Whole Earth Sweetener Co: A Life Much Sweeter

Go Make Something!

This evening I had the pleasure of attending a reading by Chicago author Audrey Niffenegger, best known for her book The Time Traveller's Wife. At one point (I'm totally going to screw this up by paraphrasing) she was talking about how it's such a shame that as we grow older, we are taught to specialize more and more.  So instead of being a bug collector/dancer/painter/rock climber/scientist like when we were young, we become A Banker or A Nurse or A Computer Programmer.  She summed up by saying we'd all be a little happier if we nurtured that childhood tendency to just DO stuff, and she challenged the audience to go home and make something.  As she put it, it didn't matter if we made cookies or a sweater or a watercolor, just as long as it was something we made from the heart.
I really loved this sentiment.  Now, I didn't indulge in any craftiness this evening because I am usually pretty good at just making something on a regular basis, but I am cooking up a batch of soup this weekend so I think that qualifies.  J

Why Didn't I Think of This?

While surfing the web to gather some ideas for today's post, I came across Indulgence, TheHomeSpa.  As stated on their website, they offer, "Complete mobile spa services."  No matter where you are, they can come to you to provide a manicure, pedicure, massage, haircuts/styling, makeup application, or any combination of the above--be it in a hotel room, at your house, or, as one testimonial states, even on your boat (if you happen to have a boat).  The best part is that while they are based in Santa Barbara and primarily serve that area, they CAN make accomodations to anywhere in the United States!  California resident or not, if you try this special treat, please be sure to tell us all about it! I could easily become addicted to someone coming by my house to style my hair every morning...

In Praise of Long Weekends

It’s amazing how a three day weekend can leave one feeling so refreshed.  So a FOUR day weekend is about twice the refreshment, wouldn’t you say?

I’ve never supported the argument that if we had a three day weekend all the time we’d complain that we needed a four day weekend, and so forth.  I think that the joy of the extended weekend is that either Friday arrives that much quicker, or Thursday becomes Friday!

So imagine we switched over to a four day work week.  How would you savor that extra day off?  I think I’d then be able to devote one whole day to working around the house, instead of squeezing it among all the other things I do over the weekend.  Of course, I say that now, but there’s just as likely a chance that I would spend those extra hours socializing as much as I do now!

Non-Traditional Treats

I have a couple friends who are celebrating Thanksgiving in very non-traditional ways.  One is having her mom come to visit, and they are doing a spa day together.  Another has just finished her current quarter in a Master's program and is looking forward to just resting and having some time to be in her house.  Yet another is thrilled to be baking pies to take to the homeless shelter, where she'll be volunteering as well.
The common thread  is that all of these people chose a path that didn't involve getting wrapped up in the holiday stresses, the madness of trying to pull off a multicourse dinner, and the chaos of travelling.  Now, I say this as I sit in O'Hare airport which was surprisingly a breeze to get through.  But, I just wanted to give a shout out to a couple folks who took care of themselves this holiday, and no matter how you choose to celebrate, may it be restful and pleasant, and may you take a little time to indulge yourself!

Spa'ing Worldwide

Overdue for a "pamper me" day?  Got a special someone in your life that deserves to be treated?  Checkout Spafinder.  Aside from being a directory of spas around the globe (searchable by everything from activities to cuisine to treatments provided), there is a very generous section just on best buys and day spa deals.   The deals are even searchable by location, so you can look for a discount pampering in your area, or plan a trip just to go and indulge! Group specials are listed too, if you want to have a whole pampering party.
Be sure to spend some time reading their "Spa 101"--you can learn about the history of the spa, check out the "spa glossery" and learn proper spa etiquette so that you can relax without any worries about how much to tip or whether or not to shave beforehand!
Anyone have a shout-out for their favorite spa? 

Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween, and I never seemed to outgrow it.  Sometimes I think I love it more than New Year's and Christmas combined.  Maybe because Halloween is about the total indulgence of the inner child--dressing up, being silly, and gorging on candy.  (don't worry, I outgrew it enough that I don't attempt to go trick-or-treating!)
So of course this begs the question, what is your favorite Halloween treat?  Is it candy apples?  Mini chocolate bars?  Or do you go for the little snack bags of pretzels or raisins?
When I was a kid, the mini chocolate bars were definitely the best.  They were always eaten right off the bat.  Anything along the lines of hard candy or chewie treats lingered and got nibbled on over the following weeks.  Now, though, I love to buy the autumn mix bags--with the tiny mallowcreme pumpkins, candy corn, and Indian corn (the candy corn with chocolate tips--yum!).  I'm trying to stay away from the grocery store this week, where everything will be marked down and I'll be tempted to fill my entire house with half-priced Halloween candy!

Speaking of Chocolate...

A friend of mine shared the concept of a really tasty and quite healthy snack that I finally got around to trying.  Well, with a twist.
She mentioned that she loooves key lime yogurt (especially Bulgarian yogurt, which I have heard is much better) with granola mixed in.  It tastes like pie.  Fair enough, but I thought I'd take it one step further.  So I bought some fat-free graham crackers, crumbled them up, and sprinkled them into some key lime yogurt. Mmmm!! Now THAT tasted like pie!  It was so tasty, in fact, that I decided to try it with lemon meringue yogurt.  Delicious! I was on a roll!! Finally, I bought chocolate yogurt and ended up with something a bit like French silk pie.  Ooo la la!
With all the innovations in yogurt flavors these days, I figure I should be able to find something akin to coconut cream.  Any other suggestions for my new favorite indulgence?

Play Time!

Another e-mail I received this week suggested I write about indulgences from our childhood—playing like a kid again, playing WITH a kid, doing anything child-ish or child-like.  Well, no problem there.  I still enjoy a swing on the swing set, and always have a good time playing silly games with little ones (I’ve determined children love me because I am not ashamed to act like a complete fool to entertain them). 

It also reminded me of one of my new, less-serious hobbies—digging up old toys on E-bay.  I haven’t bought anything, but have had great fun being reminded of favorite toys from my childhood, like the Sea Wees dolls I loved so much!

So take some time to play this weekend.  Still like board games? (I do!)  Enjoy jumping in a big pile of leaves?  Tell me all about your favorite indulgence for your inner child!

Steamy!

It’s been chilly in my apartment lately, which I don’t fully understand, since Chicago temperatures have been floating around the 70’s lately.  But I figure it’s good preparation for the real October weather we’ll be getting soon.

When the weather (or apartment) is chilly like this, I tend to take incredibly long, incredibly hot showers.  I mean, so hot that one day last week the steam from the shower set off the smoke detector! (granted, it IS located right outside the bathroom, but still)  And then it gives me all the more reason to slather on a yummy smelling lotion (a shower that hot will dry your skin out, for sure!).  And then slip into a really fluffy, warm robe.  And then sip a really delicious cup of hot coffee, until I absolutely MUST finish getting ready.  It’s a wonder I even get out the door in the cooler months!

I'm Not the Only One That Loves Smelling Like a Cake

Remember a bit ago when I wrote about how much I love Philosophy products, because they lather up with the sweet smell of dessert?
Dave has a fantastic entry that articulates this love much better than I could.  And he includes a cute little diagram for layering scents, too.  Hilarious!