The "F" Word

THE BIG 4-0hh!

I wrote this a few years back when I was about to turn 40, and then tucked it away. When I recently reread it I smiled at how some of the thoughts and beliefs are worth revisiting on a regular basis, so I offer it up to the world via my blog – in hopes that someone may get something out of it – even if it’s just a giggle.

Cheers ~ Mim*

Letters from the foxhole: Fighting the war on ageing one tantrum at a time

On Turning 40

(or $39.95 plus shipping & handling)

I’m a 1967 kid – cleverly disguised as a responsible adult!

Well, on November --^th 20-- (shhhh - secret), it’s going to happen, whether I fight it or not. With the tick of the clock at 12:01am I will be exiting my 30s, and entering a whole new decade where I get the privilege of using the ultimate “F” word:

FORTY!!!!

I demand a recount!!

In the Bible, 40 is the standard numerical value given to anything needing to be described as “a great many”. It took 40 days and 40 nights to flood the world with rain; Israelites roamed aimlessly for 40 years before finding the Promised Land; and before his crucifixion, Jesus spent 40 days in the desert, yet, in the Western World “Life begins at 40”.

So, my life is only JUST beginning? Is that it? So what’s it been so far, the warm-up?

Well, I’m not convinced. I still haven’t recovered from my thirties yet, or even started my mid-life crisis, and statistically speaking my life is already half over, so needless to say that I’m not quite packed for this great journey of being 40. Isn’t there an application form to fill out before becoming a ‘quadragenarian’?

In our 20s, we don’t care about what the world thinks of us. In our 30s, we care too much what it thinks of us. When we reach 40, we discover it wasn’t thinking of us at all.

Because I’m one of the first in my group of friends to reach this milestone, there’s a grave lack of people to gather information from on this topic. Pre-40s don’t have much to say about the subject other than teasing the person nearing it. In fact, they personally avoid thinking about the topic altogether, possibly hoping that if they keep quiet it may not happen to them. This explains the lack of enthusiasm for a big celebration by those who aren’t turning 40. Of course, all this will change when they near their 40^th, and expect nothing less than fireworks and a cast of circus clowns.

So I ventured out into that vast neighbourhood called the Internet in the hopes of gathering some useful tips on what to expect, and discovered that there are some definite does and don’t to embrace before stumbling into that new epoch.

Apparently, although I may still think that I’m young enough to give it a go, I should now be ‘old enough’ to know better. In my opinion I’m still only 21, with 19 years experience, but I’m expected to start knowing what it is I DO know. After all the education, therapy, kicks to the stomach, losses, setbacks, and triumphs, the world is supposed to begin making navigable sense to me now. I’m apparently going to start caring less about what others think, what I look like, and about the mistakes made in the past, while paying closer attention to the environment, the state of the world, and yoga!

They also say that I’ll start loosing my memory at 40. Well, thank Goddess I’ve got mine backed up on my computer. So many memories, so little RAM. So, does that mean that from now on I’ll be looking for trouble but forgetting why I cared?

I’ve read that I should strap myself in since 40 is believed to be every woman’s “launching pad”. This does cause me to seriously re-evaluate my wardrobe for the trip since, as the faithful day draws near, I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve left something behind … my figure perhaps? Rumour has it that at 40 you’re still HOT, it just tends to come in flashes.

But aside from all these apparent jaded laments, I will not go down without a fight. I will take full advantage of modern science to dupe myself into staying as immature as possible. This model is a 1967 ORIGINAL – one owner – needs parts – make an offer! Classics never go out of style, right? Technically I’m ‘vintage’, and retro is in fashion. I’ve heard that 40 is the new 30, so I have to believe that it took me 40 years to look this good, or at the very least, to know that if I was a wine I couldn’t afford me. From now on, if anyone asks my age, I’ll start responding with: “formerly 39”. Hey, it worked for Prince!

Fortunately I’ve never bought into the poison that growing old is a terrible thing. I embrace this new life. Heck, I made it out of my twenties and thirties with most of my sanity and all my body parts; I should be able to conquer a new decade with style. I’ve come this far with a pretty good attitude, why change that now? I’m young at heart and only slightly older in other places.

When I think about all that I’ve done, I breathe a sigh of relief. Some of my classmates never made it past their teens, and a few are still stuck in them. Even if I don’t fit into my teen jeans anymore, I’ve managed to walk away with only minor regrets, and the wisdom to avoid them in the future (the regrets AND the tight jeans). Heck, I’ll be 40, and with no prison record! (I’m not quite sure if that’s something to be proud of, especially when it sounds more like I’m offering my friends a creative & challenging birthday present idea.)

People have told me that those turning 40 should make a bucket list of things to accomplish in their new decade. Sounds like aging people either have too much time on their hands, or turn into compulsive list makers, but I decided it couldn’t hurt. Here’s how far I managed to get:

1. Don’t Die!
2. Write a book. Sell at least 100 copies. (Mental note: get all my friends’ addresses and credit card numbers)
3. Learn a new language. (Not just the swear words - habla español?)
4. Discover a new country. (or Rediscover an old one?)
5. Get BACK in shape.
6. Enter a contest. (I think I’ll stick with an Art Contest, unless I manage to REALLY get into shape!)
7. Sing horrible Karaoke. (Maybe I’ll try out for “Singing Bee” or Idol? Although this one doesn’t really      appeal to me, after watching so many people at the mic with their eyes close while putting their heart & soul into belting out off-key lyrics regardless of who’s watching, I’ve come to believe that every human being should subject themselves to such a humbling experience. Again, this is not a challenge for a creative birthday gift!)
8. Do something that scares me or makes me uneasy at least once a month.
9. Put myself out there. (That’s one scary thing covered – maybe I’ll have an art show!)
10. Stop smoking. (Yet another scary thing!)
11. Rethink my least favourite food – tastebuds change. (Do I even have a least fav?)
12. Move into or build the house of my dreams. (I wonder if the Louvres is on the market.)
13. Make 10 new friends – one to mark each year.
14. Learn about a new religion or culture. Education on faith teaches a person how to believe.
15. Get a pet. Don’t let it die!
16. Forgive everyone, including myself. (Hasn’t it been long enough?)
17. Take up a new sport or two. (Snowboarding sounds intriguing, along with curling. Not together though!)
18. Learn to drive. (Send out an email-warning when I do)
19. Ride my bike. (Bush bash in Canada!)
20. Learn to play guitar. (5 songs in 2.5 years coming up!)
21. Take a cruise. (Alaska here I come!)
22. Buy a kayak, learn to use it properly, and then go kayaking with Killer Whales in Alaska. (That should cover a few scary moments!)
23. Set up my own website. (Peddle my art and my book.)
24. Teach a class again.
25. Take a class again.
26. Play! (Build sandcastles, fly kites, and jump in puddles.)
27. Dream big, aim high.
28. Read lots. (Start/join a book club.)
29. Find a great hairdresser, gynaecologist, and stockbroker. (Probably best if they are 3 separate people.)
30. Find my internal strength foundation to get me through any hard nights ahead without going crazy.
31. Find the perfect facial foundation to get me through the long days ahead without going ashy.
32. Find a cause, and fight for it in my own unique way.
33. Donate a painting to charity.
34. Give yoga a chance!
35. Learn at least the basics of car mechanics.
36. Learn to Tango.
37. Create a retreat in Mexico or Panama.
38. Live and let Live!
39. Live and let Die!
40. Live, Live, Live, and Live some more!

So, I am determined to glorify this new season (with all the seasonings) of being, and spice up my ‘prime’ years with the myriad of lessons I’ve been taught, which I’ll carry with me like a handbag full of useful goodies.

I’ve loved, I’ve lost, and I’ve learned that chocolate has some mysterious medicinal properties.

I’ve seen that life can set you back, sideswipe you, and sweep you off your feet in a matter of hours.

I’ve realized that some of the most important lessons come out of the harshest environments, and some of the most beautiful things can crawl out of the darkest and ugliest locations.

I’ve accepted that I know how to love as well as how to live through rejection.

I’ve come to understand that size DOES matter, one size does NOT fit all, and just because you can get a free refill it doesn’t mean you should.

I’ve come to appreciate that men don’t always think, and women sometimes do play games, and vice versa.

I’ve accepted that you can’t buy love, but that you can rent some really strange things in Vegas.

I’ve learned that friends are always around when times are good, it’s your shout, or they need a shoulder.

I’ve also learned that friends are nowhere to be seen when you’re falling apart, have to shift house, or need someone to pick you up.

I’m learning to move on, let go, and accept what I can’t change.

I fully believe that I’d rather be hated for who I am than loved for whom I’m not. (Kurt Cobain Wisdom)

If life begins at 40, then I feel lucky enough to have a second chance at it, and I embrace the first day of my life. Welcome to my 1^st birthday.

Regards,

MCMLXVII

A.K.A.  Mim* – formerly 39.

Ps. Is it a cruel irony that 40 in roman numerals is XL? Perhaps I should dig up those old teen jeans, put them on EBay, and finally get something out of them.

Endangered Species Series - The Leatherback Sea Turtle

The Species of Origin

Presents:

Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
Critically Endangered

Leatherback Hatchling

• Average weight: Up to 900 kg (2,000 lbs)
• Average length: Up to 2 m (7 ft)
• Average lifespan: 30 - 45 years
• Range: Worldwide distribution (tropical to sub-polar oceans)
• Nests: Tropical (rarely sub-tropical)
• Diet: Carnivore – soft-bodied animals such as jellyfish and salps

About:

Leatherbacks, with the widest global distribution of all reptile species (and possibly all vertebrates), are the largest turtles on earth, and the last surviving representatives to a family able to trace their evolutionary lineage further than 100 million years in the past.

Of all sea turtles, Leatherbacks travel the longest migration routes to breed and feed, averaging 6,000 km (3,700 miles) each way. At one time these peaceful giants dominated the Arctic and Antarctic in large numbers, but over the past few decades their population has plummeted to the point of grave concern.

Found in temperate and tropical waters of the Mediterranean Sea, to the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, Leatherbacks are able to travel from Canada and Norway to New Zealand and South America due to their ability to generate and maintain body heat in cold waters. Large body size, a thick layer of fat (high oil content), and adjustments in both swimming activity and blood flow (thermoregulatory – counter-current heat exchange system) are adaptations that have allowed these graceful creatures to travel the various global waters.

The Leatherback shell isn’t hard and bony like other sea turtles. These reptilian relics have an inky-blue carapace [approx 4 cm (1.5 inches) thick] which is fairly flexible, making it almost rubbery to the touch. This leathery shell is filled with oil-saturated connective tissue covering loosely interlocking dermal bones, designed with seven thick, hydrodynamic, longitudinal ridges which taper to a rounded point. 

They have no claws or scales on their flippers; the back ones look and act like paddles or large rudders, while the powerful front ones are quite a bit longer than found in other sea turtles. These amazing creatures can dive deeper than all other turtles, to depths of 1,280 meters (4,200 ft), and can remain submerged for up to 85 minutes.

The adults mate at sea, and then the females journey ashore for the night-time nesting rituals involving excavating a hole in the sand, depositing 80 to 100 eggs, then covering the nest before heading back out to sea. This is repeated several times during the nesting season with 8 to 12 day intervals. Sadly, the beach nesting leaves large disturbed areas of sand which allows for easy detection by predators and poachers.

Interestingly, the temperatures found within the nest will determine the sex of the hatchlings. A mix of both male and female can only occur when the temps stay within the approximate range of 29.5 degrees Celsius (85.1 degree Fahrenheit), while hotter will produce females and cooler will generate males. Surviving males will spend the rest of their lives at sea, while the females will return to the same nesting areas after reaching sexual maturity to repeat the cycle with their own offspring.

Trivia: The largest leatherback ever found was an 8.5-ft-long (2.6-m-long) male weighing 2,020 lbs (916 kg) that washed up on the west coast of Wales in 1988.

What is their Status? 

 

Critically Endangered (IUCN RedList)

From: http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/6494/0

“The main procedure for evaluating the status of sea turtles is through surveys of reproduction activity at nesting beaches. Decline in nesting has been documented to be much greater than 80% in most of the populations of the Pacific, which has been considered the species' major stronghold. In other areas of its range, the observed declines are not as severe, with some populations showing trends towards increasing or stable nesting activity. Analysis of published estimates of global population sizes (Pritchard 1982, Spotila et al. 1996), suggest a reduction of over 70% for the global population of adult females in less than one generation. The populations in the Pacific Ocean, the species’ stronghold until recently, have declined drastically in the last decade, with current annual nesting female mortalities estimated at around 30% (Sarti et. al. 1996, Spotila et al. 2000). In some areas, formerly abundant rookeries have almost disappeared. For the Atlantic Ocean, the available information demonstrates that the largest population is in the French Guyana but the trends there are unclear. Some of the Caribbean nesting populations appear to be increasing but their sizes are very small when compared to those that nested in the Pacific coasts less than 10 years ago.” (Published in 2000)

Main Threats:

Egg harvesting and illegal poaching have removed more than 95% of the clutches in some parts of the world, particularly Malaysia, taken from nests to be consumed for food or as an aphrodisiac. It’s estimated that only one in a thousand hatchlings survives to adulthood. Long-line and driftnet fishing are also serious threats, causing both adults and juvenile to be captured while on migratory routes. The killing of nesting females on beaches for oil extraction along with traditional hunts and customs are also of serious concern. Finally, oceanic pollutants, especially plastics which resemble jellyfish, their favourite food, are a significant cause of mortality, finding as much as 5 kilograms (11 lbs) of plastic in some individual turtles.

Important Pages & Info:

Free the Leatherback: http://www.freetheleatherback.com/

Vancouver Aquarium – Aqua-facts: http://www.vanaqua.org/learn/aquafacts/reptiles/leatherback-turtles

WWF Global: http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/marine_turtles/leatherback_turtle/

Arkive Images: http://www.arkive.org/leatherback-turtle/dermochelys-coriacea/#src=portletV3api

Note 2: This little guy is featured in one of the artworks which I'm presently working on (from The Endangered Species Series). Stay tuned for more info (and the big unveilings), but in the meantime, please have a read and ...

~ Be The Change ~

Endangered Species Series - The Sea Otter

"The Species of Origin" matures and begins to come into its own

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

Sea Otter photo by Tsuneo Nakamura

• Average weight: - Male: 32 to 41 kg - Female: 18 to 27 kg
• Average height: 1.4 m
• Average lifespan: 15 to 20 years  
• Fur: 1.6 to 2.6 million hairs per square cm (thickest of any animal in the world)
• Gestation: 6 to 8 months
• Litter Size: 1 pup, but sometimes giving birth to twins

• Threats: Oil spills, habitat loss and degradation, food limitation, disease, fishing gear entrapment and conflict with shellfish fisheries. 

About:

Although they may look clumsy on land due to mismatched leg sizes, it’s for good reason. The strong hind legs endowed with webbed feed allow amazing manoeuvrability while paddling at great speeds, while the small front legs boasting stiff toes assist with complex food handling. They are the second smallest marine mammals but the largest of the weasel family.

Rather than blubber it’s very thick fur that keeps these marine mammals warm in the icy Pacific Ocean waters. Two layers provide insulation by trapping air between a thick under-fur and a “guard hair” fur layer, which changes colour with age, often from black, pale brown, to silver. 

These hungry little guys are capable of eating ¼ of their body weight a day. They’re preferred snacks are abalones, clams, crabs, mussels, octopus, and sea urchins. After diving over 100 murky metres or slamming shellfish against small rocks in order to get to their food source, otters will then roll and float on their backs to have their meal, their chests becoming the diner table.

Since dirty, matted fur doesn’t work as efficiently to trap sufficient heat the sea otter spends a large of the day cleaning itself. Oil spills are a huge threat to the Sea Otter, making it impossible for the otter to clean away the sticky substance before it freezes to death.

Sea Otter Year-round Range according to Canadian Geographic

Although there used to be hundreds of thousands of Sea Otters living on the Pacific coast between Mexico and Alaska, in the 1700s the fur trade started picking away at their numbers dramatically, causing them to plummet down around 1000 to 2000 in the early 1900s, to the point where they had to be re-introduced to British Columbia (89 of them between 1969 and 1972). Vancouver Island & Goose Island now has an estimated 2500 Sea Otters living off their coasts. Off the coast of California, the numbers have been estimated to be around 2,700 as of 2010, while Canada, Alaska, and Washington combined have seen numbers between 64,600 to 77,300, Russia estimates around 15,000, and Japan only about a dozen according to Defenders of Wildlife.

What is their status? 

Endangered

From: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/otter.pdf 

"Following reintroduction the Sea Otter population in Canada has increased to about 900 animals and has been growing at a rate of 17 to 20 percent per year. The Sea Otter has been assigned Endangered status by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), and receives legal protection as a marine mammal under the Canada Fisheries Act. It has been placed on British Columbia’s Red List and has been legally designated as an Endangered Species under the Wildlife Act. Throughout their range in the U.S., Sea Otters receive protection under the Marine Mammals Protection Act. The California population, a separate subspecies (variety) named the “Southern Sea Otter,” is afforded additional Federal protection as a Threatened Species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act."

A few Important Sea Otter Pages - Info:

Defenders of Wildlife: www.saveseaotters.org

Sea Otter Alliance: http://www.seaotterresearch.org/

Sea Otter Research at WERC: http://www.werc.usgs.gov/otters/

Wildlife in B.C. at Risk: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/otter.pdf 

Note: there are various species of Otter - this is a Fact Sheet about the Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

Note 2: This little guy is featured in the latest artwork I’m presently working on (to be a series). Stay tuned for more info (and the big unveiling), but in the meantime, please have a read and ...

~ Be The Change ~

DIY Designer Denim

Time for a Wardrobe Revamp!

Don't throw out those old jeans ...

Turn them into your own personalities with tips from:

Denim Revolution

 

     

For over four centuries denim has been a part of this world's diverse fabric. Whether you're pulling on a pair of Lee or Levi Strauss, bell-bottom or boot-cut, the assortment of brands and styles to choose from seems endless nowadays when it comes to denim trousers. The popularity of jeans has morphed from being synonymous with hard work to setting the latest trends in style and design.

No longer is comfort and durability the main criteria to finding that favourite pair of jeans. Before that special pair rises from the denim pile it has to hold up to newest standards established by THE power house called 'The Fashion Industry'.

Through the years, many different denim treatments have been introduced, including pre-washed, stone-washed, sandblasted, and vintage or dirty, which has not only jazzed up the jeans but also the price. As they  saunter down the runway, words like 'unique' and 'one-of-a-kind' have caused a boom for designer jeans, and revolutionized how these pants fit into the average closet, as well as the average budget. In a fluctuating economy affordability is more and more of a driving force when trying to find that perfect pair to add to your wardrobe.


Note 2: For reference about the history of denim (yes, the fabric IS that old - and Levis didn't invent it but rather reconstructed the concept) you can visit: http://www.bluejeanhistory.com/ and http://blog.denimgeek.com/history-of-denim/

Craft your Own

Enhance your pants 

 

Instead of trying to hunt down that ideal, affordable pair of originals, why not enlist your creative side to enhance your pants? Yes, those elite, genuine bogus designer knock-offs could be hiding in your very own closet right now. All you have to do is add some of your flair to them.

The trick is to dig out the comfiest pair (since they'll be worn quite a bit), no matter how ratty, tattered, or stained, which will simply enhances the look, then by adding just enough individuality in just the right places, you'll be the one setting trends in your neighborhood.

Here are a few ways of putting our stamp on any pair of jeans, without having to pay the big designer dollars. 

Ponder the possibilities 

A good place to start is to gauge whether or not the jeans require alterations, repairs, or cleaning, although a good wash is always recommended before beginning. Think of the jeans as your canvas. Find a celebrity pair that you like and tweak it to suit you. Basically, if you were able to cover one or two of your legs with removable tattoos, frills, or embellishments - 'body bling' - then what would it be? Plan it out, gather your supplies, and then set aside some time. 

Bleaching

  Bleach is the easiest, fastest, and most striking add-on. You can use a paintbrush, a sponge, a toothbrush, a washcloth, or a soaking tub to make dots, lines, or blobs, whiten one leg, two legs, or use the tie-dye technique for a fast and easy distinctive look. If you plan on painting on your jeans, you may want to bleach (then wash) those areas before painting to make the color stand out.

It can take some time for the subtle qualities of bleach to show through, so don't go too hard too fast. It's best to slowly add, since you can't put back the color you've taken away. Heat from a blow-dryer or sunshine can quicken the process, allowing you to work faster, but trial and error is all too often the best teacher. You may not always get the desired effect, but part of the fun is the surprise at the end.

Results - whitish?

Since manufacturers may have dyed the jeans, leaving the original colour of the fabric a bit of a mystery, rather than the white you'd expect from bleach, jeans can turn an unhealthy-looking dirty yellow, so test a small, unseen area (inside the waist, for example) to be sure you can live with the color. Remember, bleach will weaken the fabric, making it easier if you later want to distress the jeans, but also making them wear out a lot faster, shortening their life-span.

TIP

Do be careful how and where you choose to experiment with bleach since it will quickly, and sometimes uncontrollably, affect everything in the vicinity. It's recommended that you wear old clothes and gloves. Bleach can destroy surfaces, including your beautiful hands and nails. Slip plastic bags inside leg to produce different effects in front and back of leg. Use string or elastic bands to scrunch up various areas and create a tie-dye effect with bleach or color.

 

Paints and dyes

Painting on jeans is a clever way of covering unwanted stains, but it's also a brilliant way to make your own original mark. Along with the traditional fabric dyes out there, fabric paint is now available in a variety of colors. You can also purchase just the fabric binding medium that can be mixed with acrylic paint in the colour of your choice. Painting on denim isn't as easy and controllable as it sounds, but the results can be breathtaking.

While you should always follow the directions of individual products, the process usually involves allowing the painted art to dry for 12 to 24 hours, heat binding the colour into the fabric (a hot iron for about a minute on the reverse or throw them into a hot dryer for a bit), then washing as usual. For store-bought dyes, just follow the directions on the packet.

Fixative Recipe

• Serves: 1 Pair of Jeans
• Prep Time: about an hour
• Total Time: 1 and a half hour

Just like paints need to have a binder to 'fix' the colour to the fabric, many home-made dyes and colors need a fixative in order for the color to 'stick' to the fabric first. Keep in mind that since denim is such a durable fabric, it's also difficult to 'stain' your desired color.

A simple rule to remember is Salt for fruit dyes, and vinegar for flowers, leaves, or plants.

Ingredients

• Salt Fixer Recipe: 1/2 cup salt to 8 cups cold water
• Vinegar Fixative Recipe: 4 parts cold water to 1 part vinegar

Instructions

Simmer fabric in Salt or Vinegar fixative for about an hour, rinse, ring out, and then place item in dye or color bath.

Home made color dyes

Since darker jeans can help create the illusions of longer legs, if you want to gain height then try dying your jeans a shade or two darker. A quick way of doing this is by using strongly brewed coffee or tea. Both will give you varying colours depending on the strength as well as type of java or tea, but will also wash out over time so you may want to try a binder such as vinegar to prolong the color. Just soak the jeans in the pre-brewed liquid and keep checking for desired darkness (keeping in mind that they will lighten after every wash) - this can take up to 12 hours.

There are many ways of creating your own natural dyes from things found in your home. Spices such as Turmeric will give lovely shades of yellow, while fruits like blueberries and plumbs will give a range of blues, violets and reds. The garment can be simmered in the dye or color bath for an hour, or placed in the cooling bath water and left overnight. It all depends on the type of dye, fabric, and desired effect. The fun part is experimenting.

Tip

It's a good idea to wear gloves and old clothing. Like bleach, it's surprising how many stains get created from careless handling of paints and dyes, even home-made ones.

Embellishment

From buttons and bows, to bling-a-ding-ding nothing seems taboo when it comes to jeans. The limit is simply your personal style and taste. I find it helps to choose something that is meaningful to you, while keeping in mind that setting-off metal detectors is more hassle than it's worth. You can remove a belt, but you don't want to have to strip down to your skivvies. Also remember that the location of these items is important, particularly 'bulging' things like buttons or jewellery, since sitting or kneeling on them may not be comfortable, or advisable.

Sewing on pieces of fabric, leather, rope, or ribbon is also a nice touch. I do everything by hand, to ensure it stays-put. For my first 'embellished' pair of jeans I got my friends to sign their names, which I then sewed over in various colours. Sadly, after years of stylish comfort, they are no longer with us.

Distressing

Compared to most fabrics, denim's durability makes it perfect for distressing. Distressing such as grazes and holes should be saved for the end in order to achieve that more natural, aged look. Testing any technique before applying it is a good policy, but it's especially important with distressing techniques, since these can truly make or break the look and feel when it comes to pants. Basically, you're trying to achieve natural-looking abrasions, but try not to hack away at your pants without trying them on periodically. This will ensure that you don't destroy your jeans, and still have fabric in all the important places.

For end Frays, make a small cut where you to fray, leaving a raw edge. Knives, graters, clippers, pumice stones, or various grit sandpapers will pull the unattached threads away, but hanging items outside or washing a few times will help enhance the fray naturally over time. Cut frayed straggling threads that get too long, since they can become hazards, and use care when handling any kind of sharp tools. Try to steer clear of the stitching since this will only shorten the wear-ability of your jeans.

Hopefully this will spark some creativity within you, as well as save you a bundle of money while making you the talk of denim-town. Like all things, everything in moderation.

TIP

Try placing an item, such as a square coaster, in the back pocket and distressing the shape gently with sandpaper. This will give it a look of a wallet having lived in there for years.

Sometime less is more

Don't overdo the look you're aiming for since you can easily go from shabby chic to drabby geek.

Low-Calorie Oven-Baked Oatmeal

Love Oatmeal like me??

What more could you want but simple, low-calorie, and yummy!?

Mim-Oatmeal

             

Not your typical oatmeal!

Not just for breakfast, this revised oatmeal recipe also makes an amazing satiating snack, while keeping the calories under 200 (depending on what you add to it).

With so many possible creative additions, when you bake this recipe up as a cake, bars, muffins, or in ramekins, the wholesome goodness will appeal to any discerning eater.

The bars and muffins pack well, can be warmed in the microwave or toaster over, and frozen too. You can gobble them up as is, or add a bit of milk or yogurt to the bowl after heating, or smear on a bit of peanut butter for a to-go snack.

I like to mix the ingredients together and let them sit for a bit (even the night before) to give the oats a good soak - but then I cut the baking time to about 20 to 30 minutes (depending on your oven).

Basic recipe

• Serves: 12
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: approx. 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 C egg whites
• 1/2 C unsweetened applesauce
• 1 Tbsp cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 C large flakes rolled oats
• 1 C unsweetened almond milk

Instructions

- Preheat oven to 350 F

- Spray 9x9 cooking pan with non-stick spray.

- Whisk together applesauce and egg whites.

- Whisk in cinnamon, maple syrup, baking powder, and vanilla.

- Add Oatmeal, then milk.

- Mix well.

- Spread batter into the greased 9X9-inch pan (or distribute evenly in small muffin tins [liners recommended] or greased individual ramekin bowls).

- Bake at 350F (180C) for 30 to 45 minutes, until oats are softened, liquid is absorbed, and top begins to brown.

- Let cool slightly.

- Slice into 12 bars or serve up into bowls.

A variety of fun

Tasty ingredients can be added or interchanged in this recipe 

 

- One medium apple, cored , peel on or off, chopped into small pieces

- 1 or 2 Tbsp of instant coffee (for that extra morning perk-up)

- ¼ cup sliced (and/or toasted) almonds, or other nuts

- 1 Tbsp of brown sugar instead of maple syrup, or honey, or even molasses if you're so inclined (the more natural the better)

- Substitute applesauce for ¼ cup canned pumpkin and 1/2 tsp of pumpkin pie spice

- 1/4 cup dried fruit such as raisins, cranberries, cherries, dates

- Try adding plain or vanilla flavoured low-fat yogurt instead of applesauce (or with it - I've tried with and without and they both rock). Or put a dollop or two on top when serving

- Mush up a banana into the mix or add lovely slices on top before or after baking

- 1/3 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

- 1Tbsp of ground flax seed or chia seeds

- ½ tsp of cardamom, ½ tsp ground ginger, ¼ tsp of allspice, ¼ tsp of nutmeg

- Chocolate chips (okay, maybe not in the low-cal version, but maybe in the romantic breakfast-in-bed edition)

- Get creative

Health Tip

I never used to eat breakfast - I know - terrible! But I'm a changed woman now, and understand that to stay healthy, fit, and lean I HAVE to eat breakfast. My favorite is oatmeal, which I eat nearly every single morning (hence why a little variety is fun). When I'm working out harder (especially weights) I like to add even more protein to my meals, but also fibre (otherwise I'm not 'regular' and feel yucky).

So here's my tip: I add a scoop of protein powder, and a heaping tablespoon of both milled flaxseed and psyllium husk, along with whatever spices I'm in the mood for at the time (usually heaps of cinnamon & jamaican allspice). I also chop up an apple or banana and put that in there. If I need extra liquid then I add a small serving sized container of low-fat yogurt (also cools it down enough for me to eat). It ends up being a huge bowl (especially once everything puffs up) but I gobble it up & it keeps me going ALL morning. A few hours later I usually get to my exercises without any hunger pangs or weakness.

From: http://www.burnthefat.com/high_protein_oatmeal_pancakes.html

Oatmeal pancakes! This is it! The world-famous "high protein apple-cinnamon oatmeal pancake." My single favorite (and most often eaten) recipe for so many reasons... and NOT just for breakfast!

Ingredients

• ¾ cup old-fashioned oatmeal (rolled oats)
• 4 egg whites (1 egg yolk optional)
• 1/2 apple, diced
• 1 scoop protein powder (vanilla)
• 1 T Cinnamon 
  
  Yield: 1 large pancake

Nutrition Info:

• Serving Size: 1 pancake
• Calories: 423
• Protein: 39.5 g
• Carbs: 53.5 g.
• Fat: 6 g. 

Instructions

1.) Put all ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Stir until the mixture has a semi-liquid pancake-batter-like consistency. 

2.) Spray some non-stick spray on a frying pan and pour the mixture into the pan. 

3.) Cook on medium heat. When one side is lightly browned and solid enough to flip, turn the pancake over with a spatula and cook the other side until lightly browned and firm.

Note: For higher protein diets, add one scoop of protein powder (I like vanilla protein - I use a "vanilla praline" that adds a really nice flavor to the recipe too). Wrap up your pancake in foil and take it to go, put it in the fridge for later use, or eat it hot right off the stove! Oatmeal pancakes will stay fresh all day long without requiring refrigeration.

Cooking and Nutrition Tips

This recipe makes one large (6-8" diameter) pancake and it's a complete meal. If you need fewer calories to accommodate your personal nutrition plan, simply decrease the amounts of all ingredients proportionately to get the desired calorie content you want.

If you need more calories, increase the amounts of the ingredients (For muscle building programs when I need more calories, I usually use a full cup of oatmeal). If you use more than a cup of oatmeal, it's best to make two smaller pancakes, because if the pancake is too large, it tends to fall apart when you try to flip it.

If the batter consistency is not right, you can use fewer egg whites or more oatmeal to make it thicker, or vice versa. (You could also add a bit of water or milk if it's too thick... remember to count any extra calories you put it). To add calories, you can also use a whole egg (I find that it changes the taste if you make it with all egg yolks, plus it adds calories, so use egg whites if you want to keep it "lighter.")

You can use other types of fruit such as bananas or raisins instead of apples (get as creative as you want - I must have seen at least a dozen variations on this egg whites and oatmeal recipe). Using a packet or two of non-caloric sweetener is optional. These taste pretty good just with the natural sweetness of the fruit. If you're on a higher calorie, higher carb plan, these pancakes are delicious with natural all-fruit jelly spread on top).

This is truly the ultimate travel meal because you can take it with you and it stays fresh for an entire day without refrigeration. Just wrap it up in foil and you're good to go!

It is also "finger food" and you can eat it conveniently a little piece at a time even while you're behind the wheel driving, flying on a plane, sitting in class or at a seminar, hiking up in the mountains, or just about anywhere else! (Many a seat-mate has enviously looked over at my 100% nutritious and 100% delicious meal as they ate whatever slop the airline had to serve them... Ha! They'll pack a pancake next time!)

No doubt, this one recipe will become a favorite of yours and a staple in your weekly menu plans. Best part - oatmeal pancakes get an "A+grade" and they are "Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle" approved, and they're so easy to make that even a kitchen dummy can do it.