Magazines on My Mind

I have been an avid follower of Design*Sponge for about two years now. Grace Bonney is a genius in my eyes. To my delight I opened my Google Reader today and found D*S writer Kate Pruitt's post stating that despite what some say, periodical magazines and publications are not dead and, in fact, they seem to be making a comeback presenting readers with even more spendid art and knowledge to tease our tactile senses. For the record, I am all for evironmental stewardship, but I will always have a soft spot for beautifully written, illustrated, photographed magazines. Thanks to the Design*Sponge post this morning(http://www.designsponge.com/2011/10/wilder-quarterly.html) I was introduced to this eye candy that I am giddily excited to get my hands on:

http://wilderquarterly.com/current-issue/

http://wilderquarterly.com/current-issue/



I also recently found this digital magazine that I will continue to patronize:

 http://www.sweetpaulmag-digital.com/sweetpaulmag/fall2011#pg1

'Poo Free...I think I might.

Current hair using conventional 'poo and conditioner

Not that 'poo people...shampoo free! I promise I have no intention of creating dreads, nor will I sport greasy, smelly locks. For months, I have tried to find beauty products that are organic and effective. I have spent mula galore on shampoo and conditioner with no luck. No longer interested in being a product whore, I am ready to move on. I will not let my scalp, skin and the environment suffer from my choices anymore. I love that this method is cheap, eviro-friendly, and toxin-free. So why go shampoo (and conditioner free)? See great logic here:
http://simplemom.net/how-to-clean-your-hair-without-shampoo/
and more about it here:
http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2008/02/01/simple-herbal-hair-care/

Interested to see if this will work for my long, wavy hair?  I think I will give a shot and report back.

A New Health Frontier

I have already had three doctors appointments regarding my health concerns.They consisted of a visit with a gynecologist, a family physician and an endocrinologist. I was left unsatisfied with their treatment plans. It is not their fault, I know they have worked hard to get to this point and have helped many others. They were trained to look at individual symptoms, blood results and pathology, all of which remain “in the normal range” for me. From them, I have received a clean bill of health of which I am thankful. But while none of my health complaints seem life-threatening and by conventional standards and I am just “fine and dandy,” a lump on my thyroid, womanly troubles, and screaming intuition speak differently.
My next step is a doctor of Chinese medicine. My first appointment will be two hours. It took one phone call to set up the appointment and I spoke to one person (I spoke to three people and waited two weeks to get an appointment with the endocrinologist). I will spend 2 hours--with the doctor, not an hour in the waiting room and 15 minutes with the doctor. I will not have to provide proof of insurance or hold my breathe every time I approach the mailbox for they next month awaiting an astronomical bill.
I have heard nothing but fantastic reviews of how this man has saved and changed lives. Yet despite his praise and popularity, I have had the pleasure of receiving personal responses via email from him validating a need to look a little deeper. This was unexpected and much appreciated. Already through my correspondence with this doctor, I feel valued and respected. He may find nothing physical. There is no way to know. What I do know is that I am hopeful that he may hold the key to finding ails me. I am excited to share my experience.