Holistic Breast Cancer Presentation

Free workshop on Holistic Breast Cancer prevention and treatment offered this Saturday. You can register by calling 626-303-3300. Snacks will be provided by Whole Foods.

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when in brooklyn...

Wow, I can't believe it has been about 10 months since my visit to these two places I am about to recommend, but here you go kids.

First place: Madiba Restaurant

In reality Madiba was our plan B spot; I've been wanting to try Jive Turkey for quite some time and we end up going on the one day it's closed, and so off to Madiba we went (and I'm glad we did!) The restaurant is so cozy and colorful, perfect for the cold winter night in which we went to. We first ordered Amagwinya Vetkeok (fatcakes) a delicious fried dough served with marmalade. It stated "artery-clogging and delicious" it seemed quite right to give it a try. For the main course I enjoyed the Yebo Burger with salmon. Yum yum. The restaurant was a pleasurable experience in thanks to the company (my sister), the ambiance and food. Give it a try when in the area!

Madiba Restaurant

195 DeKalb Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11205

at Carlton Ave.
718-855-9190

source

Secondly, Desserts by Michael Allen. This quaint shop is located in the Clinton Hill area. There is a seating area, a couple little tables and couch. The fam and I ordered a couple of the cupcakes, cookies, madelienes and coffee; all were enjoyable!

Desserts by Michael Allen

1015 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11238
718-230-3360

source

"I'm the kid who has this habit of dreaming. Sometimes gets me in trouble too. But the truth is, I could no more stop dreaming, than I could make them all come true."

-unknown

Introooooooooducing...

The first non-alcoholic beverage to ask for i.d.

Residents of the World

Whew, it's been a while since I have posted, but alas here I am. I have a few things I want to post, but sometimes I work in a matter of newest to oldest. With that being said, I will mention the freshest thing on my mind... I'll hit you guys on the next with some restaurant recommendations from December/January. Yup.

I was at a work meeting and we had someone from the census come to talk to us to get the word out to the families we work with. The speaker used the term "illegal immigrants" when someone in the group said, "it's not illegal immigrants, it's undocumented residents." The guy was like ok, and when he had a slip, he corrected himself and said undocumented residents. I do use the word immigrant(s), but don't really say illegal nor undocumented; however listening to this woman express herself in such a manner gave me a fresh perspective on using 'undocumented' should I feel the need to express the status of someone residing here from another country without papers. What I also appreciated was the knowing that we are all technically residents of this Earth. Borders were created by man, therefore creating this "power" in a country as to whom can be where.

I am first generation born in the States. I know and have known people that are undocumented. And while I don't get too involved in politricks, I do stay up on current events and the Immigration Reform is what's going on. I have felt bothered for a long time that people are so quick to talk down (and generalize) that it's immigrants taking away jobs, or that they shouldn't be here, yet it's those very same people that work here, that pay rent here, buy food here, clothes and extras, here. Do those very same people that judge, have anything to say about large corporations that outsource? These companies get employees in other countries because they can pay ridiculously low wages. Instead of trying to blame the working immigrant, look at the big picture and see not who is supposedly taking jobs away from you but who is taking them outside of this country.

Winter Cleaning

Every season provides a good reason to clear clutter or just "extra stuff" in our space. Literally and figuratively. You may want to begin, or you may have started cleansing your space and don't know what to do with the things you no longer want, or confused about whether you should keep it. I have a cut-out from a Self Magazine from a couple years ago titled "Clean Your Closet Quickly," that provides information on different options on what you can do on items you no longer use or wear. Because I don't have a scanner, I went on and re-created the chart- bootleg steez. Click the image below to enlarge it, it just might help you while sorting your home.

Monthly Focus

For the month of January
The focus is Principled
What people who live the learner profile display: They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.

Monthly Focus

While doing some research online I came across the "Learner Profile for an Internationally Minded Person." Right below the title it stated the purpose. "The aim of the program is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet help to create a better and more peaceful world."
I dig.

For the month of December
The focus is Open Minded
What people who live the learner profile display: They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.

This learner profile was created for a school, and has focuses for the months of September through June. I will, early in the month post the focus on the month so we can work on them individually.

Ahhh. Yes.

There is officially a date stamped on Sade's new album release- February 8, 2010. To listen to Soldier of Love via Soul Culture UK click here.

31 days, finally. Part deux.

Today..................I learned...

september 15th: about Slow Food LA

september 16th: about the City's new Special Events Street Closure Fees Ordinance (read more here)

september 17th: You shouldn't spend more than 20% of your monthly income on your debt payment

september 18th: "Nana" a title Ghanaians accord people of stature

september 19th: About "Poppit", not a new dance, but a baby carrier. Concerned.

september 20th: About Miyoko Miki via an exhibit at LAMAG

september 21st: Kimchee and sauerkraut help alleviate IBS symptoms

september 22nd: 70% of energy in China comes from coal

september 23rd: how to make chocolate truffles

september 25th: Billie Holiday is buried in the Bronx

september 26th: Swallowing garlic cloves is not that bad (and helped improve my health).

september 27th: That someone makes orange thongs for men. I was witness to someone rockin' it!

september 28th: Mobile, Alabama celebrated the first Mardi Gras in the United States in 1703.

september 29th: Gumbo means okra.

september 30th: The drum + dance basics to Cuembe

flashback friday, friends.

Spread love the Brooklyn L.A. way!

Habana Outpost is one of my favorist (not a word, so you catch my drift) spots in Brooklyn; there's dj's, yummy eats, mango juice, activities for children and usually some eye candy. Annnd it's eco-friendly to boot! With all this being said, I was geeked when I found out that they're coming to the west, Venice Beach and Malibu to be exact. I don't know exactly when they will open, but I'm sure the website will keep us posted. Until then, I'll await for their grand opening and hope that it can capture the same lovely vibe as the Fort Greene location...

Museums-For-All

What's better than a trip to the museum? A free trip to the museum. That's right kids, this weekend many museums will be offering free entry (which may not include special paid exhibits). Some will be free on Saturday and others on Sunday, a limited amount will be free on both days. I will provide a link below that'll give you a schedule of which museums to check out on which days. Have fun!

Click me! Click me!

COMEDY!

"the balance that means complete change" -dead prez

image from VTonly

Fun fact: The first day of Fall provides us with a balance of 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night.

Fall Equinox arrived this year on September 22nd, hard to tell out here in Southern Cali where it's about 100 degrees outside. It also takes longer for the leaves to fall and change in color, though it is not as vibrant as the image above. I must say, that Fall is absolutely my favorite season; everything about it provides a balance for me between comfort and motivation.

Even though we are still rockin' tanks and are sun-kissed, the Fall arrival is evident in the farmers markets. We are slowly transitioning from the bright reds of tomatoes and strawberries to the warm colors of yams and squashes. Give thanks that the Earth prepares us for the change in seasons. In a recent Ayurveda workshop that I took, the teacher mentioned that "we don't wear the same clothes all year round, so we shouldn't eat the same foods all year round." Below is a recipe to induldge this season...

Click link for recipe>>>

Slow-Cooked Applesauce

image and recipe from Foodista.com

at the end of the day....

Image from natalie dee

Take Back Programs

The following stores/companies will take back used products to reuse or recycle. Click on the links to get more information.

BEST BUY offers "In-Store" collection of many consumer electronics and accessories. Link

BRITA collects and recycles Brita pitcher filters; see website for mail back options. Link

US POST OFFICES (not all locations) offer free prepaid mail-back envelopes for ink cartridges and small electronics. Link

HOME DEPOT accepts compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and rechargeable batteries for power tools. Link

STAPLES collect some electronics, ink cartridges, and rechargeable batteries- a handling fee may apply. Link

IKEA accepts alkaline batteries, cardboard paper, plastic bags, toner cartridges, bottles and cans.

NIKE recycles old athletic shoes (any brand) and makes rubber floors and balls for the youth. Link

31 Days: Part I

Today.............I learned..................


august 31st: Target can give a refund without a receipt if you paid with a credit card or debit

september 1st: Minute Maid lemonade has 0% juice (scary)

september 2nd: flight from LA to Detroit is 4 hours and 5 minutes

september 3rd: contrary to hopstop directions, the L instead of the J to Pates et Traditions would have dropped me off much closer

september 4th: green beans exist in purple!

september 5th: "No" is a complete answer

september 6th: Maximum fine in NYC for not cleaning up after your dog is $1,000. (dang!)

september 7th: Burlingame is a city in California

september 8th: It is unlawful to pump your own gas in New Jersey

september 9th: The leaves of the basil plant are often rubbed on insect bites to relieve itchiness and discomfort

september 10th: How to make french macaroons (and almond flour)

september 11th: Los Angeles has the most Thai people after Thailand

september 12th: Bebel Gilberto performed at Carnegie Hall at the age of 9

september 13th: About garlic cheddar cheese at the farmers market (yum)

september 14th: The term "in a pickle" was coined by Shakespeare in "The Tempest" (one of my fave terms, btw)

flashback friday.

31 days.

There's a saying that you learn something new everyday. I have found this to be true. More often than not its some randomness, but often used atleast one more time in your life. Like, my sister once let me know what golf stands for= gentleman only, ladies forbidden. Yes, this very bit of info I got to relay to someone in a conversation. For 31 days I will keep track of that one thing I learned per day. I'll be back to report and will break it up in 2-3 posts.

Celebrating 30 Years of the Farmers' Markets

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