For the Love of God, Drink Water!

It's not typically in the midst of snowstorms and chronic red cheeks that we think about the need to push fluids. No, it's usually 90 some degrees when those in the medical field along with our local meteorologists so kindly remind us to drink, drink, drink. However, the winter can be dangerous, too. I know for me, I crave water much more during the cold, dry weather. And let's not forget that the harsh winter is prime flu season, both the achy, feverish junk as well as the bathroom running kind.

And for that reason, I have had the recent unfortunate experience of witnessing the not so fun effects of dehydration. Twice. Since I am a water drinking fool, this has not happened to me but I almost rather it had. It's not fun to watch others experience dizziness, heart palpitations, and then suddenly collapse on the floor. Hence, I'd like to deliver a very original little PSA for you all:

PLEASE DRINK LOTS O'FLUIDS.

Especially after a bout of the stomach flu. You may think you're fine, doing your normal thing but you'd be amazed how much you have actually lost in that 24 hour period when some nasty bug was wreaking havoc on your system. (I learned all sorts of things from the friendly ER doc the other night). The signs of dehydration might not even hit you until a full week later but when it does, trust me, it will suck. Who wants to spend their Saturday night hooked up to an IV anyway? And if nothing else will convince you, remember this: the Packers need your strength.

So drink. Water, that is. You can do a bit of the other kind after that Superbowl win.

When Your Girls Have Had Enough

Considering how much I hate bra shopping (yes, on top of the jeans shopping), it makes perfect sense that doing the exact opposite would cause me great joy. So join me, ladies, in donating your bras to Soma Intimates. Ideally, they will either go to underprivileged women. However, if it's decided that those bras of yours are just a bit too worn, do not fret. They will be recycled. Joy!

For more details...

Oh, and I Guess the Packers Won

While the vast majority of Wisconsin citizens stayed inside Sunday afternoon, glued to the Packer game, two very non-fanatical (and yet still Wisconsin dwelling!) ladies decided to hit the road and do a little shopping in Milwaukee. The idea was to explore the Third Ward, the community of warehouse condos and fun little boutiques which sits just south of Milwaukee's downtown district.

But apparently, even the owners of those cute little boutiques were Cheeseheads, too. Almost everywhere we went, we were greeted with signs that said, "Closed for Packer/Bear Game" or "Re-Opening Monday. Go Pack, Go!"

Seriously?

However, maybe it was our good fortunate because we finally ended up at Retique, which immediately turned into one of my new favorite thrift stores. Now I love secondhand stores in all of their many cramped, musty, fluorescent lit forms but I must admit that it was nice to not emerge smelling like a secondhand store. Retique is quite lovely actually. Like most of the Third Ward establishments, it is spacious with hardwood floors and high ceilings. And of course, I was thrilled to learn that it was a Goodwill affiliated store and that a percentage of proceeds would go back into Goodwill programming.

However, more than anything, I was just happy to recycle clothing rather than buy something new that wreaked further havoc on our planet. Don't get me wrong, I know we all need to get new clothes from time to time but buying secondhand (especially from a charitable organization) is, in my opinion, one of the most earth conscientious, do-gooder steps you can take in your daily life. I mean, just look!

Plus, can I just tell you about the hell that has been Rachael's Jean Shopping Experience? The Gap has been my ultimate enemy as of late. Yet, when I grabbed a pair of their Curvy Boot Cut jeans from the thrift store the other day, all nicely worn, those exact pants I had tried on just a few days ago new in the store, suddenly fit me like a glove. Oh, and perhaps I should mention that I paid a whopping three dollars for them.

Overall, I must say that the favored items of my wardrobe are fun finds from thrift stores: unusual purses, vintage skirts, awesome jewelry. Basically all the things that make people say, "Wow, that's so cool, where did you get that?" are the things that came straight out of a bin at St. Vinny's. And it's not just my luck. During a recent thrift shopping excursion, my sister came away with an awesome, antique looking brass mirror that Pottery Barn will no doubt try to replicate for a few hundred bucks.

So if you haven't already, think about checking out your local Salvation Army, Goodwill, or any other little secondhand store in your community. Your wallet will most certainly feel it and if Mother Earth could do it, she'd probably give you a little smooch of appreciation.

Also, check to see if your community has opened their own ReThreads yet. Word on the street is that they are spreading to a town near you...

I *Heart* NY

Of course, I'd really like it if they just forced more people to use mass transit and banned half of the cabs that just drive around, spitting out fumes all day. However, this is progress.

My Favorite 3 R's: Reduce, Recycle, Reuse

The other night, my friend whipped out her most current Netflix arrival and I was thrilled to learn that it was No Impact Man. I remember hearing about this "crazy" dude while living in New York a few years. Apparently, what had stuck in my mind upon reading a review back then was still lodged in the front of my brain. "That's the dude who gave up the elevator in his building and walked up something like six flights a day. With his toddler!"

Because that's pretty much where I would have drawn the line.

So this is the story about Colin Beaven and his family and how they decide to make as little impact on the environment as possible for one year. This means, among many other things, only eating food that is grow locally (sorry, no coffee), stomping their clothes clean in the bathtub, and bringing worms into their apartment to compost their waste.

Although I probably could have learned to walk up six flights or whatever it was, I definitely could not have gone without toilet paper (still not entirely clear how they dealt with that). But overall, as I watched this film, I thought, this isn't so crazy. Okay, going without electricity is pretty extreme but it isn't a ludicrous idea. Hello, solar power. And there were many simple things that they did that I, too, have incorporated into my daily life. Now I'm no saint but for the most part:

I don't use plastic bags. (I always have a nylon Chico type bag stuffed in my purse.)
I use my own, reusable coffee to-go cup.
I make and use my own basic cleaning agents. (White vinegar and baking soda can do wonders for your entire house.)

And of course, I'm constantly educating myself and trying to do lots of other things in the name of the environment as well as my health. I walk rather than drive as much as I can. I only wash my clothes in cold water. I only use the electricity sucking clothes dryer when necessary. I rarely get take-out food because I despise the waste that comes along with it not to mention how unhealthy most food from your local Chinese joint really is. And speaking of trash, I found this aspect of Colin's project one of the most interesting. I recycle everything I possibly can but what if I made a really huge effort to avoid buying things in packaging in the first place? Could I really say goodbye to my Wheat Thins?

I found Colin's blog to be really helpful regarding this issue along with many, many others. Plus there are many links to other great environmental websites and blogs such as My Zero Waste. In fact, I was quickly reminded as to just how many wonderful environmentally friendly How To sites are out there. And then I wondered, why, with all of this information at their fingertips, are so many people still not taking action? I mean, how in 2011, can people still not be making the most bottom of the barrel attempt to at least recycle their garbage?

It blows my mind. And when I visit my parents and walk in the back woods, only to find that plastic milk jugs and other garbage have found their way among the animals' eating grounds, I practically go insane.

So here's another resolution for 2011. I'm going to start posting more information about recycling, how to reduce consumption, and how we can live healthier lives in the process. Sound good?

So first step, even if you think this Colin dude is nuts, take a few moments to check out his blog and some of the links. You don't have to give up electricity. Just make a pledge to unplug a bit more. Small acts can result in truly great things.

All Right Already, They're Riekers!!

I'm rather picky about my shoes. Not in a must-be-fancy-pants-brand kind of way but more in a if-I'm-paying-this-much-money-they-better-damn-fit-well kind of way. Then I moved to New York and it became infinitely important that they not only fit my narrow feet but that they were outfitted with some heavy duty soles, too. I've always walked a lot but when you are literally pounding the pavement every day, you quickly learn what a good shoe is and what isn't.

So a few winters ago in Brooklyn, I was on a mission to get the best boots ever. For years, I had been on the lookout for some basic, black boots without heels that would allow me to trudge through the snow while looking somewhat fashionable. When I got to NYC, this desire became a damn near obsession. Why was it so difficult to find something that was both practical and a just a little bit cute? All I wanted was something that was warm, waterproof, and with decent traction. And no, they couldn't look like the moon boots I wore in the third grade. And yet, it seemed like I was going to have to decide between either killing myself on the ice or looking like an eight-year-old.

And then, one day, I found them, the perfect, rugged yet cute winter boots. THANK YOU, RIEKER! I still cannot believe (three years later) how comfortable they are. Then again, Rieker uses some sort of magical "anti-stress" technology which I would normally laugh at if I didn't actually walk all day in these boots without getting sore. Or wet. Or cold. And what a shocker, it's a German brand! Leave it to those crazy awesome German engineers to save my tootsies.

Anyway, I wouldn't normally waste your time writing about this kind of thing, dear reader, but I was beginning to feel some sort of social responsibility to spread the word after being stopped repeatedly by random, wide-eyed female strangers who understand the winter boot plight.

"WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE?!?!" is how it usually goes. And then we proceed to bond over a pair of shoes while standing in Target's pet supply aisle.

So here: www.zappos.com

Now go. Order. Make your feet happy.

I suddenly feel so socially responsible. And this is way less work than that whole social work thing. Who knew?

Woke Up New

Quite frankly, I've got some pretty darn high expectations for 2011. And I don't think I'm the only one. It seemed as though people weren't as excited to ring in the new year as much as they were just excited to get the hell out of the old one. Last night, I met up with several old friends at a few different parties and the reoccurring theme most definitely was, "GOOD RIDDANCE 2010!!"

Wow.

But you know, there are a few things you may or may not know about me:

a) I try to be a positive person.

b) My life is a musical. In my head, that is. There is often some kind of theme song playing in my head to accompany the moment.

and

c) No, I'm not kidding about "b." Just to clarify, I am indeed that nerdy. But this also means that I make some of the best play lists ever. I promise you.

Anyway, it only seems appropriate to showcase the song of the moment on this overcast New Year's day, one of my all time favorites. Besides, this sentiment is a bit more positive than my other favorite by these guys. You know, that whole, "I'm gonna make it through this year if it kills me" thing. Anyway...enjoy.

And of course, Happy 2011. It's gonna be a good one, I can feel it.