When Not To Go Barefoot

 After barefooting for 3 years, I hate to admit that there are times and places when shoes are needed. Each one feels like a fail but, coming to grips with reality is important... and practical. Following are the main obstacles I encounter to barefooting:

1. Stores that require footwear. 

    Our town has one grocery store and I've been kicked out twice for barefeet! In the interest of time and efficiency, I now carry a pair of sandals with me. I should probably speak to the owner about the merits of barefooting, but I just don't have the time or energy for that one.

2. Dressy occasions.

    Basically, I just think it looks too casual to go barefoot when wearing a nice cocktail gown. Of course at most weddings, the shoes eventually come off anyway, but I always start with feet shod. Church is another event where I regularly opt for shoes. I may not be wearing a fancy dress, but it somehow feels too casual for bare feet.

3. Golf.

    I really like golfing barefoot. I think it actually helps with my game, but the amount of chemicals that are used on the grass of golf courses is too scary to risk. In Phoenix last year, I discovered that some courses even paint their grass in the winter! My feet were green (black really) for days after. That's when I finally decided it probably wasn't worth barefooting on the golf course. 

4. Rocky terrain.

    Sharp rocks and lots of big boulders all dissuade me from barefooting - at least for long periods or strenuous activities. Arkansas is an example of terrain that can be challenging to bare feet. All the seasoned barefooters say that your feet will toughen up and eventually be able to handle it, but I'm not there yet!

5. Desert terrain.

    Sand is easy, but often desert areas have horrible stickers and burrs. I've emerged from a walk with gobs of goatheads stuck to the soles of my feet! It's both painful and inconvenient. If there are any kinds of burrs or thorns, I wear shoes.

These exceptions may change as I progress on my barefoot journey. I still am unable to backpack barefoot. But, if you too are transitioning to a barefoot (or mostly barefoot) lifestyle, don't loose heart if there are some instances when you need those shoes!

I'll give a run down of the barefoot/minimalist shoes I have in a later post!

 

 

Bonaire 2020: The Dutch Antilles

A trip to the grocery store is a real cultural event in Bonaire. Influence from Holland is most prevalent with Dutch cheeses abounding!

Dutch chocolate also comes in many varieties and is a real treat. Most labels are in Dutch. Sometimes you can tell what a product is... and sometimes not!

The island has a large Asian population as well and the stores often carry a good selection of Asian foods. Some are difficult to identify - even when the name of the product is in English! We simply don't have the variety of roots, mushrooms and herbs that are found in China and elsewhere in the Orient.

One fruit native to Arkansas is the persimmon, but Chinese persimmons are 3 or 4 times the size of Arkansas persimmons.

This is a dried persimmon.

Milk only comes in A-Sep packaging and is all shelf stable until you open it.

Papiamento is the native language on the island, but Dutch is quite common and most people speak at least some English. 

Bonaire 2020: Underwater Life

I never get tired of seeing all the fish and corals under the sea! The Caribbean is packed full beyond imagination and there is still plenty of room for more. Most of the time, divers are inconsequential observers and are basically ignored by the creatures we encounter.

Bonaire 2020: Acclimating

For our first day on the Island we planned an easy dive at Buddy's Reef. Our pre-dive check revealed a couple of problems with Ron's (brand new) gear. One issue was resolved with a quick switch of BCD hoses between Ron and his wife Connie. The 2nd issue, a missing O-ring on his BC, could not be mended before the dive. Connie, Fred and I made the dive without him and he snorkelers on top.

Like lots of other activities, diving requires a minimum of technical equipment. The safety check before a dive is critical to everyone's safety. The equipment and knowing how it works is part of the fun. Some folks get into it more than others and its amusing to watch the real "gear heads" suit up before a dive.

The minimum needed is a BCD (buoyancy control device,) a regulator (to get air from the tank to you,) weights and a mask. We also always dive with a wet suit and booties. 

Blended Whiskey Sours

Our family has a holiday tradition of serving a whiskey sour "slush" before dinner at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Here is the recipe, courtesy of my brother Bert who is (mostly) in charge of this now.

Ingredients:

12 oz. can frozen concentrate orange juice.

big heaping spoonful of frozen limeade concentrate.

10 oz. of whiskey (more or less.)

ice

7-up

Adjust all the ingredients to your own taste and preference. Put everything in a blender and mix it to a slushie consistency! Enjoy!

Recycled Christmas Cards

Did you receive a nice stack of beautiful Christmas cards last year? Are you still hanging onto them?

Rather than throw them away, recycle them as gift decorations and tags this Christmas!  Cut the front (picture) off the card and place it on brown paper bags or plainly wrapped gift boxes.

You can also use the card to cover up store logos on the bags and boxes so that you can recycle paper products you might otherwise throw away.  Write the recipient's name on the card so that the decoration doubles as a gift tag.

Add tissue paper and ribbon to match the cards.

Choose cards that fit the size of your package or cut the cards to fit.

Use several cards as a collage to cover up a large imprint on a retailer's bag or box.

Cards can be cut into smaller pieces to use as hanging gift tags. Just punch a hole in one end and thread a ribbon or string through it. Fill in the back with your recipient's name and voila!

Keep your eyes open throughout the year for boxes and bags to use with this recycling project. Designate a box or tub in your storage unit to hold all the supplies until the next Christmas season arrives!

A Neti Pot Made Simple

With cold and flu season upon us, this would be a great time to start using your Neti Pot on a regular basis. Flushing your sinuses will help cleanse bacteria from them as well as making it difficult for new bacteria or viruses to lodge and thrive in your system.

There are numerous posts and videos on the internet with instructions on how to use your neti pot, so I won't provide the basics here. What I do want to offer are some ideas and tips beyond the basics.

I try to use my neti pot at least once a week and more often if I feel stuffed up or like I might be fighting off an infection of some sort. A neti pot is just one more tool in your arsenal to help your body fight off viruses and bacteria. It helps your body do what it is designed to do naturally: fight off illness.

1. Gather your materials before starting. You'll need your neti pot, your water source, baking soda and or salt, a spoon and a hankerchief all within easy reach.
2. There is a long learning curve to neti pot use. You get better every time you use it. Give yourself plenty of tries to get it right. You really have to lean way over the sink - it's a little different for everyone.
3. Don't use water that is too warm. If your flush stings or is uncomfortable, you may need cooler water. 
4. Try baking soda instead of or in addition to salt. Baking soda has an alkalizing effect which makes it difficult for bacteria and viruses to survive. It also has a buffering effect which makes the flush a little easier on your sinuses.
5. Expel the solution from your nose by blowing down into the sink. If you need to blow more, do it gently and expel from both nostrils at the same time. Blowing too aggressively or one side at a time forces the liquid into your Eustachian tubes. You might have a little drip minutes after you finish so keep your hanky handy.
6. Use a cloth hanky instead of tissues. You'll go through a lot of paper tissues due to the amount of solution. A hanky is a more absorbant option and it's easier on your skin.

A plastic neti pot for travel

Those are my best practices for neti pot use. Don't give up! You'll be glad you worked this into your normal health routine. In addition to fending off illness you'll probably find that you breath easier and your sense of smell is improved after a nasal flush.

For other simple tips to avoid getting sick this winter, check out my list at https://practicallymargaret.blogspot.com/2018/06/strengthen-your-immune-system.html