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It’s is nice writing this post knowing that most of our readers have no idea what I look like.  Please set aside your assumptions about my size, it is irrelevant.  Instead, take a look at yourself.  Are you satisfied?  Most studies say that a majority of women are not happy with the way they look- and that the repercussions from this lack of self-acceptance are serious.

But I’m not here to preach.  I was a pudgy little kid, my preferred description is “pleasantly plump,” and while puberty slimmed me out I still remember the trauma of a family friend coming up to me at my high school graduation party (which was 80’s themed and had me decked out in spandex) to tell me that he was so proud of how slim I’d gotten.  He was likely trying to give me a compliment but my fragile ego interpreted it as an insult.  Similarly, I remember my college graduation when a family member pulled me aside to tell me I looked too slim and that they were concerned.  I took it as a compliment.  Crazy right?

My point here is that we all have our self-image issues.  Luckily, mine faded with time.  I don’t own a scale and I know I eat a healthy diet so I figure there isn’t all that much to worry about.  In celebration of Fat Talk Free Week perhaps we should all consider holding our tongue when giving a compliment, complaining about our weight or simply comparing ourselves to others.  Instead of talking diets with your girlfriends consider talking about exercise, or the upcoming election or the amazing book you just finished reading.

Take a moment to check out the “Fat Talk Free Week” website sponsored by Delta Delta Delta, Seventeen Magazine, NOW, NEDA, and AED and be sure to watch their video which drives the point home.

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NOTE TO SELF: DON'T JUDGE A WORM BY ITS LOOKS


A New Zealand inventor of the "wormorator" has been forced to defend the use of worms in a composting toilet he has developed after officials became concerned that the creatures might become traumatised by the procedure. Coll Bell was told to get an expert's report on the mental impact on the tiger worms being used after an official became concerned during a site visit.He says the official felt that the worms were being unfairly treated, being expected to deal with human faeces, and that it could affect them in a psychological way.Mr Bell was told he had to get someone with the necessary qualifications to say the worms were happy. A vermiculture consultant was called in and she has found the worms are in excellent health and breeding happily.

In Bell's invention, a colony of worms filters solids from the toilet waste and the leftover water is filtered into underground trenches.

When you think about it and some would rather not and for sure some don't care one way or the other (most likely the latter), the mere fact that they are turning...you-know-what into rich loam could be an indication that they i.e. the worms, enjoy the process. Or...on the other hand and we don't really know since the worms, can't express their true inner feelings, their action and end result could be a result of the trauma of having to deal with human feces. I mean - it's totally understandable.

So my next question is: just where does one find somebody with the right qualifications or indeed any qualification to deal with worm trauma? Can the testimony of a vermiculturalist be believed? What does she/he do to test out her/his theory? Pull a worm out of the earth and have a conversation with it?

"Hello worm," she would probably say. "How 'ya doin' today? I'm fine! So...how d'ya like dealing with all that sh**?"

How could the vermiculturalist know the difference between an unhappy and happy worm? More to the point, does a worm know if its happy or unhappy? Do worms suffer from depression?

Also, in as far as hygeine is concerned, who would sit on this compost toilet?

The Auckland Regional Council's concerns went down the pan after vermiculture consultant Patricia Naidu found the worms in excellent health and breeding happily. I guess one has to take her word for it.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/071216/oddities/nzealand_animals_offbeat_worms

NOTE TO SELF: Is this story kosher?


Perhaps it's just the cynic in me but I find this a little hard to swallow.

Jones Soda Co., a Seattle-based purveyor of offbeat fizzy water, is selling holiday-themed limited-edition packs of flavored sodas. What makes this story intriguing is that they are proposing a ham-and-latke-flavored soda.

Talk about trying to be everything to everyone!

Jones Sodas Christmas Pack flavors include Sugar Plum, Egg Nog, Christmas Tree and Christmas Ham. They are also claiming that their newest product will be kosher - including the ham!

Actually, the packages are divided up according to the holiday with the Christmas pack featuring such flavors as Sugar Plum, Christmas Tree, Egg Nog and Christmas Ham. The Hanukkah pack will have Jelly Doughnut, Apple Sauce, Chocolate Coins and Latke sodas.

"As always, both packs are kosher and contain zero caffeine," Jones said in a statement.

The packs will go on sale Sunday, with a portion of the proceeds to be given to charity, the company said.

Jones' products feature original label art and frequently odd flavors. Last year's seasonal pack was Thanksgiving-themed, with Green Pea, Sweet Potato, Dinner Roll, Turkey and Gravy, and Antacid sodas.

For its contract to supply soda to Qwest Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks, Jones came up with Perspiration, Dirt, Sports Cream and Natural Field Turf. The company -- fortunately or unfortunately -- prides itself on the accuracy of the taste.

Excuse me while I gag...

Jones also makes more traditional flavors, including root beer, cherry and strawberry. I dunno - call me silly but I'll pass on the ham soda.