Gossamer
Gloves
There are those who use their hands, and there
are those who get regular manicures. If you're one of the
former, cracked skin and hangnails may be the painful evidence
of the labor that you live by. With
Gloves
in a Bottle ($5 for a two-ounce bottle at Sally
Beauty Supply, 8001 SE Powell Blvd., 771-0468, or order
by phone: [800] 600-1881), you can be a hands-on worker
and forgo the discomfort that comes with the territory.
The hypo-allergenic lotion soaks into the epidermis to form
a barrier against harsh chemical and environmental elements.
The science is vague, but it works. You rub the stuff all
over your hands and it dries into a smooth, invisible film
that feels just a bit sticky. The "gloves" ward off smells,
dyes and flesh-eating acids alike, staying active for a
couple of hours until your skin naturally starts shedding
the coating. Using the "gloves" alone, I dyed a friend's
hair dark brown and emerged unscathed, with only a faint
stain on my hands. Of course, nobody recommends that you
abandon traditional gloves altogether, but this is an extremely
effective backup layer for sensitive or beat-up hands that
aren't as tough as the people they're attached to. (KM)
Bud
Vase Not Included
In a sense, all modern socks are ergonomically
designed, contoured at the heel and toe for a natural
fit. But none is as meticulously crafted as the Bridgedale
sock. Bridgedale is an Irish company that has been making
technical footwear for 75 years in a climate that "can
include all the seasons in one day" (sound familiar?).
Bridgedale produces 16 different styles of socks, including
two new ones that will save your feet as they get reacquainted
with hiking. The GTX Trekker ($17.50) is a midweight,
three-season sock with more features than the new Beetle:
strategically placed Lycra to prevent slippage; a stretchy
knit panel at the front of the ankle to provide forward
flex; and extra padding in the toe and heel for durability
and arch support. The lightweight, ankle-length Approach
($13) has similar whistles and bells, plus a high-tech
venting system that will be welcome in hot weather. This
sock can be used for running and biking, but note that
it's thicker than socks normally worn for these activities.
All models boast flat toe seams, moisture management,
no shrinkage and a three-year guarantee. They're available
at REI stores. (CM)
Candy-Coated
Breakfast
You know that organic foods must be gaining
mainstream acceptance and turning a profit when a corporate
giant like General Mills rolls out a product grown without
chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The company that
brought us Cocoa Puffs and Lucky Charms recently introduced
Sunrise cereal ($3.57 at Fred Meyer), an organic
corn-and-wheat cereal that started showing up in area
grocery stores in April. The checkered hexagons taste
like a sweeter, crunchier Chex, and they hold up well
in milk. Although the box claims the cereal is "touched
with pure golden honey," sugar (the raw, organic variety)
is actually the second ingredient listed. And while this
premier, mass-market organic cereal is free of artificial
flavors and colors, it has virtually no fiber. For a cereal
with less sugar and slick marketing, stick to the health-food
section. (LB)
