Author: Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato

photo of a sign. on the sign is a dog holding a poop bag. the sign asks dog owners to clean up after their pets.

Sustainable, Eco-Friendly, Healthy Dog Poop Bags

Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato Leave a comment

Please read the following post for important information on how I’ve chosen my recommendations:

Sustainable Options Overview

TLDR: there are no sustainable options. Use stuff that you’d throw away anyway to pick up your dog’s poop.

Why you should care: Plastic bags used to pick up dog feces can pollute the environment, with an estimated 415 billion dog waste bags used each year globally (Mai et al., 2022). If you don’t have a dog, check this out for your feline friend.

What you should buy: You SHOULD NOT buy dog poop bags. Even the bags that say they’re degradable and biodegradable AREN’T. That’s because the bags need to be in lab or industrial composting conditions. And, I don’t know about you, but I don’t have an industrial composter in my house. Plus, even if the bags finally do break down, they leave microplastics behind, which pollutes the soil and the water. Not cool. (I actually had a great email conversation with one of the authors of this paper. She’s awesome!) Source: https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ieam.4970 

Here are some options that don’t require you to buy bags at all. Instead, it recommends using things from around the house. I asked my neighbors to save the bags that cover their newspapers. I use those when my dog does her business. https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/alternatives-to-dog-poop-bags

I also like the idea of using large leaves or junk mail to pick up poop. It helps that I have a small dog so her poop is itty. 

Reviewers say that this poop paper works for large dogs. I’ve contacted the company to see what the “grease resistant coating” is made out of. They haven’t replied. https://www.chewy.com/pooch-paper-biodegradable-dog-waste/dp/263163 

Photo Credit: Todd Morris

Picture of a cardboard sign that says Earth is More Valuable Than Money

Sustainable Options Overview

Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato Leave a comment

Strive for progress, not perfection.

When I’m buying a product, I take three things into consideration. In order of importance: health/safety, sustainability, adoption. These may be in a different order for you. For example, a lot of blankets and rugs are made out of recycled plastic. That’s awesome for sustainability, but for health, it’s not as great. “Adoption,” in this case, means how easy it is for me to incorporate this into my life. I’m pretty good at learning new habits if it means contributing to the greater good, but for some people this is more difficult. Research and see what works for you.

Health/safety: In terms of health/safety, there are two certifications that really stand out. They’re called GOTS and Oeko-Tex. GOTS is more strict but Oeko-Tex is a close second. These are two good explanations. The articles relate to rugs but the standards are the same for all products with these labels: https://begood.eco/sustainable-fashion/gots-vs-oeko-tex-whats-the-difference/ 

It’s important NOT to take a company’s word for it if they say they have a certification. Go onto the GOTS and Oeko-Tex websites to make sure.

Now, there are a few products that I recommend that do NOT have these certifications. And that’s because I believe the products are safe/healthy and sustainable but the companies are smaller and can’t afford/don’t want to pay for the certifications.

Why are certifications important in the first place? If it says “100% cotton” then it’s just cotton, right? Well, then you have to think about all the pesticides and chemicals that were used to grow, process and create the fiber. Plus all the chemicals for the dyes. And all the other crap that goes into making fabric that I don’t know about because I don’t have a degree in this kind of thing. Then there’s the issue of how the workers are treated, and how the land is treated, etc. These certifications mean we can worry less. There’s always going to be more research to do, but this is the very best of what we have right now.

Sustainability: As a first pass at sustainability, I tried to avoid products that were packaged in plastic. Then I looked at certifications. There are a LOT of certifications and many of them don’t mean much. The GOTS certification explained above really takes care of most of these concerns for anything fabric related. For other stuff, like paper products, I paid close attention to Forest Stewardship Council and Rainforest Alliance certifications. Basically, it means that forests aren’t being clear-cut to create the product you’re buying, no child labor, companies aren’t being jerks to the local community, etc etc nuance, etc. (check out the certifications’ websites to make sure brands are actually certified before buying.) https://wwf.panda.org/es/?219250/Remarkable-social-progress-when-forests-are-FSC-certified—new-study-confirms One caution, though, is that a recent lawsuit alleges that the RA isn’t actually doing its job: https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/rainforest-alliance-and-hershey-chocolate-sued-falsely-claiming-fair-labor-and-sustainability So be skeptical. And remember that sustainability also includes the safety and wellbeing of the people working for the companies and whether they’re paid a fair wage.

Shoe footprint in the sand surrounded by leaves, ferns, flowers, succulents, rocks and pine cones

Carbon footprint: When it came to buying products I was going to use for many years, I wasn’t as concerned about the carbon footprint of shipping. However, for products like toilet paper etc, that I go through frequently, I wanted a distributor closer to home. These recs are all based on my location on the East Coast of the USA. There are other great options out there if you’re in Europe or Australia or New Zealand.

Extra credit: Remember to thrift and buy second hand as much as possible! Don’t throw out the stuff you already have. Just make good choices when you go to get it.

Word choice: I use the word “chemicals” in mainly a negative context. I know that everything is a chemical—water is a chemical. I probably could be more creative but because this is already way longer than I expected, you’ll just have to excuse my broad brush. I also use a lot of “should” and “should not.” These are blanket statements, but they don’t apply to everyone. For example, most people should not take 30 minute showers. It’s just not good for the environment. But if you have something like, say, depression and a 30 min shower is what you need to do to get up in the morning then—you do you. You’re not a bad person for not doing ALL THE THINGS. Do what you can.

Why you should trust my recs: I mean, always do your own research. I’m a health/science journalist so I’m good at reading studies and parsing info. But this isn’t an article. I’m only writing this up because I spend hours and hours researching before making a purchase. I often read dozens of sites and academic articles. I’m not gonna make this pretty or eloquent. It’s just an information dump. My hope is that I can save you some time.

Privilege: Remember that doing this kind of stuff takes privilege. If you have privilege, then you should go above and beyond to make changes. The idea is that your purchases can drive down costs and make healthy, sustainable products more easily accessible.

Money: Wow, these things you’re recommending are way more expensive than stuff I can buy on Walmart/Amazon, etc.!! Yep, think of how much extra work it takes to make a product safe and eco-friendly. It’s way easier to half-ass something and sell it than it is to put a lot of thought and care into a product.

Does it even matter?: Consider the starfish… http://jmjfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Starfish_Parable.pdf 

Photo of an orange, five-footed starfish in the sand as sea foam comes toward it, almost touching the left-side foot

Kids and Fur Kids: This stuff is important for adults, but it’s even more important for your kids and fur kids. “A baby’s skin is thinner than an adult’s, and chemicals can be absorbed more easily. ‘In fact, my original research when I was a doctoral student was on agricultural workers and pesticide penetration through their clothing,’ she says. ‘And one of the things we found in those studies was that farmers would come in and they’d pick their kids up and hug them, and the farmer might not get pesticide poisoning but the child would because that pesticide would be on the garment.’ https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/laundry/wash-new-clothes-before-wearing-them-for-the-first-time-a8763351216/ 

Health risk: You say that a lot of stuff isn’t healthy, but is that true for me specifically? Good question—I don’t know! I know that research shows that this stuff isn’t good for your body and it’s even worse for a kid’s body, but I can’t determine your individual risk. Only you and your doctor can do that.

Errors: What if I find an error? Or things you didn’t consider? WELL! You can always message me and NICELY give me additional info.

ARE YOU GETTING PAID FOR THIS?: I don’t get paid for any of my recommendations. I don’t get discounts or kickbacks or anything at all except a healthier home (which is wonderful!). If you find this helpful at all, think about how much time/effort/frustration was involved and consider Venmo-ing me as a thank you: @molliemakesitllc

Photo Credit: featured image, Markus Spiske/ footprint, Evie S./ starfish, Pedro Lastra

What to do on a short trip to Alaska

Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato Leave a comment

Utqiaġvik (1 day)

Picture of a big, green boat covered in snow and leaning up against a large shack-like house that is also covered in snow. Sun setting in the background over miles of ice and snow.

We went to Alaska in June for the good weather. One of my life goals was to go to the northernmost part of the United States, which is a town called Utqiaġvik (Oot-Key-og-vik) or Barrow depending on if you’re a foreigner or a native American. It’s easy to get to but getting back can be hard if there’s a storm or fog that cancels flights. There aren’t too many places to stay and they book up far in advance for workers, scientists and naturalists that venture up there. Here’s where we stayed: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/9059712 Photo Credit: Deborah Schildt

Photo of a polar bear with its paws crossed in front of it, looking down from a tall pile of snow and ice.

I also really wanted to see a polar bear, and we got lucky and spotted one (from far away, thank goodness!) while we were there! We hired a tour guide named Mike (907-367-4972), and he was quite the character. But he picked us up from the airport and drove us around. We got so many awesome stories. He even offered to park and let us jump in the water, but it was frozen solid so we declined! Photo Credit: Annie Spratt

Food is really expensive there because everything has to get flown in so you can bring a bag of your own food, pay your B&B host to cook for you or shop at the local grocery store. Just be prepared for the prices to be quadrupled from what you can get in Anchorage. There’s no alcohol.

You can also reach out to local research centers and native communities to see if there are any events. We met up with a scientist to chat and got to see a local whale catching ceremony! You don’t need a car here, everything is within walking distance or you can ask anyone for a ride. There’s also a great community FB group you can join and meet up with people or ask for advice!

Must Sees:

Anchorage (1 day)

Pic of a long main street at night with buildings on either side. It is raining.

Photo Credit: Simon Hurry

Seward (3 days)

Picture of small mountain peaks and a large swatch of what looks like snow but is actually a glacier! Blue sky with wispy white clouds.

Seward was pretty awesome. We hiked up a glacier and then went ice climbing in a crevasse! It’s WAY easier than rock climbing and so so beautiful. On the hike there we saw a brown bear a little too close for comfort, but our guide was super on it and we were still able to get to our destination. Really appreciated their safety consciousness! https://www.exitglacierguides.com/content/exit-glacier-ice-climbing-trip Here’s where we stayed: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/46714430 Photo Credit: Drew Farwell

Picture of a pod of orca whales partially breaching the ocean water. Grey-blue sky in the background.

We also booked a half-day boat tour and achieved our life goal of seeing orcas (among others)! There’s also a full-day tour available. I’d probably go for longer if you like boats. I’m just not a fan of being on the water so we opted for a shorter ride. Major Marine tour options Photo Credit: NOAA

NOTE:

There are a LOT of anti-vaxers and MAGA people in Alaska. I would bring COVID tests and Paxlovid just in case you get sick and aren’t able to find them.

picture of a waterfall in the distance surrounded by green jungle

Things to do in Eastern Costa Rica

Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato Leave a comment

Pro Tips

  • I would recommend renting a car unless you’re taking a tour.
  • If you’re driving in the country, know that many cars will flash their lights at you instead of honking to signal their displeasure.
  • Drivers turn on their hazards when they’re going to slow down for stuff like a traffic jam or even for an upcoming turn.
  • Make sure to rent a car that can handle huge potholes
  • Before heading out, check out the route on google maps and LOOK at the condition of the roads. Google Maps will recommend taking dirt roads. Don’t. They are awful, long and a great way to get stuck somewhere.
  • I’d recommend not driving long distances at night if you can help it.
  • Be prepared for fog and heavy rain. Know what to do in both.
  • Rental companies will give you the option of renting electric vehicles but we didn’t see many charging stations so best to get gas.
  • Bring a light for your camera. The rainforest is often dark and you’ll get better animal photos if you have a light.
  • I brought hiking shoes and didn’t end up wearing them. I wore wool socks with my Keens sandals. My feet dried quickly and stayed cool. If you’re going on legit, off-trail hikes then I’d recommend something sturdier, especially since Costa Rica has so many venomous snakes.
  • Bring lots of DEET and long-sleeved quick dry pants/shirts. Costa Rica does have ticks and breakbone fever, and you do NOT want to get it.
  • That being said, before you go out, know where hospitals are that carry anti-venom. And look up what to do if you’re bitten. You have about three hours before the damage becomes permanent.
  • Before you head out, stop by a store and pick up electrolytes. It’s good to have on hand in case you get traveler’s diarrhea.
  • When you book a flight, get extra leg room (ELR). The seats are much smaller in Latin America and ELR seats are like regular North American seats. If you actually need ELR then you’ll need to look at business or first class seats.
  • If you’re flying Avianca, do not sleep if you want a snack/drink. They will not ask you if you want something. You must flag down the cart and ask yourself.
  • “Qué chiva” means “how cool.”
  • People really do say “Qué pura vida” a lot!
  • In the U.S., “Mucho gusto” usually means “nice to meet you” but in Costa Rica it’s used in another way, too. It’s often said by a waiter at a restaurant after you’ve ordered food and means something like “with pleasure.”
  • Don’t post pictures on social media of anybody handling animals. It could get the rescue in trouble and their funding rescinded.
  • Make sure a rescue is legit before visiting. If you get to handle any of the animals, it’s not legit and you shouldn’t give them your money.
  • Don’t spend money on a hotel/airbnb with a beautiful view. Firstly, it rains ALL the time so you’re likely to not even get the view. Secondly, people don’t lie but they do fib a lot so the photos you see on the website are probably not super accurate.
  • All the places we stayed at in the rainforest had their showers outside. This is great if you’re really into nature, but not great if you’re prone to mosquito bites! I would try to get a room with the shower indoors.
  • People will often tell you what you want to hear but not actually follow through. They’re trying to be polite, but if you don’t know how things roll, it can be frustrating and confusing. I had to see the doctor, and I asked the nurse when he’d be back. He said that the doctor would be back in 10 minutes because that’s obviously what I wanted to hear. Forty-five minutes later… Don’t trust that someone will follow through. Either go with the flow or do what you need to do to make it happen
  • Bring ear plugs. Construction happens at all hours. People let their dogs roam around and get into fights/howling contests. A lot of houses are made of metal containers and the rain falling on them is very loud.
  • If you get severely dehydrated, go to a Unimed and see a doctor to get an IV. It’ll cost you like $150 for a few hours, and they’re meant for tourists so they’ll speak English. I got sick while I was there, and it was definitely worth the money to feel better.
  • We didn’t get to do this, but I wanted to add this to our itinerary: https://badgeofawesome.com/400-metre-jungle-waterslide-costa-rica/

San José Airport

When transferring/layovers, keep the receipt for anything you buy in the airport because you’ll need it when you get searched or they’ll just throw it away.

We didn’t change over any money at the airport, and we didn’t need to. Most places take credit card or US dollars.

When we landed, we stayed nearby at the Fairfield Inn. It was a little noisy between 8 and 9 a.m. when most people seemed to be heading down to breakfast, but it was super quiet overall, and I got a good sleep. Everyone there was very friendly and the checkout time was noon!

I find that travel makes my stomach a bit finicky so we ordered from Denny’s a lot. It’s on Uber Eats, and you can get it delivered to the hotel even late at night!

Poas Volcano

picture of a couple wearing quick dry clothing in front of a caldera filled with turquoise liquid

Book tickets online before going. Arriving late isn’t an issue. Be prepared to pay for parking and bring a mask if needed (for the sulfur). If you’re sensitive, plan for a shorter visit. Avoid rainy days, as you probably won’t be able to see anything. I loved the path up the side of the volcano—it was full of huge, beautiful plants I’ve only seen in greenhouses! Lots of birds, too, so make sure to download Cornell’s bird ID app on your phone. The paths weren’t crowded, and we just sat at the top of mountain and watched the clouds roll in. It was very calming, and I felt close to nature.

La Fortuna Waterfall

two people wearing safari hats smile in foreground and you see a waterfall in the background surrounded by jungle

The La Fortuna Waterfall was underwhelming. The photo above is exactly the same picture you’ll get. Loud music from the restaurant and nearby construction* scared away wildlife, and the orchids on the Orchid Walk were tiny and not colorful like the ones you find in greenhouses. You can walk down a long staircase to the base of the falls, but swimming is often restricted due to weather. With so many other waterfalls to explore, this one didn’t feel worth the trip. Consider alternatives for a better experience.

*In Latin America, someone is ALWAYS building something. Don’t count on peace and quiet anywhere!

Koki’s

picture of delicious vegetables in a stone bowl

Koki Beach Restaurant was the best place we ate! It was a standout experience! Sit in Fabian’s section—he was amazing and kindly lowered the music for me due to my sound sensitivity. The veggie rice dish was fresh, beautifully presented and delicious. Ask to see the owner’s Chavela Vargas museum and the local photography exhibit. The maracuyá crème brûlée is heavenly! Try the local piña arroz drink and their amazing piña coladas. Note: there’s occasional backfiring cars nearby—an FYI for those with PTSD.

Sloth Sanctuary

picture of baby two toed sloth looking at the camera

The Sloth Sanctuary was the highlight of our trip! Ignacio, our guide, was phenomenal—knowledgeable, engaging and passionate. Make sure to bring extra cash to tip him; he truly deserves it. The private tour is absolutely worth it, offering a more personalized experience. The baby sloths were beyond adorable and unforgettable. This sanctuary is doing incredible work to protect these amazing creatures. I’d return to Costa Rica just to visit this center again. It’s a magical experience and a must-see for any animal lover!

Banana Azul Hotel

The villa was a bit out of date, and unfortunately, we had a lot of mosquitos inside and a large roach. We had to go out and buy a mosquito net, which wasn’t ideal. Getting bitten indoors was not fun. The plunge pool was tiny. The restaurant was decent but nothing special. On the positive side, everyone was friendly, which made communication easy. And there were some cute turtles. Overall, while the location had potential, but it wasn’t worth the price.

Jaguar Tour

Carlos led our jaguar tour, and he was fantastic! The group size was about a dozen. The guides are all volunteers, so make sure to bring cash for tips. We saw amazing wildlife, including a howler monkey, toucan and agouti. The sanctuary has great rules in place to protect the animals, which we really appreciated. The stories were fun, informative, and added a lot to the experience. Highly recommend this tour for anyone looking to learn about wildlife and support conservation efforts! (PS There are no jaguars. They explain the misnomer during the tour!)

Spicy Coconut Restaurant

picture of a stone path that leads to a horizon dotted by palm trees

The service wasn’t friendly, and I felt pressured to order something I didn’t want. However, the maracuyá pina and ginger drink was absolutely delicious! I also appreciated the use of metal straws, which was a nice eco-friendly touch. Landscaping outside the restaurant was gorgeous, and I might stop just to take some photos. Overall, the drinks were the highlight of the visit.

picture of red gift box with gold bow on top surrounded by red paper hearts on black paper

What to buy someone going through chemo and radiation

Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato Leave a comment

When my mom started chemotherapy and radiation, I knew I wanted to get her little gifts throughout the process to cheer her up. But I was also a little worried about what exactly to get. I didn’t want to ask her for ideas and make her use up valuable brain power. (If she had needed something, I 100% would’ve just made sure she had it. This was supposed to be totally unnecessary stuff.) I also didn’t want to get her practical things OR stuff that would exacerbate her symptoms. So many blogs posts out there recommend food baskets (during chemo?!) or products for chapped lips, etc. None of that sounds fun. (Of course, everyone is different!) Here’s what I ended up buying:

Book of 100 Hugs

Link: https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/100-hugs-a-little-book-of-comfort-9781449427290

My mom said she loved carrying this little book around with her. It’s light and easily fits in a purse or backpack. She said she’d pick a random page, read it and just feel a tiny bit better.

Flowers in a Dome

Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CLNV5GHB/

I wanted to buy her flowers after her first surgery but knew she was also dealing with some pretty serious nausea. Flowers can get smelly. Plus, I knew my dad would have to take care of them and eventually throw them out. It seemed like a bit of a mess when they were already dealing with so much. So I got her these flowers in a dome. They’re supposed to last for ages and—no smell or mess.

Pocket Hug

Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LLTQKTZ

They have lots of engraving options for this pocket hug, but I actually thought the message for sobriety was the most fitting for a cancer journey. You can also look for these on Etsy.

Books

Link: https://bookshop.org/

I got my mom a few books that would be engaging but not emotional. Something she could read when she felt up to it but nothing that would require too much effort or emotional regulation. I purchased them on Bookshop.org, which helps support local bookstores! Perestroika in Paris, Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Dark Matter, Sure I’ll Join Your Cult, A Deadly Education Scholomance, Dial A for Aunties, How to be Champion, Get Fuzzy Bunch #14

Positivity Calendar

Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Catchyourdreams-Daily-Motivational-Calendar-Inspirational

This one isn’t for everybody, but my mom is really into positivity, and this is a cute calendar that you can use and reuse year after year! I found that the quotes aren’t too sappy and more lovey, which is what I was looking for.

Hug Pillow

Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074PBGM1F

Apparently I’m really into hug gifts! This one was cool because I live far away and couldn’t give my mom a hug when I know she could’ve used one. There are a lot of products that you can customize so you can make this as detailed and personalized as you want.

Funny Positivity Frenz

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1595857600/positive-potato-gifts-with-stand-cute

These are just cute, inexpensive and bring a smile. I doubt this is going to last forever in my mom’s clutter-free house, but it was worth it for a small laugh.

Through Thick and Thin

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1322282647/friendship-gift-best-friend-gifts-gift

You can find these as key chains, necklaces, rings, etc. I liked the idea of sending a little reminder that we have your back no matter what.

Gratitude Journal

Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Gratitude-Journal-Notebook-Self-Care-Affirmations/dp/B086PQXNC6

This gift is definitely not for everyone. Cancer sucks. Illness sucks. Going to the hospital sucks. You get the idea. But if you know your person really well then you can help them acknowledge the bad and the good.

Heart Photos

Link: https://www.minted.com/product/photo-art/MIN-ZRO-GCP/heart-snapshot-mix-photo-art

I thought this was a great idea because it’s decently priced and small enough that it’s not a burden to find a place to keep it. It can also remind your person of fun times you’ve had together and get their mind off of current suckiness.

Feminist Sweatshirt

Link: https://feministtrash.com/collections/sweatshirts

Hospitals are COLD. Get a HUGE sweatshirt so your person is comfy, can layer and also has space for IVs and other hospital accoutrements. I liked these feminist ones because they make you feel badass.

Practical Gifts

And, finally, we have a list of practical gifts. Some people are just very practical, and I don’t want to leave them out! Here’s what we stocked up on for my mom. I think, for some people, it would be cool to dress it up a bit in a gift basket with a big bow. Make sure to clear all these products by their doctor. For example, many doctors say you shouldn’t eat grapefruit because it can interfere with medicine. Even if it seems benign, always best to ask!

Candies: ginger, people swear by Jolly Ranchers or Sour Patch Kids and cannabis gummies

Good teas for nausea include: ginger, chamomile, honey-lemon, fennel, peppermint and licorice. I read that it is best to try and get decaffeinated tea because caffeine can dehydrate you.

Snacks: salt and vinegar chips, saltine crackers, pretzels, cold foods like popsicles, applesauce, cereal, milkshakes with protein powder, anything with peanut butter like peanut butter pretzels, ensure protein drinks, frozen grapes, goldfish, plain bagels

Drinks for electrolytes: apple juice, pedialyte and pedialyte popsicles, LMNT citrus, Liquid IV

Items: no spill cup (like a Contigo). If you’re in a comfy position or just don’t feel like sitting all the way up, you can still sip without getting messy. Hot water thermos. 9 ft phone charging cable. Imodium. Alcohol swabs to sniff when nauseated. Personal wipes/face wipes. Battery-powered humidifier. Battery-powered dim light. Heated blanket. Noise-canceling headphones. Bougie hand lotion. Vix for nausea. Eye mask. Chapstick. Water bottle. Slipper socks with grips on the bottom. Sanitizing wipes for the hospital. Crossword puzzle. Pillow.

Non-emotional movies: Memento, Insomnia, The Prestige, Glass Onion, Knives Out, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Baby Driver, Groundhog Day, Fargo, Punch Drunk Love, Collateral, Star Trek (2009), The Adventures of Tin-Tim, The Gentleman, Snatch, and Sherlock Holmes are pretty fun. Guy Ritchie films, James Bond (mission impossible or jack ryan), Ocean’s movies with George Clooney, Adam Sandler movies, Edge of tomorrow, Source Code, the Phonebooth, Heat is a classic heist movie, Young Frankenstein, Magic Mike, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Uncle Buck, Elf, Old School, Only murders in the building, Horrible Bosses, Inside Man TV show

Pro tip: Many bloggers recommend asking your doctor to schedule hydration appointments after you finish chemo to prevent dehydration and allow you to feel better faster. https://mycancerresources.com/what-is-hydration-therapy-for-cancer-patients/

Photo Credit: Kostiantyn Li

How to Paint a Couch or Chair

Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato Leave a comment

I watched a LOT of YouTube videos (see below).

I think the videos all used “regular” paint. So all the stuff they did to get it to soak into the fabric like scrubbing and then using sand paper is really unnecessary if you just buy the right paint in the first place.

This dye is great if you’re starting out with a white or gray fabric and going darker.

If you’re starting with a patterned chair or something a little darker, you’ll want a paint like this.

I sealed everything with a color fixant in a spray bottle.

Here are how my projects turned out:

Here are some helpful links: Painting a chair, chalk painting, painting upholstery, dye a sofa, dye a velvet chair

Photo Credit for Featured Image: Taelynn Christopher

Review of RTZ Hope Retreat

Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato Leave a comment

Grief is a tricky thing, especially the grief of losing a child. When my loss was nearing its one-year anniversary, and I was still heartbroken, still processing the grief, I knew I needed more help than a weekly therapy session. So I looked into grief retreats.

I wanted to attend the RTZ Hope Retreat, but I didn’t feel comfortable going because of their lack of understanding regarding service dogs. As someone with a disability, I’m not required to message venues about bringing a service dog. But I always like to give people a head’s up. Ninety-nine percent of the time it’s fine, but if there’s a 1% chance that someone won’t welcome my dog, I don’t want to be there.

To their credit, employees wrote to me and told me that having my dog would be OK. But then they wrote to me saying, “service animals do have certification, which emotional support animals do not.” The retreat told me that I would not be able to book specific sleeping accommodations because of my dog.

I explained, “Most people don’t know this, but you’re not required to have a certification to have a service dog. And you’re also not allowed to be segregated to specific areas because of the animal.”

And, “(The information) is available on the federal government’s website and on CA’s info page. Hopefully, once they read the laws they’ll be a bit more welcoming. =)”

Unfortunately, the employees I corresponded with did not admit to their error. I felt like if they didn’t understand the basic laws surrounding service dogs and weren’t willing to look into it then there would be other problems if I went on the retreat. And I didn’t think I could handle trying to deal with those problems while also trying to process my grief.

I wanted to post this review so hopefully the next person with a disability won’t have the same issue I did.

Here is a link to the federal rules regarding service animals:

Here’s another link regarding the federal rules:

Photo Feature Credit: Priscilla Du Preez

Things to Know Before Visiting Vietnam

Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato Leave a comment
  • Say “not spicy” for everything, even if it’s not a traditionally spicy food.
  • People will pretend to understand you in order to be polite. This is true for restaurant staff as well. Make triple sure they actually do get it!
  • Google maps is unreliable. A paper map from the hotel will suffice.
  • Walk across the street and don’t stop. When you want to cross the street, you have to go confidently—and you can’t stop. That’s because there are a lot of cars and mopeds and, while one vehicle may swerve to avoid you, the vehicle directly behind it won’t see you.
  • Don’t smile at vendors or respond to their shouts. A hotel concierge told us that smiling or responding in any way would signal that we wanted to buy something, and that it was more polite to just ignore the attention.
  • There’s no such thing as a one-way street. Look both ways… always.
  • Hire the hotel driver because they have an incentive to follow (some of) the traffic laws. When you’re getting to your hotel from the airport, it’s smart to hire the hotel’s driver. If you get into a taxi, all bets are off.
  • Do not rent a bike or a moped. Unless you’re an absolute pro and “one” with the bike, it’s not a good idea to learn how to ride bikes/motorcycles here. There are just way too many accidents waiting to happen.
  • Wear a mask outside, too. The air pollution can be many dozens of times greater than what the WHO suggests is OK. That means even walking outdoors is bad for your health. Keep that mask on!

Photo credit: Steffen B

How to set up Your Aquarium for Mystery Snails

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What you need to take care of these aquatic cuties!

  • 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫: I use this heater for my 40 gallon aquarium “EHEIM Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater 100W.” Smaller aquariums can use smaller wattage heaters. Note that ALL heaters you get online are NOT accurate. It’s nice to get a cheapo thermometer to check. My heater is set at 83F and my tank is 76F. Annoying but not a big deal. The reason you need a heater is because it gets too cold here during the winter for the snails to live happy lives! In the summer, you technically don’t need a heater BUT, when the water is warmer, the snails are more active and more fun to watch! Optimal temps are between 68-84F.
  • 𝟏𝟎 𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐦: Yes, you can go smaller. This is just the easiest size to take care of. Why? You don’t have to clean it as often! Always buy a NEW tank! Tanks that have been used can contain bad bacteria and the eggs of assassin snails. Assassin snails will eat mystery snails(!!) and they’re REALLY hard to get rid of! I like the brand Aqueon from Petsmart. It’s cheap and hardy.
  • 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫: It’s always better to get a filter that’s rated for a tank that’s bigger than yours. Again, bigger filter, you clean less! My tank is ~45gal and my filter is rated for 50-75 gallons. Iike this brand “MarineLand Penguin 350 Power Filter 50 – 75 Gallon Aquarium, 350 GPH “
  • 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫: This one you can’t substitute or do without. The water in our area will 100% kill baby snails. BUT, if you add a few drops of this “Fluval Water Conditioner for Aquariums” then all the bad stuff is neutralized and your snails are safe. Don’t skip this step ever! I have, and it’s bad news!
  • 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝: You can technically make your own snail food or try out different veggies to see what they like. I don’t have time for all that so I just buy calcium chips and snail cookies from https://www.crayfishempire.com/ A bag of each will last you more than a year! You also need to buy some frozen mysis shrimp from petsmart. Snails need some meat in their diet, especially as they’re growing! One packet will last you about two months or longer.
  • 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: I have 25 snails so I clean my tank once a week. It takes me about 15 minutes and I use the water to water my houseplants. (It makes them VERY happy!) You can get something super simple like $13 “Luigi’s Aquarium/Fish Tank Siphon and Gravel Cleaner” to clean your tank. I splurged and got “AQQA Aquarium Gravel Cleaner Siphon Kit,6 in 1 Electric Automatic Removable Vacuum Water Changer” It’s $35, but it makes cleaning the tank SO fast and EASY. If you don’t mind spending an extra 20 bucks, I’d recommend it!
  • 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡: You will need the API Freshwater Master Test Kit. It will last you years. I’m still using my original one! Don’t buy anything else… they’re useless and won’t give you accurate results. Once the tank is established, I like to check my water once a week. Luckily, the snails have a habit of telling you when something is wrong… you’ll see them lined up at the top of the waterline! Then you know you need to check and see what’s up.

SIDE NOTE: If you want to keep plants, you’ll need to buy an aquarium light. Do NOT keep the light on at all times. Fish and snails need to sleep. It’s very bad to keep them in the light all the time. I recommend light for no more than 8 hours a day or you’ll get algae growth.

Photo Credit: theaquariumkeeper2

How to Decorate Your Aquarium

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Decorating your tank!

Decorating your tank is SO much fun… especially if kids get involved. You can go wild with decorating! Decorations are also important because it gives your good bacteria a place to grow when you’re setting up your tank. Just keep these tips in mind:

–No metal. Metal will start to degrade and can release harmful chemicals into the water. Baby snails and fish are especially sensitive to changes, and this could kill them.

–No Spongebob-themed stuff. I know! It’s a bummer. But lots of aquarium forums are reporting that there are a lot of Spongebob decorations made of toxic materials… and those toxins have wiped out entire aquariums causing heartache and the loss of hundreds (if not thousands!) of dollars.

–No random plants. Plants can carry bad bacteria and assassin snails. I like purchasing aquatic plants from an online store called Wet Plants. Of course, nothing is guaranteed, but I’ve purchased several times and never had a problem! They also have great customer service. If a plant dies really quickly, they’ll send you a new one. You can use fishing string or crazy glue to tie/glue plants to rocks to hold them in place. If you’re using glue, do NOT glue the stem. Only glue a single root. Plants are great because they act like a second filter and make your tank healthier!

–No new snails or fish without quarantine. This isn’t a decoration recommendation, but it’s still important. I’ve had my snails long enough that I know they don’t have a fungus or parasite problem. If you get new snails/fish from a different source, make sure to quarantine them in a separate tank to prevent the spread of disease!

–Substrate. You don’t need rocks or pebbles on the bottom of your tank! It’s actually easier to clean your tank without it. Of course, if you want to, you can add it! I would recommend something that’s not too sharp so it doesn’t hurt the snails.

–Plastic decoration: You can use toys as decorations! Just crazy glue rocks to the bottom to keep them from floating. Make sure the toys are relatively new. (Nothing from when we were growing up!) Newer toys that are made for kids (or, better yet, infants) are less likely to contain any chemicals that might leech into the water and hurt the snails. (No paper, cloth, stuff that will get icky)

–Wood decorations: Lots of people love using drift wood in their tanks! But don’t just use wood you got outside. Buy wood that’s specifically made for aquariums. If you REALLY want to use your own wood, Google how to clean it properly. I believe it needs to be boiled for a long while.

–Air stone: If there’s enough surface agitation, it’s not necessary to keep your snails and fish healthy, but it IS fun to watch the snails float and play in the bubbles!

Photo credit: JadonBarnes