I tried spicy chocolate and lived to tell you about it.
It was a strange experience. Chocolaty and rich and sweet, yet SPICY.
I did not enjoy these at all.
It’s difficult to say which was more offensive: the Strawberry Pepper spicy chocolate, with WHOLE PEPPERCORNS inside, or the VERY spicy Mango Chili flavor.
Each was bad in its own unique way.
But I always say that I will try anything once. So there. I tried spicy chocolate and lived to tell you about it.
Fear of aging has been on my mind a lot lately.
When I said, a few weeks ago, that I’m afraid of aging, Tim Brownson of The Discomfort Zone commented that age is just a state of mind.
I disagree.
In fact, a growing number of researchers are treating aging as a physical disease.
When I read Tim’s comment, I promised myself that I would write another post in which I would try to explain my fear of aging. So here goes.
Sometimes I look at very old people, with their wrinkles and their illnesses and with those bodies that betray them more and more with each passing year, and I feel a terrible despair. Like I’m on a path that leads to a horrible place and I have no control over that, and I just want to get off that path, but I can’t. There’s no way out.
We all walk on that path, together. We must continue, regardless of what gradually happens to us along the way.
We start here:
Photo credit: almoko
And if we’re lucky enough to survive and reach our 70s and 80s, many of us end up here:
Photo credit: Ed Yourdon
And yes, I know the only real alternative is death and that a lot of this is up to me (healthy lifestyle, state of mind etc). I should probably just accept that this is the way things are. Still, to me, the fact that all living things must age and shrivel and die is one of the cruelest, most incomprehensible facts of life.
How do you feel about aging? Calm and resigned? Desperate and panicky? Are you taking any active steps – such as a special diet or vitamins, or maybe spiritual steps – in an attempt to slow down aging?
Other bloggers’ thoughts on fear of aging:
Is Death Natural?
The GABA Complex
Another Surprise From Father Time
The Elasticity Of Time
Help Me, I’m Having A Hair Breakdown!
Photo credit: nixArt
Image credit: Jollyboy
I can’t believe they used to market cigarettes this way.
Do you smoke cigarettes? If not currently, have you ever smoked? I’m particularly interested to hear any tips for quitting, or better yet, for helping a loved one quit. A family member that I deeply care about smokes, and there’s no stopping them. I sometimes worry so much about what they are doing to their body. I wish I could find a way to make them stop. To make them WANT to quit smoking.
Me? I tried smoking ONCE. Inhaled. Coughed A LOT. My throat was burning and the taste in my mouth was horrible.
Let’s just say it wasn’t a positive experience.
Thankfully, that single bad experience turned me off smoking for good.
People make lots of fashion mistakes. Short shorts, muffin tops and Crocs for adults are just a few of them. Here are the top ten fashion mistakes you should aim to avoid.
Short shorts can look great on the right body, but please don’t go too short.
Not a good look.
This woman’s weight is normal, but her tight jeans are creating a very pronounced “muffin top.” The guy doesn’t look too hot either, with his cropped pants and socks.
NOT an attractive look, guys.
This is cute:
This is not:
Even if the straps are supposedly “invisible.”
I don’t get the teen fashion of wearing very baggy pants. Wearing baggy clothes – especially tops – was my own fashion crime during my early twenties.
She needs to lose the green eyeshadow and wear a lighter shade of lipstick.
Because less really is more.
Head over to The Jeans Blog for more jeans-related fashion commentary.
Photo credits: eek the cat; heather; malingering; ryanne; showbizsuperstar; sunface13; Bonnie and Victor Cats; Jason Anfinsen; Kevin Mosley; berquis; Russell Reno
Image credit: nyctreeman. Ad circa 1931.
What exactly IS an “accredited swimsuit?”
Since one of my most embarrassing moments ever involved a bikini mishap, if “accredited” means “will always stay put,” I am all for it.
Have you ever had a swimsuit mishap or any other major wardrobe malfunction?
I am watching you.
You are running around on the beach, having the time of your life. Your eyes are sparkling. Your cheeks are flushed. You are happy and carefree and strong and capable.
I am sitting on the warm sand, watching you.
My heart fills to the brim with happiness that only watching you can bring me. The heart is just a muscle? A pump? Watching you, feeling my heart expand with pride and joy, I don’t believe that for a second. The heart is where you FEEL things, and right now, my heart feels love. It almost explodes with love that is so powerful, it brings tears to my eyes.
My children, I love you so much that it hurts.
With love comes fear. The fear of something happening to you. The fear of losing you. But I don’t want to think about that right now. I am too happy.
Watching you brings me more joy, more sense of pride and accomplishment than anything else. My own accomplishments are nothing compared to yours. The military career, the law degrees, the writing, nothing is as fulfilling as watching you take your first step, say your first word, swim your first lap, write your first sentence.
I would give my life for you. If we ever find ourselves in a situation where I have to sacrifice my own life to save yours, I would do it in a heartbeat. There is no question in my mind that your life is more important than mine. I am the past. You are the future. I would do whatever it takes to make sure you survive.
I am watching you, thinking about how much I love you, thinking that I love you more than I love myself, and I suddenly realize that my own parents feel the same way about me. And my heart fills with love and gratitude to them.
If everything was taken away from me, if I had to stop all my activities and choose just one thing to do for the rest of my life, it would be what I am doing right now: sit back and watch you grow.
In the photo: my children.
Image credit: dklimke
It’s good to have a purpose in life.
Kenwood Chef Ad circa 1961.
Just like in countless other households, I do most of the everyday cooking while my husband is in charge of the occasional “special cooking projects,” those that involve using EVERY SINGLE ITEM in the kitchen and leaving a huge mess behind. So in this respect, we do adhere to traditional gender roles.
Who does the cooking in YOUR household?
I'm Vered DeLeeuw, a blogger for hire and a social media consultant. My social media campaigns increase brand awareness and loyalty, improve search engine rankings and drive targeted traffic to my clients' websites. Momgrind is my personal blog.
