Elusive and Mysterious Blanket Octopus
Blanket octopuses (Tremoctopus violaceus) are so called because of the transparent webbing connecting their dorsal and dorsolateral arms, which resembles a large a large flowing blanket.
The “blanket” is a defense mechanism, and a handy one too, as Blanket Octopuses do not have ink to ward off predators. Instead, the Blanket Octopus will unfurl its blanket, making it look significantly larger and intimidating, with the intention of scaring off whatever threatens it.
(via: Amazing Earth)
Did you know about this?!?!
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A Fistful of Follicles:
Had I donated all the hair I lost earlier this year to Locks of Love, I might have felt better about the mess left tangled in my fingers and wrapped around my hands after each washing, and the hundreds of strands blanketing my bathroom floor every morning. Thanks to constant and extreme stress with no respite paired with a poor diet, a sparrow’s nest a day fell from my head for about two months.
The good news is, I’m making changes to break the stress-depression-bad habits cycle. This blog is part of it, as my tool to track my progress, document what I’m learning, be accountable to others (a trick I need to keep me on track), and hopefully help others by sharing. Today’s post is about biotin.
I first heard of biotin from my friend Rachel, whom, coincidentally, I admire for taking the entrepreneurial leap into doing what she loves. (If you want to be inspired, go to her site and scroll down to read her 7/26/11 post.) A few weeks ago, Rachel tweeted about the positive results she’d seen in her hair after using biotin and a hair and nails supplement. In response, a few of our friends chimed in to say the same.
Though my friends’ anecdotal twitter reviews already had me sold, I thought I’d do some quick research online to see what the rest of the world had to say. In summary, biotin supplements are regarded as helpful for people who have a biotin deficiency, but that legitimate biotin deficiency is rare. Is it possible my friends are biotin deficient? Yes, but unlikely so. Regardless, I’ll accept friendly advice over advertising claims and western medicine’s dismissive attitude toward anything that doesn’t line their pockets, and so, I placed my order.
I started taking Spring Valley biotin and hair, skin and nails supplements last Thursday, July 5th. I take one biotin in the morning, and three of the others after dinner. Several online commenters noted that some people suffer skin breakouts while taking biotin, but that drinking plenty of water usually helps. Since I’m all about hydration, I suspect I should be okay. I’ll report back in a month.
xxxooo
My new blogpost is up!
#photoadayjuly 4 - Fun: I love roasting pignoli, especially for party food. Happy 7/4! (Taken with Instagram at MiCasaSuCasa)
Joining @allieharch and @adeceve in #photoadayjuly Playing catch-up. All-in-one 1&2 #selfportrait #busy (Taken with Instagram at Muir Woods)
While I’m on vacation, fewer posts are happening in exchange for spending time with my lovely friends, thier two catahoulas, and checking out San Francisco.
To make it up to you, I will share a fun and healthy quinoa salad recipe I made last weekend, which I got from one of my other lovely friends. Maybe you’d like to bring it as a healthy option for one of your upcoming July 4th celebrations.
http://www.thekitchn.com/passover-recipe-sweet-and-crun-144059
xxxooo
After using bath gloves just once, it was obvious to me why in Fiddler on the Roof they sang, “Exfoliationnnnn! Exfoliation!”
Gentleman - Don’t think exfoliation is for you? Let me ask you something. Do you have an epidermis? Exfoliation, aka dead skin removal, is beneficial to everyone, and there is more than one way to buff and shine.
The bath gloves I have pictured here fall into the category of mechanical exfoliation, in which physical scrubbing with abrasive material removes the dead stuff. The other type is chemical exfoliation, where a light acid is applied to the skin, which is what I use to exfoliate my face. Moisturizing is a must after any type of exfoliation. Your new squeaky exterior needs a protective coating.
Since I first tried the bath gloves, I have been using them every day, just as I would a washcloth. I put them on, completely saturate them with water, create a lather by rubbing a bar of soap between my gloved hands, and scrub. Afterward I feel invigorated and my skin feels so soft.
Note 1: If you’ve got a sweater under your sweater, the gloves might not be for you. A bath brush with long bristles might do a better job of cutting through your follicle forest. A little experimentation might be necessary, but will be worth it.
Note 2: Despite what some dudes think, the skin is actually the largest organ of the body. Be good to it, and if you have sensitive skin, take appropriate precautions.
xxxooo
