stock.xchng
Image of stacked books
The world is increasingly more visual. To illustrate a point, sometimes it’s really best to, well, illustrate it.
Enter stock.xchng, a website with zillions of free stock photos–like this stack of books–you can use (check permissions section first).
Awesome.
Community Warehouse
Community Warehouse
Sometimes people just need a little help to get them back on their feet.
Community Warehouse is a non-profit that collects donations of gently used furnishings and works with social service agencies to give those household items to people who qualify for their assistance. They have been known to outfit entire apartments for people. On average they serve 200 people a week.
So next time you’re replacing that perfectly good couch because you changed your color scheme or you upgrade your dining table, consider donating your old items to Community Warehouse. They’re awesome.
Love
Love
Everyone knows love is awesome. Everyone also knows love releases endorphins that make us feel really good. Now we know that intense, new love is as strong a pain killer as cocaine, according to a recent Stanford University School of Medicine study.
From the e! Science News article:
“It turns out that the areas of the brain activated by intense love are the same areas that drugs use to reduce pain,” said Arthur Aron, PhD, a professor of psychology at State University of New York at Stony Brook and one of the study’s authors. Aron has been studying love for 30 years. “When thinking about your beloved, there is intense activation in the reward area of the brain — the same area that lights up when you take cocaine, the same area that lights up when you win a lot of money.”
Well, there you have it. Reason # 347 why love is awesome.
Probiotics
Ultimate Flora Probiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms that put good bacteria back into your digestive track. Particularly important after taking antibiotics, probiotics are a good addition to your daily multi-vitamin regime.
My daughter was having frequent stomach aches after eating. An abdominal x-ray didn’t offer any explanations. I decided to put her on a daily dose of probiotics to see if it made a difference for her. Now into the second month of taking one Ultimate Flora capsule a day, her tummy aches are few and far between.
Our whole family takes them now. Everyday.
Hemp Hand Protector
The Body Shop
It’s getting to be winter; which means dry skin is on the way. My hands can get so dry and cracked–if I’m not careful.
This Hemp Hand Protector from The Body Shop really helps. It’s thick and rich, you just need a little dab to work into your hands. And while your rubbing this creamy goodness in, the clean smell will uplift and calm you.
I love this stuff.
White Sands
White Sands
White Sands National Monument is truly a natural wonder. Covering 275 square miles, it is the largest gypsum dune field in the world.
With big, rolling hills of pure white sand there’s nothing quite like it. Nestled in the Tularosa Basin of New Mexico, White Sands is something you have to see to fully grasp.
Add it to your bucket list. It’s awesome.
Nancy Siegler
Sunflower
Nancy Siegler did something awesome. She took one of life’s challenges and created something beautiful out of it.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Nancy began planting sunflowers because they made her happy. Working through this difficult and scary time by bringing more beauty into the world, Nancy soon ended up with a garden filled with 26 species of sunflower.
To help raise money for research, she opened her garden to the public. Over 600 people came.
Ceramic aliens
This guy stands outside the door of one of 37 artists’ studios in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village in San Diego.
Ceramic Alien
Pure awesome.
Portland Women’s Crisis Line
Portland Women's Crisis Line
One of the first five sexual violence crisis lines in the country, the Portland Women’s Crisis Line provides 24 hour support survivors of sexual and domestic violence. The Crisis Line services include support for non-offending family and friends as well, every hour of every day.
In addition, the organization has an innovative outreach program to members of the sex industry, providing education, safety support, and resource referral.
Restaurant booths
When you were a kid, they made you feel like a grown-up. As a grown-up they make you feel like a kid.
In downtown Los Angeles they make you feel like an alien.
Alien restaurant booth
Booth, please!
