The Superiority of Tea

I'm a tea drinker. Ok, occasionally I do indulge in a cup o' Joe, usually just to get through a boring class or stressful test, but I feel the satisfaction I get from a simple cup of tea far outweighs that heightened alertness - and then later complete loss of energy - you get from coffee. I might even go so far as to say I think it's better than water. Preposterous you say? I think not. I've got the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition on my side. BBC News recently published an article showing the EJCN's findings on just how magnificent tea is, claiming that, "Tea not only rehydrates as well as water does, but it can also protect against heart disease and some cancers."Lead author Dr. Ruxton goes on to say, "Tea replaces fluids and contains antioxidants so its got two things going for it." And what does water have to say to this? Even coffee, do you have anything you'd like to add? That's right, you can just stay quite. I always knew tea would come out on top.
While we're on the topic, if you too enjoy the healthiest beverage on Earth, then check out Adagio Teas. It's a beautiful site just look around on and their ingenuiTEA products are great to have. Excuse me while I put the kettle on...

Websites I Couldn't Live Without

1. Del.icio.us - I just don't know how I actually believed I was even remotely organized before del.icio.us entered my life. Delicious allows it's users to categorize and share all their bookmarks with other users. Genius! So simple but oh so necessary for the ever expanding realm of the internet. Thank you Ian!

2. Rocketboom - a daily vlog almost as random as Gum & Carrots. I entertain myself with the belief that I'm educating myself by watching it. But if you're too cool to watch Rocketboom, feel free to gorge yourself with The9.

3. Craigslist - everybody better know what this is by now. If you don't, go to this site now, and stop spending money on posting your classified ads in the Journal. I don't use craigslist as often as the other listed sites, but when I need it, it saves my life. I sold my car after only having it posted for 2 days!

4. Pandora - This is the best internet radio site I've found. It's free - if you want it to be - and lets you create your own stations. Your stations are based off a chosen band or song you like, and then randomly plays related songs. As you listen you rate each song played, and the station becomes more and more specific to your likes.

5. Digg.com - almost identical to reddit.com, these 2 sites allow users to post interesting things they find on the internet, and rate them, by either "digging" them or giving them points. These sites help me keep up to date with those obscure little facts buried somewhere online. Let other people find them, you just judge them.

6. Well, #6 used to be Daily Monster, but alas, that era has passed. So I guess I'll stay in the same category and pick Drawn, an illustration and cartooning blog. As you may already know, I lack a talent for drawing and desire a more professional skill. This site has definitely provided some much needed inspiration to get me doodling again.

7. Allrecipes.com - not that cool, but I have to admit, I use it almost daily. Honestly, the title is not a lie, which I first expected it to be. It really has everything. Especially a great veggie section.

8. I really don't want to say what I have for #8...but what's a blog if it's not honest... myspace, there I said it. Or facebook. Definitely a guilty pleasure, but - perhaps I'm lying to myself - I do feel that I stay better connected with my friends. 'Nuff said.

Forever Young...?

Aging is such an interesting topic. Some people spend much of their lives trying to figure out how to accept it, some learn to look forward to it in anticipation of gaining wisdom, while still others want to ignore it. There is another group, however, a group trying to end aging. This group is the Immortality Institute. I found this video on thoughtware.tv and at first was a bit uninspired to watch it. Afterwards, however, my mind flooded with questions and speculations about what this could mean for humankind. Definitely a worthwhile watch.

My Ode to Stefan G. Bucher

Today marks the last Daily Monster from Stefan G. Bucher. It's been a great last 100 days, starting off every day with a healthy dose of skritchy sharpie sounds and air-blown paint streaks. And then topping it all off with a lively animation - oh there is nothing more satisfying. Whether it's dancing, glaring, or just acting sketchy, each monster has been a joy. I do have one regret, in regard to being such a fan of DM, I never posted a story for one of the monsters. All those fans that regularly created astoundingly creative stories for these recent acquaintances have my profound respect. But what of all those fans, perhaps bigger fans than I? If I feel like my daily routine is being forced to find new morning entertainments, how do these people feel? The ones that put in at least an hour or more everyday, just trying to create a meaningful story. How will they ever get over it? How will they fill the void that the arrival of the 100th monster has created? Will they find something new? Better? Hmmm...Maybe they will come across a new blog, one where they can write comments...give advice to a new blogger...gum and carrots anyone???

Carrots - the way to any girl's heart

So I randomly came across this site entirely dedicated to everything carrots, (no really - EVERYTHING carrots) called the Carrot Museum and was surprised to find real carrot jewelry. "Each piece is sliced and dehydrated by hand in a process that maintains the natural texture, colour and shape. This curing process can take between 4 and 6 weeks to ensure there is absolutely no moisture left that could cause it to rot. They are then covered with a protective resin for longevity and durability." I guess carrots can provide inspiration for anything. Check out all the jewelry and don't forget to pick up one of those fruit tile motifs as well.

Seeing New Dimensions

My 10 Random Things - sick version

So I first posted this on my myspace blog, but thought I should share it here as well. I felt this was a good exercise to get writing. Just write a few sentences about any 10 random things that pop into your head. It's surprisingly fun!

1. Gum and carrots, the name of my blog, plus the two things that annoy the hell out of Evan when I chew them. I just can't resist! That crunch of a fresh carrot, or the smack of a good piece of gum!

2. short hair - so I heard this was supposed to be easier. As I recall, with long hair, I could get up in the morning, put a hair tie around it and go. But with short hair, I now understand the concept of "bed head". Not the most flattering look in the morning.

3. Oh Kristin! Of course, she has to be one of my random things. Whether it's getting coffee in the morning or going out for drinks, I have found a new best thing in life with this chica!

4. Another "best thing in life" would have to be all our plants. We have a ridiculous amount, over 30 I think. I just love taking care of them, watching them grow-- ok, I'll just stop right there.

5. So I'm sick right now, and it blows. I know exactly when I started getting sick - during that movie at Kristin's! Damn that movie! I don't know why it did this to me. I'm never watching it again.

6. My congested head is having a hard time with number six...

7. There' one thing in life I wish I was better at: drawing. I have spent much of my education doodling away during class, yet somehow it has not improved my skill at all. Maybe I need a new medium, perhaps colored pencils.

8. So we watched The Evil Dead last night, and I have to be honest, I wasn't that impressed. Ok, I did jump once, but mostly I found myself frustrated with how LONG some of those scenes were. I get it, she got stabbed and it hurt, I don't need to hear her scream about it for 5 minutes!

9. Getting up in the morning and making tea. It's just plain dandy. I'm definitely a morning person, and I feel that is the part of the day I am most happy. Evan is definitely NOT a morning person, but I think I make his morning a little bit better when I hand him his morning cup of tea.

10. Fluffy pillows and flannel blankets. That is where I'm headed now.

In the Beginning...

So blogging huh?? A very interesting concept, being that anyone with basic literacy and internet access can create their very own page. And to do what? To simply share what's on their mind or with the idea that they have some knowledge they wish to impart on the rest of us? The first thought that comes to mind is that there must be some pretty boring blogs out there. Anyway, for some reason I feel drawn "to blog" (interesting verb usage) even though I do not consider myself a strong writer. Just the thought of writing something original daily(ish) causes an uncomfortable feeling (as I notice I've bitten off a few nails just trying to write that sentence). But I'm still so excited about blogging. I'm curious to know why exactly... is it because I feel like I have something to share? Or maybe I just need another outlet? Perhaps I simply enjoy talking about myself, however I don't feel that the latter fits my personality type. I want to say that this blog is just for me, some exercise in life, learning how to confront difficult tasks and completing them successfully and thoroughly, something I know I really lack. Putting myself out there, not caring what people think, not always agreeing with everyone, having my opinion heard...maybe this will encourage those traits to express themselves more clearly. But, who knows...
Anyway, this being my first post I was hoping to create some sort of direction for this blog. My above blabbing was an attempt to find that direction, however, as of now, I've got nothing. I felt that my title choice will allow me to take any path I want, perhaps changing on a daily basis. Yeah... that sounds good... a kind of wild card, you never know what's going to pop up.