I just graduated, it’s summer, and I have nothing to do.

This is my choice. As an undergrad microbiology major, I studied hard enough to proudly say that I will be going to medical school next year, and long enough to want to do nothing at all this summer. No summer in Chicago, no camping trip, just me. But that’s just it. As I sit almost every morning and decide what I’m going to do that day, I don’t know what to feel. On one hand, I get bored very easily, and want to be out traveling, shopping,  or doing something equally as exciting. On the other hand, I realize that I can’t be traveling or spending money all of the time. I know how fortunate that I am to even have this “problem.”

A while back, I did this post on green living. What I felt back then, and and surely feeling now, author David Foster Wallace discusses all to well  in this video. This is an excerpt from his commencement address to the 2005 graduating class of Kenyon College. It is full of the kind of advice that is supposed to accompany commencement addresses. It may be old news to some of you, but it’s exactly what I needed to hear.

Wherever President Obama goes, he generates excitement!

May 5, 2013 Columbus OH – Today, The Ohio State University will award over 10,000 degrees to the second largest graduation class in Ohio State University’s history.

President Obama will address the graduates. You can watch the President speak live, beginning at noon, on http://commencement.osu.edu/video.html.

Currently, the crowd is filtering in and the countdown to graduation, begins now! You can follow us on twitter, @livingneogreen for live tweets and video updates.

There is an art to thrifting? Yes kimosabe, there is and I will show you how.

Time of Year/Day

Whether you’re looking for home items or vintage fashion (Mad Men inspiration!), depending on when you go to thrift you may spend all your time picking through the stuff no one else wanted. You may find what you want, but as a general rule weekends are usually not a good time to go because that’s when everyone else comes too. Plus, many stores don’t restock their floors  until the new week begins. Some also advise, just like department stores, going at the end and beginning of a season is best because you”ll find either more options or sales, which leads me to my next point.

You CAN Overspend

Don’t think that just because everything is cheap you can’t go wrong. Think dollar store and Walmart traps. Shop during sales! Many thrift stores have at least one day a week where something is marked off. For example, most people know about Goodwill’s colored tag discount- everyday items with a specific color tag are marked down, but thrift stores also have holiday sales and maybe even student discounts. If you don’t know, ask!

Be Open Minded

…about everything! Don’t limit yourself to your gender, size, or the latest trend. You should go having a general idea what you want, but because you can’t be sure what you’ll find it’s best to be flexible. Along with this goes learning to let some things go while still retaining quality control. If you love something but it’s a tad too big or has a stain, see if it would be worth it to have it altered or  dry cleaned. You can always negotiate prices, but remember many thrift stores are charity based.

Be Prepared for a long day

When I first started thrifting, I hated it because I didn’t like having to sort through stuff and I much preferred clothes that are more accessible and jump out at me. Well, now I know that if you want something good you have to dig for it. That means that you may be a while, so be prepared for that. That definitely means bringing hand sanitizer and maybe a bottle of water and snack or two.  Take your time and go through as much stuff as you can.

You are ready young grasshoppers. Happy thrifting!

I’ll admit, I had never heard of sorghum flour, never mind that it is one of the top five cereal crops in the world.

My mind has been blown.

Background

After discovering that she has several food allergies, Frances Shaw began experimenting in the kitchen to be able to enjoy some of the things she loves most while maintaining her dietary restrictions. Her first hit was the original zucchini recipe, but soon she developed a whole line of amazing muffins- Frannie’s

Frances was kind enough to give us some samples of her delicious muffins. I tired the banana, blueberry, chocolate chip, and lemon zest muffins.

The Taste

Sorghum flour has a unique, earthy, and almost nutty taste that is very different than wheat flour. And because there are no eggs in the muffins, they are quicker to crumble in your mouth than regular muffins would. But what I appreciate most about them is that they are so flavorful and sweet, things that many people don’t think are possible with gluten-free baking. The banana muffin is my favorite; it tastes so good that I can hardly tell that it is gluten free! It reminds me a lot of my favorite banana nut bread, minus that nuts. The others were equally delicious, and the lemon zest is a close second.

Get Yours

Frannie’s muffins can be found at your local grocery stores in Alabama Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina. Hopefully they’ll be available in other parts of the U.S soon!

Art Is Not Just Entertainment

Image courtesy of Jake Ladehoff

Age: 32

Film: Wolf

Awards: Director’s Guild of America Student Film Award, HBO Short Film Award

Big things come from Texas. It takes a special kind of filmmaker to tackle complex and sensitive topics such as a pedophile in the community. This issue has taken the world by storm. From the classroom to churches and in sports, sexual abuse is a serious issue, and as a nation we should all be concerned.

Ya’Ke Smith, Director and writer of the independent film Wolf, takes viewers on a different side of sexual abuse. He forces you to think outside of the box and understand the impact on the family, community, and society.  I sat down with Ya’Ke at The Atlanta Film Festival after I saw his movie Wolf.

About the Director

Ya’Ke has been making films since he was 15 years old. [1]Since then, he has received world-wide acclaim for screening and winning awards at over 30 film festivals, including the Cannes International Film Festival, the American Black Film Festival, the Los Angeles Shorts Film Festival, the Pan African Film and Arts Festival, and he was a finalist in The Best Shorts Film Competition, (BET-J). Ya’Ke is the recipient of the Director’s Guild of America Student Film Award, for the short film, Hope’s War that broadcast nationally on Showtime Television’s Black Filmmaker Showcase.  The short film Second Coming was nominated for a Student Academy Award and won the HBO Short Film Award at the 2007 American Black Film Festival, and in the 2009, the short film Change was selected as one of three finalists. Wolf, debuted at SXSW and has received numerous awards.

The movie Wolf shows Ya’Ke’s ability to bring today’s issues to the big screen.  From speaking with Ya’Ke and reviewing his accomplishments, I can tell that he is educated, intelligent, and has passion for his work.

Why Wolf

What made you write this film?

“I grew up in the church and I’m still very much a part the church now… in growing up, I knew people who have been sexually abused, not just by clergy, but by their family, coaches… people that were close to them. One of the… commonalities that you see is that most of these people have not had an opportunity to deal with their abuse. One because if they tell anyone either they are shunned or not believed or they are told… yeah it happened and eventually, you’ll get over it. For me that is not… the proper way to deal with it, you need some help. You need to talk about this. We need to bring this out in to the open because as long as we let this happen in secrete, it will continue to happen. If we would shine the light on it, it can stop happening.

For me, this film is my way of shining light on the issue, a way of starting a discussion, a way of dealing with it. And then seeing the effect the abuse has on people, as we start to see it, we can identify it. That is my hope that this film will start a discussion.”

The Journey Ahead

Spike Lee is a conversational filmmaker who was ahead of his time. His gift to us was to enlighten us through film on issues in the African American community. I asked Ya’Ke, about the struggles associated with being an African American filmmaker and if he could relate to Spike Lee’s struggles as the film Wolf sheds light on issues, not just in the African American community, but in all communities.

“It’s been difficult. First Spike Lee is a huge inspiration and joy to me. I’ve always loved his work because he is unflinching. He was confrontational- he just told it like it was, regardless of whose feeling he hurt, regardless of who got offended. He was doing that I think because in the end it was true. And when we see truth, it forces us to look back and say, have I done something like that.
One because it is an African American film and two, it’s dealing with something that so taboo and so unspoken of. People say I don’t know how the audience will receive this film.

For me it’s not about making films for popularity, but really making films that can change people and that can affect people. Yet, it’s going to be a difficult road for me, but I’m willing to take that road. Because I understand that this is what we need. I understand that art is not just for entertainment, it is for us to look at ourselves, to place a mirror up to society so that we can begin to change things about who we are as people. That is what I always wanted to do… I see myself making the films that I want to make. I feel like the audience is there and it’s being cultivated… I think people are tired of the fluff. There is so much stuff going on in the world. We’re ready for films like this that really show us who we are and answer the hard questions about who we are. I would love to walk in to Hollywood and make any film that I want and have it play in every cinema.”

Coming to Atlanta

The citizens of Atlanta are known for showing support to a worthy cause. The theater was packed for the screening of Wolf. The audience consisted of a very diverse crowd. When you say Atlanta, think diversity, let me be clear, in Atlanta, diversity is not just words on paper. The city of Atlanta is diversity in action, and together the citizens function as a community, to make the city stronger and more attractive to big business.

Would ever consider moving to Atlanta to take advantage of the growing film industry?

“I would consider coming to Atlanta to work. I love Texas, Texas is home, because I am from Texas, there are resources there that I am able to tackle because I grew up there and went to college there. You have a lot of films shot here. A lot of independent films shot here, and Tyler Perry is here. I am open to come to Atlanta to shoot something… wherever I’m invited, it’s not anything I’m opposed to doing.”

Atlanta Film Festival Q&A and Discussion

In addition to showing their support for Wolf, the community had some great questions and comments during the Q&A for Ya’Ke, his wife Mikala Gibson, who plays Nona, and Shelton Jolivette, who plays Jaymund, [Shown in image].

How did you feel about the response and the interaction from the audience?

“I have to be honest, I did not know if people were going to come out. There was a [Hail] storm and I did not know if people would come out because of what was going on here [Referring to the incident with Reverend Eddie Long]. Having that crowd in and … embracing us, it felt amazing. You don’t get that everywhere you go… Don’t get me wrong, people applaud us, but you don’t get that interaction. People were like wow. It’s really close to home. I felt the people out; they were interacting and embraced us.

A lot of times, you don’t know if people are getting it or what they are taking away. But it seemed that people really saw my intention with the film and they are getting it.”

An interesting comment made during the Q&A session came from a member of the LGBT community. The woman shared, “That people believe that sexual abuse and being gay are related.” She said, “I am not gay because of sexual abuse, I am gay because I was born this way.” Which is an interesting fact. Someone who has been sexually abused can get help and not repeat the same behaviors that lead to their abuse. This was a powerful message that rang through the theater.

“I want people to spread the word… it’s important for this film to get out to the masses. At every screening we do, there is someone in the audience that stands up and says, this is me, this happened to me,” says Ya’Ke.

On the Set

When directing, Ya’Ke knows what he wants. When casting for the film Wolf, Ya’Ke did not look for ordinary actors. He looked for actors that “Can connect with the material, someone who thinks on a different level.” He asked the actors, “Are you passionate, are you confident, are you someone who believes? Someone [an actor] could be a great actor, but if we can’t collaborate then it is pointless,” he states.

Before the actors reach the set, Ya’Ke has already started directing. He does his research and he puts the cast in a family setting where they can form a bond. Ya’Ke also leads by example and proudly says, “Anything I asks of the actors, I will do.”

Advice for New Directors and Actors

What advice do you have for aspiring directors and actors?

“Be sure of yourself; know exactly what it is that you want. The worst thing a director can do is to come on set and not have a direction. The director, we’re the visionaries, it is my job to take this vision that I have in my head and explain it to people so we can get it on the screen. Be sure of yourself, be confident in yourself, and be confident in your story.”

A good question to ask yourself is “Are you ready to shoot a feature film or do you need to step back and shoot a short so that you can learn your craft. Don’t just pick up a camera and think because you have people talking that you are a director.” He also shares that you should “Learn from your mistakes… That [The mistake] is over with. Think about the next role.”

Ya’Ke also had some great advice for up and coming actors, “Again, learn your craft. The worst thing that you can do is come in with a resume that is half way done or headshot that is not professional. Figure out what kind of artist you are, what kind of work you want to do? Do you want to do independent, drama or comedy? I’m not saying that you cannot do anything. I think you have to study your craft. Find your niche, there are a million people out there trying to do the same thing you want to do.”

Finally, “Don’t sell out; by sell out I’m mean… Sometimes we get so desperate that we do anything… If you want to be an actress, be careful about the body parts you show, don’t accept mediocrity.”

Off Set

Ya’Ke is a professor at The University of Texas, at Arlington. Where he teaches film, video, and screenwriting. He balances work and personal relationships by setting boundaries when he is on set with his wife, actress Mikala Gibson.

“When we’re on set, we’re not husband and wife and I treat her like I treat the other actors and actresses. It was hard for us… It’s a matter of respect and understanding. She wants me to do a good job as a director, so she pushes me as a director. I want her to be a good actress, so I push her as an actress. We really respect each other as an artist and we honor each other as an artist.”

The Future of Wolf

Wolf is a film that everyone should see. During this film, I laughed, I cried, and I understood the impact on the family, the community and the church. This film will make you believe that something like this has happened and can happen to you, someone in your family, and in your community. Wolf educates you on the signs and the symptoms of sexual abuse and what to do next as a community.

Look for Wolf in select theaters near you and on other digital platforms in late summer or early fall.

References:

[1] http://www.uta.edu/art/index.php/community/faculty_staff/yake_smith/

In a recent blog post by, The Exchange, McDonald’s is concerned with Subway’s market share. Citing that they are introducing the Chicken McWrap to appeal to the healthy eater.

Well, I have to comment on this one. When the Big Mac was first introduced, you could see the beef! I just purchased a Big Mac about two weeks ago, and I had to ask… Hey, where is the beef. I got way more bread than meat. In fact, I took a meat patty from the sandwich, because all I could taste was bread, and found that the meat patty was less than a 1/8 of an inch thick. The french fries are thinner than what they use to be, which might be why the fries get cold so fast.

It’s interesting that the price of food at McDonald’s has gone up… but the quality of the food at McDonald’s has gone down. It seems that local McDonald’s owners are more concerned with making a profit, I.E. charging for a cup of water when you purchased a meal and charging additional money for extra Chicken McNugget sauces while corporate  reduces the portion size of their food.

Could it be that consumers want a better value in addition to eating healthy? Subway offers value and a meal, full of meat and vegetables that just happens to be healthy!

Other factors that could cause McDonald’s to loose market share, according to The Exchange, in addition to food quality there is social responsibility and support for local activities. Local support comes directly from from local McDonald’s owners and social responsibility is shared between the local owners and corporate. But make no mistake, with over a billion burgers sold word-wide, McDonald is not going anywhere anytime soon.

Personally, I try not to eat fast foods, but when I do… It is normally at a restaurant where I know I will get value for my money, like Five Guys or Chipotle.

Health equals wealth… yes that is true Suze Orman. So I try to stay healthy… One day at a time!

2,627 Miles, 284 Varieties of Wings, and 400,000 Calories, in 16 Days!

Age: 36

Film: The Great Chicken Wing Hunt

Movie Budget: Less than 50K

Source of funding: Grants, Kick Starter, private investors

Do you remember 10 cent Wing Night at your favorite local pub? How about buy one drink and get your wings free? Unlike any other food, chicken wings generate enthusiasm and they are an American classic. In the movie The Great Chicken Wing Hunt, director Matt Reynolds brings back those nostalgic memories and tells the untold story about the origin of the Buffalo chicken wing.

About The Director

Matt Reynolds is not your average independent film maker. Born in Central New York, Matt grew up in the heart of the Buffalo wing belt. After he completed graduate school, Matt took a look around his native hometown and decided to make a life altering change.

Deciding that the possibility of finding a job in his hometown was diminishing, Matt thought it was time for him to move on. He describes his feeling towards his hometown as “a love hate relationship”, recalling that he loved it, the people in it, and everything about it. But, he had to leave to pursue his dreams, and he hated that. So he moved to Czechoslovakia, where he taught English and began his career in journalism.

As a journalist, Matt worked his way up through the ranks until he reached The Prague Post. He established a career as a creditable journalist, going on to write articles for the New York Times and the San Francisco Chronicle.

While in Czechoslovakia, he often held Buffalo wing parties for his Slovak friends who never had eaten a Buffalo chicken wing before. In 2007, while hosting one of many wing parties, Matt deiced to give up his career as a journalist and to come back to the United States to pursue the best Buffalo chicken wing.

Back in the U.S., Matt got to work. To drum up interest, he sent out countless press releases and worked with a group of professionals to develop a scientific way to rate each contestant’s Buffalo chicken wing. Once the preliminary work was completed, Matt was armed with the grand prize, a golden chicken trophy, his girlfriend Lucy, the cast, and a camera crew from Czechoslovakia, going all out in hot pursuit for the best Buffalo chicken wing in Central New York.

We sat down with Matt at The Atlanta Film Festival to learn a little more about him, his documentary, and the best Buffalo chicken wing.

Budget Savvy Production

Matt was able to produce this film for less than $50,000. According to him, the budget “included a lot the editing work, graphics, and sound- a very small, I mean almost no budget.” That he “never actually counted, because we never actually had a budget where we had all the money we needed and this is how we are going to spend it. It was always like, we were trying to make the movie, oh we have a little bit of money, what’s the most urgent thing, and then we do it and we ran out of money.”

Matt put his budget-savvy skills to work and negotiated to get each competitor to provide the Buffalo wings free of charge. “We stayed at [the homes of] friends and acquaintances. In a couple of the towns, the bars put us up for the night. One small town threw a festival for us and we got free hotel rooms for the night. We only had to pay for rooms one time. We slept on couches and floors- I thought it was fun, it was like camping.”

Matt also pointed out that, “it’s an independent move. It’s funny to think… that some movies, they spend more probably in a couple days on their catering budget than we spent on our whole film. Big budget Hollywood movies, all the money that gets wasted… every single major actor has a driver that drives them to the set every morning… it’s crazy.”

Matt the Director, the Actor, the Producer, and Editor

Matt had to wear many hats to release this film. This is not uncommon for an independent film. In his first role as director, although he took it seriously, he admits that he was unsure of some of the decision that he made. He said that he constantly questioned his decisions and that wearing the director’s hat was his most challenging role.

When I asked about editing, he responded, “there’s never been a moment when I could say it’s over… even now at the screening, my producer and I were taking notes on things we might want to change.”

Based on my conversation with Matt, I don’t think the changes will be dramatic, but it’s worth another look so I can laugh out loud again!

As an actor, Matt brought the drama. What would a good story be without some type of conflict? Matt realized that he needed to make some adjustments. During this experience, Matt learned a lot about people, women, and directing a movie.

An Expert on Buffalo Wing Sauce

Matt does not consider himself as the connoisseur of the Buffalo Wing- “I’d put myself in the top 100,” he says. But he does know a thing or two about wing sauces, “I think the best sauces [come from] single restaurant where you have some guy in the back room who has had years to tinker with his recipe, and he uses all fresh ingredients” says Matt. When I asked about the heat in a buffalo wing sauce, Matt was able to explain how to determine if the sauce has the right amount of heat to make a good Buffalo wing. ”The heat of a wing is part of the overall flavor, there has to be flavor,” he explains “When it’s too hot, it is a bad wing, especially when they use hot pepper extracts. Not only does it taste bad, but the pepper extract has chemicals.” In the movie, Matt has a very funny way of learning that a good Buffalo wing is not all about the heat.”

Matt loves the taste of fresh papers. “It [hot peppers] stimulates your taste buds in a different way, he says. So, it makes perfect sense to watch him commit some dare devil acts in his documentary.

Will The Great Chicken Wing Hunt Come to a Theater Near You?

“We don’t have a distributor… this is my first feature film. We don’t have a deal yet. I want as many people as possible to see it. I want it to be in theaters all over the country. I want more than anything for it to live on, and if someone is interested in it, if someone wants to know something about Buffalo wings they can find it. It’s weird, it is out of my hands, you know, you write a book and then you send it off and you hope someone likes it” he says.

We loved the movie- it was funny and educational with a unique mix of cultures that you’ll only see in this film.

Matt Off Set

Matt says that he is “a College Basketball junkie. I really love movies, so I go to the movies a lot. I spend a lot of time, with the Czechoslovakia community, and like to travel. Since I started making this movie, I’ve been so obsessed with being a film maker.”

We wish Matt all the best and I’m sure that we will see The Great Chicken Wing Hunt somewhere sometime soon, so be ready to laugh out loud and learn from this unique documentary! As far as who has the best Buffalo Wing…. We’ll you’ll have to watch the film!

Girl talk! Do you ever think about what’s in your tampons or pads?

For starters, tampons and pads aren’t just cotton. They’re also the pesticides used to grow the cotton, the bleach used to whiten it, and any fragrance used to mask unwanted smells. This may not sound like such a big deal- after all, we’re not eating them- but there is concern that these chemicals can be absorbed into our bodies from tampons. There has also been talk of a link between uterine problems and commercial tampon use. You don’t see that in your tampon commercials!

Pesticides can effect your nervous and endocrine (hormonal) systems, and the bleach used on the cotton converts into a chemical called dioxin in the body, a known carcinogen. If you wouldn’t want these things in your food, you shouldn’t want to but them in your body either.

Alternatives?

Menstrual Cups

Reusable, flexible, rubber cup usually made out of natural gum rubber that you insert into the vagina and empty every so often. The down sides are that it requires a special wash, a special place to wash it, and they are not available everywhere (they are online though!) not to mention that they are expensive (about $35).

 Cloth Pads

The one pictured here is from Glad Rags. Cloth rags are cheaper and you can wrap them around your underwear like you would commercial cotton pads with the aid of clips and pins. The downside is, like the Diva cup, they require washing.

Organic Tampons or Pads

There are quite a few brands of organic tampons and pads, and they are usually available in your local health food/ organic store. They are disposable, so slightly less good for the environment but more convenient. However, they are without the pesticides or bleach found in regular tampons and pads, making them a better option. Though, like organic food, they are more expensive.

Sponges

This one may sound the most bizarre. However, sea sponges are natural, soft, comfortable not to mention a reusable option. They are also one of the cheapest reusable option.

Let’s all take a page out of Google’s book.

Google’s East Coast Headquarters in Chelsea, Manhattan features a wonderful piece of upcycled furniture in an office space designed to look like an apartment.

This once-bathtub-couch would look wonderful with some blue pillows, or even separate blue, green, and red mammogramed pillows spelling out “Google,” maybe in a more flowery font.

Though this comes as no surprise from the company who brought us arguably one of the most useful mapping system, the self-driving car, and futuristic camera-glasses, it is wonderful to see that the ingenuity at Google does not stop with the products.

Ray describes the his role in the movie Mud, starring Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Tye Sheridan, and Sarah Paulson

Do you juice?

The juicing crave was at it’s height when I was tween. I remember seeing the newly bought juicer on my grandmother’s kitchen table along with recipe books and pounds of fresh vegetables and thinking that this was about the stupidest diet I could think of, before running off to go slide down a dirt hill in old clothes. Now, I understand the appeal. Even as a vegetarian, I struggle to get enough of the right types of vegetables everyday. Could juicing help?

There’s no doubt that if you’re not getting enough vegetables, juicing can’t hurt. The question is whether or not it’s better to drink them, as juicing enthusiast claim. They declare that you can drink more vegetables than you can eat, and that the nutrients packed in vegetables are more easily absorbed by the body in juice form. Others (skeptics) claim that juicing benefits are overrated, and amount to little more than a placebo effect.

The whole raw vs. cooked debate also enters into this conversation. Many store-bought juices (vegetable or otherwise) have been pasteurized, a process that uses high heat to kill harmful bacteria. Unfortunately, heat is not discriminating so it can also damage the enzymes and nutrients that are thought to be better absorbed by the body by juicing. Many claim that certain types of juicers generate enough heat during the juicing process to have the same effect.

Similarly, juicing removes only the juice from the vegetables, leaving behind the fiber that aids in its digestion. Although, a simply solution to this could be to save some of the fiber to drink or eat with the juice (vegetable smoothie anyone?)

What do you think? Will you juice?

Our second stop during Buckhead Restaurant Week 2013 was at The Imperial Fez. An upscale Moroccan restaurant that provides a casual dining experience enriched with Moroccan Culture. Chef and Owner Rafih Benjelloun, loves to share his knowledge of Moroccan Cuisine and Culture, he has created a dining experience that embraces the love for his country and incorporates the Moroccan Culture.

As you enter, you teleport to the Fez, the largest town in Morocco. The environment is relaxing and inviting. The decor is part of the culture. When you sit, you sit low to the ground. The Moroccan silk on the walls, represent the historic hand-woven process from Fez Morocco.
Once seated, the second step is to clean your hands, a Moroccan tradition. The staff works in teams, so that you don’t have to wait for service. They are friendly, very knowledgeable about the menu, and they explain what you can expect during your meal as well as providing you with detailed descriptions of each dish as it arrives to your table.

The First and Second Course

For the first course, we had Harrira Moroccan Lentil Soup and Assorted Moroccan Salads with a side of Chef Rafih’s signature Red Harissa. The Moroccan Lentil Soup was busting with flavor. Keeping true to the Moroccan culture, you drink the soup right out of the bowl.
The Assorted Moroccan Salads incorporate the super foods, rich with healing powers. Such as radishes, collard greens, eggplant, carrots, and fava beans. Each salad is good to eat and healthy for you.

The Appetizer

The Moroccan B’stella is an appetizer with Cornish Hen. Wrapped in Fillo Dough, the mix of Cornish Hen, with the spiced egg, almonds, sugar, and cinnamon is treat that does not spoil your appetite. This is a light, flaky, delicious, and unique appetizer.

The Main Course

Our meal began with the Roasted Lamb Shank, baked with Cumin, garlic, paprika, fresh cilantro, herbs, and wild exotic mushrooms. The lamb was fork-tender enriched with Moroccan spices. This dish goes beyond delicious, it was amazing, a unique flavor that dazzles your palette.

The Grilled Salmon with Couscous includes seven vegetables, fresh garbanzo beans, and raisins. The salmon was moist, flavorful, and succulent.

Salmon Baked in Lemon Pepper Saffron Sauce, served with baked potatoes and vegetables. This dish was the most unique. If you are a seafood lover, this is a dish to die for. The Salmon was perfectly cooked, with olives, potatoes, and herbs to make this an unforgettable meal.

The Entertainment

As you dine, you are entertained with belly dancing. The belly dancers reach within their soul to express the art of dance, which translates in to a beautiful performance. The style of dance is Middle East Egyptian, a few repertoires performed nightly includes finger symbols and Candelabra dance, a technique where the belly dancer places candles on her head.

The food, the relaxing environment, and entertainment gives you plenty of time to get to know your date, potential business partners or to spend quality time with your family, again all part of the Moroccan tradition. The Imperial Fez is a must do if you live in Atlanta or plan to visit the area sometime soon.

Essentials:

The Imperial Fez offers a wide variety of price points, which includes three course meals, weekly specials, and special pricing for Buckhead Restaurant Week.
Address: 2285 Peachtree Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30309-1142
Phone: 404- 351-0870
Web: www.The Imperial Fez.com
Attire: Casual
Reservations: Required and recommended

Price Range:

Five course meals from $45 – $55 per person.
Three course meals and Weekly specials from $29.99 per person.

Ratings:

Zagat, Yelp, Trip Advisor.

Atlanta is known as one of the great restaurant towns  in America. With an estimated 15 billion dollar market spread across 16,000 restaurants, there are multiple restaurants across the city where you can find the best place to dine out with family and friends or impress a guest from out of  town.

Buckhead Restaurant Week is in full swing from March 9 through March 17, 2013. It is part of the ATL Restaurant Weeks 2013, and takes place in Buckhead GA, where the rich and famous dwell and dine. In it’s fourth year, this event began with participating restaurants offering a three course meal for $25. Today, the price point has expanded to $25 for brunch, $15 – $25 for lunch, and $25 – $35 for a three course meal.

The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill

We began our tour of Buckhead Restaurant Week at The Big Ketch, a seafood restaurant referred to as Atlanta’s local beach. This restaurant provides an intimate dining experience, where you can relax and find some of the freshest seafood around. Chef Shane Touhy keeps the dishes simple so that the flavor of the seafood shines. “Everything is flown in fresh daily, we don’t have a freezer here, so we use everything within a day or two” Chef Shane explains. For me, what was most impressive is that Chef Shane knows exactly where his seafood comes from. Name a fish, he can quote you the location and the name of the supplier, his vegetables are local, and none of the seafood on the menu is endangered.

The Meal

We sampled some of the local favorites, such as the Cold Lobster Roll and the Caribbean Lobster Bisque, again all fresh, well seasoned and delicious.  The Big Ketch is well known for it’s TBK Signature Lobster Roll, (Which is available on the Buckhead Restaurant Week Menu for dinner). We began our meal with an appetizer, Sweet and Spicy Shrimp. Crispy shrimp served with Mango Sweet Chill Sauce over a bed of fresh cabbage. Both the cabbage and the shrimp were fresh and the flavors were magnificent.  A perfect combination.

For lunch, we had the Gulf Coast Grouper, grilled and blackened, served with Tropical Fruit Salsa. A side of Collar Greens and a side salad with Smoked Tomato dressing. Relax, I ordered the extra red onions! The grouper was fresh, and the salsa added the citrus to bring out the flavor of the fish. The Collar Greens were delicious and the smoke tomato dressing was the most unique salad dressing I’ve had in a while.

If you live in Atlanta or you are planing a visit to the area, you must stop by The Big Ketch for lunch or dinner. This restaurant offers affordable prices for lunch and dinner and is one of the best values considering you get fresh seafood at a reasonable price.

Essentials:

Address: 3279 Roswell Road NE, Atlanta GA 30305
Phone: 404-474-9508
Web: www.thebigketch.com
Attire: Casual
Reservations: Not required

Price Range:

Meals from $8 – $25, per person

Ratings:

Zagat, Yelp, Trip Advisor

Once a week, we’ll search the web to bring you the most unique ideas for upcycling your old items in to new treasures. Upcycling is a great way to reuse, reclaim, and re-purpose old household items, to reduce the amount of waste you send to the landfill, and to reduce your overall carbon footprint.

Do you know someone that upcycles? Donate your old items to them or grab a table and have a garage sale. Either way, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. So get up and upcycle or resale your old household goods!

From Crib to Desk

This is one unique project. Most of us just give the crib away or sell it after the last child is born. This generation of mothers upcycles their old cribs to bring life to a timeless item. From Consignment Mommies, these mothers use their old cribs to create a new desk, a new bench, a new chair, and standing plate racks. Your only limit is your imagination, for more ideas on upcycling your old crib, go to Consignment Mommies.com.

From Chair to Caddy

A neat idea from pinktogreenblog.com. From the image,  it looks like the legs and half of the seat was removed. You can get creative, add a fresh coat of paint, a few decorations, and a few hooks.  Mount on the wall and wow, a new bathroom or dorm room caddy that you can use.

 From Straining to Hanging

Found on Frugallife.com, this project takes little effort to change a colander in to a hanging planer. The trick here is to find a flower pot that  fits in to the colander. Drill holes in the bottom of the flower pot and your plan will drain. Again, you can get creative, replace the chain with a rope, plant climbing vine flowers or hanging flowers, herbs or winter Pansies as shown.

With upcycling, the possibilities are endless and so is your earning potential. Upcycling and garage sales are big business. It does not mater if you tap in to your creative side or if you just put up a sign. Either way, you’re looking green!

Made in America

Dapper Felt & Straw Cloche

The Bollman Hat Company is the oldest hat maker in the United States. They manufacture brand names like Kangol, Bailey, and Country Gentleman, for men and Betmar,  Kangol,  and Pantropic for women. Early on, the Bollman Hat Company developed a strong reputation for quality and innovation. This reputation led to manufacturing hats for private labels like Rag & Bone, Cabela’s, and Ralph Lauren.

What is most unique about the Bollman Hat Company, they never stopped innovating. With an impressive and growing list of clients, Bollman Hats is not out of touch with the 21st century buyer.

Made in America means that most of the raw materials and labor to produce a Bollman Hat comes from producers and workers in the U.S.A.  Making hats in America was “handed down” since 1868, by George Bollman, the founder of the Bollman Hat Company, says President and CEO Don Rongione. For Bollman Hats, keeping jobs in America was always in the plan. “Keeping production of Bollman Hats in  America was never a question. It is part of our heritage to produce products in the United States, says President and CEO Rongione. It wasn’t a choice we consciously made.”

In addition to keeping jobs in America, the Bollman Hat Company does their part to protect the environment.  “We select fabrics, the components, and then we look at our methods of production to become more environmentally friendly,” says President and CEO Rongione. This includes experimenting with natural dyes from berries, plants and barks, as well as purchasing naturally bred brown and black wool to create the desired looks without dyeing. “We also work to recycle everything we can, from hat trimmings when rounding brims to corrugated materials used in packaging,” says President and CEO Rongione.  

American Made Really Does Matter

Producing in the United States does not come without challenges. Several years ago the company went through a very painful downsizing that cut a third of their workforce. Large customers like Walmart, stopped buying hats that were made in America. Instead they chose suppliers who purchased their raw materials from overseas and then the products are sold in stores at a lower price.

President and CEO Don Rongione

This is a reality for many American companies trying to make a difference in American manufacturing. President and CEO Don Rongione and his team wanted to be proactive and on July 4, 2009 he launched an initiative called American Made Matters®.  A group of over 100 companies that is “passionate about keeping manufacturing in the United States,” says President and CEO Rongione.

Members range from K’nex, the popular toy maker to The Twisted Cow, a producer of handmade pet accessories. “The goal is to provide a community of manufacturers who can work together to increase awareness among US consumers to purchase American made products.” Product that are “Good for our country, local communities, the economy, creates local jobs, and protects the safety of consumers through product testing and environmental compliance,” says President and CEO Rongione.

 Who Wears Bollman Hats

I think the question is more like who does not wear a Bollman Hat. Not only does Bollman Hat Company represent some of the biggest brand names, they also develop lines for R&B Artist, such as Ne-Yo in addition to manufacturing the line of hats that Samuel L Jackson designed with Kangol. The ability to launch new products, grow a brand, and inspire multiple generations demonstrates the strength, power, and influence of the Bollman Hat Company.

Moving in to the Future

The Bollman Hat Company has a goal to provide high-quality, long-lasting  head wear that exceeds your expectations, maintain its value, and has a positive impact on the economy. “Ultimately it is about strengthening the American dream because manufacturing provides good jobs and has the most powerful residual effect in terms of providing jobs,” states President and CEO Rongione. When you purchase a hat manufactured by the Bollman Hat Company, your purchase helps to keep jobs in America, you support continuous improvements in sustainability, and you support companies that keep fashion made in America.

You can buy hats made by The Bollman Hat Company exclusively online at hats.com and at select stores such as Saks, Macy’s, and Neiman Marcus. 

The U.S.D.A may approve horse slaughtering which makes me wonder if the same thing that happened in the U.K will happen here (I suspect no one wants to eat horse meat)

A baby born with HIV is reported to have been cured!!

The NY Times concludes that sugar, not obesity, causes diabetes

What caused the Neanderthals to die out? bunnies

Happy Election Day Kenya! It’s a close race

When we have a gathering, Budweiser, the King of Beers and other Anheuser-Busch beers are always served. It was about two years ago, when our guest began to ask us if the beers were frozen before the party. We thought nothing of it.

Now that the cat is out of the bag and Budweiser is being accused of watering down their beer,  we thought it would be fun to see how some brands are capitalizing on the misfortune of Anheuser-Busch.

This video by Boxer Lager, says more than enough about how they add extra water to beer. Take a look.

The Atlanta Chef’s Expo is considered as one big taste test for the City of Atlanta. Participation in the event is open to chefs from around the city, that are part of a restaurant, catering company or work for a catering company that is affiliated with a venue.

For consumers, this is the best way to get a sample of a restaurant, catering company or venue before your next wedding, party or private event. This event also provides consumers with a unique opportunity to sample cuisine from local restaurants and to identify chefs, restaurants, and venues that use local ingredients from Georgia farms.

The sold out event was held at the Georgia World Congress Center. When you enter the ball room, you are overwhelmed with the number of chefs in attendance, the smell of good food, and the people in the room. It’s an exciting mix of food, diversity, culture, spirits, and fun all in one place.

There was plenty of food for all types of foodies, from vegan dishes to gluten free muffins, to southern cuisine, Asian, and seafood, which is my personal favorite.  Chef’s dished out everything from an Amuse Bouche to mini meals in a cup. Everything was delicious, but we have a few favorites we thought we would mention.

Southern

Bistro 404

Mentioned in the February 2013 issue of Essence Magazine, this restaurant offers a unique southern flavor you cannot duplicate at home. Serving smoked Oxtails, Mac and Cheese, and Collard Greens reminded me of the way my grandmother use to cook for me some 20 years ago. It was truly a trip down memory lane. The most impressive part of the meal was the blending of the flavors. Each dish complemented the next. This is definitely a restaurant worth the stop, if you are in the area.

Seafood

Chef’s Rob’s Caribbean Cafe

Chef and owner, Robert Gayle offers Authentic Caribbean cuisine. Serving Mahi Mahi with garlic mashed potatoes displayed the Chef’s long time passion for food. The fish was cooked perfectly, and the garlic mashed potatoes were not over powering or too heavy. The dish was worth a second visit to his booth, the food was well worth the wait in line, and the sample demands a visit to his cafe.

Beef

BLT Steak

Chef Cyrille Holota of BLT Steak, served the best beef dish, Kobe Beef sliders. BLT Steak is located in the W Hotel in Downtown Atlanta and is well worth the stop for lunch or dinner. Serving naturally aged USDA Prime, Certified Black Angus, and American Wagyu beef.

Lamb

Baraonda

If you are looking for a unique lamb dish, try Braised Lamb Cheeks with Ferro salad by Baraonda. The lamb cheeks were tender and delicious served over the Ferro salad. Simply put, it was a winning combination. What I like best about Baraonda, they display the name of the Georgia farmer that supplies their beef, right on the menu.  Advertising 100% grass fed beef, the best beef you can buy, during a time when USDA meat inspection will be reduced or nonexistent, gives diners like me comfort in knowing where my steak comes from.

Cajun

The Wyndham

Located in the Peachtree Conference Center, Executive Chef Kevin Davis served the best gumbo I’ve had thus far. It was spicy, sweet, and delicious. In the words of the late Mr. Food, Oh, it’s so good!

Offering services for weddings, special events, and guest at the hotel, The Wyndham is worth a stay or to host your next big event.

Allergy Free, Vegetarian, and Vegan

There were two allergy free, vegetarian, and vegan food options that stood out.

Pure Knead

Pure Knead offers allergy free, gluten free, and nut free breads. I’ve got one word, delicious, especially with a spread and a vegetable on top.

The company started when owner and mother Michelle Kelly was looking for safe food options for her child who has a food intolerance.  

You can locate Pure Knead products all over the city, in Alabama, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Frannie’s Gluten Free

Created by Frances Shaw, who also suffers from food allergies, this line of muffins features vegan, gluten free, dairy, soy and nut free options. Each muffin is a delicious treat for your anyone, including your typical health nut or someone with an allergy.  Made with quality organic fruits, vegetables, and free of preservatives, Frannie’s muffins are made locally in Decatur GA in a GFCO certified (Gluten-Free Certification Organization) kitchen. These muffins taste delicious and serve as a healthy option for breakfast or a healthy snack.

If you did not make it to the Atlanta Chefs Expo this year, mark your calendar for 2014 and then add this event as a must do to your bucket list or if you visit the City of Atlanta.

Mary and Moe discuss when they met and their relationship.

There is still time to get that special someone a great gift. Flowers are nice, but if you throw them in the trash instead of a compost pile, the Eco-friendly factor is lost.

This Valentine’s Day, choose a gift that will last forever:

Herbs

If she likes to garden, she will love potted herbs. She can keep the plant inside to cook  with the herbs until Spring and then she can plant the herbs outside and enjoy them all summer long. If you buy herbs that are perennials, she will enjoy them year after year.

Go ahead, get creative, take 10 minutes and plant some herbs, warm her heart and save some cash!

Editable Underwear

We found both sets at Spencer’s.

For Her

The flavor of strawberry adds fun to any evening. You may want to grab more than one pair!

For Him

The fun gummy underwear can be as much as a gift for her as they are for you!

Jewelry

Where did that gold or diamond come from, how was it mined, shipped, etc. Sure, what’s a poor person to do if they cannot afford the diamond or the gold that is considered Eco-friendly? You buy what your budget allows!

And by green, I mean cheap(er), everything is priced between $10-$100!

Duro Olowu is a very prominent Nigerian designer based in London. Pieces from his collection can run into the thousands of dollars, so this is a big deal. His spring collection for JCPenny is the store’s first designer collaboration, and it will be available in stores and online in March. Get pumped!

Below is the collection; I love everything! Mouse over each picture (excluding the first one) to see pricing.

Photos courtesy JCPenny.

Performing during the Fashion Uncorked Fashion Competition to benefit Easter Seals of North GA.

More Than A Diamond, Exceptional Quality, Value, and Education

Step in to the world of custom jewelry design and it does not take long to realize you need a professional to guide you through your purchase. In steps Allison Thomas of Ascot Diamonds.  Alison understands the concerns of a first time buyers. On instinct, she describes the services available at Ascot Diamonds to help you understand the process of custom jewelry design. She describes the diamond and why the stone holds a particular value, along with what the buyer can expect throughout the custom design process. This is why you get more than just a diamond at Ascot Diamonds. You get a relaxed and exciting buying experience. Each diamond is of exceptional quality and value, and you get educated on the properties of your diamond.

(Left) Janice Lawrence-Clarke shows off a $49k necklace and ring from Ascot Diamonds, with Alison Thomas (Right)

According to the company website, Ascot Diamonds has one of the “most meticulously maintained diamond collection in the world.” They have a five star reputation of superior quality and impeccable craftsmanship, that keeps their customers loyal.

A private jeweler, Ascot Diamonds employs a design team and master jewelers that bring decades of experience from cutting and sorting through design and craftsmanship.

Although Ascot Diamonds buys diamonds from all over the world, “less than 5% of all diamonds produced meet the cut and brilliance standards demanded by Ascot Diamonds.”

Designing Your Own Custom Jewelry

 Buying a custom piece of jewelry is an investment and should be a decision that you make wisely. Ascot Diamonds can help you with that. They explain the difference in cut, clarity, and quality, to help you understand the difference in cost between stones.

The process to create a custom piece is a well executed process, that starts with a discussion to understand your vision. From there the design team produce a drawing, that the buyer must review and approve. After that a prototype is made and the stones are applied to the prototype. This is the final step for the buyer to review and approve before moving in to production.

The end result is a quality piece of jewelry that can be worn for decades and passed down for generations. 

If you are going to purchase a custom piece, keep Ascot Diamonds high on your list. They have three locations, Atlanta, Dallas, DC, and coming soon to New York City.

Office hours are by appointment only. If you are not in the market for high end jewelry, you can always window shop on AscotDiamonds.com.

Atlanta GA – According to CNN, a former Los Angeles (LAPD) Police officer is suspected in three shootings. In summary:

Image courtesy of LAPD.

Christopher Jordan Dorner, 33, is suspected of shooting two officers in Riverside, one fatally, around 1:30 a.m. and a suspect in the February 3 deaths of Keith Lawrence and Monica Quan in Irvine, CA.

Dorner has made violent threats against other Los Angeles police officers, the agency said. In a letter received by LAPD Dorner states the attacks against police are “a necessary evil that I do not enjoy but must partake and complete for substantial change to occur within the LAPD and reclaim my name.”

Los Angeles police issued a statement indicating that Dorner is “armed and extremely dangerous” do not approach him.

The Los Angeles police states “Our department is implementing all measures possible to ensure the safety of our LAPD personnel, their families and the Los Angeles community, and will continue to do so until Dorner is apprehended and all threats have been abated,” police said in a statement.

LNG

What Is It?

When raw milk is left to do its own thing, the fat molecules in the milk will float to the surface. This leads to a harmless layer of cream on top that many consumers find disgusting.

The Process

Because of consumer dislike of the layer of cream, milk companies combine the milk and cream fat so that they do not separate. This process is entirely mechanical (usually involves agitation), and does not include the addition of any chemicals or preservatives. The result is milk with tiny molecules of fat distributed throughout.

The (Potential) Harm

The concerns here are heart disease and arterial buildup. Some medical researchers believe that the smaller milk fat molecules that result from homogenization bind more easily to the walls of arteries causing them to clog. This could potentially lead to heart disease. However, a lot of debate about this is going on in the scientific community, and no one is 100% sure. Thus, most milk in the U.S is homogenized and it is generally considered safe.

For more information, Wise Geek has an awesome article about this that goes into more detail, and the folks over at Izbedda wrote an article with a great graphic of the process.

Jewelry keeps your travel look charged while gadgets charge up your favorite digital device. Both are a must have at any airport, on any beach, or in any ship.  Both are an essential part of travel and are equally important.

Monique Pean

Sold exclusively at Barneys, Monique Pean incorporates sustainability in to the overall jewelry making process. The overall effort ensures that all materials are gathered using responsible environmental procedures. Monique Pean uses 100% high quality recycled raw material. From recycled gold, reclaimed and industrial metals, and post consumer sources,  Monique Pean produces piece that are high in quality, support fair trade, and follow strict safety procedures for all partnerships, both domestic, and abroad. A high quality line of jewelry for those with high standards. Prices range from $700 to $29, 000.

SOLIO BOLT Battery Pack + Solar Charger

A super way to keep your digital devices charged on the go. Does not matter if you are on the beach, on a plane, or camping. If’ you’ve got sun, you can charge any smart phone, GPS or camera. With multiple power sources, you can charge anything, anytime, and anywhere.

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This spring traveling Eco-friendly is not only about your shoes, hat, food, and the destination. It’s about what is in your bag. Here are 4 top picks to travel green this spring.

Luggage

Heys USA

Don’t just get luggage, innovate with Heys USA. Heys is the logical choice for Eco-friendly luggage with an Eco-friendly line with that includes three products:

ECO LEAVES

A 3 pieces set of expandable bags made from 100% recycled plastics.  Luggage in a wide range of colors. At $450.00, this set is a deal.

ECO Case

An affordable solution to green travel. EcoCase features materials made from 100% recycled ABS plastic.  The benefits of recycled ABS material is a product with high impact resistance, toughness, and rigidity. Heys USA sets the price at $450.00.

Renovo

Expanding their green initiatives  Heys USA introduces a five piece set of luggage that showcases their efforts to create products that are  both budget and Eco-friendly.  A perfect way for a family on a budget to upgrade their luggage, save money, while they save the planet! Priced at $390.00.

Heys USA is committed on providing the best options, and they continue to work with in their retail stores and with their retail partners to create a unique space where according to President and CEO, Harry Sheikh, they “create our own element and set our own trends.” Those trends help millions of consumers word-wide find a unique collection of artistic, fashionable, Eco-friendly, and innovative luggage,  for every budget.

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Eco-Friendly Sunglasses

Oakley

Made from recycled materials, this pair of shades is what’s hot among men. The polarize  options gives you an  exceptional view against the glare of the sun. These shades look best when worn for sport or leisure and everything in between. Reasonably priced at $90.00

ECO

Wear prescription glasses, ECO is made from 95% recycled materials and receives the Environmental Claims Validation™ (ECV) from UL Environment (ULE), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a world leader in product evaluation. We choose ECO 1076 to help you reduce the number of items you carry. 

If you wear glasses, purchase transition lenses and then get the lenses polarized. The result is one pair of glasses that you can use to drive at night, play in the snow, read, and use for sunglasses.

Revo ECO Collection

Revo has company wide-initiatives to support ocean conservation. They offer a growing collection of Eco-friendly sunglasses. In addition, Revo Eco-friendly sunglasses turn trash in to treasure because they are made from a top grade plastic that is 100% recycled.

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All about the Flips and the Flops

Flip flops serve many purposes. they provide fashion, protection, and comfort for your feet. They are the most versatile shoe, giving you the ability to go from wet to dry, (depending on the material).

A good pair of flip flops is a must have for every vacation.  You can use by the pool, in the shower, on the beach. There is no end to the pros of a good set of flip flops.

Here are two companies that caught our eye with their sustainable efforts.

 Image courtesy of Feelgoodz.com

Planet Flip Flops

A reasonably priced Eco-friendly flip flops made in Brazil from natural rubber. With dazzling colors and two styles to choose from. Priced from $28.00 – $30.00.

Feelgoodz.com

Features flip flops made with all natural dyes and rubber. With multiple styles, you can order a pair with prices ranging from $25.00 – 45.00.

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Atlanta, Ga – Medpage Today reports that an FDA (Food and Drug Administration) advisory committee has voted 19 to 10 in favor to move drugs made from hydrocodone combination from Schedule III to Schedule II category of controlled substance. Drugs such as Vicodin, Lortab, and Norco now fall in to the restrictive schedule II category of controlled substances.

Difference Between Schedule II and Schedule III Controlled Substance

The biggest difference between schedule III and schedule II is with prescriptions  With scheduled III, physicians can prescribe a 6-month supply. Schedule III limits the supply to three-months. Another major change is the ability for the physician’s office to call in a prescription. Schedule II drugs require a written prescription where schedule III allows the physician’s office to call in the prescription in to the pharmacy.

Representatives from industry and advocacy organizations such as pharmacists and pain specialists, had the opportunity to express their concerns at the hearing. Most representatives agreed that moving hydrocodone combination products  from schedule III to schedule II would limit treatment for patients in pain.

According to  Lynne Webster, MD, a representative of AAPM. ”This is a balancing act, a trade off between access for people who derive a benefit from hydrocodone and non-medical use [abuse] that has caused a great deal of harm.”

Discussion to move hydrocodone combination from schedule III to schedule II has been ongoing since 1991 when the FDA and the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) calculated the abuse ratios for 47 million people across the U.S. who were prescribed hydrocodone combinations. The calculation included factors such as the number of visits to the Dr’s office and emergency room divided by the number of hydrocodone combination tablets dispensed.

Although the calculation concluded that hydrocodone combinations are less  abused then Oxycontin. Those who abuse hydrocodone combinations take 10 to 40 pills a day and there is a stead increase in crimes surrounding prescription drugs made from hydrocodone combinations.

Until recently, whenever I heard of someone getting diagnosed with cancer I immediately thought of how unlucky things turned out for that person. And I’m willing to bet that many of you do the same. It wasn’t until my boyfriend told me that where he comes from (Kenya) cancer is a rare and even unheard of cause of death that I began to wonder why is it that cancer is so prevalent in the United States?

This was right around the time that I became more conscious of the things I put on my body (and urged others to do the same), and began my internship at the Chicago Botanic Garden. While there, I talked with other REUs and noted that one girl, Hazel, made me aware of the frighteningly high levels of mercury (a known carcinogen) in many fish. In that same talk, Hazel declared that it is all of the hormones and preservatives in our food that is giving us cancer. I didn’t mention it then because I wan’t entirely convinced  that the food that I had been ingesting all of my life is killing me. Still, I wondered, even asking myself if organic food is really worth the money and noting that our cosmetic and beauty industries go largely unregulated. I never made the connection…until now.

                          I was blind, but now I can see

The truth is, Hazel is right; our food is killing us. Well, maybe not the food itself. Rather, it’s all the preservatives, the additives, the toxins that in small amounts (just enough so that they are in compliance with FDA regulations) combine and exert their carcinogenic effects overtime. The same goes for our beauty products, it not doubly so.

One thing I left out in my post wondering about worth of organic products is this piece. That although they are not prefect, organic products contain a great deal less of  these toxins, and that the upfront cost of getting less of these (i.e buying organic products) in the long run will save you from the expenses of medical treatment. Like I said, I was blind…

What brought about this realization? A women’s health course. The Women’s Health Movement was the first to recognize the link between the environment and cancer, specifically breast cancer. For more information, check out this Pubmed article and Rita Arditti and Tatiana Schreiber’s article The Environmental Connection. On a similar note, I highly recommend the documentary Pink Ribbons, Inc., as it does an amazing job at uncovering the politics behind breast cancer awareness.

I want to be clear that I am not advocating that buying organic is the solution, nor do I think the answer lies with personal responsibility. It’s amazing what activism can do, and I truly believe that part of the answer lies in consumers demaning that enough is enough.

Will you make the environmental connection?

Fashion Uncorked  is a design competition is inspired by jewelry. Known as a high profile design competition, Fashion Uncorked, held annually, is an upscale  design competition that features the top emerging fashion designers in Georgia. The local designers are competing for an all expense paid trip to LA Fashion Week.

The Fashion Uncorked design competition benefits children with disabilities and special needs at Easter Seals North GA. 

The annual event is the brain child of Norma Center to raise funds for Easter Seals North GA. The road to competition begins with the Top 10 announcement, which occurs in November and the show takes place in February 2013.

Fashionable, Fun, and Made in America

Dress by TeesByTina
Bandage Dress
$110.00

One look and we knew we had to add TeesByTina as a gift under our tree.  With something unique for all, TeesByTina has over 400 unique style and color combinations, and provides multiple choices that range from pieces you can layer to flatter your figure, to comfortable and fun active wear, to dresses and skirts.  Formed in 2012, TeesByTina has one objective, to provide women with a line of clothing that is fashion forward, yet professional enough for work, casual enough to work out, and fabulous enough for a night out on the town. A TeesByTina garment is made right here, in the USA, for comfort so that today’s busy woman can easily adjust to a change in settings.  TeesByTina clothing options that can be worn from the “Studio to the street without missing a beat!”

Dress and Micro Rib Capri by TeesByTina
Nautical Stripe Dress
$88.00
Micro Rib Capri
$34.00

The company is growing business and it is no surprise to see some of the stars or celebrities, like Bethany Frankel wearing TeesByTina  attire. Production of the fashion line is in the US to keep  jobs in America. “That is important consideration; however, after evaluating over two dozen manufacturers from around the world we decided that our U.S manufacturing partners provide the best combination of quality, speed to market and price. Additionally, the ease of communication with US based production facilities is a major plus. In the end, our decision to produce in the US was very pragmatic which enables us to feel great about keeping jobs in America”, says a spokesperson for the company.

Nautical Stripe Dress with
Fodada, Mamma Baba Hoodie $69.00

“We believe the Made In USA label has a meaningful impact on our business. We proudly display our MADE IN USA label on all of our merchandising material. Our customers relate to the higher quality of our USA made product and appreciate the value that we offer for our price point.”
What differentiates TeesByTina from the competition?  The product has an extraordinary stretch that lets the fabric flatter all body types. TeesByTina is constantly innovating with new types of textures, patterns and styles. Finally a superior color palette with over 50 beautiful colors to choose from  enables their customers ways to  find the right outfit for any occasion!”

Customers love TeesByTina products, the way it looks, it feels, how it’s worn. The fact that MADE IN USA is part of their DNA attracts the first time customer. It’s the loyalty to the brand that keeps the customer coming back. TeesByTina has created unique fashions that can truly be worn in an array of settings.

A chicken farm in Fredericksberg , Pa is trying oregano as a substitute for antibiotics.

“Credit scores are like the dating equivalent of a sexually transmitted disease test,” according to this New York Times article. Apparently, green now factors in to dating decisions.

The House Senate (finally) passes the fiscal cliff measure

Let’s face it; we all got something we could do without this year. One way to avoid the embarrassment and awkwardness of telling someone you didn’t like their gift, or hinting at a gift receipt, is to donate or regift the item. Donating is pretty straight forward, but regifting can be tricky. Here are a few tips for pulling it off:

Can the item be regifted?

Homemade, one-of-a-kind, signed books, and mammogramed items are definitely off limits. However, unopened appliances, unworn clothes, and books are all fair game. But more importantly is to ask yourself if the item is in good enough condition to be regifted. Because if you don’t want an old, worn-out sweater, chances are no one else will either.

 What are your intentions?

Are you doing this to be nice and because you think that someone else will truly enjoy the gift, or are you just being cheap or trying to get rid of something? Be sure of your motives, because often they shine through.

And most importantly Will this get back to the original gifter?

Does the person you are giving the regifted item know the original gifter? Is there any chance that they will chat? You want to be doubly sure that this will not get back to the person who originally gave you the gift.

For more great tips on regifting, be sure to visit Regiftable.com

From all of us here at Living NEO Green, we want to wish everyone a Happy Holidays. We hope you are enjoying this holiday season, and that the days to come are filled with laughter, family, warm thoughts, and joy.

As we will be taking a short break to spend time with our families, this corner of the internet will be quiet for a few days. We’ll be back to posting after Christmas.

This heart-warming collection of this year’s amazing moments that restore faith in humanity

Look at all that biodiversity in this map showing the diversity of each continent

LED Lights Make for a more efficient holiday light shows

Confused about all this talk of the fiscal cliff and why it has still not been resolved? This article does a great job of answering all of your questions

Stuck on what to get that your loved ones for the holidays? Try something homemade. Start with these delicious fig bars

First, let me say that I love Esty! The fact that such a place exists for talented artist to sell their creations and gain popularity makes for an amazing opportunity to launch a small business, and it has certainly done much good (especially for my wallet, haha). With that being said, I feel a responsibility to inform you of an issue that has been going on for a while, because we have written about our love for Etsy before. Disclaimer:  I have some Native blood in me. Not nearly enough to identify as Native American, but enough so that this issue resonates with me.

Esty is a breeding ground for racist stereotypes against Native American, cultural appropriation, and tastelessness. For background information about cultural appropriation, visit here as well as the Native American Appropriations blog for (sadly) many recent examples. Basically, what it boils down to is when you go on Esty.com and search “Native American”, as in “made by Native Americans,” chances are you’ll instead find items made by non-Native Americans. Often times, non-Natives sell items inspired by Native cultures, but they sell them under titles such as “Native American” and “Navajo” to attract buyers. This, while highly immoral, is illegal under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, which states that items advertised under the term “Native American” or any specific group of Native people must have originated from that particular group. In fact, the Navajo Nation is suing Urban Outfitters for their offensive attachment of term “Navajo” to items that have no connection to the Navajo people. For more information on this look here and at Thelma’s awesome Prezi that details the history of the lawsuit.

Besides this, there are a number of sacred and revered items from Native cultures available for sale at Esty including Native Headdresses, and Shamans. For background on why it is not ok to sell or wear these things read this.

Most of this information has been taken from Dr. Jessica R. Metcalfe’s blog Beyond Buckskin post about this same subject, personal experience, and links from the internet cited in this post. Jessica does another awesome post about this here.

Since Beyond Buckskin in a blog about Native American Fashion, one thing that Dr. Metcalfe does that I love is feature Native vendors, many of whom have shops on Etsy. What I love about this is that it offers a solution to Native American appropriation. You want to buy some Native jewelry or rock some moccasins? That’s totally cool, just make sure you’re buying from a Native, or at least that the proceeds will benefit Native communities, and that you’re not buying something sacred or that would offend a Native.

Here are two Native artists (whose work I love)  featured on Dr. Metcalfe’s site:

Terra Houska

Full interview with Jessica here. Here is Terra’s shop on Etsy. I’m a huge fan of her earrings.

 Faith Charlo

Full interview with Jessica here

Baby Bunting on the right is available here

Bottom line is that there is a dark side to Etsy, as there is with everything. Now that you’re aware of it, make sure you make the responsible choice.

Too many a time has come when a recipe I desperately want to make requires cake flour. Yet, I can never find the justification to buy it, and I end up substituting it for regular flour. The results are never good. Luckily, I came across this tutorial over at Joy the Baker. Turns out, all you need to do is measure out how much cake flour the recipe calls for with regular flour, substitute 2 tablespoons this flour with cornstarch, and sift. And now you’ve got cake flour!

Enjoy! And be sure to check out Joy the Baker’s website for the picture tutorial of this recipe, and for tons of amazing recipes to use your newly acquired cake-flour-making skills.

Remember this natural deodorant review I did in June?

I promised I would tell you how they fare for autumn and winter.

Verdict (drumroll)… not so good. I actually only noticed a slight difference between my use in the summer, autumn, and winter months, and this was mainly due to the decrease in heat and humidity in the air. Still, I needed odor protection, so I took matters into my own hands.

Have you heard about Oyin Handmade yet? It’s really good. They make all sorts of wonderful products for the hair and body. I’ve  been using their hair products for a while now, and I love them so I thought I’d give their Funk Butter a try.

This deodorant is natural to the max. There isn’t even a single metal used in it, unlike many other natural deodorants. Best yet, it smells wonderful and offers the most protection I have had in a while. You only need a tiny bit for all day protection, and it’s on par with other regular deodorants costing $5 for a 2 oz jar.

Review: A

I’ve written about (over) fishing before and I’ve written about wildlife before, so it may come as a bit of shock what I’m about to say.

One of my lifetime goals is to go to Alaska to fish during the annual salmon migration. Oddly enough, I’ve never been fishing so I don’t know if I’d even enjoy the fishing part that much. But seeing these pictures of the beautiful landscape and wildlife, I can’t image anything more exciting or worthwhile.

I seriously want to be that bear right now.

I’m willing to make an exception to being vegetarian just for this trip. Hopefully by then I will be an expert camper and avoider of these bears.

‘Ello mates! It’s been a while.

It’s almost Christmas, and by now I’m sure I speak for most when I say I’m tired of the non-stop television adds, much-too-crowded malls, and incessant reminders of how commercialized this time of year has become.

This year, while making my usual grumpy observations about all of this, one of my best friends reminded me that all these adds don’t make you spend all of your money, and you can choose to ignore it and enjoy the most wonderful time of the year. That got me thinking, what other things can I choose to retain happiness?

If it isn’t clear by now, a huge part of Living NEO Green is reminding our readers that being green isn’t all about solar panels, recycling, and organic food. It’s about choices that you can make that save you money (GREEN!), time, help contribute to a healthy environment, and contribute to a healthy and balanced lifestyle. So, without further ado here are a few things you can do it contribute to your green happiness:

Try Letting Go of All of Your Stuff

My first trip over seas was to spend a week with a lovely French family of four. Though I experienced a great deal of culture shock, one thing that surprised me the most was what little stuff they had. Where at home we have about 20 pans, many of which are similar enough to only need 1 of its kind, they had a basic set of 4. This mentality was reflected everywhere else in there home, and they were not an anomaly. Even here, at my college apartment, I have about as much stuff for just myself as that French family had for all of them, and I shutter to think that I still have a whole room left at home. Many people think that they can find happiness in a fancy car or latest iPhone, but the truth is that you can’t so you minus well reduce your footprint and get rid of some of your stuff.

It’s Supposed To Be FUN

I’m planning a camping trip. That means hours of reading buying guide after guide to help me choose a tent, agonizing over how expensive camping gear has become, endless trips to the nearest camping store, and mentally preparing myself for the months of training I will need to be able to carry the 20-something pounds of gear I’ll need on my back. How long do you think it took me to realize that this is supposed to be fun?  Sometimes, we all need to take a step back and reevaluate the events that shape our lives. Just ask yourself, is this really the best use of my time here? Could I be doing something that will make me more happy? And most importantly, is this necessary? We don’t always have choices in the things we need to do, so when you do make the most of them.

Take a Minute…Breath and Take It One Step at a Time

Last year, I was taking a heavy load of sciences courses, and when exam time reared its ugly head, I would get so stressed out just thinking about the amount of studying needed to get decent grades. I knew then that I had to stop, breath, and take thing one step at a time. It’s as true now as it was then, plus you it’s good for your health!

Toodles for now. And, my heart goes out too everyone in Newtown, Connecticut. My heart grieves at such a horrible tragedy, and it’s difficult for me to even think about what those affected are going through right now.

One thing that I have been dying to do is go on a camping trip. The closest I’ve ever been to experiencing the great outdoors is sleeping in  a sleeping bag in the middle of a field at Girl Scout camp when I was 11. Now that I’ll be graduating this spring, I’m planning a camping trip with a group of friends as one last “hurrah” before we all go off to our respective futures.

Because none of us knows even the slightest thing about camping, we’ve turn to the internet in hopes that it will tell us all we need to know. Surprisingly, it has been difficult to find most of what we need in one place. I’ve only just started researching recently, but I’ll share with you what I learned so far:

1. Choose a location and type

Do you want to do a cross-country tour, or keep it local with the parks around where you currently live? Are you going to be camping in area with a lot of rainfall, or in deserts where water accessibility will be an issue? Does it get really cold at night and hot during the day? Are camp fires allowed at the locations you want to visit? These are all questions that you’ll need to address in order to entice people to come along with you, and in terms of the type of equipment you’ll need. In addition, you’ll also want to decide on the type of camping you’ll be doing. Do you want to back-pack and explore the back country of national parks, or are you looking to drive up to camping grounds and hitch a tent for the night? Keep in mind there are often fees for having a car in many national parks (in addition to the entrance fees.)

2. Assemble a group

3 or 4 is the ideal number here- any more than that and you may run into problems with keeping pace and conflicting interests, any less  and you run the risk of someone getting hurt and being left alone while the other person goes for help. Having 3-4 people also allows you to divide up the weight of commonly used items (like the tent, fuel for your camping stove, water, etc.) 2 people is minimum, I would suggest, especially for first-time campers.

3. Decide how you will travel

Whether by bus, car, train, foot, or bike, you’ll want to have a clear idea of how you’ll get from point A to point B. While using your own car is by far the most convenient, keep in mind that this will limit you in terms of flexibility of travel. Similarly, train rides, especially across the northwest, while beautifully scenic, may not hit some of the more famous national parks you’ll want to visit (Yellowstone, for instance). Rental cars may be a great option, but look into which rental car companies allow their rentals to be returned in another state, and if there is a fee associated with this. Another consideration is how much of a schedule you want to follow. I had one friend tell me that the idea of having a planned itinerary for a vacation takes the fun out of it, and his idea of a good time is simply lounging around and doing things as he sees fit. This is great, but if you’re going to be using some sort of public transportation, you’ll need to be on a schedule. Along these same line, you’ll want to at least plan how long you want you’re camping trip to last. And make sure to plan your routes so that every so often you’ll hit a hotel or motel of some sort so you can get a shower!

4. Get the gear

There are numerous lists available of the kinds of things you’ll need on any camping trip (obviously you’ll need a tent, clothes, food…etc.), but a lot of it is going to depend on where you’ll be going. If you plan on camping in the Pacific Northwest, you’ll want waterproof tent, clothing, and hiking boots, whereas if you want to explore the Grand Canyon you might not need all of that. The key is to go low-tech; the whole point of camping is to experience nature. And no, you don’t necessarily need to raid the nearest Northface store for the most expensive clothing you can find. A great deal of camping items can be picked up at your local grocery or drug store. Also, weight and size of the objects you may want to bring is a consideration. Ask yourself “could I lug this around in my backpack for a few hours?”

5. Know the dangers

You’ll want to be fully schooled on the safety and hazards of anywhere you decide to go. As a general rule, most campers run into harm from things like hypothermia or injuries rather than from attacks from wild animals, so be prepared for that. For camping on the back country, you want to make sure never to veer off the trail; often times what looks like a short-cut is not. You can check with each park you want to visit for more specific information.

That’s all for now. I’ll be including information I find about what is the best type of tent to buy and things like that in future posts. Happy trails!

LNG

Here are few tips to clean your home

Perform Routine Carpet Cleaning

You can rent an industrial carpet cleaner for a deep cleaning. Add a cap full of non-chlorinated bleach along with the recommended cleaning solution. You should perform this at least twice a year, three times a year if you have pets.

Mold Removal

If you find mold in your home, don’t panic. No matter how clean your home is, mold is always present in the air. When the environmental conditions in the home are right, the mold spores attach to a surface and form a colony also known as mold and mildew. It is important that you remove all mold from your home, we recommend the following

1. If you find mold spots in your home, clean the mold within the first 24 – 48 hours to prevent spreading
2. Apply non-chlorinated bleach to a bucket of water
3. If the area is larger than 3X3, contract a professional to remove the mold
4. Locate the source of mold and correct the problem

Bathroom Cleaning

1. Wash and clean your shower at least once a week. Use an eco-friendly shower cleaner to remove soap scum and to prevent build up. Regular cleaning can reduce mold and mildew.
2. Wash all surfaces weekly, including the sink, counter, and toilet.

Fall Cleanup and Leaf Removal

1. Removing the leaves is a task. If you have a riding lawn mower with a bagger, depending on the age of the mower, you may be able to remove the leaves by riding on your mower. If not, a leaf blower and a few rakes will do the trick.
2. Remove the leaves so you don’t damage your lawn. Find a spot in your yard to start a composting pile or contact an eco-friendly contractor to remove the leaves.
3. Walk the perimeter of your property weekly to remove debris and trash from your yard. Pick up fallen branches, and other debris (Acorns) from trees.

Vinyl (VCT) and Hardwood Floors

1. Follow the manufactures recommendations for cleaning solutions. The cleaning schedule depends on the room. For example, vinyl floors in the kitchen and bathroom should be cleaned weekly. Add non-chlorinated bleach to the water to sanitize your vinyl floors.
2. Hardwood floors should be swept weekly and mopped or polished based on the manufactures recommendations.

Going Green has never been easier. Follow these steps to go green without going red!

Step 1

• Use the Eco calculator to calculate your Eco Footprint

Before you go green, understand your impact on the planet. There are several eco calculators that you can use, we recommend that you use the EPA Household Emissions Calculator to see your impact and to calculate your potential savings.

Step 2

• Develop a green plan to reduce consumption of natural resources, to reuse whenever possible and to recycle after use.

After you view your carbon footprint, identify the items you can correct according to your budget. Make a commitment to reduce your consumption, to reuse, and to recycle whenever possible.

Step 3

• Prioritize your task and then implement your green plan.

Turn the items you want to address in to a task. Create a to do list, and then give each task a priority from 1-5. Set the least expensive items at the top of your list and the most expensive items at the bottom.

The best way to start is to eliminate all disposable products such as:

• Paper plates and napkins
• Plastic utensils and cups
• Bottled Water
• Take out containers

 Step 4

• Purchase a programmable thermostat to reduce your heating and cooling bills.

A programmable thermostat can drastically reduce your heating and cooling bills while saving energy. It is important to choose an Energy Star qualified programmable thermostat with features that fit your budget and your schedule.

For more visit Energy Star.gov page for additional details.

 Step 5

• Examine your convenience look for ways to change your life-style.

Over the years, we’ve all grown accustomed to quick, easy, fast. Going green involves going back to the way our grandparents lived, slowly and without the convenience.

You can start by purchasing reusable items, for example, when you go to the grocery store, the local discount store, or to the drug store, BYORB (Bring your Own Reusable Bag). Purchase a reusable coffee cup, and use BPA-free and 100% recyclable stainless bottles.

Eliminate frozen diners from you diet. Instead purchase reusable containers, cook your meals in advance, freeze, then reheat as needed.

Step 6

• Develop and then implement an energy efficiency plan.

Seek out and destroy all vampires (Unused appliances and cell phone chargers plugged in to the wall). Weatherize your home, purchase insulated shades or drapes to reduce drafts, upgrade your appliances and electronic devices to energy efficient models.

When I first decided to go vegetarian, I scoured the internet looking for tips and guides how to retain a balanced diet and get all of the vitamins and minerals I usually relied on meat to fulfill. Unfortunately, I found little resources that told me how to do it (other than the obvious of stop eating meat), and it took months of stitching together information for various sources to finally feel like I’ve got it together. Here is a guide I made:

Decide why

Why are you making this change? Is it because of the environmental impacts of eating meat, or does it have to do with health concerns? Articulating why is it that you want to make this huge change in you’re lifestyle will help you stay on track and retain a clear goal and motivation.

Food blogs to help along the way:

Cooking delicious, flavorful meals was definitely a challenge for me because I relied on meat to fill in a lot of the flavor gaps left by my spices. Luckily, I found a bunch of terrific food blogs that have tasty vegetarian recipes that pushed to to expand my culinary boundaries and gave me inspiration for not eating the same meals everyday.

Oh She Glows- Vegan! Features a bunch of original dishes that can easily be made non-vegan.

Lottie + Doof- I used this site mostly for the baked goods, but there are a few good vegetarian dishes as well.

Eat, Live, Run- excellent vegetarian options

Manjula’s Kitchen- when it comes to a cuisine that you can always count on to having vegetarian options, Indian food will become you’re best friend. Whenever I make lentils, I always makes it in some delicious daal recipe from this site.

Joy the Baker- the name says it all. I adore the baked goodies on this site, and there are quite a few main course recipes that I love too.

Spices/Flavor:

Speaking of flavor, I told you Indian food would be you’re best friend, right? Most of the spices I used are ones commonly found in Indian cuisine. If this is not you’re thing, don’t worry. Butter, olive oil, Italian spices, or good old salt and pepper may be enough for some dishes. Here are the spices I use most. Note: these also are great for meat too!

ground cardamon

curry

cumin seeds

turmeric powder

ginger (both in spice form and fresh)

Don’t forget about onion and garlic sautéed in you’re favorite oil!

Food Staples:

I’ll focus mostly on protein here, because that’s what would cause the most concern. Of course you’ll be eating a great deal of vegstables and fruit, but what you don’t want to fall into the the trap of eating mostly carbohydrates or rice all the time. Try these things:

lentils- red lentils are my favorite variety! They become so creamy when they are cooked that they make an awesome daal. There are also green lentils, which I like, and black ones, which I have yet to try. I never ate lentil before, and I honestly don’t know why. This bean takes away the strong desire to chew something that I used ti constantly feel (anyone know what I’m talking about?)

beans- you saw this one coming. Pinto, black, navy, black-eyed. They are all so good and great ways to make any meal hearty.

Tofu- I like this even when I wasn’t vegetarian, so this was a good transition for me. The good thing is that they make extra-firm tofu that more closely resembles the texture of meat than the regular version.

Nuts- Somedays, the only protein I’ll get is almond-butter spread over an apple snack right before class. Something is better than nothing, right?

Things I have yet to try:

Quinoa- a tiny grain that has gained popularity in the past few months

kale- bitter, green, and leafy vegetable that is packed with vitamins

tempeh- fermented soybeans in almost cake form

Some Words of Caution

Going out for lunch with your friends or trying to find a quick fast-food meal is going to be a challenge. Also, vegetarians have a great deal more gas than non-vegetarians. This is in part due to the difficulty in breaking down vegetables. I suggest beano.

I hope this helps!

LNG

Ever wonder what the difference is? Turns out, nothing! At least underneath the surface.

Brown eggs are laid by brown chickens, and white eggs are laid by white chickens. The difference is that brown chickens eat more than their white counterparts, and thus cost more to feed. This in part explain the cost difference among the two. The other reason has to do with perception. Perhaps once upon a time there was a difference in taste between the two types of eggs because farmers bred the cheaper  white variety for mass consumption. The brown ones were left to forage like natural chicken should, and the difference in taste was noted by chefs looking for quality ingredients. Well, egg companies caught on and started feeding the brown chickens the same bland feed as the white ones, and now there is no major difference other than the color and cost.

Side note, there are blue eggs too!

LNG

Quick! Before Autumn runs out, grab your basket and follow me. I’m going to show you a few things commonly found in nature that double as delicious foods that you can eat. Ready?

Acorns

Yup. those things you run over with your bike and delight in watching squirrels devour are edible. This food has an important role in the history of Native Americans, who have included it in their diets for centuries. I first learned of this when I was interning at the Chicago Botanic Garden this summer, and I have been dying to give it a go. The one thing to be weary of is that acorns have a high amount of a bitter-tasting chemical called tannic acid, which has been know to cause kidney damage. At the Garden, I learned that Native American in the Great Basin used to shell, roast, and then grind their freshly picked acorns in flour and place it in a leaf-lined pit in the sand to leach it with gallons of water. The thing is, tannic acid is water soluble and can be flushed out by the leaching method or even by boiling. You’ll know you’ve gotten most of it out when it no longer tastes bitter. Afterwards, you can use it in a number of recipes!

Black Walnuts

This one isn’t too much a a stretch because we already eat a few close cousins. Still, these are a bit tricker because their shells are crazy difficult to open. Once, I spent a good 20 minutes trying to open on my stomping on it and slamming it against many hard surfaced before I gave up and took a pair of pliers to it. I would suggest trying this approach first, or maybe roasting them whole to weaken their shells.

Clovers

Boil them! They’re good, I promise.

Dandelion

These pesky plants grow EVERYWHERE. Good for you’re stomach, bad for you’re garden. Try picking these when they are young because they will be less bitter. Also, boil them a bit before you dive in to remove any remaining bitterness. By the way, this picture is courtesy Art of Manliness, where they have loads of other information about other edible plants.

The good thing about all of these plants is that they grow in all parts of the country and are easily found. As with anything, make sure to pick the freshest, healthiest looking plants free of any suspicious spots or holes. Happy eating!

LNG

A group of Nigerian girls invented a urine powered generator !

Vegetarian Thanksgiving! …and you didn’t think it was possible

I just discovered this gem of a post, which makes you think twice about the food brand you support

In light of the horrific damage done by Hurricane Sandy, maybe now we’ll start paying attention to climate change

Speaking of climate change, water is becoming a growing concern in this warmer climate

This beautiful Ted Talk that reminds us of the importance of individuality

LNG

Tailgating expert Shane Hill, Author of the Alabama Tailgate Cookbook, shares tips on selecting the right equipment for your tailgate kit.

With election day, just hours away. I though I’d give two final thoughts before the polls open. I’d like to comment on government spending and the thought of reducing services to the low income.

Most people do not understand that a President must run the country like a CEO must run a business. That said, many Americans do not understand exactly what happened during the 2008 financial crisis. So I though I would break it down in to common household terms.

Imagine if you overdrew your checking account by one billion dollars. Could you replace that money in four weeks? Four months or four year? Most of us cannot. So we would have to borrow money so that we can continue to live and make payments.

As I read some of the comments on Yahoo, it appears that we all forgot how we purchased items we did not need, like huge expensive homes and cars. How about a $2,5000 Louis Vuitton Bag. Or better yet, a trip to Europe! All on credit. Just because President Obama gave the banks a loan, the debt did not go away. As a result, President Obama had to borrow money to assist the economy. I. E. money was sent to each state and other federal agencies to help when we, the U.S citizens, could not pay our property taxes, federal income taxes, or purchase goods to support small and large businesses.

That said, the financial crisis we are in now, is not the government’s fault. It is our fault. Seems like we forgot how we got here and we are looking to pass the blame. The financial crisis of 2008 was a massive meltdown. The U.S. economy impacted the economies of other nations, world-wide.

Romney cannot fix this in four years, neither can President Obama. This is something that only time will fix. Again, think of your personal bank account. How long would you have to work to pay back the billion dollars you overdrew? Long-time, right! The same thing is true for this country.

The second issue is the proposed cuts on services for the Americans that represent the 47%. Here is what I will say. I spent time with individuals who live at the poverty level. I was shocked and surprised to hear of the services and programs that Obama implemented to provide food, heat, and shelter during this emergency time of need. One woman told me, she would not have a job if it was not for the Obama program that provides free cell phones. Other programs that are federally funded such as HEAP, will help millions of Americans families as we move from summer to winter.

Can you image, how high the crime rate would be if you cut these types of programs? In a recent post on Yahoo. I stated that those at the poverty level will have nothing to loose if their reminding benefits are cut….. They will have to resort to do what is best for them. Which may include a life of crime. The crimes may be against the middle and upper middle class citizens who do not live behind gated communities. The social programs in place exist for a reason. Removing those programs would cause an offset. That offset could be higher crime rates and violence.

Think before you cast your vote! The best choice may not be a good choice and a good choice may not be the best choice. Don’t just consider your local area. Think big! Vote based on the facts, not fiction.

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Below are 5 common household items you can use to clean your home.

Ammonia

Ammonia is said to be safe because it is absorbed as a nutrient by plants, bacteria, and animals. Traces of ammonia are aslo found in the air, water, and the soil and it quickly absorbs and does not increase the toxic levels in the environment. Never combine ammonia  with bleach, vinegar, or any other cleaner, because this can cause deadly fumes.

Baking Soda

 Baking soda is s a natural cleanser. You can use it to deodorize and scour just about any surface. Living NEO Green recommends that you test a small, if possible, hidden area before you apply baking soda to an uncomon surface, like cork.

Olive Oil

Use olive oil to polish your furniture.  If you choose, you can add the juice of a lemon. Living NEO Green recommends that you test a small, hidden area, before you apply to the entire surface.

Rubbing Alchol

Rubbing alchol can be used to sanitize without the horrible smell of ammonia. You can use it to clean you mirrors, the outside of the toilet, countertops, and kitchen appliance.

White Vinegar

You can use white vinegar to stop bacteria and to kill ecoli. This non-toxic all natural indgredient is easy to use and does not stain. Simply spary and leave on the surface for two minutes, then wipe clean.

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In an effort to greenify our business to reduce cost, we tend to look at the normal things, like paper, water, and power consumption. Have you ever thought of purchasing promotional products that visitors to your booth can reuse?

A plastic necklace with holder

Paper, plastic necklaces, and other items that your visitors will deem as junk will more than likely end up in the trash once the necklace breaks or after they read the words on the page. Here are three tips to help you save money and reach your captive audience with valuable and reusable promotional items.

Buy Items that are Trendy and Visitors will Reuse

A colored wrist band is a hot item among all ages.

Do your research to see what promotional items are trendy among your target demographic.  For example, plastic wrist bands are hot. So are toys or items that can be displayed.

Avoid Paper and Plastic Items that Break Easily and Cannot be Reused

A plastic necklace with the name of your business on the charm is great, but what happens when it breaks or the visitor decides to no longer wear it. Paper, like it or not, the final destination is the trash.

A trash can full of promotional paper.

During one of our many events, we took pictures of trash cans full of paper. The trash can was two feet from the boot that was handing out the promotional materials.

Instead of creating waste for the landfill, replace paper by directing visitors to your website or use QRG codes so your visitors can scan the QRG code with their smart phone and go immediately to your web site. Give out business cards with your company name, web address, and a brief list of services instead of an 8×10 piece of paper. Visitors are more likely to keep your business cards than they will keep the paper.

Purchase Eco-friendly Items that Visitors Deem Valuable

General Motors gave out die cast metal cars

When purchasing custom promotional items, be sure to purchase items that the visitor see as valuable and the items can be reused. Reusable shopping bags, water bottles, and quality pens are a few. Work with your supplier to find items that are appropriate for the age, festival or business event that you will attend.

Incorporate recycling of the promotional items in to your overall message. As you sell your products, remind your visitors that they should recycle, upcycle or reuse your promotional materials.

[RPS]

Atlanta – The national magazine, Living NEO Green announced that they will offer a print on demand issue. “Moving to a print on demand model was not a tough call,” says Benita Williams, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Living NEO Green Magazine. Some of our readers want to touch and feel the paper. What is best about the print on demand platform, Magcloud there is no waste. Readers purchase a single issue and at the end of the quater, nothing is left to throw away. So the print on demand model is economimcal for us as well,” Williams says.

Despite Newsweek’s announcement to move to a digital only model, Williams understands that everyone does not own an iPad, Android, and some prefer to read on paper and turn the page. There are people out there that want to touch and feel a magazine,” says Willaims. She continues… “Once our readers are done with the magazine, we’ll remind them to recycle or reuse the paper. They can follow-us on Facebook and Pinterest to get 101 ways unique ideas to resue paper.”

All print purchases come with a free download for the iPad. The first edition of Living NEO Green Magazine is available on Magcloud and Living NEO Green has a mobile applciation on the Apple Newsstand.

Starting a new company or running an existing small business is more expensive to do in this economy than it was four years ago. We’ve tested the following products and we recommend them to any start-up or small business looking to reduce expenses.

Cell Phone Service

Sprint offers affordable cellular plans for your small business. With a full line of phones and excellent cellular coverage, you can take advantage of Sprint’s low cost plans. For just $10 per month, you add unlimited text and data services, which comes in handy if you use your cell phone for social media. For an additional fee, all calls after 6 PM to 6 AM are free, which is an additional plus if you are located on the east coast and have clients on the west coast.   You can also add a up to five lines to your plan for only $19.99 per line.

Virtual PBX Phone Systems

Grasshopper is a virtual private branch exchanged (PBX) phone system that routes calls from your toll free or local number to any phone. This includes Skype, cellular, and land lines.  You can use Grasshopper to give your company a large corporate feel with an automated greeting, options to dial by name or extension, and there is hold music for callers while their call is transferred. The features of this phone system mirrors that of a basic PBX phone system from Cisco, Nortel, or Avaya.

With Grasshopper, you can assign employees a three digit extension and use up to 100 extensions. You can forward calls to an extension or to another phone number, you can create a conference call, and you can set up an informational line. When an incoming call goes unanswered, you can assign a second extension and the call will automatically transfer.

Reporting is also available,  you can run usage reports, incoming call reports, and you can manage your extensions. The best part of this system is that your voice mail and faxes  are delivered to your e-mail and you can manage the entire PBX system online. You never have to dial-in except to set up your voice mail.

With this service, you are never out of touch with your office and you do not have to give out your personal cell phone number, because you can forward your calls to your cell phone and scheduled the time of day that you want to start and stop receiving business calls.

Website, Blogs, and E-mail

With Yahoo Small Business, anything is possible. You can purchase a domain, setup custom e-mail accounts,  and create a custom website. There are powerful publishing tools for you to create a website, you can create an instance of a MySQL database, create a WordPress blog, and use FTPS (Secure File Transfer Protocol) services to transfer large files. With Yahoo Mail, you can create up to 1,000 e-mail accounts, send large attachments, and you can get your e-mail messages delivered to any mobile device. Yahoo Small Business also offers retail plans to open an online store.

Unlike most web hosting sites, Yahoo does not charge for each feature. Their web hosting package includes the WordPress blog, FTPS, and e-mail, all at one low price.  What is most impressive, is that you can hire an application developer, skilled in the languages supported by Yahoo Small Business, to create your custom website or to enhance your blog.

The services above are safe, secure, and affordable for any small business. The biggest dilemma among small business owners is to come across as a big company, at a reasonable price. With the services above, there is no expensive equipment to purchase and you do not need to hire someone to answer the phone, a database administrator or a help desk technician, because those services are included with your plans.

The overall goal of any start-up or small business is to save money. The applications and services above will not only provide excellent services, they can save you money. Depending on the plans that you choose, you can be up and running for as little as $150.00 per month!

Most of us can agree that this is wildlife

And  that this is not

But…why?

Lately, I’ve been thinking about what consitutes those animals we consider wild. Is it their color pattern? Maybe it has to do with size? Does the difference lie in where they live? According to Dictionary.com,

Wildlife

1. undomesticated animals living in the wild,  including thosehunted for food, sport, or profit.

But that’s just it; where exactly is the wild? Is it like nature, that place far away that you have to get into your car and drive in order to get there? Because nature could never be that park down the street, or that strip of land that lines our sidewalks.

There’s this myth, a very powerful one, that humans are removed from nature. This is, for the most part, what drives our understanding of our environment, how we interact with it, and our perception of the things in it. It is for this reason that squirrels, mice, and in some cases White-tailed deer are not considered wildlife.

The truth is, we are very much a part of nature; we never left. A squirrel is just as much an animal of the wild as a giraffe is. If we begin to change our perception- debunk the myth, then we may being to find the same wonder in walking down the street that we do in our local zoos.

LNG

The First Community Supported Fishery is gaining momentum

Where did our Great Barrier Reef Go? Apparently, half of it has dissapeared in the last 27 years.

We’re about to loose our rhinos too :(

Pumpkin is not the only thing in season right now

Love all the beautiful fall leaf colors? Learn how to press them

No more paper Newsweek; it’s going green, but for all the wrong reasons

LNG

There are so many articles, tweets, and blog post on how to make Eco-friendly cleaners, that we dare not recreate the wheel. Instead, we’ll give you a few things to consider before you decide to clean your home or apartment green.

If you think back in time, consumer and commercial cleaners were created to combat germs and to make life simpler. With a strong need to save money or to go green, folks are rushing back to the old way of doing things. So, we thought it would be fun to test some of the recipies on the web and to clean a 3,000 square foot home with only homemade cleaners.

From that experience, we’ve got a few tips to consider before you make a homemade cleaning solution.

Three Things to Consider:

Before you break out the measuring cups and the towel, here are three things you should consider before you make your first batch of homemade cleaner:

• Children and Pets – You should evaluate each recipe before you begin to be sure the instructions do not require you to leave the homemade cleaner on the surface overnight. This can pose as a potential problem for small children and pets. Although most homemade cleaners are all natural, leaving a homemade cleaner on a surface that was made a week ago may cause your small child or pet to become ill if they come in to contact with the sprayed surface.
• The Clean-ability Factor and Your Time  - The clean-ability factor describes the amount of time it takes to clean an area or a surface the first time with a homemade cleaner VS. using an Eco-friendly cleaner, to clean the same surface. For example, if the size of your bathroom is 20×20, and covered from floor to ceiling with tile, you may want to use an Eco-friendly cleaner VS. raw vinegar and baking soda.
• Cost of Eco-friendly Cleaning Solutions- You may also want to consider the cost of Eco-friendly cleaning solution based on the surface of the floor, walls, and counter tops in your kitchen and bath. You should also add in the clean-ability factor over the amount of time it takes you to clean your entire home.

At the end of your experience, you may find that cleaning green takes longer and requires a little more effort. Again, weigh your options, consider which method will be a realistic approach for you to clean green. Base your decision on the square footage of your home, condo, or apartment. Remember, going green is fun, but only when it is effective. If you are cleaning a large home, and you have limited time, you may want to seek the power of a Eco-friendly cleaner available at your local grocery or discount store.

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I’m green because!

Choose your color and your cause, then wear it NEO Green!

Simon describes the Eco-friendly belts.

Most of us, in our free time, like to relax and let some the stresses of everyday life wear off. Though, recently, there has been a major increase in another stress reliever you might not expect. Volunteering has become increasingly popular over the last few years, and researches say it’s not only good for your community. It is a way to meet your community leaders and there may be some networking opportunities.

The benefits are amazing. When you share your time and talents you can learn to solve problems, you help to strengthen your local community, improve lives, connect with others, and transform your life.  In addition to that, CNCS presented a report that showed the relationships between volunteering and health. People who volunteer have lower mortality rates, lower rates of depression, and greater functional ability, over those who do not regularly volunteer.

To become a volunteer in your community, you have two options. You can pick an organization that is meaningful. If you don’t have a favorite local organization, you can always use a volunteer matching service like Volunteermatch.org, which will take your interest and give provide you with volunteer opportunities in your local area.  Consider volunteering at your local Boys and Girls Club, local hospital, hospice, and soup kitchen or you can register with other community organizations in need of your help.

Of course, volunteering isn’t the only way to help your community. A simple act of kindness always goes a long way. After all, everyone does not have free time to spare.  If that is the case, you can donate used blankets to your local animal shelter. Donate funds at your local food bank.

During the month of October everything is pink, from helmets to bottles to pink ribbons on the jerseys of your favorite football team. During this time, you should show your support, get an exam, and get the facts about breast cancer.

According to the CDC, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, and is the leading cause of cancer death among women of all races.

Green living goes beyond healthy foods and reducing waste, it includes living a healthy lifestyle. Remember, “Health equals wealth.” To stay healthy and extend your earning potential, get the facts at the American Cancer Society. You will find tips to help you live a healthy lifestyle, facts about prevention, and information on breast cancer screening which leads to early detection. These are key elements to survive breast cancer. You can also pledge your support to find a cure.

Trees? Those things that provide shade in parks and on sidewalks?

Every year at my school, the Arboretum  places signs in front of a few trees on our campus’ main green space that give the annual ecological benefit of each particular tree. Before this summer, I never paid any attention to them, other than the occasional glance to notice their presence.

Now I know better.

One of the great gifts from my time spent at the Chicago Botanic Garden this past summer was learning how to appreciate and identify trees. Hardly a day passes when I am not walking around campus with a friend that I don’t stop to give a mini “tree lesson.” I’m not perfect, but I’ve got down the basics: maples, elms, ashes, oaks in both their white and red flavors. I’m always trying to learn more. I was so excited when I saw that the Arboretum’s signs had returned that I could hardly walk pass them without stopping, even though I was a bit late to class.

What I like most about the signs, is that they force us to think of trees as more than those things that provide shade and scenery. They are living organisms, with both ecological and aesthetic value. They provide homes for squirrels and other critters, and there presence does wonders for the chemistry (and biochemistry) for the soil.

It’s time you rethink the trees in your life.

LNG

bike ride                                                                                      hot chocolate

apple picking                                                                             pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls

scary (pumpkin spice)

To Do:

-Bonfire

-Warm apple cider

-Rake leaves into a pile and then jump in it

-Everything else fall…(suggestions?)

LNG

The best American designers presented their collections during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Now that the shows are over, take look at the new and exciting trends for Spring 2013.

Stripes

From the ”brutally simple” style of Marc Jacobs to DVF, stripes are in.

Marc Jacobs

J. Crew

Diane Von Furstenberg

Tommy Hilfiger

Crop tops

Crop tops and bralettes are hot items.

Marc Jacobs

Jason Wu

Peter Som

Rebecca Minkoff

Neon

Neon and soft pastel will make a bold statement. Cool shades of yellow, green, and pink to brighten your wardrobe.

Proenza Schouler

Floral

From polka dots to unique floral patters, floral and prints are back.

J. Crew

Betsey Johnson

Chris Benz

Alice and Olivia

Relaxed Fit

Get ready for loose-fitting clothing or better yet,  a fit this is slouchy and relaxed. 

 The Row

Milly

Green living is not only about the way you live, it is also about federal policies passed by your political leaders. The federal policies that impact your lifestyle include financial, (Banking and insurance), jobs, environmental, and taxes.

Think of it this way, if your taxes increase and your paycheck does not. You will be making less. When you make less, you save less, and have less to spend.

President Obama’s Grass Roots Tour stopped in Ohio at Kent State University on Wednesday, September 26, 2012. The event inspired young people from the area and positive energy was felt thought the gymnasium.

In his campaign speech, President Obama said that he is a president for all people “If 47 percent of the population does not vote for me as President, then I hear your voice. But I still want to be your president.” He pointed out that he does not see veterans, senior citizens, students, and families taking advantage of federal programs as ‘victims’. “I don’t meet a lot of victims. I see a lot of hard working Ohioans. I see students who are trying to work their way through college. I see single moms working, putting in overtime to raise their kids right. I see senior citizens who have been saving their whole lives for retirement. I see veterans who saved this country bravely and are still defending our freedom today. We do believe in opportunity, in a country where hard work pays off. Where responsibility is rewarded, and everyone gets a fair shot, everybody does their fair shake, and plays by the same rules.”

The President’s comments “I don’t believe we will get very far, when we got leaders who will write off half the nation as a bunch of victims who don’t take responsibility for their lives.” This made me think of the comment Romney made during the Olympics. I thought if Mitt Romney became my new boss, could I communicate with him? Would he have an open door policy? Would he simply write me off as one of the 47% that he deems a ‘victim’? And if so, would I be able to keep my job?

These are valid questions that anyone would have when they get a new boss. You should ask the same valid questions about your new President. Do your homework. Educate yourself on his policies and his long-term plans. Understand how each of the proposed policies will impact you, your family, and your business. Then vote! Take action. This is your voice and the selection of the 45^th United States President is your choice.

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