Health

Boy, it’s tough getting old :)

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Luckily I haven’t been in a position to require a back brace, but I’ve known people who had to wear them — even throughout high school. I can’t imagine the pain they must be going through in order to straighten up their backs to relieve themselves with the back brace support.

I used to move my bedroom furniture around as a child and teenager, and often lifted things the wrong way and dragged furniture across my bedroom. I remember one time that I felt a sharp pain in my sacral/tail bone area and couldn’t move for days without excruciating pain. Throughout the years, certain things I did ended up aggravating it. Nothing ended up helping and I couldn’t describe the pain. It wouldn’t show up on Xrays and I went to an Orthopedic surgeon (who happened to be my cousin) and he couldn’t find anything wrong either. For years I just ignored it because it happened so infrequently — I’m talking a year or two would go by and I’d be fine. Then it flared up again for a day or two and I’d just have to deal with it.

Eventually I went to a Chiropractor to get some back pain help, and while he did fix my back I stopped going to him because I figured I was 100% healthy again. Anytime I feel the tweek a bit more painful than usual, I stop that movement immediately and take it easy. Thankfully, I haven’t had this back pain issue since I quit visiting my chiro. Knock on wood, huh?

Have you had issues with your back? Or, do you go see a chiro regularly?

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In the Kitchen, Photos, Soccer

Pineapple tips and footie

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We bought a pineapple yesterday at the grocery store for $1.99. I never bought a pineapple before in my life, but I remember when Kristin from Iowa Girl Eats posted on her blog how to pick out a decent pineapple, and when it was ready to eat.

Quote from one of her blog entries:

Pineapple buying tip: the ones that are more yellow than green, are usually the sweetest. Also, try plucking out one of the fronds from the top of the pineapple. If it comes out easily, it’s usually ripe and ready!

Kristen also posted on how to cut a pineapple. All these years I never bought a pineapple because I thought it’d be impossible to cut. Little did I know how easy it was.

This will be my fuel before tonight’s first soccer game of the season. I should have been smart and planned ahead for my ankle brace and tried it on and kick the ball around. But I never did get around to it. Oops. I hope I’ll be okay!

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Hair, Photos, Reviews

Fancying up my hair

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I’m obsessed with keeping my hair healthy. I know I’ve mentioned here before that I hate getting hair cuts. But I also hate having split ends and damaged hair. Since I need to wash my hair and use heat on it everyday I need good quality products to keep it shiny, healthy and split end free.

I never owned a curling iron before, and I always wanted to have a good quality hair product for doing so. I ended up chickening out asking for a curling iron for Christmas the last few years because I didn’t think my hair would hold the curl and it would be an entirely huge waste of money.

I ended up going for it and flatironexperts.com sent me the Babyliss Pro Ceramic Curling Iron sized at 1½ inch. Other websites sell this Babyliss at retail price for $109, but on the flatironexperts.com it’s on sale for $69. Nice deal, eh especially since it’s ceramic.

What I found neat was that there are actual temp settings on the iron for different types of hair.

I would use setting 2 if I was smart. But I crank that thing up to full heat. It’s the only way my hair will curl.

Here are some specs of the curling iron:

Features

  • 6 barrel sizes available
  • Hot in less than 30 seconds up to 390°F (195°C)
  • Adjustable “electronic” temperature control, 30 heat setting
  • Even and constant heat
  • CERAMIC closes the hair cuticle resulting in smooth, glossy hair.
  • CERAMIC plus heat emits NEGATIVE IONS which eliminate static electricity and neutralize odors and bacteria.
  • CERAMIC barrels retain heat more efficiently, distribute it more evenly and eliminate damaging hot spots.
  • CERAMIC radiates faster drying FAR-INFRARED HEAT, which dries hair from the inside out, preserving more moisture within the hair shaft and causing less damage to the hair cuticle.
  • Dual Voltages for worldwide use
  • Extra long, heavy duty swivel cord
  • Two year warranty

Though if you’re not sure what brand or type of curling or flat iron you want there’s always reviews posted on their site and the top three is listed under the main page banner, or even found right here for easier access.

This is my hair after I blow dry it. Much different than last time, hey? I took my time this day ;)

During the process…It was early in the morning. I don’t smile in the a.m.

I’m trying to show my curls off in this picture. The curling iron is really thick in diameter, so it’s hard to get nice full curls with the length of my hair. But I think I rocked it alright. Especially since my hair doesn’t hold a curl at all.

Annnnnd yeah. That’s the back, haha! I think I need a bit more practice. Or maybe some hair extensions so my hair doesn’t look all scraggly.

I had a bit of a browse on their website, and found some pretty interesting hair tools like the HAI Elite Tong Ionic straightening iron. Have you guys ever seen a curled-looking straightening iron before? It’s neat, and I think the way of the future for these products are to go for Ionic now.  I think I was just sold on the look of that piece.

Their website is pretty rockin’ as far as promotions go. Right now they have a deal where if you spend over a $100 (which is so easy to do), you’ll get a free travel straightening iron. Oh, and don’t worry about the shipping costs, because it’s free after you spend $75. That’s not $75 US dollars either. This company is located in Canada, therefor obviously in Canadian dollars. Their shipping was incredibly fast from B.C. and took three business days to get to me in Ontario. The order was sent out on April 13, and I received it at 10am on April 19! Canada Post doesn’t work on weekends, so that’s … super fast.

I’m trying to do different things with my hair. My Mom, and… even my BOSS told me that I needed a change of pace with my hair and try new styles. I can’t wait for my hair to get longer so I can rock the luscious curls all day long.

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