Why Showing the Disney Princesses with "Realistic Waistlines" is Completely Ridiculous.

So I've been seeing a lot of people "liking" and commenting on this link, and others like it.

Here's why it's bullsh*t.

1)  If you're going to start on about how unrealistic Disney's depictions of the princesses are, why would you start--or stop, for that matter--on their appearance?  

Think about it.  Almost all of the Princesses that we grew up watching had completely unrealistic lives.  Snow White's stepmother hired an assassin, who couldn't go through with it; she ended up living with seven MYTHICAL CREATURES in the forest instead.  Cinderella was treated like a slave when her father died, and her cruel stepmother was responsible, but with the help of TALKING MICE AND BIRDS she was able to attend the party at the castle, wearing GLASS SLIPPERS, meet her prince, etc.  Ariel was a MERMAID.  Jasmine was swept off her feet and onto a MAGIC CARPET.  Mulan defeated the Huns with the help of a MINIATURE TALKING DRAGON, AND HIS CRICKET SIDEKICK.  Belle lived in a castle where the FURNITURE WAS ALIVE.  

Do you see the problem with pointing out the unrealistic expectations set by Disney's ANIMATED princesses?  If you start with one thing, then you'd better be prepared to tell your little girl about every tiny little thing that Disney enchanted so that her expectations aren't blown out of proportion.

2)  Disney is not responsible for society's obsession with being thin.

All you have to do is look at the magazine rack in any given convenience store to realize this.  Models are primped, preened, made-up for hours at a time, photographed, and then stretched, airbrushed, photoshopped, and edited into the unrealistic ideals we see around us all the time.  Huge and perfectly perky boobs, a waist that a man could easily fit between his two hands, a round but toned butt, and legs that taper nicely with the thighs being perfectly fit and the muscles defined--oh, and heaven forbid if you have cellulite.

Disney's princesses are animated, and it's obvious that they're animated.  But if everywhere you turn you see women who, apart from their photoshopped features and figures, look real, OF COURSE YOU'RE GOING TO ABSORB THAT AS REALISTIC.  Cartoons aren't supposed to look real.  So, if they have tinier waists than is physically possible, FINE!  They're FAKE.  Get over it.

Not only that, but if you blame Disney for this unrealistic expectation, you'd better be ready to point your remaining fingers at Barbie and every other doll company out there.

3)  If we are criticizing Disney princesses for the way they look, that tells a lot about our society today.

Seriously, though.  Doesn't that point to a much deeper underlying problem?  Y'all are criticizing CARTOONS--ANIMATED PEOPLE--FOR LOOKING UNREALISTIC.  Why??  Doesn't that strike you as a little...pointless?  Can they change?  NO!  They aren't real.  Why not put your energy into something that matters, something that will actually make a difference.

Besides, even if you don't like the way they look, the princess movies have some pretty great qualities.  They give little girls something to hope for, dream about, wish for.  And they each, in their own way, teach every little girl that being herself is okay.  Snow White, Cinderella, Jasmine, Pocahontas--all of them.  Every single one is so different than all the others, and every little girl has a princess that she can relate to more than the others.  In my opinion, that's kind of a beautiful thing--something that has created so many different characters, and yet united millions and millions of people...yeah, I don't see a problem with that.

Also, if you criticize the princesses about the way they look, how is that going to translate to the little ones when they dress up as those princesses?  Aren't you ingraining even further the ideals we should be ridding ourselves of?

4)  Why stop at the waistlines?  Let's start on every other physically impossible feature.

I don't think it's healthy if your eyes are as big as Ariel's or Rapunzel's.  And please, let's not even start on the unrealistic expectations of hair.  (Seriously, has anyone not watched these movies and been ridiculously envious of the volume, the waves, the effortless style, and ugh, just....let's just stop.)

Pretty sure their feet and hands are all waaaaaaaay too small for their proportions.

See what I mean?  If you open this can of worms, you'd better be ready for the multitude of tiny impossibilities in every single Disney movie.

Don't get me wrong--I see where these artists are coming from.  I know the struggle of body image.  I've experienced it.  I just think they are going about change in the absolute worst way possible.  Animation is all about fairytales, things happening that probably wouldn't happen in a regular life.  That's kind of the point.  That's why they are so magical and so much fun!  Don't ruin it by picking apart stupid little things that don't matter.  Don't ruin the magic.

Homemade Laundry Detergent & Fabric Softener

So in case any of you didn't know already, I have eczema.  Not super terrible, but it does make wearing skirts and shorts a little uncomfortable--no one, including me, wants to see those dry and scaly spots that dot the bottom half of my legs.

Know what else no one--including me--likes to see?  The price tag on laundry soap.  (It's probably not as bad as it could be, but still, when you're trying desperately to pinch every penny, it's hard to justify spending more on laundry soap that supposedly works for "sensitive skin".  Also, it's full of all kinds of chemicals which make me squirm a little bit.  Fabric softener too.)

So I decided to try something--homemade laundry detergent.

Which I tried once before, and the results...well they weren't so good.  But I decided to try again.

You guys, I am so glad I decided to try again.

My clothes have never smelled fresher, felt cleaner, or looked brighter than they have for the last month.

This new laundry detergent was put to the test when my cat bled all over a certain favorite blanket of mine.  (Long story--perhaps another time.)  The blanket is white with black swirling flowers all over it, and it was pretty obvious that it had been stained pretty badly.  And I was a little heartbroken, but before just throwing it out, I decided to at least try to get the stains out.

One and a half tablespoons of this laundry detergent, guys.

Not a hint of a stain anywhere.

Not exaggerating.  I even made Husband--who has an annoyingly good eye for things like that when he wants to--check it over.  He couldn't see anything either.

So basically, I'm sold.  I'm never buying store-bought detergent or fabric softener again.  I love the idea that it's cheaper, works better, and is better for the environment.  Win-win-win!!

So I figured I'd share with all y'all here.

HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT
- 2 tubs oxy-clean (I got the unscented, chlorine-free kind)
- 1 box Borax*
- 1 box Arm&Hammer Washing Soda*
- 3 grated bars of soap* (I used Dr. Bronner's castile soap in lavender scent)

Seriously.  That's it.  Just throw it all together in a big bowl or bucket, shake it up or mix it really well, and store.

AND ALL YOU NEED IS ONE TABLESPOON FOR EACH LOAD (1.5 if it's really big or really nasty).  This stuff will last you for-ev-er.  

I've also noticed my eczema going away.  I don't know if it's the laundry detergent, the homemade fabric softener, a combination of the two, or if my skin just decided to clear up now that fall is here and I'm wearing long pants all the time anyway, but I certainly attribute at least part of the healing to this homemade stuff.

Here's what I did for the softener.

FABRIC SOFTENER
- 1 quart distilled white vinegar
- 25 drops lavender essential oil (or whatever is your favorite)
- Add 1/4 to 1/2 c. to each load during the final rinse cycle.

I swear your clothes won't smell like vinegar.  I PROMISE they wont.  :)  The vinegar cuts out all of the leftover soap that wasn't rinsed out with plain water.  Seriously, my clothes and towels and sheets are so soft now!  And not vinegar-y at all.  Promise.

Yup.  That's it.  I'm in laundry heaven.  Hopefully you will be too.

*If you're wondering what size of box to get, there should only be one size available.  They will be available in the laundry aisle of your favorite grocery store.  They even make some soap brands specifically for homemade laundry detergent (Zote, Fels-Naptha).  I just haven't tried those.  :)  Good luck!!

Happily Ever After

So a WHOLE BUNCH of people I know have been getting married lately--including my very best friend in the whole world, SHOUTOUT to Ally.  :)  Anyways.  I was lucky enough to be part of her big day--from the temple ceremony at 9:00 a.m., to the end of the reception at 10:00 p.m.  It was so beautiful, and so fun, and so Ally!  I loved it.  I loved every minute.  It was so perfect for her.

And I found myself getting just a little bit jealous.

I know, it's silly, but everything about her reception was just so...perfect.  From the colors to the cake to the background music (Disney songs.  If you know Ally, then you know why).  It was beautiful. 

I found myself kind of wistfully wishing I could re-do my own wedding, my own reception, make it perfect, make it personal, make it mine.  (Except then I reminded myself that my wedding reception actually was all of those things already; it just happened before everyone else's.  Or at least that's how it felt.)

And then I started noticing these newlyweds posting pictures and videos from their weddings and saying things like "I wish I could just go back to this day!" and "I wish I could relive this day over and over again, it was so perfect!"  And I was kind of right there with them, thinking I wish I could go back to my wedding day too, because it was so beautiful, and so perfect.

But I stopped myself.  "Why would you want to go back to that day," I asked myself, "when you can make every day of your marriage perfect and personalized and beautiful?"  (Please don't think I'm crazy, because I promise I understand that every day can't actually be like that, but bear with me.)

There were so many things that made that day special, and perfect, and wonderful.

There are so many things that make every day special, and perfect, and wonderful.

The way that he's looking at me in some of our wedding photos. 

The way that he looks at me now, when I make cheesecake for him (or try to) because it's his favorite.  Or when I write silly fantasy letters to our oldest niece.  Or when I try so hard to be a worthy opponent at tennis and I really just suck, so badly, at it.

The way that I felt when I looked across at him and just knew, with every particle of my being, that this was right.

The way I still feel, when he finally collapses into bed with me at 7:00 a.m. from working the night shift.  Or when I look over and watch him, brow furrowed and biting his lip, working out this months' budget.  Or when I ask him to make me lunch to take to work with me, and he knows exactly the right amount of pickles to put on my sandwich. 

The way that I watched him interacting with my family and knew that he was one of us, even though he's different than we are.

The way that he still wants to go outside and play catch with my little brother.  Or bought movie tickets to see whatever stupid dance movie came out last year because he knew my sister wanted to go with me and that I would never spend money on a movie like that.  Or how, every time we eat dinner at my parents', every single time without fail, he compliments my mother on her cooking and thanks her for it.

There are a million tiny things, every day, that make every day perfect. 

The way he plays with Lucky when we let her inside at night.  The way he can never seem to put Mufasa--the cat--down, even though he was a little anti-cat before I brought him home.  The way he'll gripe and moan if I ask him to do the dishes but do them anyway because he knows they are the bane of my existance.  The way he tries to explain something to me in a way I'll understand (nevermind the fact that I already know whatever it is he's trying to explain).  The way he gets SO EXCITED about ice cream now, or the way we have an unspoken agreement to never watch an episode of "Chuck" without the other person, or the way he watched "Cowboys and Aliens" because I begged him to and actually ended up really liking it.  The way he's teaching me, slowly, how to play tennis and how to not suck at chess.  How he makes popcorn for me when he knows I've had a crappy day.  The way he lets me cry on his shoulder if I need to, and tries really hard to be a good personal trainer (you know, for the twenty-four hours I'm motivated enough to work out). 

A MILLION TINY THINGS, EVERY SINGLE DAY.

So here is my advice to the young newlyweds out there.  Don't wish you could go back in time.  You can't.  Maybe every day won't be the day you are sealed to your sweetheart, and wearing the dress you've been dreaming of since you were five.  But something you can do is try to bring a little bit of the magic of that day into every single other day of your married life.

If you find yourself reminiscing about your wedding day, and having a hard time feeling content, try this for a few days.  You might be surprised at how every day can be just as perfect and beautiful.  :)

On Kate Kelly and "Ordain Women"

All right friends I'm about to get real for a minute here.  This post will probably be controversial; I understand this.  I know that there will be some who agree with me, and some who very strongly disagree.  And that's okay.  These are my thoughts and my feelings.  So before anyone gets all judgey IN EITHER DIRECTION, whether I'm a Saint who just performed an act that will get me straight through the pearly gates or I am a blasphemy-spouting heathen, understand that these are my personal thoughts and feelings; not scripture, not words from the mouth of the Lord.  Just me.  Imperfect, and flawed, and sometimes with errors in my understanding.

I read a story today about Kate Kelly probably being excommunicated from the LDS religion because of her involvement in a group known as Ordain Women, which is attempting to convince the leaders of the LDS church to give the priesthood to women. 

I will be honest; I do not understand her reasons for forming this group.  I do not know her thought process, the intentions of her heart, or her eventual goals from starting this group.  I do know that the Church is true.  I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of our living God, and I know that following the counsel of President Monson will never lead us astray.  His words are the words of the Lord.  Within them we may find counsel, inspiration, guidance, peace, comfort, and wisdom.

Kate Kelly has gone against the counsel of the prophet.  I do not pretend to know what the consequence of this action should be, but I stand behind President Monson, and I stand behind those who act in his behalf and in behalf of the Lord (namely, those who will decide on the consequences for her actions).  In this life we are free to choose as we will; we are not free to choose the consequence that will come from our choices.  We never have been able to choose the consequence, and we never will be.   

To all those women who are confused, and think maybe Kate Kelly is right, I wish to share a few thoughts with you.  I cannot tell you how to believe or what to think.  But I can share with you what I believe, and what I think.

I believe that women do have the priesthood, in many ways.  We may not be able to say we have been ordained to the priesthood, but anyone who is worthy and able to attend the temple has access to the power of the priesthood.  I also believe that men and women, while in many ways are equal in the sight of the Lord, have very different responsibilities. 

THIS IS A GOOD THING.  I'm sure of it.  Imagine for a moment, if you will, the way the world would be if every single person on this planet had the exact same responsibilities.  Society would cease to exist.  There would be none to make laws, none to enforce laws, none to regulate anything.  I think it's the same thing as with our talents--every single person has a different set of gifts and talents, and thank goodness, because how boring and lifeless would the world be if everyone was good at all the same things.

We, as women, have access to the power of the priesthood just the same as any man.  What we don't have is the authority to exercise it in the same way.  Again, this is not a bad thing.  Understanding this is essential:  Men and women were created to be different, inherently and essentially different.  This is the way it should be.  By attempting to "equalize" men and women in things such as the authority of the priesthood, we are attempting to change the very nature which the Lord has created us to have.  He means us to be male or female, and He means us to assume the mantle of responsibility that each role inherits by nature of his or her male or female spirit. 

We, as women, are different than men.  We are different by our very nature.  It is the Lord's design that the man should be the head of his home.  (Also let's please not discuss single moms, divorced women, etc....that is a topic for a different time.)  Men are ordained to the priesthood to help them in this leadership position.  Women, as the helpmeet of the men, are equal partners in leading their home; but it is the woman's job to uphold her husband as the head of the household.  **GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ASHTON:  Men are given the priesthood to help bring them closer to the Lord, thus aiding them in guiding their family in the ways of righteousness.**

Be content with your roles and responsibilities.  They may be different, but they are every bit as important and essential to the work of salvation.  Unless our roles and responsibilities are being performed 100% perfectly 100% of the time, we should not be asking for still more roles and responsibilities.

I know the Prophet speaks for the Lord.  I know that he will never lead us astray.  I know that the Lord my Redeemer lives, and loves us more dearly than we may ever comprehend.  It has been said that in the last days, many of the elect shall be deceived.  Stay close to the Lord and we cannot be deceived.

Book Review :: The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault In Our Stars, John Green
 
Synopsis:  Hazel has a terminal form of cancer.  She has to drag an oxygen tank everywhere she goes and spends some time at a ridiculous "support group" (that she hates, by the way).  Until one day when a handsome stranger shows up to support a mutual friend.  Augustus Waters is surprising, different, and interesting--and in love with Hazel.  She introduces him to her favorite book, and he introduces her to his.  They share their thoughts on life, on the perks of being a cancer kid, and the oblivion beyond this life. 

And they travel to Amsterdam together using Augustus' Wish, to meet the author of Hazel's (and later, Augustus') favorite book, hoping that he can answer some questions that remained unresolved at the end of the novel. 

But things, when they are perfect, seem unable to last that way for long.  Hazel and Augustus are about to experience the most difficult announcement they have ever had to deal with.  Is their relationship strong enough to survive?  And will it even matter?

My Rating:  *  *  *  *  *
 I know I read a lot.  And I know I kind of have a lot of five star ratings.  But honestly, if I had one better than five stars, I would rate it higher.  I don't actually say this about a lot of the books I read, but this book will change your life.  I cried like a baby.

Risky Content:  To find out more about things in this book that may or may not be questionable or objectionable to your personal morals, click here.  It's great, very detailed and in-depth!  BE WARNED THOUGH--it contains spoilers.

THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING.  READ IT.  IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

Book Review :: Dust City

Dust City, Robert Paul Weston

Synopsis:  Henry Whelp is a resident of St. Remus, a correctional facility for troubled adolescents.  But not just any adolescents--adolescent wolves, foxes, ravens, and other animalia.  The hominids have since moved to Eden, the fabled city of the fairies built in the sky above St. Remus and the earth-dwelling animalia.  One day, the fairies just vanished, and took their magic--their wonderful, amazing, destiny-inducing magic--with them.  No more fairy godmothers or godfathers.  No more fairydust to help your dreams become a reality.  Now all that's left is the dust runoff, which pharmaceutical companies have begun to mine and sell to the surface-dwellers.  They refine the dust and make it cure almost anything--headaches, toothaches, broken bones; it can even be used as an anesthetic.  Dust monopolies have formed, and some animalia have begun to sell it on the streets, like a drug.
Meanwhile, Henry has discovered a packet of letters from his father, who is in prison for killing Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother.  In his letters, he reveals a terrifying and deadly secret about the dust monopoly and its leader, Skinner.  Are the fairies really still alive, like Henry's father believes?  And if they are, where are they?  It's up to Henry and a small band of misfit hominids and a she-wolf named Fiona to find out.

My Rating:  *  *  *  *

**WARNING:  THE FOLLOWING SECTION MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS**

Risky Content
Language:  0/5

Adult Content:  0/5

Violence:  3/5
Henry takes some very potent dust that makes him understand the bloodlust that caused his father to kill Red Riding Hood.  Some blood, some gore.

Right Now I Am...

Missing:  ...the beaches and warm weather of beautiful California.
Loving:  ...that I cleaned an entire room today; I always feel good after that.
Watching:  ..."One Tree Hill".  Thank heavens for Netflix.
Listening:  ...to the comforting hum of the washing machine.  Thank heavens for washing machines, too!
Feeling:  ...like I should probably do some homework but I really don't want to.
Wanting:  ...for dinner to already be made without having to put forth any effort.
Waiting:  ...for the first load of laundry to be done so I can switch it out, wash another load, and then go grocery shopping!
Hoping:  ...that Husband will be able to get enough sleep tonight.
Needing:  ...to get up and use the bathroom.
Wishing:  ...there was more moneys in my bank account, but at the same time feeling very content with what is in there and for everything that we have.
Reading:  "Born Under a Lucky Moon", by Dana Precious.

Book Review :: "The Snow Child"

The Snow Child, Eowyn Ivey

Synopsis:  In the 1920s, Alaska is a forbidding place.  Winters consist of bitter cold and blizzards, where even the sun won't shine for a period of two weeks, leaving the inhabitants in perpetual darkness; summer is a time of frantic clearing land, plowing, and planting, praying that the crops survive so that winter can be survived.  Recent arrivals Jack and Mabel find it especially grueling: both getting on in years, they moved to Alaska to escape the memory of their only child, who was stillborn.  Jack hasn't brought down any big game and winter is coming on and it's beginning to look more grim still, but in a moment of frivolity belying their age, the estranged couple build a beautiful snow child in the first flurries of the season.  The next morning, Jack leaves early to go on yet another hunt in hopes of finding a moose to down, and the snow child--along with the beautiful red mittens they had put on her--have vanished; all that remains is a pile of powder and one set of small footprints, leading from the center of the snow pile into the woods on the other side.  A small child appears later that day with a red fox by her side, and leads Jack to a moose.  Who is the girl?  Where did she come from?  How can she control the snow and frost the way she seems to?  And how in heaven's name does she survive alone in the bitter cold winter of the Alaskan wilderness?  Is she truly a child of magic, as Mabel comes to believe?  And what will they do when they fall in love with her, the child they always wanted and never had?

My Rating:  *  *  *  *  *

I loved this book.  It speaks so poignantly of love, loss, survival, parenthood, friendship, loyalty, sacrifice, support, and secrets.  It's true that I love many books, but this is one that has truly stayed with me ever since I turned the last page.  Just like Mabel, I came to fall in love with Alaska and all that it represents.

Risky Content: 
Adult Scenes:  Just one.  Nothing particularly explicit.  Just two people who have become strangers, getting to know each other again.
Swear words:  Not that I can recall.  Perhaps such things as "damn" and "hell" and "shit" occasionally.
Violence:  Just the typical stuff you'd expect from a tale of brutal survival in 1920s Alaska.  :)

Recipe :: Coconut Chicken Curry

So I have this weird thing where I really, really have a thing for Indian food.  But I also have this thing where I'm a college student, and I can't afford to eat it all that often.  So I decided to start learning how to make it at home, all by myself.  My crock pot is my best friend when it comes to making Indian food.  :)  I've only made this recipe a couple of times, but it's delightful!  It's not spicy--like, at all--and it's got all the things you love about Indian food:  complex and aromatic flavors, rich and filling, colorful and laced with delicate and unexpected tastes that will leave your tastebuds tingling.  See the original recipe here!

Coconut Chicken Curry
Ingredients:

• 2 lbs 3.5 oz chicken*
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled**
• 1 small green bell pepper
• 1 can (156 mL) tomato paste (I just get the small can)
• 1 can (~400 mL) coconut milk
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 2 tbsp water
• 1.5 tbsp corn starch

*Confession:  I never actually weigh or measure my meat in any way.  I kind of just eyeball it.

**I like garlic.  I typically use about 4 cloves in this particular recipe.

***There are some optional ingredients:  2 whole dry chili peppers, if you like more heat; and 1 bunch coriander, for garnish.  I've never used either of these in mine and it still turns out delish.

Procedure:

CAVEAT:  There are multiple ways to make this; the first way is with a food processor.  If you don't have one, another option is to use a blender instead; a third option, though I've never personally tried it, is to just chop up the onion and the pepper really small and mix it all together in a bowl real well.

Cube chicken and put into slow cooker.  Peel skin from onion and quarter.  Seed and quarter bell pepper.  Place onion and bell pepper into food processor (or blender, or just chop them up really really small).  Add coconut milk, tomato paste, garam masala, curry powder, and salt; grind until smooth-ish.  Pour on top of chicken; stir to coat evenly.  Cook on low for 4 hours.  Mix together corn starch and water in a small bowl until corn starch dissolves; stir into slow cooker and cook 1 more hour.  Serve with aromatic rice (we use basmati; jasmine works too) and fresh cilantro.  Also naan is very good with it.  I will link my favorite naan recipe later.  Happy cooking!  

Your house will smell SOOOOO good while this cooks.  Promise.