Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Quality Essentials: Your Day-to-Day Must Haves

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This post was brought to you by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers via sheblogs. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of CAPP.

This morning began like any other; after smacking my blaring alarm clock, my feet hit the soft shag carpet next to my bed, while I stretched and made my way to the bathroom. Flicking on the light switch, I stared bleary-eyed at my sallow reflection (too little sleep) and contemplated the bags under my eyes (too much wine). Grabbing my toothbrush, I vigorously cleaned my teeth, followed by the daily steps needed to complete the beautification process: a quick shower, 10 minutes with a hair dryer, 10 seconds with a hair brush, a swipe of lip gloss and a dab of sunscreen.

Okay, so it took me at least 5 minutes to select my lip gloss. Note to self: sort through various plastic tubes.

Lip Gloss EssentialsAfter much consideration, I settled on a lip colour (shimmery peach if you must know). Popping my contact lenses onto my eyes and an assortment of vitamins into my mouth, I felt much more ready to start the day.

That is, until I stepped on a stray toy lying outside my bathroom door. OUCH! I checked under my foot, contemplating whether the puncture was deep enough to warrant a band aid. Deciding it wasn’t, I made my way to the kitchen, where I grabbed the coffee pot and hunted in the fridge for the milk jug. After putting the coffee on, I grabbed my camera and scrolled through the photos I had taken the night before, smiling.

Less than thirty minutes into my day, I have already used at least 15 products made from petroleum. 

Check out the words in bold above. Yep, they’re all things that have been derived from crude oil in some way. In fact, for the majority of Canadians, petroleum is an essential part of our quality of life. We rely on it to make gasoline for cars, trucks, buses, trains, boats and planes. And, as previously demonstrated, countless other products are made from crude oil including heat, clothing, cosmetics, building materials and plastics.

So, other than reaping the benefits of products and services that are made from crude oil, why should we care? Well, for starters, Canada has the third largest oil reserves in the world, with 97% of those reserves in the Oil Sands. This translates to 168 billion barrels with the potential of over 100 years of production. In fact, over 800,000 jobs could be created in the next 25 years alone. Hence, if you are Canadian, and enjoy your current quality of life, you need to understand just how dependent we are on a booming oil industry.

The Oil Sands are found in three deposits in Canada: The Athabasca, Peace River, and Cold Lake areas in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Canada’s energy future lies in the Oil Sands as it is a secure source to meet our growing demands (especially since MAC Cosmetics releases 15 new lipstick shades every year – now that’s a growing demand).

Admit it: you’ve heard of petroleum, but other than the jelly stuff you slather on baby’s butt, it hasn’t been at the forefront of your mind. And that’s okay. Truth is, before writing this post, it was not something I gave much thought to either. However, given just how integral it is to our lifestyle and economy, I thought it prudent to share a little insight. For more information about the Oil Sands industry visit oilsandstoday.ca.

So what about that jelly stuff? We use it a lot around here. But in true Lena form, this is what MY jar of Petroleum Jelly looks like. Yes, it’s bedazzled. No, you can’t have it.

#QualityEssentials

This post was brought to you by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers via sheblogs. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of CAPP.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    have to admit with all the things going on in the world I do sometimes think about oil. also propane. and all you do is brush, lip gloss to look as good as you do I say to you grrrrrr lol

  2. Judy C (Judy Cowan)

    Amazing how many things contain petroleum. Things you would never think about, definitely an eye opener when you start reading about it. Your bedazzled Petroleum Jelly is something else!!!

    • Lena

      I agree Judy. I mean, petroleum jelly, obviously – but vitamins?? It’s eye opening for sure!

  4. Anne Taylor

    Its really quite eye opening how many items in our day to day life contain petroleum & HOLY COW you have a drawer full there lol

  7. DebH

    Haven’t given much thought about all the petroleum products in our lives. Something to think about. By the way love bling on your jar.

  8. Flora M

    Omigosh ! I used to have a Bedazzler – don’t know what happened to it … would love to find another one after seeing your “bedazzled jar” :)
    It truly is amazing just how many products we use every day are related to the oil industry. And I keep scratching my head as to why, with so much oil and natural gas resources there are in Canada, are we so dependent on other countries for our supply ? Something to make you go “hmmmm……”.

    • Lena

      That is a good question – are we dependent on others for supply? I admit I know very little about it…

  10. Heidi C.

    That is one cool Vaseline jar! Admittedly, we use a lot of petroleum products – I didn’t realize how much until I read your post.

  11. Eva Mitton-Urban

    Sometimes you need to see it to believe it. Initially I thought the post was on women’s obsession with looking better with the aids of countless beauty products. Didn’t realize how many products actually contain petroleum, guess read the label and be more aware is essentially the lesson. Interesting post, will be sharing that tidbit of information with my BFFS.

  12. Soozle

    Oh wow! I honestly had NO idea that so many products we used contained petroleum.. Eye opening indeed! :)

  13. Darlene Schuller

    I really really had no idea how much we use that stuff. I know I can’t have your amazingly bedazzled jar … but, I still want it :) xox

  16. Crystal Leier

    Your lip gloss drawer looks like the front pocket of my purse………ok maybe not that many lol but its pretty stuffed ;)

  18. MrDisco

    one of my must haves is a spare battery pack. never know when a twitter party may strike.

  20. Melinda L.

    Ummm that reminds me, I need to clean out my makeup drawer (aka random boxes). It’s amazing how much and how often we deal with petroleum on a daily basis. BTW, awesome looking Vaseline jar ;)

  21. Lynda Cook

    I wished that is all I have to do in the mornings to look as good as you, but then you are a natural beauty, and it is so true never dawned on me about all the stuff petroleum is in, can’t believe all the products it is in, and I totally loooooove your Vaseline container, first time I seen a bedazzled Vaseline container lol

  22. MrDisco

    another must have carry: my tube of chapstick. you never know when you’ll be called upon to pucker up

  24. sarah sar

    Wow…..and I thought my lip drawer was a mess!!! I’m tempted to buy more (can you say addiction?) but really need to finish up what I have!

  28. Amy Stack

    I don’t know what I am ore envious of- your quick morning routine, your lip product collection or your bedazzled Vaseline bottle! :)

  29. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    wish we could post pictures here so I could show you my makeup drawer . there would be one mascara in it lol nothing else. but my youngest daughter has a fishing tackle box filled.

  32. Debbie White Beattie

    I love your bedazzled Vaseline jar and I love your container of products, it looks like my stuff. Vaseline has new lip products and their awesome !