food, be kind, be environmentally friendly, vote, uphold the law, etc. And we need these people in the world because they will hold themselves accountable and fulfill their own responsibilities.

However, these people usually also expect others to do the same and think that if they're doing their part then they've done their job, nothing extra is needed or should be asked of them, which, really, there is nothing wrong with thinking that way. I was just never raised that way.

I was raised to believe that putting in the extra effort is what will make this world a better a place. Because, unfortunately, as much as there are people who are responsible, there are as many who do not do what they are "supposed" to do. Just because people recognize their responsibility does not mean they will do it. What are the responsible people to do then? Turn a blind eye and say that's not mine to do, I've already done my share?

Let's look at a simple example: littering. Any sane person knows it's not right, morally and legally, to just throw trash anywhere you want. Yet, we still see people who don't give a second thought to littering. There are many responsible people who see a person littering or litter in general, know that it is wrong, and will still walk away without doing anything because it is not their responsibility and they are already doing their part by not littering.

Again, there is nothing wrong with this. But I was taught to be that person who picks up the trash to put it where it belongs even if it's not mine. Truth be told, I don't do it all the time, but I do believe the world needs more of this type of people, which I think is best described as altruistic.

Now, connecting this with doing dishes (finally!). I'm the kind of person that believes an individual's morals and values shine through in every aspect of his/her life, no matter how small. (Or I'm just too much of an idealist.) Therefore, I believe that people who leave dirty dishes in the sink after washing only their own are more likely to be the people who walk away in the littering example given above.

Ultimately, this article is not to criticize people who are already responsible (although it might seem that way), but to hopefully encourage those people go above and beyond.

Here ends my "short" rant on something philosophical that probably shouldn't be.

Green Your Lady Cycle!

Did you know that the average woman throws away up to 300 pounds of menstrual product in their lifetime?

Try multiplying that by the number of women in the world. That's a lot of bloodied trash going into the landfill! Not to mention they'll be around for, oh, I don't know, hundreds of years before they biodegrade.

The thought of my used tampon outliving me is kind of disturbing and disgusting at the same time.

If this also disturbs you, maybe even a little, then let me tell you how to green your lady cycle!

There are several options of reusable menstrual products for you to choose from: menstrual cup, reusable pads, and sea sponge.

Menstrual Cup

Let's start with the menstrual cup because this is what I use.

There are many different options when it comes to menstrual cups. It's actually almost like looking down the grocery store aisle trying to choose the perfect shampoo. I don't have much advice in terms of how to choose between the different brands other than to pick a color that you like and go with it (not that it matters anyway because it will be inside of you). I personally have the Moon Cup. It works just fine and I see no point in spending money trying out other brands. You do want to make sure that whatever cup you get is made out of medical grade silicone though.

What I love about the menstrual cup is that I only have to empty it twice a day: first thing in the morning before I go to work and around 12 hours after that. It's nice not having to worry about changing my pad/tampon throughout the day. Of course, this also depends on the heaviness of your flow during your cycle.

Another plus is that I don't feel my cup at all while I'm using it.

These cups run around $25-$30 on Amazon.

Some Useful Tips

• Do not be afraid of the size: it will fit, I promise! Just follow the instructions on how to insert the cup and you'll be fine. Remember to breathe.
• Do not use strong soap that will leave residue to clean your cup. It's going into a sensitive part of your body after all. I use Johnson's baby wash to clean my cup. Hey, if it's good with a baby, it's good with my baby, too.
• Make sure the holes around the rim of the cup is clean and clear. They help the cup breathe as it gets filled up.
• Cut the stem as much as you like. The Moon Cup comes with a pretty long stem and I had to cut mine down to less than half an inch left. You may opt to cut it all off. Don't worry, your cup won't "disappear" inside your body.
• If you're worried about leakage, pair the use of your cup with a reusable pad (next section).

Reusable Pads

I have used reusable pads as a second layer of protection when I first started using my Moon Cup, just in case. I now rarely use them. However, this is a great option for those who want to stop using disposable products, but menstrual cups are still too intimidating. A great site I found for buying these pads is at GladRags.

There are a couple of reasons that I don't use the pads. One being that they are bulky. The pads work by placing absorbent inserts into the holder, so they can get pretty thick depending on your flow. Here's a video on what I'm talking about, if you're curious:

The other reason I don't use the pads is simply because I don't want to deal with the mess, or the smell. It seems like such a hassle to clean them, whereas with the cup I can just rinse with some soap and it's clean. Also, we all know that the only reason our period stinks is because it comes into contact with air. Internal menstrual products solve that issue.

A word of caution: don't throw the pads into the washer without first rinsing them. I made the mistake and one of my white shirts was stained. Follow their cleaning instruction!

Sea Sponge

Last but not least, the reusable sea sponge.

As the name suggests, these are sponges that you insert to absorb your menstrual flow internally. It can be synthetic (the pink one in the picture) or naturally harvested. These are actual sea sponge that grew in the ocean and are sustainably harvested. If you want something that is definitely biodegradable, this will be the way to go. However, they don't last as long as the cup or the pads. The advertised reusable life is up to 6 months at Jade&Pearl (or more if you take good care of it).

One other concern for most consumers in regards to this particular product is its safety in terms of toxins. Sure, it's advertised as containing no chemicals and whatnot, but it did come from the sea. As much as I hate to admit it, our ocean nowadays are full of trash and chemicals which can get absorbed by these organisms at a micro level.

Plus, this product is not endorsed by the FDA either. So technically, it can't be marketed as "menstrual sponges," "hygienic sponges," and "sanitary sponges." If you look closely at the sites that sell these sponges in the United States, none of them will use the word "menstrual" or give you a description on how the product should be used. Some will actually let you know they can't tell you because of FDA regulations. So I decided to just opt out of buying sea sponges.

In Conclusion

Out of the three different products I talked about, I definitely recommend the menstrual cup. Not only will it help the environment, it will save you money on buying all those disposable products for the years to come. You'll get your money back within the first year of using the cup anyway. Trust me, once I started using the cup, I never turned back!

The pStyle

Being a woman, using a bathroom away from home has always been kind of awkward for me. Whether it is hovering over a gas station toilet trying not to touch the seat at all costs (burning thighs, burning thighs!) or squatting in the wilderness painfully aware that my crotch is only a mere two inches away from the ground and that bugs could jump on at any given moment. Not to mention the constant fear that someone will turn the corner and see my bare buttocks on a hiking trail.

I've always envied the guys who could just casually walk two steps away from a trail and do their business. As for me, I had to find a clearing with a flat surface not too different from finding a spot to pitch a tent, lest I want branches poking and tall grass tickling my private area.

But no more! I have found the solution to this problem!

I present to you: the pStyle!

Women can use this product to pee while standing up without taking their clothes off!

Of course, I wouldn't recommend anything without trying it out first... And I must say, it works great! I went on a camping trip with my friends to Sequoia National Forest not too long ago and had the chance to use my pStyle for the first time. It's easy to use, discreet, and hygienic. I just love the fact that I didn't have to pull down my pants or underwear in order to pee and there was no mess! I would say that it works best when you are wearing pants with zippers.

This is where I got mine from: http://jadeandpearl.com/pstyle/

It is $12.00 on the site where I bought mine, and $12.99 on Amazon. There is also a variety of color to choose from (I got a pink one).

If you are an active, outdoorsy girl or always travelling to new places with questionable bathrooms, the pStyle will serve you well. :)

Acne.org

Having problems with acne? Look no further, the answer is here!

Acne.org's The Regimen works!

The Regimen is a three step process with a cleanser, treatment, and moisturizer. The treatment--the magic of this whole thing--is a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide solution. Proactiv has also recently changed to a three step process with benzoyl peroxide (they used to use salicylic acid, which yields no result for me). Even so, I'd still recommend The Regimen from Acne.org. Here's why: Proactiv's cleanser contains exfoliator, benzoyl peroxide, and glycolic acid.

Exfoliator:  One of the causes of acne is irritation. Rubbing your skin with little beads, no matter how "gentle" the manufacturer claims it to be, will cause irritation and inflammation. Before I knew of this irritation theory, I've noticed that my acne always gets worse every time I use a cleanser with exfoliating beads even if it's supposedly for acne prone skin.

Benzoyl Peroxide:  It's already in the treatment! Adding this ingredient to the cleanser will further dry out your skin for no good reason. Plus, the way that benzoyl peroxide works to clear acne is by oxygenating your pores (acne bacteria thrives in oxygen-less environment, so oxygenating your skin will prevent acne from forming). Just lathering your face with it and washing it off right after does nothing but rips your face of moisture.

Glycolic Acid:  While a physical exfoliator such as beads causes irritation, a better alternative is a chemical exfoliator, which is what glycolic acid is. My objection to this ingredient in the cleanser is the same with benzoyl peroxide. It's drying and will be washed off mere seconds after application. I support glycolic acid as an extra step in the process (as with The Regimen), but not in the cleanser.

Of course, going to the dermatologist also works. I did for a little while and my skin was as clear as ever. However, it's a lot of time and money that I didn't want to spend. I couldn't find a good alternative to going to the dermatologist until The Regimen. I've tried a variety of things: tea tree oil, sulfur, salicylic acid (which is a popular ingredient in store bought acne medication), etc. I continued to break out.

After one month on The Regimen, my skin dramatically improved.

WARNING:  They were not joking when they say your skin will peel! Like, crazy! I was literally shedding skin on certain parts of my face. You will be discouraged and will want to stop. Don't! If you stick with it, your skin will keep getting better. The skin peeling lasted for about two weeks with me. I stopped wearing makeup then because it makes the flakes even more apparent, and I haven't really worn any makeup since. Simply because there is no need to.

While it is unavoidable to get a pimple every now and then (in my case, usually before my period), they go away very fast. When it used to take me at least a week for a pimple to go away, it now takes me only two or three days with minimal scarring, most likely only resulting in hyperpigmentation.

I truly recommend this product to anyone struggling with acne. My only advice is to be patient with the result, it will take a while before you see any change, especially with the skin peeling fiasco. According to the website, it could take up to three months before you see any improvement if you have severe acne.

For more information and ordering of the products, visit www.acne.org. These products are only sold online and cannot be found in local supermarkets or pharmacies.

Forks Over Knives

This documentary could save your life indeed! Or at least it totally changed mine! More specifically, it changed how I eat.

This is probably the most comprehensive film on health and diet that I've seen so far. It advocates for what is called a whole food, plant based diet and claims that this diet can prevent and actually reverse chronic diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, etc.

The evidence presented was so compelling that I've decided to cut the consumption of meat and most dairy out of my life. My fridge now has no meat product in it whatsoever.

Extreme, you say? I concur with Dr. Esselstyn, a cardiac surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic, when he says, "Now, with the Western diet, this guarantees there's going to be, what, a half a million people in this country [U.S.] this year who will have the front half of their body divided, their heart exposed, then veins will be taken from their leg and sewn on their heart. Some people would call that extreme."

Watch this documentary and take control of your health!

Here's a trailer:

Forks Over Knives can be viewed via Netflix streaming, if you are subscribed.

Here is a list of related documentaries that I've watched but will not be reviewing, because I thought Forks Over Knives has the most impact and is sufficient in and of itself. This is for those of you who want to learn more:

1. Food, Inc. (2008) - A must watch on where our food comes from, both meat and produce. Available via Netflix streaming. Here's the trailer.
2. Food Matters (2008) - An exploration into the food that we eat and the connection between our health and the pharmaceutical company. Available via Netflix DVD. Here's the trailer.
3. Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead (2010) - A man's journey to good health by doing the juice fast for 60 days. I actually find this one very entertaining, maybe because of Joe's accent. Available via Netflix streaming. Here's the trailer.
4. Hungry For Change (2012) - An interesting look at food addiction and the variety of weight loss programs out there. Available via Netflix streaming. Here's the trailer.
5. GMO OMG (2013) - A father's quest to figuring out GMO and its implication on human health and the environment. Available for purchase via Amazon and iTunes. Here's the trailer.

As I started to change my diet, I found this book helpful in guiding me through the process as well as educating me on nutrition in simple terms: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition.

Disclaimer: I am not being sponsored by anyone. I am now starting to realize I mention Netflix a lot, but that is only because we are subscribed to them (we choose not to install/watch cable TV).

Another Disclaimer: Forks Over Knives contains graphic footage of bypass surgeries. If you have problems with seeing blood, I suggest closing your eyes and listening to the narration at such points in the documentary.