(via wtfbrain)

Dear 2012

http://dlvr.it/15Kr8C

Well look at all that dust…

Reached a decision. This place I’m keeing for recipes, crafts and decorating related things. I’m crossposing my weightloss and meal plan stats from blogger.

At least, I hope I am. I always feel like everything is getting way too complicated with blogging…

mabelmoments: Toxoplasma gondii requires the cat digestive system for reproduction, so it hitches a ride in a rat (photo: flickr user cobalt123) The Parasite That Makes a Rat Love a Cat The life cycle of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii goes like this: Toxoplasma reproduces inside the intestine of a cat, which sheds the parasite in its feces. Rats then ingest the parasite when they consume food or water contaminated with cat feces. The parasite takes up residence in the rat’s brain and, once the rat gets eaten by a cat, it starts the cycle all over again. Researchers have known for a few years that a rat infected with Toxoplasma loses its natural response to cat urine and no longer fears the smell. And they know that the parasite settles in the rat’s amygdala, the part of the brain that processes fear and emotions. Now a new study in the journal PLoS ONE adds another bizarre piece to the tale: When male rats infected with Toxoplasma smell cat urine, they have altered activity in the fear part of the brain as well as increased activity in the part of the brain that is responsible for sexual behavior and normally activates after exposure to a female rat. The double messages of “you smell a cat but he’s not dangerous” and “that cat is a potential mate” lure the rat into the kitty’s deadly territory, just what the parasite needs to reproduce. Scientists still don’t know how the parasite works to alter the brain, though there apparently is a link to production of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter in the systems for decision-making and reward.

mabelmoments:

Toxoplasma gondii requires the cat digestive system for reproduction, so it hitches a ride in a rat (photo: flickr user cobalt123)

The Parasite That Makes a Rat Love a Cat

The life cycle of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii goes like this: Toxoplasma reproduces inside the intestine of a cat, which sheds the parasite in its feces. Rats then ingest the parasite when they consume food or water contaminated with cat feces. The parasite takes up residence in the rat’s brain and, once the rat gets eaten by a cat, it starts the cycle all over again.

Researchers have known for a few years that a rat infected with Toxoplasma loses its natural response to cat urine and no longer fears the smell. And they know that the parasite settles in the rat’s amygdala, the part of the brain that processes fear and emotions. Now a new study in the journal PLoS ONE adds another bizarre piece to the tale: When male rats infected with Toxoplasma smell cat urine, they have altered activity in the fear part of the brain as well as increased activity in the part of the brain that is responsible for sexual behavior and normally activates after exposure to a female rat.

The double messages of “you smell a cat but he’s not dangerous” and “that cat is a potential mate” lure the rat into the kitty’s deadly territory, just what the parasite needs to reproduce. Scientists still don’t know how the parasite works to alter the brain, though there apparently is a link to production of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter in the systems for decision-making and reward.

Never again

Running late for work, I used the last of the shower gel instead of sugar-scrub. Now the skin on my arms and legs is dry and flaky.

Not doing that again.

naomi-j-clark:

I love this! A comment on the portrayal of women in comics/media. Of course the Black Widow in the official poster is being all smexy and kinda…I don’t know. I don’t even know what she’s doing except it’s causing her butt to stick out in a provocative way. And the redrawn poster…Work it, Cap.

Finally put my meal plan together. Complete with fluffy mascot.

Finally put my meal plan together. Complete with fluffy mascot.

Gelatin Face Mask

On the plus side, my skin is very smooth and soft.

On the downside, peeling you off was incredibly painful. Possibly I was doin’ it ‘rong since no one mentions it hurting to peel off…

I’ll try you one more time just to see if it’s any different.

My ability to procrastinate is unrivalled. I have just made a mint and geletin peelable face mask. In fifteen minutes I am going to go and steam my pores open, then leave it on for about an hour. Will update on status afterwards.

My ability to procrastinate is unrivalled. I have just made a mint and geletin peelable face mask. In fifteen minutes I am going to go and steam my pores open, then leave it on for about an hour. Will update on status afterwards.

Real food?!

It is so good to have proper food.

Remembered a giant pack of minced beef was in the freezer, to cooked the lot, then halved it. First batch got peas and oxo cubes added, second batch went into a tomato and mushroom sauce.

I am enjoying delicious spagbol, and have another plus two shepherds pie bases to freeze when it’s all cooled down.

I am going to incorporate giant batch cooking episodes into my routine. Am going to look into freezing pastry/pizza bases/sauces.

Also, is it just me, or is British beef becoming rather tasteless?

Note to Self: the first

Do not forget facial routine. Skin does not like the lack of goodness.

Also: It is much easier to add 1 1/2 tbsp of bicarb to 1 cup of warm water before washing hair. It goes to the roots much better.

Same goes for ACV. Dilute 2tbsp to 1cup water.

Also- brush hair before washing. Bonus for breaking up grease, but makes washing so much easier.

New Facial Routine: Day Three

Skin looks a lot nicer on face. Body skin feels the same. Need to up water intake to deal with pores. I curse you, pores.

Spent time playing with make-up last night. Apart from looking like the Joker (Dark Knight version), it all went on a lot nicer and didn’t cake up or go patchy. It’s possible I might be able to fake looking human soon.

The milk/olive oil/ lime juice moisturiser is not for me. It makes my face feel strange. I am going to explore other types and see how that goes.

I think my hair is going through and adjustment period, because it is greasy as all hell. Conversely, the natural curls are looking more epic than ever. Usually they’re tight and frizzy now theyre big and bouncy.

The experiment continues.

New Facial Routine: Day Two

Pure honey as face wash = win.

New Facial Routine: Day One

Skin is feeling nice and plump. Used pure honey for facial cleanser. This was delicious and made of win.

Fennel tea will be my toner today, because I love me some fennel.

Have heard that breakouts can occur when switching routines. I hope this does not happen. I do not want to be a Spotty McSpoterson.

It may be too early to tell, but I think the face prefers this level of treatment compared to the utter lack of anything previously.

Not sure if I like the lime/olive oil/milk moisturiser. Will give it another couple of days to be sure.

My new facial routine

Make-up Remover: Extra Virgin Olive Oil. (For the rare times I wear make-up)

Face Wash/Exfoliant: Castor Sugar & Extra Virgin Olive Oil (To use every 3-4 days)

Every Day Face Wash: Will be honey based as per this repipe (http://www.towards-sustainability.com/2008/07/homemade-honey-facial-cleanser.html) - when I get the glycerin and castille soap base.

Body Scrub: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Granulated Sugar & Green Tea (Every day use)

Facial Toner: Pure Peppermint Tea (Every Day, Morning & Evening) - Other alternatives may be very weak lemon juice/water solution, green tea, fennel tea etc. All can be portioned and the majority drank while still warm/hot.

Moisturiser: Lime, Milk & Olive Oil as recommended on here (http://www.natural-homeremedies-for-life.com/homemade-face-moisturizer.html)  - I’m not 100% sure about this one, but I’ll give it a go and see what happens. Plus, I like the look of the coconut oil ones, but I have none of that at the minute.

So there is it. One completely natural chemical free “beauty” regime. I’ll try it for a week and see how it goes.

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One girl's quest to turn her life upside down, create a sustainable way of living, make pretties of a sparkly appearence, and then indulge in cooking of an attractive, delicious and yet healthy nature. Here be food, ranting, raving, gardening and the dread beast exercise.
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