One Red Hot Country Mama!

My friend sent me this article the other day, which discusses a large area in the Pacific Ocean which is full of plastic:

It began with a line of plastic bags ghosting the surface, followed by
an ugly tangle of junk: nets and ropes and bottles, motor-oil jugs and
cracked bath toys, a mangled tarp. Tires. A traffic cone. Moore could
not believe his eyes. Out here in this desolate place, the water was a
stew of plastic crap. It was as though someone had taken the pristine
seascape of his youth and swapped it for a landfill.

It then discusses the fact that only 3-5% of plastics are recycled in any way, and that the vast majority of plastic that has been created still exists (other than the very small amount that is incinerated). At the end, the article makes a dire prediction:

“If you could fast-forward 10,000 years and do an archaeological
dig…you’d find a little line of plastic,” he told The Seattle Times
last April. “What happened to those people? Well, they ate their own
plastic and disrupted their genetic structure and weren’t able to
reproduce. They didn’t last very long because they killed themselves."

So – it is one of those articles that is very difficult to read… but denial just doesn’t do it for me. So – I have lately been trying to reduce my plastic use:

• I got a reusable mug from Starbucks so I don’t have to keep using those plastic tops on the (decaf) lattes or the plastic frappuccino cups. It is a pain to clean it sometimes, but not a huge deal.
• My friend bought me a cool little nylon bag that collapses into a smaller one, so I can carry it in my purse whenever I go shopping or just quickly pick something up from the store. This is really easy to use and is more durable and stylish than a plastic bag. Cities across the world, San Francisco being the first, have already banned plastic non-biodigradible bags.
• I use one of those green bins when I pick up groceries in the car. Yeah, it is annoying to remember to put it in the back sometimes, but it is actually easier to carry stuff around this way.

So – overall, it takes being a teeny bit more responsible about things – but if I can contribute a bit less to the big pile of plastic in the sea, that is a good thing. 

I stopped drinking tea on Saturday and have been slowly recovering. Based on my research, people have different sensitivities to caffeine – some are able to quit cold turkey no problem, others have the symptoms for up to nine days. I found a great message board where people share their experiences with caffeine withdrawal and here is a typical experience (from an anonymous user):

For the first two days I was fighting terrible headaches, feeling tension around my temples. The brain fog was awful, causing me difficulties in getting my work done.

I had a similar experience. I had a bad headache, but kept it at bay for most of Saturday and Sunday with Advil. But the thing I couldn’t get enough of was rest. I just wanted to sleep and sleep and sleep. I even went out on a 50k bike ride and sat on a bench at the 1/2 way mark to look at a beautiful view, then ended up falling asleep beside the bench! I have never slept in public before (because I feel to afraid someone is going to steal my wallet or something)- but I just couldn’t resist! Now I am in day three – and have moments of feeling in tune with my natural energy – but I am still exhausted.

The John Hopkins site on Caffeine Dependence says:

The potential for caffeine withdrawal to cause clinically significant distress or impairment in functioning is reflected by the inclusion of caffeine withdrawal as an official diagnosis in ICD-10 (World Health Organization) and as a proposed diagnosis in DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association).

Headache – (often described as being gradual in development and diffuse, and sometimes throbbing and severe)

Fatigue – (e.g., fatigue, tiredness, lethargy, sluggishness)

Sleepiness/drowsiness – (e.g., sleepy, drowsy, yawning)

Difficulty concentrating – (e.g., muzzy)

Work difficulty – (e.g., decreased motivation for tasks/work)

Irritability – (e.g., irritable, cross, miserable, decreased well-being/contentedness)

Depression – (e.g., depressed mood)

Anxiety – (e.g., anxious, nervous)

Flu-like symptoms – (e.g., nausea/vomiting, muscle aches/stiffness, hot and cold spells, heavy feelings in arms or legs)

Impairment in psychomotor, vigilance and cognitive performances

The symptoms last from 5-9 days. The John Hopkins site also concludes that at least 50% of people aren’t drinking caffeine out of enjoyment, but they are instead just pushing back withdrawal symptoms. So – this is pretty serious. I’m think they should have some sort of public warning about the addiction to caffeine. Those line-ups at the coffee shop are full of addicts! Not to mention that coffee causes panic attacks and severe anxiety in some people.

Another user (from Seattle, the North American capital of caffeine) says:

You don’t have to be a slave to caffeine. Realize that your body needs real energy and nourishment, not a fix.
Good Luck to all!

save yourself
Originally uploaded by dew_wipe.

Another great tribute to Calvin and Hobbes Snowmen – life imitates art imitates life. Still snowing in Toronto .