Posts by Elle E.
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In the Blog
Squaw is still Square
What’s in a name? Well, in the case of BC’s Square Lake, a bunch of racism, sexism and half-assed attempts to change. Over at The Tyee James Ward has been exploring the use of the word Squaw as a place name in BC Parks. He first wrote about it in March, and then again last week. Unfortunately, eight months later, nothing much has changed. For those who don’t know, “squaw” is a bastardized pronunciation and spelling of … READ MORE
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In the Blog
For your eco-flow days
It looks like someone’s cycles are in sync! First (thanks for the alert Cate!) gURL.com posts an historical overview of menstrual products. Then Grist posts about our contemporary options from an environmental perspective. The two-part series contains irreverent product reviews from staffers. They test both outerwear and innerwear. I appreciate that they report on the bunching factor. Um, and Anna? You’ll be glad to see they assess each product’s odor as well. It’s awesome how 300 years later, … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Our dirty little mugs
Debate is brewing about whether or not coffee cups, plastic bags and water bottles should be banned. The coffee cup purveyors don’t think you could handle it. “…the possibility of a ban or restrictions raises questions about whether consumers can break their reliance on non-recyclable coffee cups and disposable takeout containers.” - from the Globe and Mail The optimistic viewpoint would say that yes, humans of all stripes, even the spoiled ones, can waste less and … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Hate Crime? Yep.
“Jane Currie and her partner, Anji Dimitriou, both small, soft-spoken women, were waiting with other parents at Gordon B. Attersley public school in Oshawa, when, fists flying, a man attacked them, his blows as harmful as his words.” (From The Star) I’m glad to hear these ladies are getting a lot of support (if 3000 Facebook friends counts as support) after a violent, disgusting attack by a man named Mark Scott. In a Toronto Star article, … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Vegas in a bottle!
Let’s face it - water is so dull. But vitaminwater, with its kaleidoscopic pinks, peaches and violets, is like Vegas in a bottle! - NYU’s science line on “Is vitaminwater good for you?” I’m in over my head here. I saw someone drinking a bottle of smartwater, and I couldn’t figure out what it was. So I Googled the company’s website. Now I’m just thirsty. Glaceau AKA Coca-Cola, purveyor of these hip and trendy bottled drinks, claims to … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Slavery in a Different Guise
Yesterday, Antonia Zerbisias’ column in the Toronto Star hit me like a punch in the gut. The right to choose is hardly a new topic, but new threats to this right seem to pop up every time we turn around. Although it’s not getting much mainstream coverage, two states, Colorado and South Dakota, have measures on their ballots that would strip women not only of their reproductive rights but would also define life as beginning at … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Dancing Around Endometriosis
I love it when “girly issues” refuse to be glossed over and come exploding out in everyone’s face. Dancing with the Stars contestant Julianne Hough left the show this week due a ruptured ovarian cyst. She has been diagnosed with endometriosis and is sharing her story on her blog. Endo (who has time for six syllables?) is a little-understood and often extremely painful condition that affects the female reproductive organs. People Magazine and TV Crunch quote Hough, … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Thingamaboob
In last week’s dedication to Breast Cancer Awareness Month (or how about just Breast Awareness Month?) I suggested we take the time to get to know our breasts. This week it’s about spreading the word. But where to begin? I have lots of private thoughts about breasts in general and breast cancer specifically, but it’s not like I usually walk around talking about it. Which is too bad. My lovely, late Granny survived cancer thanks to a double … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Things Are Fine
Cool posters and banners at www.thingsarefine.org … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Meet Your Boobs
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. What better way to celebrate than by becoming better acquainted with your own personal pair? Not sure where to begin? Check out this introductory ritual: Create Some Atmosphere Find a quiet place by yourself, or hey - invite some adventurous friends over, eat thematic cupcakes and turn it into a “Love Your Boobies” party! Take a few moments to breathe deeply and tune in to yourself. Light some candles if you’re in the … READ MORE
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In the Blog
I don’t feel like talking to you
Challenge of the week: assert a boundary. It was a rough weekend and the new week isn’t any more smooth. I decide to just take care of myself and let the crises in my life sort themselves out. I order the medium instead of the default small. I let the dishes sit over night. I get a massage. So I’m sitting on the subway, dazed in the after-glow of my first ever registered-massage-therapy-somewhat-subsidized-by-my-benefits-package-type massage. I’m foggy and … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Hillary
So Hillary is out. Or will drop out. Or has been voted out. Or is sticking it out. Or has outstayed her welcome. So many lenses through which to view this historial event. Pundits, journalists, politicians, voters and every blogger in between has two cents to share. What do Shameless readers think? When you look at this event, what do you see? … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Good Reporting
In the midst of a strange story about potentially false allegations of sexual assault: According to clinical psychologist Dr. Gregory Hamovitch, incidents like this are unusual. “It’s quite rare. If anything, under-reporting of these kind of events is more likely than overreporting,” he said. The angle could have easily gone the other way. It’s a relief to read this odd twist in the case and not have get my back up in defense of all of the … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Spring is coming!
Really. I swear. Under all of this salty snow, a whole world of green is waiting to burst into life. The first sign of the impending thaw is Seedy Saturday - happening this weekend. Before you head over to the Shameless party in the afternoon, pop in to Seedy Saturday to trade your seeds with other gardeners, discover amazing food, get information about green gardening and so much more! Best. Saturday. Ever. Seedy Saturday Toronto Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm Location: … READ MORE
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In the Blog
A whiter, brighter smile
Apologies to Ellen Page if this costs her a shot at spokeswoman for Minty-White International, but in her pre-Oscar interview with Barbara Walters it was clear that she had not succumbed to bleaching her smile. Her teeth looked good - healthy, normal - but also kind of weird for TV. The person I was with (who does not obsess over teeth as much as I do) actually pointed it out first. We’re so used to seeing … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Trendy Tomboys
So I was seething after Zoe’s post alerted me to a horrific, anti-woman piece written by a woman, but some other newspaper activity has calmed me a little. An article in the Toronto Star reports that a New York Times Magazine piece described Ellen Page as “a tomboy - her on-screen persona is sharp, clear-eyed, determined and self-consciously original.” The following week, a professor at Sarah Lawrence College sent in this response: “It is unfortunate that we have … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Breast Milk Cheese
I’d wager my winnings from Hot Flash that we’ll all agree this video is creepy. Yes, it has the dreaded “breast-bared-but-nipple-censored” thing going on, but exactly how and why it’s so disturbing may be up for debate. From Treehugger: “This send-up of the new greenwashing trend in advertising will give you a good belly-laugh, if you don’t pause to consider the tragic fact that even human milk is not free from chemical contamination.” First I thought it was … READ MORE
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In the Blog
The Sick Day Dilemma
It’s 7am. You wake up with chills, body aches and a crazy sinus headache. You’ve been sweating and snotting all over your pillow. Burning sandpaper scrapes down your throat. Meetings are set. Deadlines loom. Delirious with fever, you see an angel and a devil sitting on your shoulders. One tells you to call in sick and sleep it off. The other tells you to suck it up and go to work. Which piece of advice did your … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Dear Feminist-Santa…
Maybe you are still looking for a last minute stuffer for your very own stocking, or maybe you plan to make 2008 the year you take charge of your health. Either way, for many gals who deal with chronic pain and confusion due to endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids, painful periods or any other pelvic trouble, the following treats will be a welcome addition to the coping ritual. A hot water bottle cozy. When your pelvis feels … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Confessions of a Recovering Cinephobe
In a past life, before Amelie, I passionately hated the movies. For a while I thought it was a sign of ADD: I couldn’t sit still for a 2-hour film without chipping the concrete floor with my impatiently tapping toe. More recently I’ve realized my aversion to movies was one of the many bruises I suffered at the hands of the stifling jockocracy in which I was raised. The road to recovery is long. Even … READ MORE
