Research shows organic food has no nutritional or health benefits over non-organic foods.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Bouncy Love
If you have kids, chances are you are a huge fan of bouncer chairs. What a great invention!
It is one gear that will buy you at least one hour of peace and rest a day. I’m yet to see a baby or young toddler that doesn’t get completely entertained in one of those for at least an hour. It is a bit noisy, but you just can’t have everything!
Someone gave us as a baby shower present. I confess that we didn’t have the slightest idea that it even existed until that moment. Since the first minute we put Lukas on it, it was like magic, he loved it. We didn’t even put batteries in the chair. He bounced himself by kicking it with his heels.
The toys hanging are very amusing, and for some reason the bouncy movement makes him very drowsy. It is an hour of self-entertainment, and an extra-hour of nap. As a bonus, the dog also gets quite amused….
God bless its creator!
If You Are a Runner or a Walker
Walking or running are great ways to exercise. Being able to walk to the grocery store, a cafe, or to see my friends is a great opportunity to burn calories and save resources (gas and money!).We got an “all-terrain” type of stroller that works really well. It is a bit heavy to take on trips, but a great gear to have in the city. The wheels are big and wide, so riding it on smooth or rough pavements is a breeze. And the suspension keeps the little one comfortable anywhere. Its large canopy protects my son against rain or sun. I also keep a net and an umbrella in the pocket, in case of mosquitoes, or rain to cover myself. A diaper changer, when I remember, is also useful to keep in the pocket!
There are several brands available in stores, most marketed as running strollers. The one we got is from BOB, but overall look for “all-terrain” features (large wheels and suspension) and a long canopy for protection.
Add Your Voice To Farm Sanctuary's Petition
Nothing natural about these living conditions.
Activists,
Our friends at Farm Sanctuary need our help in gathering 10,000 signatures for their "Truth Behind Labels" petition to the USDA to tell them their "naturally raised" label is deceptive to consumers, with actual conditions being far from natural. Considering 10 billion farm animals are slaughtered in the U.S. each year, 10,000 voices should not be too much to ask for.
Well-intentioned consumers who do chose to eat a meat-based diet are purchasing products with the "naturally raised" label, believing these animals are given the most basic considerations they deserve in return for giving their lives for people's food supply: sunshine, fresh air, the freedom to move freely and perform natural behaviors.
But this is far from the reality, as we know. U.S. consumers have faith in the food supply, but are not only being misled by big agribusiness, but by their very own government, which is sanctioning such egregious conditions.
Please take a moment to sign their petition here, and forward to as many people as possible. Learn more about the campaign.
Flashback to my visit to Farm Sanctuary's Watkins Glen, NY, shelter, including humane and delicious eats around town. This is how life should be for these animals.
Activists,
Our friends at Farm Sanctuary need our help in gathering 10,000 signatures for their "Truth Behind Labels" petition to the USDA to tell them their "naturally raised" label is deceptive to consumers, with actual conditions being far from natural. Considering 10 billion farm animals are slaughtered in the U.S. each year, 10,000 voices should not be too much to ask for.
Well-intentioned consumers who do chose to eat a meat-based diet are purchasing products with the "naturally raised" label, believing these animals are given the most basic considerations they deserve in return for giving their lives for people's food supply: sunshine, fresh air, the freedom to move freely and perform natural behaviors.
But this is far from the reality, as we know. U.S. consumers have faith in the food supply, but are not only being misled by big agribusiness, but by their very own government, which is sanctioning such egregious conditions.
Please take a moment to sign their petition here, and forward to as many people as possible. Learn more about the campaign.
Flashback to my visit to Farm Sanctuary's Watkins Glen, NY, shelter, including humane and delicious eats around town. This is how life should be for these animals.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Family Bike Ride
Woohoo! Summer is here, and if you haven’t cleaned your bikes yet, you are missing a lot of fun.Family rides are a very good exercise, and an awesome bonding experience. Bike trailers are great for kids, and some of them can even be used as a strollers. There are versions for different ages, and for two kids as well.
Bike extension versions work well, however you will need some practice before carrying your kid! If the child moves abruptly, or if the parent is not used to the additional weight, there is a potential to destabilize the bike.
Standard bike trailers seem a lot safer to me for younger kids, since they are lower on the ground, and the flexible hitches allow the trailer to stay upright in case the bike falls.
Whatever the version you choose for your family, get on the road while the sun is warm, and enjoy loads of family fun! Just remember to stay close, in case of diaper emergencies…
Monday, July 27, 2009
Ina's Little Tomato Tarts
No doubt you’ve all seen this recipe in Ina Garten’s latest cookbook. Hope I am not repeating something you have already tried, but in my humble opinion, she is the best of the Food Network chefs and her latest cookbook showcases some lovely new recipe ideas. I just happen to like her style- her food- her ideas. She’s fun to watch, has a nifty sense of humor and often puts a new twist on her old recipes, although I don’t see her repeat things too often. One to drool over example: her sticky buns ( a previous post) - which she used to make the old fashioned way with yeast- Ina now uses puff pastry and I’m here to tell you these are FABULOUS and EASY. And FATTENING. Oh my.
Tomato Goat Cheese Tarts
(Adapted from Ina Garten)
Sticky buns aside, (although just writing about them makes me want to make some) I had some company for lunch recently and thought her little Tomato Tart recipe would be the perfect answer- I could get them all ready to go, stick them in the refrigerator and pop them into the oven when we were ready to eat. Don’t you get tired of salads all the time? With a little fruit on the side, this tart wraps things up in a clever, delicious and fun luncheon package.
Have you noticed that Ina is using a lot of puff pastry dough lately? And I read recently on somebody’s blog NOT to buy Pepperidge Farm puff pastry but to go to Whole Foods and get Dufour Classic Puff Pastry. Never dreamed I would actually find it, but there it was, in the freezer area. I really didn’t think it would make a big difference, but it was fabulous- as good as if you made it from scratch. I think for special occasions I will use it but for everyday and family cooking I will use the Pepperidge Farm puff pastry; nothing really wrong with it.
I am not a huge fan of onions for lunch, even caramelized, so I substituted shallots- which I think are milder and work just as well in this recipe and cook faster too. I bet you’re sick of my talking about Ina’s recipes, but when I find one I use a lot and it receives raves from everyone, I really want to make sure you give it a try.
Tomato Goat Cheese Tarts
(Adapted from Ina Garten)
Ingredients:
1 package (17.3 ounces/2 sheets) puff pastry, defrosted
Good olive oil
2-3 cups thinly sliced shallots
3 large garlic cloves, cut into thin slivers
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons dry white wine
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, plus 2 ounces shaved with a vegetable peeler
4 ounces garlic-and-herb goat cheese (recommended: Montrachet)
1 large tomato, cut into 4 (1/4-inch-thick) slices
3 tablespoons julienned basil leaves
Method:
Unfold a sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll it lightly to an 11 by 11-inch square. Using a 6-inch wide saucer or other round object as a guide, cut 2 circles from the sheet of puff pastry, discarding the scraps. Repeat with the second pastry sheet to make 4 circles in all. Place the pastry circles on 2 sheet pans lined with parchment paper and refrigerate until ready to use.
Preheat the oven to 425°.
Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil and add the shallots and garlic. Saute, stirring frequently, until the shallots are limp and there is almost no moisture remaining in the skillet. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, the wine, and thyme and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, until the shallots are lightly browned. Set aside.
Using a sharp paring knife, score a 1/4-inch-wide border around each pastry circle. Prick the pastry inside the score lines with the tines of a fork and sprinkle a tablespoon of grated Parmesan on each round, staying inside the scored border.
Place 1/4 of the shallot mixture on each circle, again staying within the scored edge. Crumble 1 ounce of goat cheese on top of the shallots. Place a slice of tomato in the center of each tart. Brush the tomato lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with basil, salt, and pepper. Finally, scatter 4 or 5 shards of Parmesan on each tart. (I was overly generous here.)
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown. The bottom sheet pan may need an extra few minutes in the oven. Serve hot or warm.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
FDA: E-Cigarettes Contain Toxins
Federal health officials said Wednesday they have found cancer-causing ingredients in electronic cigarettes, despite manufacturers' claims the products are safer than tobacco cigarettes. (July 22)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Daily Dose of Energy
Every day I raise my energy level with a great workout, a blend of fresh antioxidant fruits and positive thoughts. Well, at least I try! If time doesn’t allow for a great workout, I go for a shorter power walk.
Setting aside ten to fifteen minutes at night to relax my mind and meditate completes the cycle, and energizes my ability to maintain positive thoughts.
As role models for our kids, we have the duty to teach them self-motivation and the importance of taking good care of themselves.
Wikipedia defines self-motivation as the ability to “find a reason and the necessary strength to do something, without the need of being influenced to do so by another person. Working in a careful and consistent manner without giving up.” This precisely defines great personality traits that I want my kids to develop.
As busy parents, we often put ourselves at the bottom of our priority lists. Taking good care of ourselves is a great exercise but requires some discipline! Cultivating our health and mind can only bring positive results for the whole family. Definitely a win-win!
Passport to Havana
After being in windowless conference rooms at my company's annual editorial meetings all day Monday, a festive business dinner out at Victor's Cafe lifted the spirits.
Mojito! Mix together white rum or vodka, sugar, lime, sparkling water, ice, and mint, and get deliciousness. Did you known this drink's birthplace is Cuba?
Black bean soup, $9. Very tasty, but an entire bowl is too filling. I took half of this home.
The waiter said he'd surprise me when I told him I was vegan, and he pleasantly did. I love sweet fried plantains. Black beans were served with the entrees, so I could have skipped the soup.
Mango sorbet, $7, from il laboratorio del gelato. So creamy. Some of the best I've had in a while. Other flavor choices were lemon or strawberry. But expensive, I know! Veganize their tempting dessert offering, flan.
Normally I like to include all the prices for full disclosure, but since this was a business dinner, I didn't see the check, so I'm unsure about the cost of the mojito and the entree. This restaurant was lively and the food delicious, but it's definitely pricey.
We loved Lucy, but we also loved Ricky! Desi Arnaz...signing the Cuban classic, Babalu.
Who was Cuban Pete, the subject of another famous Desi song? Actually of Puerto Rican origin, he was mambo genius Pedro Aguilar, who once danced at the Palladium. The legendary nightclub shuttered in 1998, was demolished, and is now a New York University residence hall. A collective boo from the crowd when historical sites are destroyed.
Visit Victor's Cafe, 236 W. 52nd., New York City. Or make a similar meal at home and request the "Music of Cuba: 1909-1951" cd and "The Mambo Kings" DVD from the library and have Cuba night at your casa.
Mojito! Mix together white rum or vodka, sugar, lime, sparkling water, ice, and mint, and get deliciousness. Did you known this drink's birthplace is Cuba?
Black bean soup, $9. Very tasty, but an entire bowl is too filling. I took half of this home.
The waiter said he'd surprise me when I told him I was vegan, and he pleasantly did. I love sweet fried plantains. Black beans were served with the entrees, so I could have skipped the soup.
Mango sorbet, $7, from il laboratorio del gelato. So creamy. Some of the best I've had in a while. Other flavor choices were lemon or strawberry. But expensive, I know! Veganize their tempting dessert offering, flan.
Normally I like to include all the prices for full disclosure, but since this was a business dinner, I didn't see the check, so I'm unsure about the cost of the mojito and the entree. This restaurant was lively and the food delicious, but it's definitely pricey.
We loved Lucy, but we also loved Ricky! Desi Arnaz...signing the Cuban classic, Babalu.
Who was Cuban Pete, the subject of another famous Desi song? Actually of Puerto Rican origin, he was mambo genius Pedro Aguilar, who once danced at the Palladium. The legendary nightclub shuttered in 1998, was demolished, and is now a New York University residence hall. A collective boo from the crowd when historical sites are destroyed.
Visit Victor's Cafe, 236 W. 52nd., New York City. Or make a similar meal at home and request the "Music of Cuba: 1909-1951" cd and "The Mambo Kings" DVD from the library and have Cuba night at your casa.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Solar system: Longest Eclipse Of The Century
Across Asia, millions of people watched the longest eclipse of the century, which lasted up to 6 minutes and 39 seconds. The next eclipse this long won't come until 2132. Terry McCarthy reports.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Apple sales and profits top analysts’ estimates
SAN FRANCISCO - Apple Inc. reported 3rd-quarter sales and profit that exceeded analysts’ estimates after wooing customers with a faster iPhone and less-expensive Macintosh notebook computers.
Profit rose to $1.23 billion, or $1.35 a share, from $1.07 billion, or $1.19, a year ago, Apple said yesterday. Sales gained 12% to $8.34 billion in the quarter ended June 27. Analysts on average predicted profit of $1.17 and sales of $8.21 billion, according to a Bloomberg survey.
Apple added the faster iPhone 3GS, cut the price of its older iPhone 3G to $99, and updated its MacBook notebooks to entice shoppers. The Mac and iPhone account for more than half of Apple’s sales. Chief executive Steve Jobs returned from medical leave last month and is trying to spur sales growth.
“Their business continues to hold up really well in this tough economy,’’ said Shaw Wu, an analyst at Kaufman Bros. in San Francisco.
Apple added the faster iPhone 3GS, cut the price of its older iPhone 3G to $99, and updated its MacBook notebooks to entice shoppers. The Mac and iPhone account for more than half of Apple’s sales. Chief executive Steve Jobs returned from medical leave last month and is trying to spur sales growth.
“Their business continues to hold up really well in this tough economy,’’ said Shaw Wu, an analyst at Kaufman Bros. in San Francisco.
Apple, which usually gives forecasts that miss analysts’ estimates, said sales in the back-to-school quarter will be $8.7 billion to $8.9 billion. Profit will be $1.18 to $1.23 a share. Analysts predict sales in the 4th quarter, which ends in September, of $9.03 billion and profit of $1.29 a share.
Apple, based in Cupertino, Calif., advanced $4.96 to $156.47 in extended trading after closing at $151.51.
source:http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2009/07/22/apple_profits_top_analysts_estimates/
Living the Good Life on My Own Terms
Part of living the good life to me is about financial empowerment. We are trained by marketers to believe we are 'treating ourselves' if we spend a high sum of money on an article of clothing or shoes, or even a haircut.
I once thought like that too. I've thankfully evolved to a point where I'd rather 'treat myself' to a sense of financial security, which includes saving to invest in a home and for children I hope to have one day, and having a sense of contentment of paying my bills in full without having to panic about what day exactly is payday.
Living with less has proven satisfying. It's fun and creative to find ways I can extend pieces in my closet throughout the year, such as wearing a long-sleeved shirt in the fall under a cute top I might wear in the summer. I am no longer impressed by women in my office who wear a different outfit almost every day of the month, and envy the women who can reinvent one dress into several different looks.
"We don't have to have more in order to be more," wisely observes Debra Ollivier in Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl. Well-put!
Moreover, she tells us the French girl "does not confuse commerce with culture and the narrative in her life does not come from what she buys or sees on TV." We are inundated with images of a high-priced version of the vegan good life on many eco-sites hawking various products. But aren't $200 vegan shoes, $500 vegan coats, and $150 bamboo dresses a bit out of touch in a recession? This is just inaccessible to the masses. And how eco-friendly are some of these fabrics being touted anyway? There's some debate about how green bamboo fabric is.
What's wrong with using something you already own, even if it's non-vegan? I did donate some non-vegan items in my wardrobe when I first made the switch to veganism, but still have a few things I still use. And why not? If someone called me on it, I'd tell them the truth. I abhor waste, both environmental and financial, and will make more informed decisions next time. My life is not a glossy ad campaign.
I once spent $55 on haircuts at a local salon. I now spend $15 at Supercuts (skipping the shampoo and styling to save money). Goodbye $500-a-year gym membership. I now walk on the sidewalk or local high school track and use my pilates mat and lightweights, all for free. Thrift store shopping is now my primary source when I do shop for something, but even more frugal: clothing swaps.
Even the head of my company is a swapper! They have such a large extended family, that the kids exchange clothes, and he's barely had to buy anything. As Rachael Ray would say, "how cool is that!?"
I, along with two budget-savvy, waste-hating friends and co-workers held another clothing swap. We offered treats from budget-friendly Trader Joe's, including strawberry lemonade, olive hummus with pita crackers, and maple cookies. Thank you, reception desk flowers!
Among other items, I donated my adorable vintage-inspired pink Betsy Johnson dress, which no longer fits (darn you, soy ice cream!) It found a very grateful new owner.
Lace-trimmed, stylish H&M top: $0. Purple cotton Limited shirt, perfect for the office: $0. The satisfaction of acquiring clothes for no money, giving my unwanted items a second life, and using things already-produced instead of buying high priced 'eco-fashion': priceless. No bill will arrive in 2-4 weeks, either.
No it wasn't all vegan, but many of these items, sitting in people's closets unused, got a new home, including a very pricey Coach bag.
Most of the leftovers went to the This-N-That Thrift Shop, on 309 Broadway, Hillsdale, NJ. This shop donates to various charities, and we chose to have our items marked to benefit Shelter Our Sisters, an organization that services victims of domestic abuse.
The shop is holding a bag sale in late August (fill an entire brown shopping bag for just $8). When it's time to switch seasons, they'll donate what is unsold to a church in Paterson. Those unemployed (far too many in this economy) can go in a get an outfit for free with proof of unemployment. I believe shops like this, that provide such a wonderful service to the community, should be in every town.
Fashionistas everywhere are going green, and saving green, by swapping clothes, shoes and bags. Take a look...
Check out the full story.
I once thought like that too. I've thankfully evolved to a point where I'd rather 'treat myself' to a sense of financial security, which includes saving to invest in a home and for children I hope to have one day, and having a sense of contentment of paying my bills in full without having to panic about what day exactly is payday.
Living with less has proven satisfying. It's fun and creative to find ways I can extend pieces in my closet throughout the year, such as wearing a long-sleeved shirt in the fall under a cute top I might wear in the summer. I am no longer impressed by women in my office who wear a different outfit almost every day of the month, and envy the women who can reinvent one dress into several different looks.
"We don't have to have more in order to be more," wisely observes Debra Ollivier in Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl. Well-put!
Moreover, she tells us the French girl "does not confuse commerce with culture and the narrative in her life does not come from what she buys or sees on TV." We are inundated with images of a high-priced version of the vegan good life on many eco-sites hawking various products. But aren't $200 vegan shoes, $500 vegan coats, and $150 bamboo dresses a bit out of touch in a recession? This is just inaccessible to the masses. And how eco-friendly are some of these fabrics being touted anyway? There's some debate about how green bamboo fabric is.
What's wrong with using something you already own, even if it's non-vegan? I did donate some non-vegan items in my wardrobe when I first made the switch to veganism, but still have a few things I still use. And why not? If someone called me on it, I'd tell them the truth. I abhor waste, both environmental and financial, and will make more informed decisions next time. My life is not a glossy ad campaign.
I once spent $55 on haircuts at a local salon. I now spend $15 at Supercuts (skipping the shampoo and styling to save money). Goodbye $500-a-year gym membership. I now walk on the sidewalk or local high school track and use my pilates mat and lightweights, all for free. Thrift store shopping is now my primary source when I do shop for something, but even more frugal: clothing swaps.
Even the head of my company is a swapper! They have such a large extended family, that the kids exchange clothes, and he's barely had to buy anything. As Rachael Ray would say, "how cool is that!?"
I, along with two budget-savvy, waste-hating friends and co-workers held another clothing swap. We offered treats from budget-friendly Trader Joe's, including strawberry lemonade, olive hummus with pita crackers, and maple cookies. Thank you, reception desk flowers!
Among other items, I donated my adorable vintage-inspired pink Betsy Johnson dress, which no longer fits (darn you, soy ice cream!) It found a very grateful new owner.
Lace-trimmed, stylish H&M top: $0. Purple cotton Limited shirt, perfect for the office: $0. The satisfaction of acquiring clothes for no money, giving my unwanted items a second life, and using things already-produced instead of buying high priced 'eco-fashion': priceless. No bill will arrive in 2-4 weeks, either.
No it wasn't all vegan, but many of these items, sitting in people's closets unused, got a new home, including a very pricey Coach bag.
Most of the leftovers went to the This-N-That Thrift Shop, on 309 Broadway, Hillsdale, NJ. This shop donates to various charities, and we chose to have our items marked to benefit Shelter Our Sisters, an organization that services victims of domestic abuse.
The shop is holding a bag sale in late August (fill an entire brown shopping bag for just $8). When it's time to switch seasons, they'll donate what is unsold to a church in Paterson. Those unemployed (far too many in this economy) can go in a get an outfit for free with proof of unemployment. I believe shops like this, that provide such a wonderful service to the community, should be in every town.
Fashionistas everywhere are going green, and saving green, by swapping clothes, shoes and bags. Take a look...
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Check out the full story.
Gingersnaps and Ice Cream
Yummmm. Almost as good as s’mores! Well, maybe not, but ice cream is my downfall so you’ll just have to go along with me. Not quite as easy to make as s’mores, but you can cheat a tad and just buy some butter pecan ice cream rather than make your own. But if you have a super recipe and love making ice cream, these would taste much, much better if you made your own. Who am I to push for more work when there are so many other things to do in the summer? So I’ll fess up: because I wanted something fairly speedy I bought some Häagen-Dazs butter pecan.
Can’t remember where I got this recipe, but I have used it a lot. It may have come from a magazine, but I forget which one. I make a bunch and freeze them- usually doubling the recipe because it doesn’t make nearly enough for the appetites around here. God I hate having these in the freezer. So tempting. Never once has an adult OR a child thought these were anything less than ambrosial. If you like to get your kids involved in the kitchen, they would have fun sandwiching the cookies with the ice cream…although how much ice cream would eventually make it between the cookies is a bit problematic….like all things kids make in the kitchen.
Anyway, I love pulling these out of the freezer for a surprise dessert. Uncomplicated and delicious. Perfect for summer. Can you imagine the cookie and ice cream combinations that would be fun to try? I seem to remember seeing something on Tartelette where she had wrapped an ice cream sandwich up in a darling package- you could make them elegant by doing the same thing.
Gingersnap and Ice Cream Sandwiches
Can’t remember where I got this recipe, but I have used it a lot. It may have come from a magazine, but I forget which one. I make a bunch and freeze them- usually doubling the recipe because it doesn’t make nearly enough for the appetites around here. God I hate having these in the freezer. So tempting. Never once has an adult OR a child thought these were anything less than ambrosial. If you like to get your kids involved in the kitchen, they would have fun sandwiching the cookies with the ice cream…although how much ice cream would eventually make it between the cookies is a bit problematic….like all things kids make in the kitchen.
Anyway, I love pulling these out of the freezer for a surprise dessert. Uncomplicated and delicious. Perfect for summer. Can you imagine the cookie and ice cream combinations that would be fun to try? I seem to remember seeing something on Tartelette where she had wrapped an ice cream sandwich up in a darling package- you could make them elegant by doing the same thing.
Gingersnap and Ice Cream Sandwiches
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons unsulfured molasses
1 large egg yolk, room temperature
3/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 pint butter pecan ice cream
extra sugar
Method:
Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter, sugar and molasses until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk and beat to combine. Whisk flour, soda, salt, ginger and allspice together and then fold into the butter mixture.
Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Press with sugared fingers to make a 3 inch disk.
Sprinkle with sugar and bake for 11- 13 minutes.
Transfer to a rack to cool.
Soften ice cream and scoop onto a cookie. Top with another cookie and freeze. Should make about 5 sandwiches. Let stand 10 minutes before eating. (Although I never did!)
Monday, July 20, 2009
Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince praised by Vatican
The Vatican's official newspaper lauded Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince for its "clear" depiction of the eternal battle between good & evil represented by the struggle between Harry and his nemesis, the evil sorcerer Lord Voldemort.
L'Osservatore Romano said the movie was the best adaptation yet of the JK Rowling books, describing it as "a mixture of supernatural suspense and romance which reaches the right balance".
"There is a clear line of demarcation between good and evil and [the film] makes clear that good is right. One understands as well that sometimes this requires hard work and sacrifice," the newspaper judged.
The broadsheet paper also praised the film's clear message that "the search for immortality epitomised by Lord Voldemort" was wrong. It even approved of the film's treatment of adolescent romance amid the halls and corridors of Hogwart's, saying that it achieved the "correct balance" and made the teenage stars more credible.
The favourable review is an apparent cahnge of heart from the Vatican's previous assessment of the best-selling series.
Last year an article in L'Osservatore Romano condemned the books for encouraging an interest in the occult among children.
The newspaper wrote: "Despite the values that we come across in the narration, at the base of this story, witchcraft is proposed as a positive ideal.
"The characterisation of common men who do not know magic as 'Muggles' who know nothing other than bad and wicked things is a truly diabolical attitude."
The newspaper called the teenage boy wizard "the wrong kind of hero", comparing the books unfavourably with two other British children's classics, the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
The Vatican's attitude to the books has taken a harder line under the papacy of Benedict XVI in comparison with that of his predecessor John Paul II.
Two years before he was elected Pope, Cardinal Josef Ratzinger, as he then was, wrote a letter to a German critic of the books calling the series "a subtle seduction, which has deeply unnoticed and direct effects in undermining the soul of Christianity before it can really grow properly".
Earlier this year an ultraconservative Austrian priest, the Rev. Gerhard Maria Wagner, accused the Harry Potter novels of encouraging Satanism.
Source:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/5826251/Harry-Potter-and-the-Half-Blood-Prince-praised-by-Vatican.html
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Ode to the River
Today...just a simple love letter to the river, penned and performed by Natalie Merchant, off of her album "Tigerlily," with photos and video generated by a creative, thoughtful soul.
Natalie Merchant, Where I Go
Climbing under
a barbed wire fence
by the railroad ties
climbing over
the old stone wall
I am bound for the riverside
well I go to the river
to soothe my mind
ponder over
the crazy days of my life
just sit and watch the river flow
find a place
on the riverbank
where the green rushes grow
see the wind
in the willow tree
in branches hanging low
well I go to the river
to soothe my mind
to ponder over
the crazy days of my life
watch the river flow
ease my mind and my soul
where I go
well I will go to the river
from time to time
wander over
these crazy days in my mind
watch the river flow
where the willow branches grow
by the cool rolling waters
moving gracefully and slow
child it's lovely
let the river take it all away
the mad pace, the hurry
the troubles, the worries
just the river take them all away
flow away
Natalie Merchant, Where I Go
Climbing under
a barbed wire fence
by the railroad ties
climbing over
the old stone wall
I am bound for the riverside
well I go to the river
to soothe my mind
ponder over
the crazy days of my life
just sit and watch the river flow
find a place
on the riverbank
where the green rushes grow
see the wind
in the willow tree
in branches hanging low
well I go to the river
to soothe my mind
to ponder over
the crazy days of my life
watch the river flow
ease my mind and my soul
where I go
well I will go to the river
from time to time
wander over
these crazy days in my mind
watch the river flow
where the willow branches grow
by the cool rolling waters
moving gracefully and slow
child it's lovely
let the river take it all away
the mad pace, the hurry
the troubles, the worries
just the river take them all away
flow away
Friday, July 17, 2009
Daily Agenda
Some people have asked me how I manage to juggle mom’s duties with the mompreneur role. My answer is that it’s definitely difficult but way worth it.It is a joy having Lukas and my dog Samba around when I’m working on my websites, or having lunch. They make great co-workers! And the flexibility of working from home is absolutely priceless. But don’t take me wrong, there are several annoying things happening during my day as well.
Everything in my day is precisely organized timewise. Sometimes I have to use a crystal ball to schedule conference calls. Any unexpected item in the agenda and the often grouchy juggler comes to play. Unfortunately there is only so much I can predict…
Dedicating some breaks to play with the little one is also a very important part in my daily agenda. Not having Lukas in a daycare has its downside, and I need to make sure his social and cognitive development is compensated accordingly. Luckily, he is always smiling and hardly ever cries.
At the end of the day, it feels like I’ve just finished a marathon. The sense of accomplishment is what usually drives my evening mood. Only a few things are worse to me than an unproductive day.
A Visit to the Rolling Pin Cafe
On a perfectly pleasant July day, I lunched at the Rolling Pin Café in Westwood, NJ.
Inside, their dining room is charming, yet very small. This is a popular spot, so it gets quite noisy, and I prefer to dine here when I can get one of their two outdoor tables.
What's more refreshing than raspberry lemonade, $2, on a hot summer day?
A cup of gazpacho soup, and half of a roasted zucchini, yellow squash and tomato sandwich with onion chutney, hold the cheese and mayo, with a small side of sweet potato salad, $8.25.
There are no vegan dessert options, but soy milk is available for coffee and espresso drinks.
Visit the Rolling Pin Café, 341 Broadway, Westwood. Open 8-4, Monday-Saturday.
Westwood has been offering free concerts Wednesdays in July. Up next: Tramps Like Us on July 23rd playing Bruce Springsteen music. No, it's not "the boss" himself, but close enough if you can't get (or want to spend the money for) tickets to his shows. Learn more. Visit your town's web site, check out your local newspapers, and stop by your library to see if free events like movies, concerts and other events are going on in your town. Many libraries screen movies, including Ridgewood, which shows a different foreign film each month.
Inside, their dining room is charming, yet very small. This is a popular spot, so it gets quite noisy, and I prefer to dine here when I can get one of their two outdoor tables.
What's more refreshing than raspberry lemonade, $2, on a hot summer day?
A cup of gazpacho soup, and half of a roasted zucchini, yellow squash and tomato sandwich with onion chutney, hold the cheese and mayo, with a small side of sweet potato salad, $8.25.
There are no vegan dessert options, but soy milk is available for coffee and espresso drinks.
Visit the Rolling Pin Café, 341 Broadway, Westwood. Open 8-4, Monday-Saturday.
Westwood has been offering free concerts Wednesdays in July. Up next: Tramps Like Us on July 23rd playing Bruce Springsteen music. No, it's not "the boss" himself, but close enough if you can't get (or want to spend the money for) tickets to his shows. Learn more. Visit your town's web site, check out your local newspapers, and stop by your library to see if free events like movies, concerts and other events are going on in your town. Many libraries screen movies, including Ridgewood, which shows a different foreign film each month.
Macrovision - New Sony EPG edges closer with Rovi Liquid Debut
The company formerly known as Macrovision has said that it'll be changing its name and launching a new Media Guide that promises to revolutionise the way we choose what to watch on television in the future.
The 1st discussed back in March, the company has formally outlined planned of the once called Neon interface, chaning the name to Liquid along with the company name to Rovi.
Rovi plans to roll out its "Liquid" electronic programme guide to manufactures like Sony in the future allowing consumers the chance to connect to content found on the internet as well as digital content stored at home.
"The new media guide solution is comprised of 3 distinct, but integrated solutions: a Television Content Guide, a Broadband Content Guide and a Personal Content Guide," a spokesman for the company told Pocket-lint.
The 1st discussed back in March, the company has formally outlined planned of the once called Neon interface, chaning the name to Liquid along with the company name to Rovi.
Rovi plans to roll out its "Liquid" electronic programme guide to manufactures like Sony in the future allowing consumers the chance to connect to content found on the internet as well as digital content stored at home.
"The new media guide solution is comprised of 3 distinct, but integrated solutions: a Television Content Guide, a Broadband Content Guide and a Personal Content Guide," a spokesman for the company told Pocket-lint.
In what must be a big day for the company, it has also announced a deal with Blockbuster to integrate access to BLOCKBUSTER OnDemand content, a deal that could be tied with Samsung's announcement of a similar deal with Blockbuster earlier in the week, although that has not been confirmed by either company.
Rovi has said that it is also working with Roxio CinemaNow, Slacker radio and YouTube XL, a website that is optimized for watching YouTube videos on large displays.
The company plans to use metadata stored in every programme to store favourites and make recommendations for undiscovered content. The guide also stores user profiles, so each member of the household can retrieve a personalized guide each time he or she turns on the TV.
The Liquid guide is designed to be able to connect to social network applications, such as Flixster using data to pull in recommendations from friends and the cloud.
The Liquid guide is planned to be available for CE manufacturers in early 2010 according to Rovi, however earlier comments from the company to Pocket-lint in March suggest that Sony might be the 1st company to launch a TV set with the new interface.
Earlier in the year Richard Bullwinkle, chief evangelist (yes, that is his real job title) at Macrovision, told Pocket-lint that the company was working with Sony on implementing a new EPG system.
source:http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25622/gallery/sony-epg-closer-rovi-liquid-1.html
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Lemon Thyme Cookies
It seems to me I’ve hosted tons of meetings in my home over the years. And always trying to be a gracious hostess, whether the meeting is in the morning or afternoon, I always think it’s nice to serve the coffee or tea with a little something to munch on. Very light, because everyone is always on a diet. (Or say they are.) My favorite is Apricot Nut Cookies ( a previous post) because they are light and not too sweet. The Lemon Thyme Cookies are a recent discovery and could really be called a bar; they are buttery, thin, delicate and unusual. And while I suppose you could have coffee with your Lemon Thyme Cookies- they just seem to go with tea for some reason. Up to you of course...I'm not a good judge as I am not a coffee lover.
Honestly, Giada De Laurentis comes up with some marvelous cookie ideas on her show. Some are ridiculously sweet while others, like the Apricot Nut Cookies previously mentioned, are less sweet and actually have healthy ingredients. In fact, every time she makes a cookie on her show, I sit up and take notice because I have garnered some nifty cookie recipes from her.
What’s different about this recipe is I think it demanded some outside opinions. The flavor is herbal and lemony. So, when I made the cookies, I tasted one, loved it and took the rest to the hair salon where I happened to have an appointment that day. And I got lots of opinions. Four loved them, one did not- women. One loved them, two didn’t- men. (I was surprised men even wanted to try them because they really aren’t a standard looking cookie.)
I think these are to die for- and so good with tea- iced or otherwise. They are not the sort of cookie you sit down with a glass of milk (like chocolate chip cookies) and pig out. This is the kind you savor, wonder at the flavors and nibble away. Tart and refreshing.
Lemon Thyme Cookies
(Adapted from Giada De Laurentis)
Ingredients:
1 stick butter ( 4 ounces), at room temperature
1 cup all purpose flour
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
½ cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze:
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
½ cup powdered sugar
Method:
Put your oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325°. Butter and flour an 8 by 8 glass baking dish.
In a small bowl combine flour, thyme and salt. Set aside. Using a paddle attachment beat together the butter and powdered sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 30 seconds. Beat in lemon juice and and vanilla. Mix the flour and thyme leaves. Reduce speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture. Using damp fingers, press the dough into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes until golden. Cool for 30 minutes.
Honestly, Giada De Laurentis comes up with some marvelous cookie ideas on her show. Some are ridiculously sweet while others, like the Apricot Nut Cookies previously mentioned, are less sweet and actually have healthy ingredients. In fact, every time she makes a cookie on her show, I sit up and take notice because I have garnered some nifty cookie recipes from her.
What’s different about this recipe is I think it demanded some outside opinions. The flavor is herbal and lemony. So, when I made the cookies, I tasted one, loved it and took the rest to the hair salon where I happened to have an appointment that day. And I got lots of opinions. Four loved them, one did not- women. One loved them, two didn’t- men. (I was surprised men even wanted to try them because they really aren’t a standard looking cookie.)
I think these are to die for- and so good with tea- iced or otherwise. They are not the sort of cookie you sit down with a glass of milk (like chocolate chip cookies) and pig out. This is the kind you savor, wonder at the flavors and nibble away. Tart and refreshing.
Lemon Thyme Cookies
(Adapted from Giada De Laurentis)
Ingredients:
1 stick butter ( 4 ounces), at room temperature
1 cup all purpose flour
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
½ cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze:
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
½ cup powdered sugar
Method:
Put your oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325°. Butter and flour an 8 by 8 glass baking dish.
In a small bowl combine flour, thyme and salt. Set aside. Using a paddle attachment beat together the butter and powdered sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 30 seconds. Beat in lemon juice and and vanilla. Mix the flour and thyme leaves. Reduce speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture. Using damp fingers, press the dough into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes until golden. Cool for 30 minutes.
In a medium bowl, whisk the lemon juice and powdered sugar until smooth. Spoon the glaze over the cooled crust. Allow the glaze to harden at room temperature for at least an hour.
Using a metal spatula, remove the crust from the pan and cut into 1 ½ inch squares. Arrange on a platter or store airtight in a plastic container at room temperature.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Celebrating Bastille Day...Vegan-Style
My inner French girl took herself to New York City's annual Bastille Day celebration.
Fair-goers could try their luck at pétanque.
French-themed books for all. One of my favorites, Antoine de Saint Exupéry's classic The Little Prince. Among the wisdom famously delivered from the fox to the little prince: "On ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux." Loosely translated: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye."
Vegetables over couscous from LeSouk, which specializes in North African cuisine.
Frites!
Tempting, je sais! Veganize.
Wine and sorbet together? Why didn't someone think of this sooner? Luckily, Wine Sorbet Cellar did.
It was a tough choice. The winner: sangria. So refreshing!
Want to learn French, or another language? There are a lot of free resources on the web. Check out About.com's French language page, or sign up for Livemocha. Translate words using WordReference.com or get a little help from Babel Fish.
Request films in the language you are studying from the library. Hit the web for everything from hard news - Le Monde - to the fun and friviouls - French Elle and Paris Match. Check out music, including Belinda Carisle's fun cover album of classic French songs, Voila.
Bonne Chance!
The incomparable Edith Piaf.
Piaf's life was portrayed flawlessly by Marion Cotillard (with singing provided by Jil Aigrot) in La Vie en Rose. There's a touching scene in the film when a journalist asks towards the end of Piaf's short life, "If you were to give advice to a woman, what would it be?" to which she replies "Love." "To a young girl?" "Love." "To a child?" "Love." What could be more essential than that?
Fair-goers could try their luck at pétanque.
French-themed books for all. One of my favorites, Antoine de Saint Exupéry's classic The Little Prince. Among the wisdom famously delivered from the fox to the little prince: "On ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux." Loosely translated: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye."
Vegetables over couscous from LeSouk, which specializes in North African cuisine.
Frites!
Tempting, je sais! Veganize.
Wine and sorbet together? Why didn't someone think of this sooner? Luckily, Wine Sorbet Cellar did.
It was a tough choice. The winner: sangria. So refreshing!
Want to learn French, or another language? There are a lot of free resources on the web. Check out About.com's French language page, or sign up for Livemocha. Translate words using WordReference.com or get a little help from Babel Fish.
Request films in the language you are studying from the library. Hit the web for everything from hard news - Le Monde - to the fun and friviouls - French Elle and Paris Match. Check out music, including Belinda Carisle's fun cover album of classic French songs, Voila.
Bonne Chance!
The incomparable Edith Piaf.
Piaf's life was portrayed flawlessly by Marion Cotillard (with singing provided by Jil Aigrot) in La Vie en Rose. There's a touching scene in the film when a journalist asks towards the end of Piaf's short life, "If you were to give advice to a woman, what would it be?" to which she replies "Love." "To a young girl?" "Love." "To a child?" "Love." What could be more essential than that?
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Save Yourself Some Resources
Saving resources is not only good for the environment, but also great for you and your family. Kids see parents as role models, and our daily attitude will teach them how to take care of themselves and the environment, respecting our community.
There are so many easy “green ways” to save cash. From our driving style to small adjustments at home, in the office and at school.
Start by teaching the kids how to separate the items in the garbage to recycle. Everything we buy these days has multiple layers of packaging, and most of it can be recycled.
If you are in the process of buying new appliances, look for the energy saving stamp. Your energy savings will be worth it. Also, think about the location where you place your appliances. As an example, don’t place the refrigerator next to the stove or dishwasher.
Having a programmable thermostat at home will also save you big bucks along the year. You will be able to program the temperature at a pre-determined schedule. Why keep the house very cool when you and your family are at work or school?
How and what we drive can have a huge impact in our wallet. According to formal sources, “driving your vehicle 55 mph instead of 65 mph can improve your mileage by about 15 percent and reduce emissions considerably. You’ll also get better mileage if you avoid quick starts and sudden braking whenever you can, and if you keep your tires properly inflated to the maximum recommended pressure.”
And, when the exciting time to buy a new car comes, choose wisely. Do you really need a seven passenger car to carry two people around?
Check our Useful Links page for great tips to save resources (and loads of cash) at home, on the road and at the office.
On This Bastille Day...
Food. A four-letter word for many Americans, yet it is essential to sustain life, and is one of the great pleasures of life, especially for the French, who are celebrating Bastille Day today.
The French rose up against the absolute power of Louis the 16th's regime by storming the Bastille prison, and have stood up against threats to their food supply, including genetically modified ingredients and homogenization. Remember when the French tore down a McDonalds in Millau, days before it was due to open?
We pride ourselves on our First Amendment rights, yet few take to the streets or utilize the power of the pen (or keyboard) to use their voice against an unjust society, including the degradation of our food supply. A complacent society gets what it deserves in some regard, yet that is to the great detriment of the animals who suffer because of this complacency.
We associate food with guilt, as we should. There is much to feel guilty about. The way it is produced (think GM-frankenfood; pesticides; growth hormones given to animals; deplorable conditions for the animals giving their lives for a cheap, nutrition poor food source). The little value we give to it while prizing instead disposable material possessions. How many people do you know with a household full of stuff, yet they shop at Costco for their food to save a few dollars? And the consumption of it: eaten on-the-go, in front of the tv or checking e-mail, just mindlessly, and so often in disposable containers that languish away in landfills.
"Food invariably brings out the best in the French and the worst in Americans. We Anglo-Saxons starve ourselves counting calories but what we're really craving is pleasure and ritual," observes Debra Ollivier in her entertaining read, "Entre Nous - A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl." (Foie gras mentions aside).
"Just as the American meal reflects our Anglo-Saxon obsession with time (it's fast, functional, and all-on-one plate), the French girl's meal reflects her own culture's obsession with time." Food is so nourishing to the soul, and I believe because of the food we consume and the way we eat it, our souls are left unsatisfied, and we are wanderers, always looking for a new shiny toy (a pair of shoes, a new gadget, etc.) to fill a void left in our stomachs.
We are overwhelmed with choices, yet never seem content. As Ollivier's French friend remarked visiting the states upon viewing a traditional U.S. supermarket, "How many brands of breakfast cereal and potato chips do Americans need to be happy?"
On this Bastille Day, let's pledge to get and stay active against the absolute power of big agribusiness. A revolution of our food culture, not just veganism but also smaller portion sizes, less processed food, seasonal eating as much as possible and the promotion of the sheer pleasure and unity food brings to the body and soul, are all part of the plan.
That is worth raising a glass of kir royale to, in my opinion.
The French rose up against the absolute power of Louis the 16th's regime by storming the Bastille prison, and have stood up against threats to their food supply, including genetically modified ingredients and homogenization. Remember when the French tore down a McDonalds in Millau, days before it was due to open?
We pride ourselves on our First Amendment rights, yet few take to the streets or utilize the power of the pen (or keyboard) to use their voice against an unjust society, including the degradation of our food supply. A complacent society gets what it deserves in some regard, yet that is to the great detriment of the animals who suffer because of this complacency.
We associate food with guilt, as we should. There is much to feel guilty about. The way it is produced (think GM-frankenfood; pesticides; growth hormones given to animals; deplorable conditions for the animals giving their lives for a cheap, nutrition poor food source). The little value we give to it while prizing instead disposable material possessions. How many people do you know with a household full of stuff, yet they shop at Costco for their food to save a few dollars? And the consumption of it: eaten on-the-go, in front of the tv or checking e-mail, just mindlessly, and so often in disposable containers that languish away in landfills.
"Food invariably brings out the best in the French and the worst in Americans. We Anglo-Saxons starve ourselves counting calories but what we're really craving is pleasure and ritual," observes Debra Ollivier in her entertaining read, "Entre Nous - A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl." (Foie gras mentions aside).
"Just as the American meal reflects our Anglo-Saxon obsession with time (it's fast, functional, and all-on-one plate), the French girl's meal reflects her own culture's obsession with time." Food is so nourishing to the soul, and I believe because of the food we consume and the way we eat it, our souls are left unsatisfied, and we are wanderers, always looking for a new shiny toy (a pair of shoes, a new gadget, etc.) to fill a void left in our stomachs.
We are overwhelmed with choices, yet never seem content. As Ollivier's French friend remarked visiting the states upon viewing a traditional U.S. supermarket, "How many brands of breakfast cereal and potato chips do Americans need to be happy?"
On this Bastille Day, let's pledge to get and stay active against the absolute power of big agribusiness. A revolution of our food culture, not just veganism but also smaller portion sizes, less processed food, seasonal eating as much as possible and the promotion of the sheer pleasure and unity food brings to the body and soul, are all part of the plan.
That is worth raising a glass of kir royale to, in my opinion.
Monday, July 13, 2009
The 5 Bathroom Hazards to Know
Bathrooms should be places of practicality and relaxation, a place to start and end the day. But there are a number of ways in which one room can pose potential threats.
A new study published today in the journal Pediatrics, for example, finds children are falling prey to bathtub injuries at surprising rates.
Lead by Dr. Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, the study found that more than 43,000 children younger than 18 are treated in an emergency room each year after a bathroom- or shower-related injury.
"That's 120 kids a day," Smith said. "It is a big problem."
Smith said the injuries occur suddenly, with children often slipping and falling, even under adult supervision, but that there are strategies for prevention that can reduce the number of injuries.
But slips and falls are only one of the ways researchers say items in a bathroom can be hazardous. Some of the threats are founded and others are on shakier ground. The following is a list examining potential bathroom threats.
Bathtub Slips and Falls
Even under parental or other adult supervision, children get injured in bathtubs at an alarming rate, Smith said.
A new study published today in the journal Pediatrics, for example, finds children are falling prey to bathtub injuries at surprising rates.
Lead by Dr. Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, the study found that more than 43,000 children younger than 18 are treated in an emergency room each year after a bathroom- or shower-related injury.
"That's 120 kids a day," Smith said. "It is a big problem."
Smith said the injuries occur suddenly, with children often slipping and falling, even under adult supervision, but that there are strategies for prevention that can reduce the number of injuries.
But slips and falls are only one of the ways researchers say items in a bathroom can be hazardous. Some of the threats are founded and others are on shakier ground. The following is a list examining potential bathroom threats.
Bathtub Slips and Falls
Even under parental or other adult supervision, children get injured in bathtubs at an alarming rate, Smith said.
"Supervising your child is not enough," said Smith, whose report showed that most injuries happen under adult supervision. "Slips and falls -- boom, they happen -- and there's nothing you can do once it starts to happen."
Smith said he conducted a study on similar data using admittance records from the emergency room of Nationwide Children's Hospital in 2005 and saw the number of bathtub-related injuries was unusually high, compared to other kinds of injuries.
"I thought, gosh, this is something we really did not expect," Smith said he thought at the time.
That study led him to conduct a more thorough analysis on national data.
The most common cause of injury was slipping and falling, which accounted for 81% of all the injuries, Smith found, and the face is often most injured. The highest-risk age group was children younger than Five.
"The reason we have not done well preventing injuries is we fundamentally don't think of this as a health problem," Smith said. "We know if we focus on the cause ... and think of this as a physical problem, we can resolve them. But the idea that they happen as accidents ... I really disagree with that."
For the time being, Smith said rubber bath mats and padding protruding objects could cut down on the number of injuries but recommended that manufacturers incorporate new design features, including slip-resistant surfaces, rounded edges and holding bars, into new bathrooms.
"You don't have to rely on the user to remember to put the mat down or step carefully each time they bathe because, then, the chances of effective prevention go down," Smith said. "If we design the problem out of existence, we have shown over and over in the field of injury prevention that we can dramatically decrease injury."
Shower Curtain Vapors
A shower curtain may be in order to preserve modesty in the bathroom. But could you be harming yourself at the same time?
An environmental group claimed in a study of vinyl shower curtains that some of them may release toxic chemicals into the air which could cause asthma, eye irritation or cancer.
"We've a clear-cut case that these products release elevated levels of harmful chemicals," said report co-author Michael Schade, PVC campaign coordinator for the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, and noted that his team found 108 different volatile organic compounds, including phthalates, which can affect babies in the womb.
But some health experts are not convinced that the study holds water. Of particular concern was that the study only tested 5 shower curtains, of which only one -- not one brand of curtain -- was subjected to complete testing for its chemical composition, as well as those it released into the air.
"It is a great example of how quickly a sound bite can become dangerous and contagious," said ABC News medical contributor Dr. Marie Savard.
"The idea that people should be tossing out their shower curtains based on a study that more or less focuses on a single shower curtain is absurd. This is scare science at its best, or worst, depending on how you look at it."
Schade maintained that many of the compounds found in the curtains have been linked with developmental problems in children, cancer and other health effects. But he conceded that whether the chemical levels emitted by the curtains could be directly linked to health effects was difficult to determine.
"It is really hard to say that because there are currently no standards for indoor-air quality," Schade said.
Consumer Product Safety Commission spokeswoman Julie Vallese said that unless a stronger link can be proven, consumers can probably put their minds at ease the next time they purchase a new shower curtain.
"In our busy lives, there are so many things that people should be or could be focused on to improve their health and safety," Vallese said. "Their shower curtains are not one of them.
"I think there are a lot of people out there sounding the false alarm," she said.
Chemicals in Shampoo:
A report released in March 2009 from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetic Use highlighted the addition of the chemicals formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane to many shampoos, both of which have been linked to cancer and a number of skin conditions.
"Companies can obviously do better, and we need to demand that they do better," said Stacy Malkan, co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetic Use and co-author of the report, released Thursday. "Many companies are already making great products that don't have any of these chemicals [and] many companies in the natural products industry have reformulated to get rid of that problem. We also know many companies are using preservatives that don't use formaldehyde."
According to the authors, the report, called "No More Toxic Tub," is the first to document contamination of bath products with the chemicals.
But while chemicals such as formaldehyde, which are added to many consumer products to increase their shelf life, have been linked to diseases such as cancer -- formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory rats, although no similar tests have been done on humans -- there is no definitive correlation.
There is, however, evidence that formaldehyde can cause skin irritation, characterized by red, burning skin and even allergic reactions, characterized by red, itchy, and blistered skin.
"There are a lot of [ubiquitous] chemicals and ingredients in common household consumer goods that have materials in them that cause allergic reactions," said Dr. Matthew Avram, chief of the Dermatology Laser Center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. "The skin may have an allergic reaction to the chemicals or an irritant reaction."
Toxic Mold:
A steamy shower might feel good, but the moisture left behind can ravage a bathroom and create health problems for people with respiratory problems.
Dr. Hale Yarmohammadii, an allergy and asthma specialist at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City, said that mold can wreak havoc in 2 different ways.
"One is an allergic reaction, but not everyone gets this," she said. "And the other problem results from the toxins that mold secretes."
The kind of mold found in homes that can bring about asthma is called stachybotrys -- a black, sticky, slimy fungus. To grow indoors, it needs water, so it is often found around water pipes or in moist areas
People often get vague symptoms from mold exposure, Yarmohammadii said. They might get headaches or feel nauseous or have asthma symptoms.
"If you've mold in part of your house, you've mold spores everywhere," said Harriet Burge, a former professor at Harvard University and the University of Michigan who now serves as director of aerobiology for EMLab P&K, an indoor-air quality testing facility. "The general advice from the public health perspective is if there's mold in your home, remove it."
Dr. Maureen Lichtyeld, who chairs the department of environmental health sciences at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, said people with asthma should not be exposed to the mold and that people who were cleaning mold needed proper protection, such as masks and gloves, and people with asthma, especially children, need to stay on their medications.
Lychtyeld said a chlorine solution, plus proper ventilation to keep surfaces dry, should be enough to prevent mold forming in small areas.
Toilet Germs:
Bathrooms are a haven for germs, but not in the way you may think. Toilets, for example, are a beacon of cleanliness because they are cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis.
But germs lurk in abundance in areas or on items that people neglect to clean or position far enough from potential microbes.
"You get a great spray out of the toilet when you flush it," said Charles Gerba, a professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona in Tucson. "This throws bacteria out of the toilet."
Fecal bacteria means the bacterium E. coli, which is found in fecal matter, among other things. Gerba's own research on bathroom microbes showed a spray coming out of toilets when they are flushed. That spray, which contains fecal bacteria, goes out but it is unclear how far it travels and where it might end up.
So, while it isn't clear whether the toothbrush in a bathroom will be contaminated with anything from a toilet, it may not be a bad idea to put the lid down and flush.
source: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/Story?id=8053784&page=6
Letting It All Hang Out for Mother Earth
Appearances. It's something our American society so often priorities over what is so essential. Think of all the time many spend grooming themselves, shopping for and donning stylish clothes, shoes and accessories, and working out at the gym, but when it comes to their eating habits, little thought is put into how the food being put inside one's body is produced (think growth hormones, genetically-modified ingredients, and pesticides, for starters).
The same extends to our homes. Is the physical appearance of that perfectly green, manicured lawn worth all the chemicals leached into our soil? Is the convenience of driving that large SUV and its style (often just to keep up with the Joneses) worth the extra pollution it is spewing into our air?
Some Americans are thankfully returning to a more simple way of life and getting back to the basics. Little lifestyle changes translate into major benefits long-term, both for the Earth and our wallets. But the visual is again coming into play. Some neighbors are annoyed at the sight of laundry hanging on a line (a sight I find completely charming and rustic). Isn't all the added pollution caused by powering those clothes dryers more outrageous when we think about it? Perhaps because air pollution is something we cannot always necessarily see with our eyes, many do not abhor it as much as we should.
With that CBS Sunday Morning's Bill Geist featured this amusing, bewildering and though-provoking piece on one woman's battle to combat global warming, one clean shirt, towel and sock at a time.
Watch CBS Videos Online
Flashback to my entry on Project Laundry List, the group behind the grassroots effort to promote the quite radical act of hang-drying.
The same extends to our homes. Is the physical appearance of that perfectly green, manicured lawn worth all the chemicals leached into our soil? Is the convenience of driving that large SUV and its style (often just to keep up with the Joneses) worth the extra pollution it is spewing into our air?
Some Americans are thankfully returning to a more simple way of life and getting back to the basics. Little lifestyle changes translate into major benefits long-term, both for the Earth and our wallets. But the visual is again coming into play. Some neighbors are annoyed at the sight of laundry hanging on a line (a sight I find completely charming and rustic). Isn't all the added pollution caused by powering those clothes dryers more outrageous when we think about it? Perhaps because air pollution is something we cannot always necessarily see with our eyes, many do not abhor it as much as we should.
With that CBS Sunday Morning's Bill Geist featured this amusing, bewildering and though-provoking piece on one woman's battle to combat global warming, one clean shirt, towel and sock at a time.
Watch CBS Videos Online
Flashback to my entry on Project Laundry List, the group behind the grassroots effort to promote the quite radical act of hang-drying.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Finally...Summer in NYC
The great weather is here (at last), but you don't need to have Mayor Bloomberg's wallet to enjoy summer in New York City. Here are some of my favorite and frugal ways to make the most out of the season.
The Bryant Park Summer Film Festival, going on every Monday through August 17th. To score a coveted lawn seat, you'll have to get there early (the lawn opens at 5). There are also tables on the sides.
Pack along some tasty vegan food. Hummus, crusty bread, fresh fruit, and vegan brownies all make for simple but delightful picnic fare. Or order a veggie-topped pizza (hold the cheese). Some veg food can also be found at witchcraft.
The movie doesn't start until dusk, so enjoy what on-the-go New Yorkers seldom get to do: nothing more than chat, eat and relax.
One vegetarian sandwich (easily veganize holding the egg and mayo) from Macaron Cafe, some hummus and carrots, and a glass of something delightfully sparkling later, the action began. First, a preview of the new Harry Potter film (Hermoine= great role model for young women), followed by a Looney Tunes cartoon.
What's the only natural thing to do before the movie starts? Get up and dance!!!
At last...Dog Day Afternoon. The truth is stranger than fiction sometimes. The true story of a bank robbery gone terribly wrong starring Al Pacino.
The Central Park Film Festival runs August 18-22. Even Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte will be there. On screen anyway.
Pack the picnic basket, grab a Frisbee or your latest library book, and take in the sunshine in Central Park.
Don't forget to stop by Strawberry Fields.
Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing is going on now through July 25th. Always wanted to learn how to dance? Here's your chance. Take a lesson, enjoy live music, and cut up the rug for $15.
It's Bastille Day Tuesday. Contrary to Clark Griswold, you don't need to sport a beret with your name on it to be a Frenchie-at-heart (if only poor Rusty had known better). As usual, there will be a celebration on 60th Street this Sunday from noon to 6pm between Lexington and Fifth avenues. Last year, the hungry vegan (moi) did find something...some refreshing gazpacho. Learn more. Paris in New York keeps us Frenchie-wannabees in-the-know about films, music and more. The Paris Theatre usually has some French-inspired fare, including the now-playing Cherie. But my favorite spot for French films: my living room, watching a free dvd from the library.
Rock out for farm animals this Thursday, July 16th, at Kenny’s Castaways. The concert, a steal at just $10, will benefit one of my favorite charities, Farm Sanctuary and will feature Rorie Kelly, New Professionals, Neil Cavanagh, among others. Learn more.
Happy Summer!
The Bryant Park Summer Film Festival, going on every Monday through August 17th. To score a coveted lawn seat, you'll have to get there early (the lawn opens at 5). There are also tables on the sides.
Pack along some tasty vegan food. Hummus, crusty bread, fresh fruit, and vegan brownies all make for simple but delightful picnic fare. Or order a veggie-topped pizza (hold the cheese). Some veg food can also be found at witchcraft.
The movie doesn't start until dusk, so enjoy what on-the-go New Yorkers seldom get to do: nothing more than chat, eat and relax.
One vegetarian sandwich (easily veganize holding the egg and mayo) from Macaron Cafe, some hummus and carrots, and a glass of something delightfully sparkling later, the action began. First, a preview of the new Harry Potter film (Hermoine= great role model for young women), followed by a Looney Tunes cartoon.
What's the only natural thing to do before the movie starts? Get up and dance!!!
At last...Dog Day Afternoon. The truth is stranger than fiction sometimes. The true story of a bank robbery gone terribly wrong starring Al Pacino.
The Central Park Film Festival runs August 18-22. Even Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte will be there. On screen anyway.
Pack the picnic basket, grab a Frisbee or your latest library book, and take in the sunshine in Central Park.
Don't forget to stop by Strawberry Fields.
Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing is going on now through July 25th. Always wanted to learn how to dance? Here's your chance. Take a lesson, enjoy live music, and cut up the rug for $15.
It's Bastille Day Tuesday. Contrary to Clark Griswold, you don't need to sport a beret with your name on it to be a Frenchie-at-heart (if only poor Rusty had known better). As usual, there will be a celebration on 60th Street this Sunday from noon to 6pm between Lexington and Fifth avenues. Last year, the hungry vegan (moi) did find something...some refreshing gazpacho. Learn more. Paris in New York keeps us Frenchie-wannabees in-the-know about films, music and more. The Paris Theatre usually has some French-inspired fare, including the now-playing Cherie. But my favorite spot for French films: my living room, watching a free dvd from the library.
Rock out for farm animals this Thursday, July 16th, at Kenny’s Castaways. The concert, a steal at just $10, will benefit one of my favorite charities, Farm Sanctuary and will feature Rorie Kelly, New Professionals, Neil Cavanagh, among others. Learn more.
Happy Summer!
Friday, July 10, 2009
How Many Strollers can One Child Have?
It never seizes to amaze me how much money new parents spend unnecessarily on strollers (and on baby gear in general!). Have you ever thought about the number of strollers per child in this country? Even during recessions you still see parents buying one stroller for short and another for long walks, yet another for a run, and an additional, and portable one, to leave in the trunk. When the second baby comes, the shopping spree restarts for double versions. In total, by the time the second child hits her fifth birthday, there are about eight to ten strollers parked in the garage. And the cars are parked outside, of course!
When we had our baby, my husband and I decided to adopt the buy- on-an-as-needed-basis rule. We were surprised by how much gear we actually didn’t need! Brands start overwhelming parents with massive marketing from the moment you go to your first obstetrician appointment. By the time I was five months pregnant, we had already received four containers of formula and several $5-$10 coupons through the mail. A massive marketing to doubt our decision to breastfeed! Any class or seminar your register becomes part of a quite desirable industry mailing list.
Anyway, back to strollers, we bought one for all situations, a real all-terrain type with large wheels and tires to handle both snowed and rainy pavements, and another one a few days before our first international trip. We knew we were going to spent long hours connecting, and the umbrella stroller came in very handy to navigate through airports.
Every time I go to stores like Babies R Us, I amuse myself analyzing what people are buying. Hard to believe that devices such as a baby wipes warmer can make it to the store, and be sold! Waste of resources….
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