Grab Bag Pain-Free, Free Pain Relief:
It’s always refreshing to see some scientific research put into something that won’t make money for anyone, won’t carry potential side effects and can be easily implemented.
The docs of RealAge report on this recent research, confirming what Lamaze breathers through childbirth have long known… breathing eases pain:
When healthy women in a recent study were exposed to a heat source that was mildly to moderately painful, they reported feeling far less discomfort when they took slow breaths (about half their usual breathing rate) compared with when they breathed normally. They felt not only less discomfort but less stress, too. Researchers think the slow breathing somehow triggers the parasympathetic nervous system to induce calm and counter the painful feelings produced by the sympathetic nervous system.
Grab Bag I’ve Got Your Back:
Here’s a useful little site that is a compilation of many unfortunate repeat experiences getting tickets in known speed traps. You can also add one if it’s not there.
Click on this link for Speedtrap.org, choose your state and then city, and read about known traps in your area where police often lurk to make their quota… could save you a pantload 🙂
Because life doesn’t always provide the info you need….
Thanks to my dear friend Pat M. for sending this in.
Grab Bag I’ve Got Your Face:
Here are the EWG (Environmental Working Group) Top Ten Rated (for safety and effectiveness)…..
MOISTURIZERS WITH SUNSCREEN
(Green bubble is the safety number they have been given, 0 being best)
MARIE VERONIQUE
Both of these are my favorites of all that I have ever tried 🙂
Moisturizing Face Screen No Tint, SPF 30 
Moisturizing Face Screen Light Tint, SPF 30
Moisturizing Face Screen Medium Tint, SPF 30
Moisturizing Face Screen Plus+, Medium Tint, SPF 30 
Moisturizing Face Screen Plus+, No Tint, SPF 30
Anit-Aging Day SERUM, SPF 20
Moisturizing Face Screen Plus+, Light Tint, SPF 30
DEVITA
Daily Solar Protective Moisturizer 30
KAREN’S BOTANICALS
NON TOXIC SKIN CARE
(Perhaps the worst name and the worst website I have ever seen)
mild sensitive moisturiser with SPF 15+
chamomile calming moisturiser with SPF 15+
white willow anti-bacterial moisturiser with SPF 15+
papaya revitalising moisturiser with SPF 15+
green tea anti-oxidant moisturiser with SPF 15+
OBAGI
Obagi Nu-Derm Physical UV Block, SPF 32
SANRE ORGANIC SKIN FOOD
Supple Sunshine Organic Rosemary Lavender Day Creme SPF 30
SUN PUTTY
And on the Flip Side…
“Hall of Shame” sunscreens released… the which’s and the why’s… a good list that profiles common claims and the dangers they bring. Protect yourself with a bit of knowledge…
Hall of Shame: What’s wrong with the sunscreen protection business? | EWG’s 2010 Sunscreen Guide
Grab Bag Sweet Shot:
You won’t often hear me touting sweeteners, mainly because I feel the answer to the sweetener dilemma is to tame our over-sweetened palate, not to keep plying it with fakes and chemicals.
But I would like to share this sweet tip with you… for the times when you really must employ the judicious and delicious use of sweetness.
What we’re talkin’ ’bout here is 100%, purest of pure maple syrup, infused with Tahitian vanilla bean or aged in Kentucky Bourbon barrels (I prefer the vanilla for breakfasty stuff, the bourbon for more savory uses).
Here’s a quote from a gourmet cook’s forum:
I have used it (the bourbon barrel-aged) on roasted pork and brussel sprouts. Just a few drops changes the whole dish.
To say that a little goes a long way tells the whole story of why I think this is such a great Grab Bag find. Use it in recipes where it might be a suitable substitute for sugars, add just a smidge to plain, Greek style yogurt (HEAVEN!!), adding a few drops in a salad dressing is fabulous, a tiny trickle on a natural, high-fiber morning cereal (if you must) … try it in many places where you have to have some sweet… you’ll need very little and it is better for you.
Williams-Sonoma stocks the Bourbon variety (read stellar reviews here)
Costco.com has a boxed set of the 2 flavors
And, of course, you can get it right from the source here.
Many thanks to Bill and Sandi N. for sharing this with me
Grab Bag Brain Game:
Oh My Lord… this one is SO incredibly made.
Add custom “tools” to your spaceship to collect your “cogs”. Each level brings new challenges that need new tools.
Click on Make Logo first and design your own personal “company” image… (see the lower left corner of the image below). Then play the game. Very addictive. Good thought processes.
LK's Grab Bag 
Oh my goodness….so glad I found you. Great site and such an informative post LK!
Welcome to this little koffee klatsch, Emily 🙂 I am delighted you pulled into the driveway. Feel free to poke around through past weeks’ posts… each is a mixture of “tips and tricks for the 21st century”. And do pipe up with any ideas or questions on topics important to you. It takes a village… to raise each other 🙂