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Natural Elixir - Young Coconut Water

Ever wish there was something out there more tasty than water, less sugary than pop, but loaded with antioxidants and relatively good for your body? Well, look no further, young coconut water is here to the rescue. If you've been to any Whole Foods or natural grocery store lately and browsed the natural sports drinks you've probably seen a couple drinks made with a base of young coconut water because of the electrolyte potassium content.

Living in India for a year, I lived off this stuff. I don't have a scientific study or journal about how I felt pre and post young coconut water, but aside from being refreshing and tasty (although some will debate with you about this), it actually has health benefits. One cup of young coconut water has more electrolytes than sports drinks, and that same cup as more potassium than a banana! (Source)

If you're traveling in warm, tropical climates, you'll likely be able to find young coconuts for sale. In the developing world, street-side carts are very common, where a quick machete swing and a straw can make your day. Add in a spoon and you have the tasty coconut flesh to eat as well.

Where to buy: Street carts, natural food stores, grocery stores (often Asian grocery stores in the US have them)

So Long B.O. - Crystal Deodorant

I wasn't kidding in my first post - this cystal deodorant is truly life changing! Who would have ever thought a "rock" that you wet and rub on your armpit would allow you to say goodbye to B.O. and white streaks on your t-shirt? This is no gimmick, regardless of how cheesy the label looks. Now even you can imitate Molly Shannon's Superstar all day without being a weirdo... Best part: The $6 stick lasts nearly a year - you'll probably lose or drop the thing before that time arrives though (Warning: it will break into pieces if dropped).

I swear by this stuff, and am still waiting for one of the companies to call me about being their spokesperson...just kidding. I've been using it for more than a year and it has never let me down.

Most brands out there are made from a type of alum and are marketed for being the safest deodorant (contains no aluminum, which is linked to breast cancer). If you're into smells or anti-perspirant, this isn't going to be for you, but if you like unscented deodorant, you've just found a new addition to your medicine cabinet and/or work file cabinet.

Where to buy: Natural foods stores, drug stores, online

What's Blue Thingamajig?

Are you looking for something new and exciting? Want an adventure that doesn't require a ticket to the other side of the world? Does trying crystal deodorant excite you? Do you secretly "read" SkyMall® in the plane, pretending it's the result of boredom (ocassionally stashing it in your carry-on and thinking about purchasing something)?

If you've answered yes to at least three of the four questions, than like me, you're excited by the small things in life. Congratulations!

Welcome to my latest literary and experiential project. Blue Thingamajig is a place to share my experiences with gadgets and gizmos, fads and studies, and other assorted epiphanies. You'll probably figure this out, but things that will likely motivate me to post here will be related to travel, sport, technology, or food. Other areas will not be ignored, but now you'll understand why I write about swim suits and food dehydrators (which was actually on my Christmas list in elementary school).

Enjoy!