Wordless Wednesday

Avoid Pesticides in Your Produce

I've been learning a lot about food lately, much of it courtesy the book The Omnivore's Dilemma. What I've been learning has been causing me to reexamine many of my shopping and eating habits.

This convenient little list from the Environmental Working Group highlights produce containing the highest (The Dirty Dozen) and lowest (The Clean 15) levels of pesticides. Organic produce can be expensive, so I appreciate anything that helps me decide whether the extra cost is worth it. Topping the Dirty Dozen list are peaches, apples, pears, and celery. Some of the lowest in pesticides are onions, avocados, and sweet corn.

You can download the list here (you have to enter your email address): Shopper's Guide to Pesticides

Chocolate, Tea Bags, and Tampons

Lately I’ve been receiving unsolicited advice from a lot of unlikely sources. There seems to be a trend lately to Dove Promise-ize your product, so that your consumers not only get their intended purchase, but also a little bonus wisdom for their day! It’s sort of strange. Do the makers of my tea think that I have so little personal direction that I’m searching at every turn, including on the paper tag of my tea bag? According to Jason, it’s a marketing ploy by companies to turn their product into an “experience.”

Here are some examples of the wisdom I’ve received lately:

• “Be a good listener to your friends.” Received via a Dove Promise
Dove Promises are probably the inventors of “let’s put happy sayings on our stuff,” after fortune cookies, but they used to be promises. You know, inspirational, motivational, warm fuzzies? Something like “Friends are the true joy of life,” or “You deserve this fifth piece of chocolate.” But my last Dove Promise was a little preachy for my chocolate tastes. Maybe it was because it was an Almond Dove Promise, not regular-type. Instead of a warm fuzzy, now I’m just paranoid that I’m not listening well enough.

• “It’s not life that matters, but the courage that we bring to it.” Received via Yogi Green Tea
OK, I don’t even know what that means. Maybe that’s why I’m not a yogi. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure life does, in fact, matter.

• “No distractions, just pure concentration.” Received via a Playtex Sport tampon
No, I am not kidding. Apparently this particular box of tampons was created to help sporty girls (which I am not, but they were on sale) get psyched for a game, or practice, or something. However, given the situation where one is actually reading a tampon wrapper (aka in the bathroom), this just struck me as completely hilarious. I actually giggled aloud, so good thing I was in a private restroom. Other wonderful bits of wisdom that sent me into hysterics included “You’ve got the power!,” “Focus on the goal,” and “I’m on your team.” Um, what?

Have you had any similar experiences? A famous quotation on your butter? Sound advice on your toilet paper? Perhaps tips for success on a bottle of shampoo? I’d love to hear any “wisdom” you’ve found in unexpected places!

Update: The Greatest Clock Ever

In case you missed it, I received the world's most amazing and multi-talented alarm clock as a birthday gift from Jason.

Well, on the flight back from Denver last weekend, I was perusing the SkyMall catalog. I love to see the latest completely unnecessary, yet so tempting products available to me while I fly. And nestled in between the adult-sized footie pajamas and the in-car seat belt for dogs was MY CLOCK!! So now I can pretend that I am one of those people who actually buys stuff from the SkyMall catalog.