From the shoes everyone loved to hate to now the Insta darling of brands – Crocs are again having a moment
When they first appeared, the reviews were scathing, and yet, people bought them. Popping up on thousands of feet, jokes were everywhere and a site called I Hate Crocs was started. But sales continued to climb. While being a sneaker head is fashion thing, social media asks has everyone gone Croc crazy?
When Crocs debuted in 2002, there was nothing like the Danish clog meets boating shoes meets rubber foam material – and people hated them. They defied the mainstream fashion styles of the early 2000s like the Vans or Converse canvas sneakers. Skaters, surfers, and musicians were setting a tone which the floatable shoe was not part. Seen as low brow and ugly, high fashion and wanna-be fashionista sshunned them. Early on, they launched the “Ugly Can Be Beautiful” campaign, the first national advertising campaign for the Crocs brand. Since then, sales have done well.
Now the shoe and online world are colliding with opinions around Croc’s latest moves. Bringing out a former, beloved McDonaldland member, McDonalds is having its Grimace moment. McDonald’s characters, specifically Grimace, had a resurgence in popularity when the purple icon celebrated his birthday in June. The brand released a purple milkshake as part of the celebratory Grimace Birthday Meal. People couldn’t get enough of the purple sweetness and couldn’t quite figure out exactly what is Grimace. Now the purple “thing” is becoming a Croc!
But wait, there is more, McDonald’s has rolled out a mini array of characters of Birdie, Hamburglar, and a classic McDonald’s style.
McDonald’s is hoping lightening strikes twice with a limited series of shoes.
Earlier this summer, the company suprised everyone with a pair cowboy boots. Not just for water or gardening, these boots are made to adventure! Each pair is designed with a signature Crocskin texture, metallic disco desert embroidery details and an actual spinning spur on the back, which can be removed for practical use. Only a limited amount of the cowboy boots were made and fashion and music sites had a field day with them.
Morning starts the day – and why not start out positive and happy?
Mornings can evoke strong emotions – happiness, irritation, annoyance, hope. Some people aren’t even really human until they have their first cup of coffee! Research points out some people are morning people. More women (48.4 percent) than men (39.7 percent) said they were morning people. And people over 60 (63.1 percent) were much more likely to prefer mornings than people under 30 (24.2 percent), which fits with previous research that found older people tend to rise earlier. No matter what, morning start your day and here are 5 morning activities to help you feel happier.
The Fresh Toast – A slight change in routine can make a difference, here are 5 morning activities to help you feel happier
There’s no way to trick yourself into being joyful and happy, but there are simple changes you can make to your morning routine that can change your outlook. Here are 5 morning activities that can help you feel happier:
Do something you love
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Waking up is usually rushed, a moment where you quickly add in activities in order to get ready for your workday. Squeezing in something joyful can make a difference, whether that’s listening to your favorite podcast on your commute to work or listening to an audiobook as you prepare your coffee.
Checking your phone first thing in the morning or replying to emails before your work hours can be stressful and can quickly make you feel very grumpy. Delay these habits, adding in things that feel good to you before you commit to your work tasks. Keep your phone out of reach in order to avoid temptation and give yourself a few minutes to wake up.
Eat something
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No matter if you’re a breakfast person or not, eating something in the morning can make you feel better and more energized, even if it’s just a snack. Having something in your stomach (preferably with some protein) will prevent overreactions to annoyances and will also prevent you from having embarrassing hangry episodes.
While it may be too much to ask to get up earlier than usual to sneak in a workout, the benefits are substantial. Even a 20 minute walk or bike ride can create some dopamine and make you feel accomplished, which will translate to your workday.
If exercising is too much, you can also try to meditate for a bit. The more consistent you are with your meditation, the more benefits you’ll reap. Meditation doesn’t ask for much of your time, you can do it straight from bed, and it will provide you with some much-needed silence and peace before you start your day.
Plan your day
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If you’re a planner or someone who likes to make lists, planning your day can be fun and productive, giving you a semblance of control. Don’t overdo it with planning until the last detail, but a loose outline will help you stay on top of your duties and will make your day, especially the very busy ones, less intimidating.
Ohio just became the 24th recreational legal state and over 50% of the country live where you can got to a dispensary and buy a pre-roll, gummies, etc. States with legal weed benefit greatly from tax revenue, usually more than alcohol review and crime doesn’t increase. But what about legal marijuana and property values?
On average, in states where recreational marijuana is legal, cities with retail dispensaries saw home values increase $22,888 more than cities where marijuana is illegal from 2014 to 2019 according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
In general, states with full legalization are also states with a younger population and a larger industry bases, attracting a more broadminded population. Also, a Gallup poll suggested household with over $100,000 income are most likely to support legalization.
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There are downsides in the home real estate market for cannabis users. Like tobacco, weed can leave an oder in a home which can directly affect selling/leasing a property. A survey by NAR released in April of 2023 discovered in states where medical marijuana is legal and roughly two-fifths of members in states where both medical and recreational marijuana are legal had no issues leasing a property after the use of marijuana in a property (similar to 2021). When there were issues, the most common issue was the smell, which 30 to 35 percent of these members had encountered.
With commercial real estate, there is also interesting data. States where medical and recreational marijuana use is legal, there has been an increased demand in warehouses and storefronts. There is also an increase in property purchasing over leasing in the past year, the majority have seen the increases with warehouses, followed by land, and storefronts.
Another study shows residential property values in legal states outpaced those which still ban marijuana by $48,983 over the past decade. This recently released research is from Real Estate Witch, an online publication owned by Clever Real Estate.
There are some winners, and occasionally some losers….and sometimes we get a Reggie
The way cannabis is legals allows for a rich variety of strains and products. Consumers latch onto something great and it takes off in dispensaries and does well for everyone. But once i a while there is a stinker which isn’t worth the effort. The common name for bad weed is “Reggie”. There will always be low-quality weed on the market, and their sellers will continue to do their best to pass it off as either high-quality or medium quality strain. Luckily, there are tips to figure it out so you don’t buy them.
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Determining which weed is good and which is not might seem tricky, but you only have to pay attention to a few details to figure out if a strain is low-grade, high-grade, or mid-grade.
These details include the:
Feel
Flavor
Aroma
THC content
Presence of trichomes
Structure
Colour
Effects
This article was written to help with the dilemma involved in avoiding low-quality marijuana strains.
What To Assess When Buying Marijuana
Feel
Low-quality weed is very mild and gives the barest minimum buzz. Sure, a weed will always be called a weed irrespective of its induced effects and characteristics, but low-quality weed is of no use to the user.
Dirt weeds might be felt by new and inexperienced smokers, but it will not be a remarkable feeling.
Cannabis-based medicine also has an expected feeling for it to give the user relief from symptoms, which is why users must check well to not waste their money.
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Aroma
Low-quality weed has a distinct unpalatable aroma, Although you might detect a faintly sweet flavor, the weed’s smell is too strong for a user to enjoy the flavor. The aroma can be likened to a skunk. When Reggie is used, the aroma is a tell-tale. There are also bad quality weeds that have no aroma at all, they are bland.
Good quality weed will have a striking aroma that implies the presence of an increased level of terpenes. A good Indica strain gives a chocolate or coffee aroma, while a good Sativa strain smells like citrus.
Flavor
Reggie’s flavor is determined by the area it was grown, as well as the cultivation techniques used. Reggie tastes the way it smells, like skunk. The few Reggies that have a faintly sweet taste are still very harsh with an earthy flavor that most users do not care for.
Color
All breeds of marijuana come in different colors. Some have traces of pink, blue, purple, etc. The best way to identify a Reggie weed is through red, brown, bleached white, yellow, or a noticeable tan. These colors indicate that the weed is from a plant breed with low quality.
A good strain on the other hand has a striking density of trichomes that glitters.
Low-quality weed breeds include:
Seeded buds
Breakdown/split easily due to their dehydrated state.
Tanned appearance with tiny or no spots of green.
Skunky or musty odor.
Very harsh effect and causes pain and coughing fits.
Here are the worst marijuana strains of all time…
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#1– Madman OG
This is also referred to as the ” jittery strain”. Its effect is quite obvious from its name. This strain is a hybrid of parents OG Kush X LA Confidential.
A lot of users believe that the OG breed is a panacea for everything, however, this is not so.
It has a THC range that falls between 16% to 24%, which could be more. Because using a high amount will override the good of the strain and rather than act as a panacea, it induces anxiety and a severe headache.
#2– Pablo’s Gold
This is a golden marijuana breed that is 70% Sativa-dominant cross. It can be found almost everywhere aside from Northwest America.
Pablo’s Gold is not a strain you consume when you need to be active…
The strain can be deceptive— it first starts with a euphoric feeling and a spike in energy levels— however, you realize almost immediately that that effect was just a preamble in sending off to sleep. You’ll barely be able to keep your eyes open.
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#3– Top 44
This is a sedative cannabis strain that has users feeling disappointed after. It is an Indica-dominant cross that was created by the highly experienced breeder at Nirvana seeds.
The Top 44 marijuana strain has very limited effect with a very low level of THC at 8%– 5%. It might do it for inexperienced smokers, but experienced speakers would end up not feeling any form of buzz.
#4– Mango Pina
Luckily this strain is now forgotten. It is a strain that was created sometime around the 1960s. This forgotten marijuana had the most pleasant aroma and flavor, however, it had a very low THC content that caused little or no psychoactive effects.
Cheese is has been crazy popular in Europe and North America! The French devours 57.9 pounds per person annually followed by the Germans and Italians. Chilly Iceland gobbles 53.2 pounds!
Part of the world is lactose intolerant; once children stop breastfeeding, their bodies reduce production of the lactase necessary for digesting milk. But because of varying protein sources in different regions of the world, indigenous peoples learned to adapt. While 95% of Caucasians are lactase retentive and continue to properly digest dairy, the figure drops to 50% for people of African descent and only about 5% of east Asians. This is why you almost never find milk, cheese, or dairy products in Asian food, and why cheese consumption by country varies widely.
For the cheese loving world though, there is shocking news – there is no natural orange cheese. Yes, it is a man-made invention.
When cheese was first invented, either in the 16th or 17th century, English farmers realized that the product had a much lighter color than butter. This is due to the fact that cheese is made from low fat milk, and butter is made up of fat. This loss of color made customers believe that cheese was a product of low quality. As a way of salvaging their product, farmers decided to add colorant to make it sell more and look more vibrant and appealing. It was a success.
While this backstory is very interesting, another theory claims coloring in cheese was first used to even out the look of the product throughout the year. As it turns out, cheese has different colors depending on the season because it’s affected by the diet of cows. In spring and summer, cow’s milk is more buttery because they’re feeding on fresher grass.
Related:
In the United States, some cheese’s color comes from the flavorless Annatto seed. It gives Wisconsin cheddar that pumpkin orange hue. Annatto is a tasteless product, which allows the flavor of cheese to be natural. Cheddar cheese has more while lighter colored cheeses, such as Gouda and Edam, have only a little of it.
In their natural state, all cheeses are just different shades of white, which would be a marketing challenge.
Slowly, research is being done to better understand cannabis. Currently, it is been discovered it is helpful for stress, inflammation, PTSD, and more. Understanding the underlying way it works is critical to unlock more benefits. Now, science says this creates teh rush as marijuana, Yes, it is the same chemical and physiological avalanche is the human orgasm.
The brain is the largest sex organ in the body. Taking a closer look inside the brain is exactly what curious researchers are doing. While much scientific investigation into this question has examined the activity levels in specific areas of the brain, others seek to measure changes in chemical composition.
Researchers from Germany decided to examine the levels of certain endocannabinoids in blood plasma before and after subjects masturbated to orgasm. Endocannabinoids are chemical compounds which interact with receptors in cells altering neurotransmitter release in the brain. The concentrations of several chemicals were measured in the blood plasma of human subjects before and after they masturbated to orgasm.
Brain scans using functional MRI’s (FMRI) have shown during masturbation many areas of the brain are engaged. The hypothalamus becomes more active and amps up production of a powerful hormone called oxytocin acts as a neurotransmitter. The chemical has also been implicated in maternal-infant bonding, empathy and generosity. The thalamus and the substantia nigra, an area densely populated with dopamine-producing neurons, are also highly engaged. Previous research out of Rutgers University has suggested the orgasm creates a type of altered state of reality.
2-AG is the most abundant endocannabinoid in the human body. It is also present in mother’s milk and is believed to regulate appetite, our immune system and to manage pain. The German researchers found masturbating to orgasm significantly increased the amount of the endocannabinoid 2-AG in blood plasma.
Our data indicate the endocannabinoid 2-AG is involved in the human sexual response cycle and we hypothesize 2-AG release plays a role in the rewarding consequences of sexual arousal and orgasm.
This sort of finding is of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry, it may open an opportunity to explore the ways a prescribed medicine could affect cannabinoid levels. Making people’s sexual lives richer is big business. The erectile dysfunction medicine market was worth over $3 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow to $7.1 billion by 2030.
The chemistry of cannabis may have a role to play in yet another area of our personal health. There is much work still to be done. Follow up studies are bound to follow this line of questioning to explore how cannabis-based medicine may help improve peoples’ sex lives. So, for the good of our collective health, if a reputable team of scientists asks you to masturbate for money in a lab setting, do it for science.
Date night, friends over, a plate at a good restaurant, the old pair of wine and cheese. Thanks to the French (and maybe the Italian), it is a culinary staple, sometimes serving as just lunch or dinner. But with the mainstreaming of cannabis, could the new pairing be different? These marijuana and cheese pairings will blow your mind.
But if you can’t locate these strains, there are other ways to devise your own pair. Think of your favorite vape and the pair with it a soft cheese or one that brings out the flavors you want. Or maybe sparkling water, a gummy, a cheese plate and a favorite movie. The combinations are endless.
Much like oenophiles, weed connoisseurs are particular to the roots and background of their commodity. How and where the bud is grown, as well as aromas and flavor are as important to serious smokers as they are pertinent to a grape for wine experts. As marijuana becomes increasingly integrated into mainstream society, the cannabis and culinary worlds become further intertwined. Here are some ideas to start your journey.
The Bud: Durban Poison The Cheese: Fresh Ricotta Why it works: As one of the highest ranking sativas in the country, Durban Poison is best paired with an equally top quality cheese. This strain’s refreshing piney aroma and sweet floral flavor balances perfectly with the soft texture and mildness of fresh ricotta. This Italian whey cheese acts as a simple canvas for which the bold Durban Poison flavors shine.
The Bud: Super Silver Haze The Cheese: Garrotxa Why it works: Super Silver Haze, the child of Haze, Northern Lights and Skunk No.1, is an extremely popular bud. Known for a primarily citrus flavor, with sweet and earthy notes, there are many ways to pair this strain. Garrotxa, a firm-textured goat cheese from Catalonia, is also known for its earthy aromas and is often paired with citrus flavors.
The Bud: Blue Dream The Cheese: Smoked Manchego Why it works: Blue Dream is a sativa-dominant hybrid and California original. The bud is synonymous with its sweet berry aroma, reminiscent of its Blueberry parent. To complement the commanding sweetness, pair this strain with a strong smoked manchego. The sweet notes of berries, against the smokiness of the sheep’s cheese is a winning combination.
The Bud: Golden Goat The Cheese: Vermont Sharp Cheddar Why it works: This versatile bud may be earthy in flavor, but its fruity scent can be picked up from miles away. Golden Goat’s Hawaiian roots give it a unique light green and pink coloring. And while Hawaii and Vermont may not always be a natural pairing, there is something special about the way they work together in weed and cheese. Vermont Sharp Cheddar is best paired with earthy flavors, the ultimate match for a bud like Golden Goat.
The Bud: SAGE The Cheese: Aged Bra Why it works: S.A.G.E., or Sativa Afghani Genetic Equilibrium, is one of the spiciest strains you can get. With pine, sage and earthy flavors, this bud needs a smooth, light cheese to balance your palate. A slightly less firm cheese like aged bra will offset the potent spices find in SAGE. Together this bold pairing creates an unforgettable combo
Day Drinking is definitely a thing – here is how to do it right – and to add a flair!
The modern version of drinking in the morning has become more common, but are you doing it right? Brunch, sporting events, an early morning flight, big music and other types of festivals all lend themselves to grabbing a cocktail. But do you do it right? Here is the ultimate guide to day drinking.
First, within the correct bounds of drinking before noon, what is the norm are Bloody Mary’s, rosé, mimosas, screwdrivers, and beer. Wine, bourbon, shots will all gain you a side eye from the people around you. Of course, Bloody Marys have other options than vodka – Bloody Maria (tequila), Red Snapper (gin), and the Bloody Shame (non-alcoholic). Also, the Mimosa comes with variety. The most popular is a change of the juice…but there is the Manmosa – which is champagne, juice and vodka. Definitely a morning wake up.
But if you are creative and serve it in a fun glass – you can break out and here are some fun ideas.
Erik Hakkinen, Head Bartender, Zig Zag, Seattle
“My favorite two low-octane drinks are Campari and grapefruit juice (2 oz Campari, 4 oz fresh grapefruit juice), and then Bonal and tonic (2 oz Bonal, 2-4oz good tonic, like Fever Tree, East India Imperial, squeeze of lime). So simple, so delicious! I like both served as long drinks.”
Ramon Garcia, Bar Director, Alchemist, San Francisco
KISS N’ TELL
1 oz Manzanilla Sherry
1 oz Dolin Blanc Vermouth
.5 oz Rosemary syrup
.25 oz Lemon juice
1 bar spoon Laphroaig 10yr Whisky
1 small pinch of salt
4 oz La Croix Peach Pear sparkling water
Shake all ingredients with ice except La Croix Peach Pear and double strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Top off with La Croix Peach Pear Sparkling Water. Garnish with 3 pear slices and a rosemary sprig.
Rosemary syrup:
1 cup Sugar
1 cup Water
3 Rosemary sprigs
Bring water to a boil and add sugar, then simmer until sugar dissolves add the rosemary sprigs and let them steep for 30 mins. Strain the Rosemary and store in a nonreactive containers.
Morgan Weber, Co-owner, Eight Row Flint, Houston
ALL DAY LONG
3 oz Lillet Rosé
2 oz Topo Chico
½ oz Fresh Lemon
¼ oz Rich Simple
2 dashes grapefruit bitters
Build in Collins glass full of ice. Garnish with fat grapefruit peel, oil expressed into glass.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKonbmMBwPJ
Krissy Harris, Creative Director, The Wren, NYC
RUBY ROSE SPRITZ
“This cocktail is currently on our brunch cocktail menu (also, that’s my daughters name).”
1 oz Martin Miller’s Gin
¾ Aperol
¼ Giffard Black Rose Liquor
Shake & Strain into a Highball glass. Top with Schofferhofer Grapefruit Bier.
“I like to pre-spice the tequila by slicing 1-2 jalapeños and adding them to the full bottle of tequila. I taste every hour or so until I get to the desired heat level. That way, it’s a consistent drink every time. This was on our brunch cocktail menu and will come back!”
1 oz El Jimador Blanco or Herradura Silver
½oz Del Maguey Vida Mezcal
1 oz Pineapple Juice
¼ oz Agave
½ oz Lime Juice
3 slices Jalapeno
Add all ingredients to a shaker, add ice and shake. Pour into a salt rimmed rocks glass.
WIth daylight savings time, it seems some leave for work in the dark and return home in the dark. According to a recent American Psychiatric Association survey, two-thirds of adults said they noticed at least one behavioral change from sleeping more, to feeling fatigued or depressed. It also discovered women are nearly twice as likely as men to say their mental health has been negatively affected by the fall time change. To help combat the change, here are the best marijuana strains for dark winter days.
This heady sativa provides a boost of energy just like a freshly-squeezed glass of orange juice. You’ll get a citrusy aroma from this punchy lady. Get a good look at her orange hair and crystalline trichomes before savoring her sweet-smelling smoke.
Purple Tangie is descended from the famous Tangie genetics that started in Amsterdam and have since have taken the lead in much of the legal weed market. It’s easy to see, smell and taste why—when you light up this flavorful flower, you’ll feel invigorated, creative… maybe even euphoric! Ask your budtender for strains in the Tangie family, and taste them side by side.
This pure sativa possesses a refreshing piney aroma in conjunction with an oh-so-sweet floral flavor. She can be elusive, but if you can get your hands on this landrace (meaning a traditional variety) cannabis, you’ll be shooting for the stars.
The sweet blueberry aroma of this hybrid flower makes it a perfect morning time smoke. Pair it with an espresso to start your day off right. Blue Dream is great for hiking, biking, or relaxing in a sunny nook with a really great book. A favorite of many cannabis connoisseurs.
A true American strain, the Golden Goat is said to be descended from a Hawaiian father, and was raised in Kansas. Its fruity, tropical flavor and spicy scent, paired with its powerful, uplifting effect, will have you bouncing around like a happy goat on a rocky mountainside.
Hopefully these best marijuana strains for dark winter days will put more light in your day.
The popular disc jockey and record producer loves bucking the norm and going his own way…so does he….
Creating music, running triathlons and being a dad to three sons, Diplo is news. To show off his street cred, he hotfooted Burning Man by slogging through 6 miles of mud, hitchhiking, and walking barefoot to a jet which flew him to DC for a 3-hour set where he rocked it with the crowd. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi (the birthplace of Elvis), he parlayed hard work, talent, a cheeky personality and good looks into a $50 million fortune. Now we want to know, does Diplo smoke weed.
The influence of home-grown rap played a key role in helping shape Diplo’s production style. When attending the University of Central Florida he started DJing. Moving to Philadelphia he starting drawing attention. By 20, Diplo moved to India. Returning he met up with fellow DJ Low Budget. The two began throwing parties under the “Hooked on Hollertronix” Philadelphia.The success of these parties allowed the two to release mixtapes, which brought him national fame.
He is an American DJ, songwriter, and record producer based in Los Angeles, California. He is the co-founder and lead member of the electronic dancehall music project Major Lazer and a member of the supergroup LSD. And he is entering the cannabis industry.
When sharing he ran the Los Angeles Marathon in under four hours, he revealed he had more than water, he had a bit of LSD in his water bottle.
“Yeah, I did acid. I didn’t trip out while I was running. I put it in my water bottle,” Diplo shared “I’ll put it like this: I take acid a lot when I’m working, and when I’m waking up. I don’t want to do too much caffeine, and I don’t want to drink alcohol, so I put a little bit, a little drop sometimes.”
Diplo is a fan of psychedelic and marijuana. Living unabashedly, he shares his drug use with no judgement and no shame. He is a fame of the cannabis to the point he started a new company to add to his various business interests.
“I dig the low-dose weed drinks, it’s something new and different,” says says Thomas Wesley Pentz, better known for his artistic name, Diplo, talking about his new THC-infused selzers. “I can drink a few and just chill.”
“I’m sure I’ve gotten a blowjob from a guy before… For sure,” he said to actress and model Emily Ratajkowski on her podcast High Low. “I don’t know if it’s gay unless you like may eye contact while there’s the blowjob happening.”
