In Pure Spirit

For open minds

You might rub the world’s most expensive bird droppings into your face

by Leave a Comment

Born in 1962, Tom Cruise is 61, but would you believe it if you’ve seen the latest Mission Impossible film? How does he look so young?

Ten years ago, The Huffington Post wrote up anonymous insider accounts, saying;

Tom doesn’t go in for Botox or surgery, but he does pay close attention to all the new and popular natural treatments. He recently started experimenting with the nightingale poo facial.”

Asami Geisha

Is there Nightingale poo anti-wrinkle cream on Amazon? Not that I could find. I did find Asami Geisha.

That’s a registered trademarked cream which claims to be the only one in the world with extracted enzymes from the excrement of the Japanese nightingale.

  • The good news? Shipping is free.
  • The bad? A small tub costs over £425.

Wikipedia alludes to why the Japanese nightingale might be so expensive. There aren’t many in Japan. Instead, Wikipedia says;

The leiothrix is usually found in India, Bhutan, Nepal, Burma and parts of Tibet. This species is a bird of the hill forests, found in every type of jungle though it prefers pine forests with bushes.

Red-billed leiothrix is the full name of the nightingale. However, it’s worth noting that the bird does come to Japan and likes the forests of Abies and Tsuga while there.

Nightingale droppings are not a new trend. The practice dates back hundreds of years, as Asami Geisha explain.

“Geisha Facial” refers to a beauty treatment that uses nightingale droppings. In Japan, the poop is called Uguisu No Fun. Japanese geishas have used this treatment for centuries.

Geishas used to wear a white makeup called oshiroi, which contained zinc and lead. This makeup could cause skin problems, such as skin diseases.

However, it’s suggested that the Uguisu No Fun could clean and regenerate the damaged skin. This resulted in softer, more radiant, and smoother skin.

The Geisha Facial is still used today, and it is said to have many benefits for the skin, but it is important to find a reputable spa that offers this treatment.

The cream treatment may be uncomfortable, as it can cause some redness and irritation. Finally, you should only have the treatment done a few times a year, as it can dry the skin. Perhaps it is a good thing it’s not Amazon.

In Pure Spirit

If Japanese nightingale poop facials exist, does that mean birds are kept in cages purely for poo farming? If so, then there are likely ethical considerations.

Would you spend £400 a year on Japanese anti-wrinkle cream made from bird boop if it made you look younger?

Big Heckin’ Two-Day Prime Day: Wonderfully weird finds discounted on Amazon

by Leave a Comment

It’s Amazon’s Prime Day, and that’s already a weird start because Prime Day isn’t a day. It’s two days long!

You need to be an Amazon Prime member to shop the site with significant discounts. The two-day event is designed to reward people for being members.

Here at In Pure Spirit, we’re very interested in ethical retail, so you might wonder why Amazon is appearing here. Amazon’s track record isn’t great, but you can do some important things to make the world a better place.

For example, Amazon’s Subscribe and Save program not only saves you money but lets the retailer plan shorter shipping routes for your stuff, and that’s less carbon from transport. The Amazon Delivery Day gets all your shopping saved up for the weekly delivery, and that’s less cardboard from boxes.

In this list, we’ll look at some of the wonderfully weird curios we spotted in the sale!

Happy potato

Positive Potatoe
How can you say no to a potato that urges you on with the heartfelt “I may be a tiny potato, but I believe in you. Go do your thing!” Can you? Nope, I can’t!

Carp clutch

Can a fish be handy? This zipper can be a pencil case holder, a key holder or even a makeup case. Whatever you use it for, you can surely win some attention when you slide the scaly wonder from your bag or pocket. I’m hooked.

Banana Man
The 14″ banana… man… in a coat! This banana plush is also cleverly designed with magnets inside so you can arrange your new best friend in all sorts of positions. Show me how!.

Shark blanket
Is there a fishy theme in this Prime Day-inspired collection? Are we now feeding kids to sharks? The answer to both is; maybe. But, hey, it looks fun.

Cat mug
I can tell you immediately why I like this mug – yes, the kitten on the top is cute, as is the wee paw print on the handle, but it’s the “Look at me” poser on the mug itself. Oh, and an anti-spill top is handy, too and so let’s look closer.

Shapely wine glasses
There’s no such thing as wine for kids, so why not have adult wine glasses? This pair of shapely glasses from Hoypefiy certainly suggest a mood for the night… but would you dare? I dare!

That’s a collection of just some weird and wonderful discoveries from this year’s Big Heckin’ Two-Day Prime Day. Good luck with your discount and discovery day if you use the sales this week!

In Pure Spirit

Do you find Amazon helpful? Is the retail giant valuable enough to be worth the Amazon Prime membership even if you make an effort to shop local?

Bed shop turns to a sleep expert to explain dreams

by Leave a Comment

BedKingdom‘s sleep experts have studied the hidden meanings behind some of the most common dreams. 

A standard theory for why we dream is that our brains try to make sense of what has happened and predict and rehearse likely future events. In this case, BedKingdom is also interested in dreams because they offer an impressive range of beds and tempt people who might be in the market for a new one. That’s okay as the dream meanings below are still interesting.

In Pure Spirit has paraphrased some of BedKingdom’s sleep research below but first, here’s what a spokesperson from the retailer said;

Dreams can be linked to events that have happened or are currently happening in our lives.  

Remembering dreams can be difficult. Studies show that people forget 80-90% of their dreams and some people can’t remember anything. Writing dreams down as soon as you wake up can help you to remember and then you can try and interpret the meanings. 

Negative emotions and feelings of anxiety are more prevalent in dreams according to a study of over 50,000 people by psychologist Calvin S. Hall. By analysing dreams, we can problem solve and identify ways to help with issues we encounter in our lives.

Falling in your dreams 

Dreams of falling often represent fear and vulnerability, as well as feelings of helplessness and being overwhelmed. Your subconscious may warn you to be cautious if you dream of falling. In such dreams, losing control of a situation may be symbolized as a fall.

Being chased in your dreams 

Being chased in dreams is often caused by feelings of stress and anxiety. It can also result from feeling threatened in one’s waking life. Additionally, dreams of being chased may indicate a warning to be cautious of potential threats, which can stem from feelings of anger.

Teeth falling out in your dreams 

If you dream about your teeth falling out, it could mean that you feel unattractive or have negative thoughts about your appearance. Communication problems may also be a cause of these dreams since losing teeth can make it hard to speak. Additionally, a lack of confidence can trigger this type of dream.

Being naked 

Commonly brought on by feelings of being exposed, dreams of being naked in public places like school or work can also be triggered by feeling accused by someone. However, dreams of being naked sometimes indicate that a person is comfortable with who they are. 

Flying 

The feeling of freedom is often linked with the ability to fly, but if you experience difficulties or failures in flying during your dreams, it could be a sign of low confidence. Additionally, if other people in your dream are also struggling to fly, this may suggest that they are hindering your progress and preventing you from pursuing your goals in life.

In Pure Spirit

Which common dream do you think has an uncommon reason behind it?

It’s not the tryptophan turkey making you sleepy

by Leave a Comment

For many people, the end of December is a festive occasion with gatherings, gifts and feasts. Turkey dinners are a family challenge; once everyone has eaten, you may find people yawning and feeling sleepy.

Is there a particular reason why Christmas dinners make people feel so sleepy? You might have been told about turkey being rich in an amino acid called tryptophan.

This is not a medical article, but let’s look at the Turkey meat and drowsiness hypothesis.

[AI rendered] Christmas turkey dinner

Turkey meat and drowsiness hypothesis

The hypothesis that eating turkey meat causes drowsiness is commonly known as the “tryptophan turkey meat and drowsiness hypothesis”. It is based on the idea that the chemical tryptophan, found in turkey meat, is responsible for drowsiness.

The drowsiness experienced after eating turkey meat is caused by tryptophan being converted into serotonin in the human body. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and thus can induce sleepiness.

However, studies have shown that the amount of tryptophan found in turkey meat is insufficient to cause drowsiness. It is more likely that the tiredness experienced after eating turkey meat is due to the large amounts of carbohydrates consumed in combination with the turkey, which trigger a surge in insulin levels. This, in turn, causes the body to absorb more tryptophan, increasing serotonin levels and drowsiness.

Which other foods have Tryptophan

According to Wikipedia, the top 5 foods for tryptophan to food weight are;

  1. Egg white, dried
  2. Spirulina, dried
  3. Cod, Atlantic, dried
  4. Soybeans, raw
  5. Cheese, Parmesan

Some foods have a higher tryptophan/protein ratio, though, such as;

  1. Chia seeds, dried (2.64)
  2. Milk (2.34)
  3. Sesame seed (2.17)

Why do we eat turkeys for Christmas?

The tradition of eating turkey for Christmas originated in England during the 16th century. At the time, turkey was a relatively inexpensive meat, so it was a popular choice for large family dinners. As the tradition of eating turkey on Christmas spread throughout Europe, it eventually made its way to America.

Turkeys are a large bird, and they can feed many people with one bird. Additionally, their flavour is suitable for a variety of accompaniments. From the classic roast potatoes and stuffing to cranberry sauce and vegetables, the turkey is the perfect centrepiece for a festive feast.

It is thought that in America, the tradition of eating turkey for Christmas was further popularized by Charles Dickens in his novella, A Christmas Carol. In the story, the Cratchit family feast on a turkey on Christmas Day.

From there, the tradition was firmly established and continues to this day.
So, there you have it – why do we eat turkey for Christmas? Turkey is a relatively inexpensive meat, it feeds a lot of people, and it is versatile enough to pair with a variety of sides. As Charles Dickens said, “What could be more pleasant than to expect a good dinner on Christmas Day?”

Where are Turkeys from originally?

In one last twist, Turkeys are not native to the UK.

Turkeys are native to North America and were first domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mexico centuries ago. Over time, they were brought to Europe by Spanish explorers, and eventually, they made their way to the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe.

In Pure Spirit

What’s your favourite family-sized feast?

Who knew Christmas could be so freaky creepy?

by Leave a Comment

Yep, it’s marketing, but it’s interesting! Doors Online (who sell real doors) have put together a list of unusual Christmas traditions worldwide.

Weird Christmas in Poland

Weird Christmas in Poland

According to Polish folklore, any kid born over the twelve days of Christmas could be a werewolf or other half-human, half-demon hybrid. If this occurs, the only available treatment is to collect blood from the infant’s brow.

Weird Christmas in America

Weird Christmas in America

According to an old Appalachian belief, an unwed lady who goes to a hog enclosure at midnight on Christmas Eve and hears an elderly hog grunting will marry an older man. But if a young hog grunts first, she might expect a young and gorgeous husband.

Weird Christmas in Greece

Weird Christmas in Greece

You probably don’t picture burning shoes when you think of the aromas associated with Christmas. However, in Greece, it is a Christmastime tradition to burn one’s old shoes, and locals believe the terrible odour will scare away Christmas ghosts called Kallikantzaroi.

Evidently, footwear is a big deal in Greece during the holiday season. They also think it’s unwise to give someone a pair of shoes for the holidays for fear that they might one day abandon you.

Weird Christmas in Latvia

Weird Christmas in Latvia

Traditional Latvian Christmas celebrations include carrying the Yule log around the home, an act thought to ward off evil spirits.

In honour of Mithras, the sun god, a Yule log is cut down, dragged through the woods to your house, and finally burned inside your home. Hopefully, the sun will have returned the following year, and the dark days will have vanished thanks to this.

Weird Christmas in Czechia

Weird Christmas in Czechia

Whereas many people in Western Europe like to have beef or poultry as the main course at Christmas dinner, carp is more typically served in Eastern Europe.

It is common practise in the Czech Republic for hosts to lay a single fish scale under their guests’ plates as a symbol of good fortune and a reminder of the season’s plenty.

Weird Christmas in the Philippines

Weird Christmas in the Philippines

There is a significant Christian community in the Philippines, and celebrations start on September 1st for many people. As a result, many age-old customs and beliefs about the holiday season have been passed down.

One such belief among Filipinos is that bathing on Christmas Day is bad luck. Some say that if you do, the gifts of Jesus’ birthday will be lost, and you may develop a mysterious illness.

Weird Christmas in Serbia

Weird Christmas in Serbia

The twelve days leading up to Christmas in Serbia are known as the “unbaptized days,” They were traditionally viewed as a time when demonic forces of all kinds would be more active and dangerous than usual.

These demons, known as karakondula, are most active between midnight and dawn, and if they come across an unsuspecting human, they will hop on their back and demand to be carried wherever they choose.

As a result, the victim wouldn’t be freed until the devil heard a cockerel crowing at sunrise.

Weird Christmas in England

Weird Christmas in England

You might have been expected to help make the Christmas pudding if you dropped in on an English family on the last Sunday of Advent in the past.

But superstition demands a specific procedure. You need to get up and move from east to west like the Magi did on their way to see Jesus. By doing so, you’ll be granted a wish for the future year and bestowed with good fortune.

Weird Christmas in Portugal

Weird Christmas in Portugal

In Portuguese culture, family is extremely important year-round, especially during the holiday season. That’s why it’s common practise in Portugal to arrange an extra seat at the table during the traditional Christmas feast for loved ones who have passed on.

It is a way to honour ancestors who have passed away while bringing good fortune and financial success to the home in the following year.

Weird Christmas in Ukraine

Weird Christmas in Ukraine

Have you ever been curious about tinsel’s genesis? We may ask, but why do we use this sparkly, fluffy-looking substance to adorn our Christmas trees? It seems this weird Ukrainian ritual could be to blame.

If a spider’s web is discovered in the Christmas tree on the morning of the 25th, it is said to bring prosperity to the home and its inhabitants. Small spider tree ornaments, complete with webs, have become a tradition in Ukraine, where they are said to bring prosperity.

Weird Christmas in Guatemala

Weird Christmas in Guatemala

It’s lovely to have a spotless home before the holidays anywhere, but in Guatemala, cleanliness truly is next to Godliness. The locals have a superstitious fear of the dark and think evil spirits reside there.

One of the most labour-intensive Christmas traditions occurs on December 7th, when Guatemalans go on a massive cleaning frenzy, piling up trash and undesired goods they’ve collected over the year outside the front door.

An effigy of the devil is burned at the end of the year in a ritual known as La Quema del Diablo (or “Burning of the Devil”) to clear away any negativity from the previous year and make way for a fresh start that the new year brings.

Weird Christmas in Spain

Weird Christmas in Spain

This Christmas superstition could help you if you’re buying a present for someone you don’t particularly care about. If you’re shopping for a loved one, it’s advisable to steer clear of anything pointy.

A superstition in Spain says if you give your friends and family sharp objects like blades or scissors for the holidays, your bond with them will inevitably become strained. Please don’t give them anything wrapped in yellow, as that will bring them nothing but misfortune forever.

In Pure Spirit

Are there any odd Christmas traditions that you, friends or family have?

Using Google to track cryptids

by Leave a Comment

The travel site Next Vacay has used what people search for to work out where in the world we might see cryptids.

How? Here’s what they say;

We utilized our keyword tool to identify countries and states which had high levels of search volume in relation to these cryptids, as well as associated terms ([Cryptid] Real, [Cryptid] sightings, [Cryptid]. For each cryptid, we divided the search volume by the country’s population, which provided us with the country that had the highest search volume per capita. A limitation present in this study is that we were unable to look into each country’s search volume for cryptids in their native language. Additionally, we could not consider every local variation of the cryptid’s name. The country with the highest search volume for each cryptid was avoided, as only a couple of countries dominated due to the size of their population.

Cryptids of the world

Using Google to track cryptids

There are some weird stats and Next Vacay noticed that California gets a lot of people searching vampires whereas Georiga looks for mermaids and worryingly Texas focuses on chupacabra.

Where in the world are Banshee?

Where in the world are Elves?

Where in the world are Werewolves?

Where in the world are Unicorns?

Where in the world are Mermaids?

Where in the world are Fairies?

Where in the world are Vampires?

Where in the world are Yeti?

Where in the world are Leprechaun?

Where in the world are Chupacabras?

Where in the world are Bunyip?

Where in the world are Jumbee?

Where in the world are Kappa?

Where in the world are Kraken?

Where in the world are Ningen?

Where in the world are Wendigo?

Where in the world are Bigfoot?

In Pure Spirit

What do you make of the work? A useful tool or just a marketing stunt?

10 common toxic dangers to your dogs and cats this Christmas

by Leave a Comment

Christmas and the end of the year can be a wonderful time, and it can be a festive celebration of meeting friends, family, and even turning strangers into friends.

It can be terribly depressing for some people, and it can be a time of anxiety for many more people. If you’re struggling or know someone who is, then there is help from Mind, Anxiety UK and others. Please check them out.

Sometimes, hidden risks can spoil the day and dangers people didn’t know they had to be anxious about. The Christmas tradition of bringing in certain plants is one of them.

Dangerous Holly

As highlighted by a pet insurance campaign from Money.co.uk, highlights the danger from dogs and cats eating toxic plants. Other pet insurance providers, of course, exist such as Waggel and Petplan, and I’m sure they’re equally aware of the risks.

The 10 most toxic winter plants, at least for dogs and cats, that Money.co.uk focuses on follow, and I was surprised by some of them.

#1: Holly

If the berries or spiked-edge leaves from a holly plant are ingested, this can cause irritation of the mouth, drooling, vomiting and other gastrointestinal upsets, as well as diarrhoea. 

Holly may also cause extreme head-shaking if consumed in large quantities.

#2: Mistletoe

Even though varied in types, the mistletoe berries contain chemicals like polysaccharides, alkaloids, and lectins that are harmful to dogs and cats. When ingested in small quantities, it can cause gastrointestinal irritation such as vomiting and abdominal pain. Consumed in large quantities, it may cause abnormal heart rate, low blood pressure and incoordination.

#3: Poinsettia plants

Widely known for their bright red and green foliage, the white sap from the coloured leaves contains a chemical that sometimes causes nausea, vomiting, drooling and diarrhoea, and irritation in the skin, mouth and oesophagus. 

#4: Christmas trees

If the Christmas tree pine needles trees are chewed, any oils released may cause irritations in the mouth and stomach upset. Prickly needles can also be hazardous to the mouth, throat and stomach if ingested.

#5: Ivy (Hedera species)

Ivy can cause severe skin irritation if dogs or cats directly contact this plant. If swallowed, ivy can also cause stomach upsets.

#6: Amaryllis

The whole amaryllis plant contains toxic substances, but higher quantities are found in the bulb, so be careful of pets who like to dig. 

If any part is swallowed, pets may experience severe gastrointestinal upsets (such as vomiting and abdominal pain), loss of appetite, lethargy and tremors.

#7: Lilies

Unsafe for both cats and dogs, if any part of a lily is swallowed (even in small quantities), this could cause severe gastrointestinal injury, leading to kidney failure for cats.

#8: Laurel

Laurel plants, including bay laurels (often used in cooking) and cherry laurel, contain toxins in all parts of the shrub, which cause vomiting, abdominal pain, hypotension, muscle weakness, and seizures.

#9: Snowdrops

These white flowers include toxins in their stems and leaves, with the highest concentration in the bulb. They can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, incoordination, and a fall in heart rate and blood pressure when ingested.

#10: Yew

This plant (leaves and berries, too) is highly poisonous as they contain taxines. When ingested, they can cause vomiting, weakness, breathing difficulties, and life-threatening change in heart rate and blood pressure in critical cases.

In Pure Spirit

What Christmas safety tips for pets do you have?

Photo credit: Tijana Drndarski.

Where are the most haunted houses in the USA?

by Leave a Comment

MyBaggage, a site about travel and being prepared for it, has some Halloween content.

Tempted to do something spooky for ghost season? MyBaggage have researched the scariest haunted houses in the USA.

RANKHOUSE NAMESTATE
1Creepy Hollow Haunted HouseTEXAS
2Purgatory Scream ParkTEXAS
3New Orleans Nightmare Haunted HouseLOUISIANA
4House of the Occult at Lemp BreweryMISSOURI
5Netherworld Haunted HouseGEORGIA
6Terror on the CoastMISSISSIPPI
7Statesville Haunted PrisonILLINOIS
8Factory of Terror OHOHIO
913th Hour Haunted HouseNEW JERSEY
10Reapers RevengePENNSYLVANIA

Here’s a brief look at the top five haunted houses that you might include in your travels.

1. Creepy Hollow Haunted House 

The ‘Creepy Hollow Haunted House’ in the southern state of Texas takes the top spot. This not-for-profit house highlights three spooky attractions, using realistic special effects and people in costumes to provide a scary experience. 

Creepy Hollow gives proceeds go to good causes.  

2. Purgatory Scream Park 

The ‘Purgatory Scream Park’ comes second, the largest haunted house in Texas if you dare.

It takes 40 minutes for a terrifying walkthrough, and you’re bound to become immersed in the Halloween fun.

3. New Orleans Nightmare Haunted House

At this haunted house, you’ll find clowns, the walking dead, and even the Bogeyman to keep you up at night. There are three core attractions to pick from to maximise the chances of the hairs on the back of your neck standing up before you escape.

4. House of the Occult at Lemp Brewery

Underground, where no one will hear you scream. At the House of the Occult, you may come face to face with demons, mazes, and the pitch-black cavern. 

5. Netherworld Haunted House

One of the two attractions here is the Monster Museum which features rare movie props that you won’t see anywhere else. 

The other is a 3D experience hosted in a secret facility. 

In Pure Spirit

Where do you think the spookiest haunted house in the States is?

Learn the ninja way and meditate like a monk with an official Japanese live stream

by Leave a Comment

Discover Japan and the iconic Odawara Castle are running two sets of online experiences for visitors around the internet to take part in.

“Japanese Castle and Ninja Culture” and “Mindfulness Meditation with Japanese Monk” start in October and will carry on until March. Neither of the events is free.

Japanese Castle and Ninja Culture

You can find more about this event at the officially run Discover Japan site. That’s also how you can reserve your online spot.

Using Zoom, you’ll meet a ninja scholar and historian for a walk around tour of Odawara Castle. During the session, you’ll learn about the role the castle played in Ninja Culture, the techniques used hundreds of years ago and see some traditional tools.

The session is hosted by Hiroshi Jinkawa, a sensei with years of experience. You can book online.

Mindfulness Experience at Odawara Castle

This 90-minute online meditation takes place with a monk at the top of Odawara Castle, outside of the usual hours, so quiet there.

A chance to forget about your daily burdens, you will spend time together with Tomoni Iwayama, a priest from the Ganshuji Temple. You’ll be with people from different backgrounds and all walks of life, virtually.

With Iwayama’s teachings, you may be able to clear your mind and rediscover human potential. Sign-ups are open at Discover Japan.

In Pure Spirit

What do you think about this use of technology and tours of historic Japanese life? A clever way to support the Castle and its courses through a troubled period, or does it feel wrong?

These are the most alien-obsessed European countries

by Leave a Comment

Psychic World looked at data on how often people research aliens to work out which countries are the most obsessed about aliens.

The marketing effort is designed to help promote the site and the cost-per-minute phone lines it enables, but, hey, it worked to grab my attention here.

The top twenty European countries for alien searches

Psychic World and their marketing agency looked at only people searching for the word alien to get this data. They noticed that this year there had been more searches than last year, a lot more, 89% more.

The top twenty European countries for alien searches

The UK tops the poll with 624,000 searches every year. That’s about 1,700 people every day turning to Google just to type in [aliens] and see what happens.

France, which has roughly the same number of people as the UK, had 35% fewer searches, about 408,000. But it’s possible, likely even, they were using the word “alien” again rather than “étranger”.

That might be a flaw in the approach.

The site also discovered common questions people had about aliens.

The five top questions people ask about aliens

  1. What would an alien look like? (13,200 searches a year)
  2. How do aliens contact (12,000 searches a year)
  3. What are aliens (8,4000 searches a year)
  4. Where are the aliens (6,000 searches a year)
  5. Why would aliens come to earth (3,000 searches a year)

Interesting? I thought so, but remember many people who understand the tarot or believe themselves to have psychic powers will offer their time for free.

In Pure Spirit

Do you believe that there might be intelligent extraterrestrial life out there?

Disclosure

This blog discusses ideas and causes. Urban myth, science and faith combine here. So do editorials and technology; In Pure Spirit uses affiliate marketing and some links might earn us money. You can read more about that here.

Policies

Member of The Internet Defence League