Brining has become an issue here as well. I won't order a meat dish that has been brined & I don't trust the menu descriptions so I always ask before ordering. Even as recently as fall '08 it wasn't a problem. Then, as if struck by the same salt lightening bolt chefs all started brining. A waiter once told me, "Oh, the brine doesn't make the meat too salty. It just makes it tender." I said, "Hmmm, if the salt doesn't penetrate the meat how is the brine tenderizing the meat? The salt has to start breaking down the meat for it to seem more tender, right?" End of our conversation. Ya know, I live at the coast in New England, land of salt cod (basically descicated fish). Everything here is coated in sea salt. If I'm outside for more than 10 minutes I can taste it on my tongue. I can smell it as soon as I open a window or go out the door. A day in the garden means a salt encrusted face. I see every day what it does...rust & corrosion on our boat's SS is only one example. It's even hard on our home's siding/roofing. Many plants won't grow here...they lay down and croak 'cause of the salt. Soooo, I figure it's corroding my inside as well! rofl Back in my early 30s when I was bodybuilding my trainer insisted I cut sodium out of my diet. It changed my palette forever. I don't do the "salt each layer as you cook" thing. I rarely add salt at all to anything. I've been accused here of having "bland food" because I don't even use salt in my CCCs. Oh, the horror. :) Truthfully, salt is a conditioned taste. I can't eat baked goods with salt. Salt does not enhance the flavor of chocolate, to me. It covers the taste of chocolate. Oh, I also don't add a handful of salt to pasta water. When I eat a salty food it's likely the only salt, other than naturally occuring, I've eaten the entire day & I can still feel it's effects in my mouth for hours. I even limit the amount of oysters & clams I eat because they are salty...hard because they are so readily available here. Reducing salt was the primary reason we've started making homemade bacon. For fine dining, I've learned sauces & gravies can be counted on to be too salty for my tastes. I always ask they be either on the side or not served at all. I use oil/vinegar for salads. Since the brining thing became the rage eating out is becoming a challenge. /tricia

For those asking, I had these candles wired in during the build of my home. As far as the placement with plantation shutters, I know they'll be cutting it close. I had plantation shutters measured out with these window candles in mind, and the installer was able to work around them. Hopefully you can do the same? Like I said before, the guy that owns this company is the SWEETEST, nicest person! I'm sure he'll be more than happy to help answer questions. (He had even thrown some extras in for me when I ordered my candles) I found out about these on the building forum. There was a thread that weighed out the better company of two and this one was the winner.

Since you're wondering which candles are nice, I'll mention some that were a disappointment to me. I bought a large pack at Costco a year ago, intending to use the votives in glassybabys (gorgeous handmade glass holders made here in Seattle). Their light was very yellow and was not bright enough to illuminate the multi-layered glass vessels. Since it was Costco I was able to return them without a problem. This year's stock is probably very different, so my experience may not be relevant

I can't address your individual case as I am not a doctor or allergist but here are some things to take into consideration.... The "laundry soap" aisle is not selling SOAP. It is selling detergents. Detergents are just a bunch of chemicals mixed up together that will clean well. On top of all that, the scents they add are just more chemicals. The molecular composition of a lot of these scents are closely related to things like lighter fluid. Mmmm. Nice huh? Have you checked out Charlies Soap for laundry? Real soap. No scent. There is a lot of discussion here on GW about it. Check the Laundry Forum and the Cleaning Forum and then Google for lots more reviews and info. Fabric softner is another culprit that triggers headaches and sinus problems. Fabric softner is a whole bunch of chemicals that are not good for you. (Why coat your clothes with them and breath the fumes?) Some people do have allergies to flowers, but it is the pollen that is the allergen. That does not mean that the scent flowers throw off may not be a trigger to migraines if you are predisposed to them. Migraines triggers are not understood even by doctors. Some people get migraines from certain lighting. All essential oils are not lumped into the same catagory. Some are derived from flowers, (rose, lavender) some from fruit oils, (tangerine, lemon) and some from wood sap. You definately would be far less likely to have a headache from natural products compared to the chemical scents like those in laundry soap. Of course I can't tell you it's for sure, for sure. You may have developed a sensitivity to some things that are found in nature. Are you willing to experiment? Do you have a health food store near you with a trained staff. They can guide you. You could be brave and test one in the store. They have sample bottles to try. Put a drop of oil on a cotton ball or tissue and sniff it by waving it in the air in front of you. Do not sniff directly from the bottles. You may get dizzy. It is too overwhening as the oils are highly concentrated. Also you will not experience the TRUE scent the oil will have when you use it as a bath scent or room scent. Things like Ylang Ylang smell 'bleh' right out of the bottle. If the scent seems OK to you carry the sample with you in your purse and go back to it again later. Put the sample in a little baby food jar or plastic zip baggies so you do not scent your purse in case you do not care for the scent. You should feel fine but if the scent is bothering you, maybe experiment with another scent or just decide that scents are just not for you, as you are too sensitive. You may want to read up on natural essential oils online before you shop for them so you know exactly what you want when you get there and don't have to do a lot of experiementing.