want not. waste not.

if you have 20 minutes, watch this



.

word of the day: recreation

Marie Daulne of Zap Mama was on the radio today talking about her new album: Recreation. By definition it means (a) n. Refreshment of one's mind or body after work through activity that amuses or stimulates; play. (b) n. The act of creating anew. When asked which of both the title of her album referred to, she said it was absolutely both. To me it created a union of meanings within one word. How lovely it is to play & enjoy and create something new. The gift is understanding that they can and do both go hand in hand.

book browsing.

I came across this cute poetry book aimed at youth, but this particular poem has no age group, and how appropiate for my current state. Though remaining as cool and collected as possible is key*

Alphabalance by Shel Silverstein

Balancing my ABCs

Takes from noon to half past three

I don't have time to grab a T

Or even stop to take a P

Newness.

Check out Ayo's new video here

Digital Exhibit

Visit ancient Egypt online thanks to UCLA's Experiential Technology Center.

Egypt is a click away

May is National Strawberry Month

So why not a recipe? This one is simple.

Strawberry Lemonade

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
• 2 cups cold sparkling water or club soda
• Ice
• Mint sprigs, garnish
• Whole strawberries, garnish

Directions

In a medium saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Add the lemon peel and lemon juice, stir, and remove from the heat. Let cool completely, then strain into a clean pitcher.

In a blender, puree the pint of strawberries and add to the pitcher with the lemon juice. Stir well to combine and refrigerate until well chilled.

Add the sparkling water and stir well. Pour over glasses filled with ice and serve, garnished with mint and strawberries.

*From Emeril Lagesse

Swine Flu Conspiracy?

When the news blasted the outbreak of the "swine flu", my first thought wasn't how to protect myself and not get infected, rather what is really going on in the world? I spoke to my sis about it and she had the same thought. We agree that the government and then in turn the media has a way of creating chaos within the masses to blind us from the real issues at hand. I found it interesting, that living in LA, so close to Mexico there wasn't any reported cases (then), but were in Germany and Australia. This flu hasn't killed any more people than any other flu*. So I ask, what are they distracting us from?



*According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About 36,000 Americans die on average per year from the complications of flu.

maxwell. how i heart thee.

When in New Orleans...

Eat at eat.
I was so lovin' the decor and the vibe of this restaurant. I ordered the fried green tomato breakfast, which was yum to the tum and supplied the energy required to make up from the lack of sleep. Portions were hearty and the biscuits were délicieux!

eat
900 dumaine street
new orleans, louisiana 70116

phone
504 522 7222

And of course, Cafe du Monde. Any trip to NOLA isn't official till you have powdered sugar on your shirt...

Cafe Du Monde
1039 Decatur Street New Orleans, LA 70116

April 22nd 2009 is...

The history of Denim Day:
"Rome—Italy, 1997

A 17- year-old girl is whisked up by her 56-year-old instructor for her very first driving lesson. An hour later—raped and abandoned by him in an alley she has to struggle to find her way back home. Undeterred, she prosecuted him and won. The driving instructor is convicted of rape and sentenced to jail.

Months later, 1998
The perpetrator appeals the sentence. The case makes it all the way to the Italian Supreme Court. Within a matter of days the case against the driving instructor is overturned, dismissed, and the perpetrator released.

Why Denim?
In a statement released by the Head Judge, he argued, “because the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them… and by removing the jeans… it was no longer rape but consensual sex.” Enraged by the verdict, within a matter of hours the women in the Italian Parliament launched into immediate action and protested by wearing JEANS to work. This call to action motivated and emboldened the California Senate and Assembly to do the same, and Denim Day was born."

-From YWCA of Silicon Valley

Denim Day in LA

THIS DAY IS INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY ROCKIN' DENIM ON THE 22nd

And of course, Earth Day! Home sweet home. Earth Day really is everyday; but take this day to truly recognize the beauty and the resources it gives us to live...
I found a fun way for kids to get involved by wearing green or brown. Since we really are just overgrown kids, I say wear a green or brown shirt with some jeans today and make a statement!

Click to find Earth Day events near you

film festivals in los angeles this week...

French Film Festival

Indian Film Festival

Sleep Dealer

Good movie, check it out! All in all, this movie is a trip.

The future of business cards.

With Poken you store your info/website. When you meet people you high five them and exchange info- from there you insert the USB connector to your computer and upload your new contacts.
From the Poken website:
"We’re not another social network. You’ve already got that.
We've thought bigger to let you instantly bridge the gap between the people you meet in the real world and those you stay connected to online."

Do you Poken?

sunday groove.

Happy Songkran 2009

Another year, another festival. And of course, some sticky rice and mango.

i'd like to think i'm just being a hermit.

say the math isn't so!

Awesome Website!

I am lovin' this website. Children hold a special place in my heart, and with schools lacking this gives teachers an opportunities to request donations for materials. Teachers are over-worked and underpaid and this is a great way to help them and students.

Donors Choose

"I can't control how I'm perceived, only how I'm presented."
-jared matthew weiss -

Happy Spring Equinox!

The seasons have changed. Time for: organizing, getting rid of stuff we just don't use and donate it, cleansing our: minds, "friends", bodies and environment.
Growth of all things lovely!!!


*image i took at the dallas botanical garden

~Spring Detox~
For 7-21 days between March 10 and April 15 (or later in the cold or in the northern climates) use one of more of the following plans:
*Master Cleanser
*Fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens, including blue-green algaes (spirulina, chlorella, and blue-green algae).
*Juices of fruits, vegetables and greens.
*Herbs with any of the above.
*These plans can be alternated or can include a 3-5 day supervised water fast.
*Remember to take time for the transition back to the regular diet (about half as long as the fast itself), which hopefully will have changed for the better.

~Mid-Spring~
Take a 3-day cleanse around mid-May as a reminder of healthy habits and as an enhancer of food awareness.

From The New Detox Diet by Elson M. Haas, M.D.

birthday cupcakes.

*simple & girly. i made vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting in pink & white

Stay tuned at the :30 mark. I can't even be mad...