Yep, it all comes back to underwear. Keep it clean with Planet Delicate laundry wash. Or better yet, don't even get out of bed. And to feather your nest, check out Nest, a new nonprofit micro-loan fund that supports women entrepreneurs around the world by selling crafts and designs by women artists and designers.
What else was on our brains this month? Babies. Alexis and Todd gave birth to baby Stavros, inspiring us to wax euphoric about organic cotton baby toys. Laura launched Super Cool Baby, and sent us a note about organic cotton onesies. And since baby's bigger sib needs something cool as well, we recommended a visit to JoMamaCo, a mom-run Southern CA outfit selling hipster toddler t-shirts. Finally, just under the wire for October, out came baby Ewan, which made us wax nostalgic for Obi Wan Cannoli and the cast of Store Wars.
Last but not least, we offered up tips for a healthy Halloween, from Whole Foods and Bodybuilding.com. (We're guessing this is the first time those two appeared in the same sentence.)
Yep. It's been a full month. Can't wait for November.
Whole Foods Halloween not your style? Well, for something completely different, check out this article by Jeremy Likness on BodyBuilding.com. Among Jeremy's tips for a healthier Halloween:
Take in fewer carbohydrates throughout the day. This will deplete glycogen so that your "treats" are more likely to re-supply your muscles than get stored as fat.
Train intensely after having a few low carbohydrate meals to further deplete glycogen stores.
Save those treats for post-workout. Have a protein shake with your favorite candies on the side!
Have a meal replacement shake or some other, healthy meal, before sampling the candy. With your appetite appeased, you are less likely to gorge and go overboard on the treats.
Avoid taking coffee in conjunction with your treats, as coffee combined with sugar may increase fat storage.
The article ends by getting all metaphorical on us. Our ugly non-buff bodies are actually a costume, and we have the opportunity to take that costume off and reveal the "real us" with bodybuilding. As Jeremy explains:
Eventually, I made the choice and I changed my costume. Now, I like the way it fits. Me? I'm the same person, but I've grown both on the inside and the outside. Inside, I learned to let go of emotions that ruled my life - depression, anger, envy, and other negative influences that were just dragging me down. This inner change gave me the strength, faith, and belief to realize that I am in control - and so, I slowly changed the outside to a more comfortable fit. Now I like the way I wear my body.
Okay, bodybuilding isn't necessarily the first thing we think of when we think Really Natural. Still, we think Jeremy's messages is actually a pretty good one. So go on, be like Jeremy. And change your costume with healthier eating, exercise, and, yes, visualization. Happy Halloween, Jeremy. Can't wait to see what you're wearing next year.
It's Halloween. Time for trick-or-treating, and with it, big bags of candy. Does that mean those of us at Really Natural are hiding our heads under a sheet?
Nope. We embrace our inner monster and give in to dressing up, ringing doorbells, and yes, all the tasty treats that go along with it. But we also keep an eye out for more wholesome ways to celebrate. If we're going to be digging in to Kit Kats and Snickers Bars, we might as well make sure we get our fruits and veggies in as well.
There's a new kid on the blog(pire). Blogpire Prez Jay Brewer, his wife Maya, and their daughter, Anya, welcomed a new baby into the world this weekend. In honor of brand new baby Ewan, we'd like to revisit a classic video that had us in hysterics when it first made the rounds: Grocery Store Wars, a short film by the Organic Trade Association.
Watch Cuke Skywalker, Princess Lettuce and Ham Solo do battle against the Darth Tater and the dark side of the farm. Giggle at Tofu D2 and C3 Peanuts. Roar like Chewbroccoli. And take some satisfaction in knowing that the folks who care about organic foods also have a sense of humor about it.
Use the Farm, Cuke. Obi (e)Wan, this one's for you.
Dr. Connie Gutterson has created a Mediterranean-style diet that balances nutrition-rich "power foods" like almonds, red peppers, blueberries, olive oil, tomatoes and whole grains with moderate amounts of wine and a focus on enjoying your meals. She replaces calorie tracking with a simple way of measuring your food (dividing your plate into quadrants and filling them with the appropriate amount of vegetables, lean meat and grains). And she teaches you how to prepare foods in ways that give you maximum flavor and nutritional bang for minimum calorie buck.
We've tried Weight Watchers (online, of course) and struggled to continue tracking points, especially after that initial thrill of early weight loss wears off. And we all know someone who had initial success with Atkins or South Beach, only to get grumpy from carb deprivation, and then gain the weight back and develop high cholesterol.
What we like about The Sonoma Diet approach is that it's focused on teaching healthy eating habits, and emphasizes flavor and nutritional balance. It's about foods you should eat more of, and how to combine them for better nutrition instead of a list of foods you have to do without.
And the sample menus (e.g. scrambled eggs and wheat toast for breakfast, salad Nicoise for lunch and Tandoori chicken with roasted eggplant salad for lunch) sound not only do-able, but downright yummy.
Sign us up, and pour us another glass of Zinfandel.
Cameron Diaz is touting the new Ecoist handbag collection made of recycled movie billboards. According to Ecorazzi:
“Last week, Cameron Diaz showed up to boyfriend Justin Timberlake’s William Rast fashion show sporting an Ecoist handbag. The bag was specially made for Diaz and consists of recycled movie billboards, plastic clasps and zipper.”
How cool, right? Ecoist prides itself on having a full line of handmade handbags that use 100% recycled materials. Taken from their site,
“Ecoist recycles candy wrappers, food packages, billboards, and other materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. We are finding uses for waste-bound materials and will continue to do so until those non-biodegradable materials are no longer manufactured. Apart from recycling, Ecoist utilizes organic and earth-friendly fabrics in the manufacturing of it products.”
Ecorazzi got the scoop, though it looks like they may have gotten the wrong picture. The bag pictured inset next to their pic of Cameron is a candy wrapper bag. The movie billboard bags look like the bag pictured below right. Taking a cue from Timberlake's hit song "Sexy Back," that's what we call a "Sexy Bag."
We recently went out for dinner at Gargoyles on the Square in Somerville, and were titillated by a menu that include a Petit Veal Cutlet with cream cheese noodles, bee pollen popcorn, cocoa nibs, and onion powder. (Yes, we do, on occasion, eat veal.) The bee pollen popcorn got more rave reviews than the rest of the meal combined - and it was a very good meal - so we vowed to recreate it at home. After submitting our results to a dinner party of nine on Sunday night and receiving ovations, we feel ready to share.
Note: DO NOT serve this dish to anyone allergic to bees. Also, don't be tempted to up the quotient of bee pollen unless you're accustomed to eating it. Bee pollen can cause an allergic reaction in anyone allergic to bees, and too much of it can cause gastrointestinal distress to anyone who isn't used to it. That said, it's chock full of B-vitamins and anti-oxidants and is said to boost immunity. Also, on popcorn, it tastes really good. (See the Herbal Information Center for more nutritional info on bee pollen.)
Here's the recipe:
Bee Pollen Popcorn a la Jess Brooks*
1/2 cup popcorn (unpopped)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon bee pollen**
Approximately 2 teaspoons salt (to taste)
Approximately 2 teaspoons sugar (to taste)
Heat oil over medium high heat in a large, heavy duty saucepan. Place 3 kernels of popcorn in saucepan and cover. When they pop, you'll know the oil is hot enough. Pour remaining popcorn kernels into saucepan and shake continuously until popping bascally stops, leaving lid open enough to release steam. (You'll want to wear oven mitts, because the pan will get quite hot.) Remove from heat.
Grind bee pollen to a fine powder in a coffee grinder or flax seed mill. Sprinkle over popcorn and stir. Add salt and sugar to taste and stir to ensure that bee pollen, salt and sugar are distributed evenly. Enjoy.
Makes a great accompaniment to soup or salad.
* Again, credit for originating this dish goes to the chef at Gargoyles on the Square. Thank you, Gargoyles, for broadening our palates and exciting our tastebuds once again.
We just polished off a bottle of Civitella Rosso, an organic wine with a plucky little porcupine on its label, and cannot resist sharing it with the world.
It's made by Sergio Mottura, an estate winery in Umbria, from a combination of Montepulciano and Merlot grapes, and tasted just incredible with our butternut squash tart. Evidently it's also quite delicious with pizza, duck, barbecue, and roast chicken. Yum.
We bought ours at Hi-Rise Bakery. You can buy yours from a wine importer in Colorado.
Editor's Note: Earlier this summer, we posted a brutally honest review of Synergy Trilogy Kombucha Tea. As you may remember, we (ahem) weren't crazy about it. So, what are we drinking these days? Funny you should ask....
Within the stomach, loins and lung,
Praise of hot ginger rightly may be sung
It quenches thirst, revives, excites the brain,
And in old age awakes love again.
This poem, from Toussaint-Samat's A History of Food, appears on the back of Ginger Soother, a new ginger, honey and lemon flavored drink from The Ginger People. We can't vouch for the awakening of love in old age bit, but one sip definitely has us singing the praises of this tasty little drink.
Made with Chinese yellow ginger, Ginger Soother has 19 grams of ginger per serving. Ginger is a powerful antioxidant with a number of healing properties - soothing sore throats, warming internal organs, and easing nausea. Better yet, it's delicious -- refreshing, spicy, not too sweet. Could be just what the doctor ordered to get you out of your beverage rut.
Blogpire Podcast - Liquor Snob - All The News that's Fit to Drink 10.24.06
Our special guest Jake Jamieson from Liquorsnob.com teaches us about Tequila, and we taste test P.I.N.K. caffeinated Vodka. And of course, we have the latest news and views from around the 'pire. We also answer your questions from the past couple of weeks so keep sending them in to podcast at blogpire dot com.
[iTunes]Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).
[RSS] Add the BlogPire Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3).
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).
[LISTEN] Listen to the show in your browser.
Sounds like a children's story or the name of some weird hippy rock band, right? Well, actually, it's the name of a "sensuously aromatic organic" body oil for mom and shea butter creme for baby packaged by Joli Bebe Boutique. According to the folks there, the Mama Belly Oil is
an essential oil blend for pregnancy of Lavender, Roman Chamomile and Red Mandarin. It protects blossoming skin against stretchmarks, and has a relaxing, yet uplifting effect aromatherapeutically. It is multi-purpose and may be used also as a massage oil for mother or baby or as a bath oil.
The Cheeky Baby Creme is
shea butter baby creme, is pure, gentle and effective for use on baby's chapped cheeks or bottom, for baby massage, and on baby's dry skin. It will not aggravate eczema and is rich in nutrients. Additionally, it is wonderfully moisturizing on Mom's dry hands as well. Both of these products contain 99% certified organic ingredients and are completely natural with USDA certification pending.
Both are among the goodies Joli Bebe Boutique may be including in the complimentary baby goody gift baskets it sends to celebrity moms like Gwen Stefani, Katie Holmes and Angelina Jolie, according to Ecorazzi.
In our review of Uncle Sam's Cereal, we mentioned that you get more nutrional value out of ground flax seeds than whole ones. So, asks the astute reader, how do I get my flax seeds ground? Well, there are a couple of options.
First, you can buy your flax seeds pre-ground. Products like Barlean's Forti-Flax contain flax seed meal which are convenient and can be used straight from the jar. The challenge here is that flax seeds lose their nutritional value when exposed to air and light, so you'll need to keep them refrigerated.
You can also grind them yourself with a flax seed mill - whole flax seeds are far less expensive than ground seeds, and that way, you're only grinding the seeds you're planning to use right there and then.
A number of health food stores sell flax seed mills. We like the look of the William Bound Electric Flax Seed Mill, pictured at right, which has three speed settings for coarse, medium and fine grind, and comes with a cleaning brush.
We grind our flax seeds in a regular coffee grinder. Not as fancy as a flax seed mill, but it definitely does the trick.
Really Natural reader Matt from Quincy, MA recently suggested that we offer up a review of Uncle Sam Cereal, his favorite breakfast meal, which he'd been forced to order on Amazon when his local Whole Foods stopped carrying it.
Uncle Sam Cereal is a ready-to eat breakfast cereal first introduced in 1908 and is presently manufactured and marketed by natural food manufacturer U.S. Mills of Needham, Massachusetts.
It was that year that company founder Lafayette Coltrin of Omaha was instructed by his personal physician to add flaxseed to his diet. Coltrin so enjoyed the taste of toasted flaxseed on the whole wheat flakes he ate for breakfast that he decided to market the combination. Given his resemblance to Uncle Sam, Coltrin named his new cereal after him. The top-hatted silhouette of "Uncle Sam" on the box is, in fact, Coltrin's.
The cereal consists solely of vitamin-enriched toasted whole wheat kernels pressed flat into flakes. Whole, toasted flaxseed is then mixed with the flakes. The result is a high-fiber, ready-to-eat cereal with a low glycemic index and, because of the flaxseed, an exceptionally high amount of omega-3 per serving.
So that's the background.
On a recent visit , our Whole Foods had Uncle Sam in stock, so we recently picked up a box and dug into it yesterday morning. Long story short: Matt's right; it's delicious.
Some tasting notes: We bought original Uncle Sam, because the original is the original, and also because it only cost $1.99 at our Whole Foods (vs. $3.69 for Uncle Sam Mixed Berries). As mentioned above, the cereal has a low glycemic index because of its whole grain wheat flakes and whole toasted flax seeds; it's also got 10 grams of fiber per one cup serving. The flakes are surprisingly (and pleasantly) crunchy - not hard like some healthy cereals which make us feel like we might lose a tooth. And though it filled us up until lunchtime, it was tasty and light.
Two quibbles, or items worth noting: First, there is a note on the box which encourages you to shake it vigorously before opening to better distribute the flax seeds. Do not forget to shake the box. Second, we've read that for maximum health benefit, you should grind your flax seeds before eating them because whole flax seeds are hard to digest. So be sure to chew thoroughly.
Heading to the O.C. next weekend? Be sure to check out the Laguna Art Museum's OsCene 2006. The event, which has its opening party next Thursday night (10/28), will spotlight original artwork from 45 Orange County-based artists, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, multi-media installations, video/film, fashion, and "kustom kulture." Among the art being unveiled: designer Dana Harvey's "Tree-Cycle", an installation that illustrates the design process he embarked on to create "tree-cycle" bags, a collection of handbags made out of recycled seatbelts from cars sent to the scrap heap.
Scott from Harvey's Boutique sent over some early pictures of the tree-cycle bags, and they look amazing. Hats off to Harvey for finding a way to make such a snappy looking handbag out of recycled materials, and then taking the time to show other people how to do it.
Exhibit runs October 29th through January 21 at Laguna Art Museum. Really Natural readers are invited to the opening party on Thursday, October 28th from 7-10 p.m.
Tree-Cycle Seatbelt Bags available at the museum and at Harveys once the show opens.
Author Tracy Kidder and Dr. Paul Farmer are speaking at tonight at Sanders Theater in our hometown of Cambridge. If you haven't read Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World, Kidder's book about Farmer and his organization Partners in Health, buy it today. It's an incredible story - inspiring, exhausting, beautiful - that will make you question your life and what you're meant to do on this earth. In a good way.
The Harvard School of Public Health and the Institute of Medicine released conflicting studies yesterday detailing the health benefits and the risks of eating fish. The Harvard study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, says the cardiovascular health benefits from eating fish high in omega-3's outweighs the risk of contaminants such as PCBs. The Institute of Medicine is less optimistic, saying eating a diet rich in fish "may" reduce risk of cardiovascular disease.
As reported in The New York Times, both studies have come under fire from environmental groups and the Consumers Union for neglecting to address the risk of mercury in tuna. Nutrition experts like Marion Nestle argue that consumers are already confused about which seafood is safe to eat; these studies won't make it any clearer.
Get us started on the organic kiddie clothes and we just can't stop.
Check out these itty-bitty hipster duds from JoMamaCo. All organic cotton t-shirts from a friendly and funky little Southern California company dedicated to earth-friendly apparel and products. Work-at-home moms started the company and still run it out of their homes. Their kids appear throughout the site modeling clothes and products.
Thanks to Laura at Super Cool Baby for letting us know about these cute little numbers. Made from 100% organic cotton, these organic onesies are hand-screened and available in newborn to 4 year old sizes as well as in a long sleeved and short sleeved version.
Nest - Nonprofit Micro-Loan Fund and Shopping Site
John Muir once said, "Everyone needs beauty as well as bread."
So quoth the women who started Nest, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support women artists and artisans in the developing world by helping them create sustainable entrepreneurial businesses. They'll accomplish this mission "by providing micro-credit loans to be used for the purchase of the supplies and materials necessary to begin and/or maintain art or craft-based businesses." But wait, it gets better, and you can help:
The funds for these loans will be generated by selling a unique line of clothing, accessories and merchandise for the home produced exclusively for Nest by a group of artists and designers. Nest will also develop a line of ceramic pottery, women’s clothing and other items with the Nest logo. In addition to these exclusive items created by well-known designers, the recipients of Nest loans in developing countries will also make their crafts available to Nest as repayment for the micro-credit loans. These items, too, will then be incorporated into the Nest line of merchandise. In this way, Nest will draw together artists from across the globe into a cooperative network with a shared vision of mutual support.
When you buy from Nest, you have not only have purchased a unique and beautiful item for yourself or your home, you have participated in a proven effort to better the lives of women all across the globe. Through our work, and your participation, women all over the world will be able to plant their roots in a refuge filled with warmth, solace, comfort and joy. It is our sincere hope that Nest can help you create a home, both for yourself and women the world over, filled with energy, beauty and peace.
We recently sold our CD collection to a local music store. We pocketed some serious cash ($2-4/CD) and felt good knowing that our music collection would find new life in someone else's CD player. Renew, reuse, recycle...dig?
But the question remained - what do we do with all our old records? We can't play 'em. Our neighborhood record store won't take 'em. (The guy behind the counter looked at us funny for even asking.)
Which is why we were delighted to find out about Jeff Davis's Vintage Vinyl. The Brooklyn artist gives old records new life by turning them into snack bowls, coasters, table top art. A perfect gift (and maybe a hint) for your favorite music lover. Buy one of the bowls and you can even select your preferred music genre (Classic Rock, Country, Crooners, etc.).
We mentioned a while back that Timberland has begun adding a "nutrition label" to its shoes, describing the company's environmental and community impact. Well, Simple Shoes takes it one step further (pun intended) with Green Toe shoes. Available in six styles, the shoes are designed for minimal environmental impact, using ingredients such as water-based cement, cork, jute, bamboo and crepe latex.
The "Shuf," featured here, features a "soft boiled humanely harvested wool felt upper" and "a supportive and lightweight natural cork footbed." We tried them on at our local shoe store, and were amazed at how comfortable they are. They are definitely getting added to our wish list.
Think about it. You spend nearly a third of your life (approximately 2,920 hours/year) sleeping. What better place to think natural and organic than your bed? Want to upgrade your slumber gear and do something good for the planet? Check out these organic cotton sheets from 2kh.
Unlike most luxury linens which are made from conventional cotton, these premium 250 thread count sheets feature the finest organic cotton, grown without the use of toxic chemicals. A distinctly modern color palette of rich chocolate brown, deep sky blue and pristine cream is accented in a double marrow stitch embroidered border - adding a stylishly chic look to any bedroom.
Stylish sheets that are still organic? We're sleeping better already.
Debbie Does Paris - Deborah Lindquist at Ethical Fashion Show
Also appearing at the 3rd Annual Ethical Fashion Show in Paris this weekend: LA designer Deborah Lindquist. According to her website, Linquist is
one of LA’s most sought after environmentally conscious designers (who) continues to impact the world of fashion with her mix of old “reincarnated “ and new eco-conscious fabrications. Her love for the environment and fashion inspires exquisite collections that are not only Ecologically sensitive but cutting edge as well.
Rock on, girl.
Lindquist's designer bustiers and rockstar threads have graced the bodies of Hollywood trendsetters such as Gwen Stefani, Demi Moore, , Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton, and Charlize Theron. And their dogs. Check out her adorable doggie sweaters, made of recycled cashmere (of course), which come in patterns such as a skull and crossbones, a cross, flowers, a peace sign and a fleur-de-lis.
Weekend Reading: Grub: Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen
"What is GRUB?" ask Anna Lappe and Bryant Terry, authors of a new book which bears that name. They then proceed to answer the question dictionary definition style:
1. grub is healthy, local, sustainable food for all 2. grub is food that supports community, justice, and sustainability 3. grub should be universal
Grub: Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen is the first collaboration between Lappe, co-author (with her mother Francis Moore Lappe) of Hope's Edge: The Next Diet for a Small Planet and Terry, a chef and food justice activist. Designed to offer readers compelling reasons to eat food that is organic, local and "fair," it combines education around the differences between "fake" food filling supermarkets and locally produced organics with recipes and suggestions for healthier eating and living. The book includes 24 simple, seasonally-themed menus designed to inspire readers to think about their food and have fun with it.
Don't just stand there, let's get to it. Strike a pose, there's nothing to it. Vogue (vogue vogue vogue)... Yep. The Ethical Fashion Show has us humming Madonna and vogue-ing at our cubicles.
Here's a quick look at one of the designers from the U.S. who is exhibiting, Grace Trance. According to the fashion show's official website, Trance is a San Francisco fashion designer,
who believes the organic origins of fabric and workmanship are the source of good design. She uses hemp for its distinctive texture and quality, organic cotton for its versatility and bamboo for its exquisite softness and drapability. In conjunction with using local, sweatshop-free manufactures, Grace Trance works to build on sustainable solutions through relating style and innovation.
Sounds good to us. We'll take the outfit with the purple tights.
Weekend in Paris: 3rd Annual Ethical Fashion Show, October 13-16
Looking for something "Really Natural" to do this weekend? Head to Paris, daaaahling, for the 3rd Annual Ethical Fashion Show. Organized by the Universal Love Association, the event will feature 60 "ethical" designers from all over the world. Its goals are to promote ethical designers, foster dialogue and information exchange between organizations and individuals concerned with fair trade and sustainable development in the fashion industry, and to provide information for designers, retailers and consumers about fair trade and fashion.
The event takes place at Tapis Rouge, 67 rue du Faubourg Saint Martin 75010 Paris. Buyers and designers only Friday, Saturday and Monday. Sunday is open to the public.
Thanks to our friends at The Natural Store for passing along the invitation.
Learn more about the 3rd Annual Ethical Fashion Show.
October Wrap-Up
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