White rooves... updated

My What a Big Blog sent me a link to a recent NYT article about white roofs.

Now, his email focused more on the fact that I blogged about this over a month ago, but who's keeping track?


The fascinating part of this article is the interviews and commentary on the number of people across the country who are actually implementing this white roof policy. In just 1 month, it seems to be catching on!

And, since my post, Steven Chu appeared on the Daily Show talking about this issue. And of course, it was hilarious.

Alternative Healing

A while ago I blogged about acupuncture and it's therapeutic benefits. Now, more than ever, I am a firm believer in the HOMEOPATHIC remedies and their healing powers.

Acupuncture is a practice that focuses on the "meridians" that flow through our bodies. Energy or Qi (pronounced “chee”), moves through those meridians like "rivers on the earth into the sea."

If a point along the meridian clogs, the body can react in a negative way. Fine needles can help energize and mobilize the flow of Qi through these meridians in therapeutic ways. I believe acupuncture is beneficial for all ailments.

Another form of alternative healing is cupping. The practice of cupping was conceived during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) in China. It is practiced by placing glass cups on the back and then, by using heat, the tissue is drawn to the surface.

It is also intended to "stimulate the flow of your Qi and used to drain excess fluids and toxins, loosen adhesion's and lift connective tissue, bring blood flow to stagnant skin and muscles, and stimulate the peripheral nervous system."

I have never, myself, done cupping, but it was made famous by Gwenyth Paltrow when she wore a backless dress to an award show.

Some other home remedies, thanks to Goop:

Ginger Tea with Raw Brown Sugar (for menstrual cramps)

• Three slices of fresh minced ginger, raw brown sugar.
• Boil in one-and-a-half cups of water for five to ten minutes.
  
• Add one tablespoon of raw, unprocessed brown sugar and enjoy.

Castor Oil Pack (for joint pain)

• Castor oil, a washcloth or an unbleached paper towel, plastic wrap, a hot water bottle or a heating pad.
• Put one tablespoon of castor oil on the paper towel, let it absorb, and place on affected area (or put castor oil directly on affected area).
  
• Cover the washcloth.
  
• Place plastic wrap on top, to protect your heating pad or water bottle from the oil. Place the heating pad or hot water bottle over the plastic wrap.
  
• Apply to your aches and pains, enjoy for ten to twenty minutes.

Neti Pot (for clearing out the sinuses)

• Neti pot, sea salt or kosher salt, baking soda, lukewarm water.
• In the neti pot, mix one-quarter to one-half teaspoon of salt with one-quarter teaspoon baking soda, add lukewarm water and stir.
  
• Rinse each nostril with the liquid three to five times. For first time users, I recommend letting the liquid flow straight back and spitting it out your mouth.

Goji Berries with Chrysanthemum (for red, dry eyes)

• Goji berries’ health properties are greatly enhanced by cooking them five to ten minutes.
• Throw them into your hot cereal, soups or even tea.
  

Also, thanks to Whyisingle, I now head to the Mayo Clinic to search for any disease, ailment or pain. They can help manage the problem.

Antibiotics- the new danger?

Something we saw on the drive home from Lake Seneca this weekend brought me to tears.

As we were slowly making our way down Rt 80, E and I started to smell something rotten; was it the local, organic cow farm, a mushroom house, rotting deer along the side of the road? No, it was a swine truck, filled to the brim with smelly, noisy pigs.

Now, I am not going to assume I know where these pigs were headed, yes they could be headed to a "pig show" or a farm upstate to be "freed into the wilderness"..... BUT, whatever was to happen to these pigs, it became apparent to me that one of the biggest problems with our livestock is overcrowding.

So, I did some research. And, in order to combat the issue of overcrowding and underfeeding, large, industrial farms have incorporated agricultural antibiotics into the animals regular feed supplements. These antibiotics are intended to increase growth and lessen the chance of infection for the animals.

These practices are putting both humans and animals at serious risk.

A new bill, the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act, would allow veterinarians to prescribe antibiotics SOLELY to treat individual animals or prevent disease, but ultimately would sharply restrict the routine feeding of antibiotics to farm animals.

Obviously, this bill is not favorable amongst industrial farmers, since the restrictions would make it virtually impossible to crowd thousands of animals together in confined, inhumane and unhealthy quarters.

Another issue is that by treating more and more animals with antibiotics the drugs become less and less effective. Not only for the animals, but for humans as well. It causes the creation of resistant strains of disease that persist in the soil and water and in turn, into our bodies.

What can we do? Well, in Europe, several countries have already banned the use of antibiotics for "growth promotion and disease prevention" and instead, have turned to more local farming and animal husbandry as a way to control disease.

The methods include "less crowding and more freedom of outdoor movement; improved hygiene, with more frequent removal of animal waste; more ventilation and light in barns; and healthier animal feed."

I think it's possible for the F.D.A. to combat the farm lobbyist and eventually win this battle. Make eating meat healthy!

Sprouting in Williamsburg

Sprouting up in Williamsburg is a new home and garden store that I believe will rival my favorite store, Terrain. Sprout Home believes a modern aesthetic can live in both the home and garden. And they sell products to fit all your needs, inside and out.


Stop by and check them out: 44 Grand Street in Williamsburg

A Buffet farms in Africa

Not only is this economic downturn effecting millions across the globe financially, but it is also sets back decades of work towards bettering the environment and efforts to end world hunger.

Enter Warren Buffett's son, Howard Buffett. You may remember Warren's very public decision in 2006 to bequeath no more than a fraction of his fortune, then worth $40 billion, to his children’s foundations, and this put Howard on his unusual course. He has been traveling from Ghana to Togo to Benin, trying to spread the approach to farming that he's found successful on his Illinois farm.

“They are going to destroy the last forest,’” Mr. Buffett later recalled. “It was an epiphany for me: The hungry can’t worry about conservation. I realized you can’t save the environment unless you give people a chance to feed themselves better.”

Howard is looking for ways to help African farmers increase their harvests without increasing their costs. It is a noble and needed effort, and I applaud him for it!

Quote Sundays

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.

-Beverly Sills, Opera Singer

Satunesday

Zach Galifianakis, Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim were commissioned by Absolut Vodka to make a film for their website. They were told they could do anything they wanted as long as they mentioned the product. Hilarity.

Natural Beauty Products

Wondering how to make your beauty regimen more earth friendly? Check out the below synthetics that are commonly used in make-up and their straight-from-the-earth alternatives....

Paraben: A chemical preservative that may be linked to endocrine disruption (when your hormone levels go haywire).
Purer pick: Sugar or milk enzymes (aka glucose oxidase or lactoperoxidase); both absorb bacteria-causing oxygen.

Sulfates: The sudsy component in cleansers and shampoos that can lead to skin and scalp irritation.
Purer pick: Coconut or sunflower extracts (scan labels for decyl or lauryl glucosides), which gently froth.

Mineral Oil: A heavy moisturizer that can plug up your pores and cause a breakout.
Purer pick: Beeswax has the same hydrating properties as mineral oil sans potentia.

Stay beautiful ladies!

Haruki Murakami

Have you read any Haruki Murakami?

His books probably have had the most influence on me since reading Madeline L'Engle's Ring of Endless Light circa age 10. Thanks to Miss Bobo Bausch, I just finished my 4th book of his, A Wild Sheep Chase.

He is David Lynch/Muholland Drive meets Kurt Vonnegut. His stories leaving you wondering which way is up, in a Choose Your own Adventure/Alice and Wonderland kind of way where you ask, "did I just take the blue pill or the red pill?" It is impossible to not get lost in his writing, as I do every time I pick up another book.

One thing I love about reading the same author back to back, is finding their voice and picking out themes that run through each book. Murakami is obsessed with wells, birds and travel. I often wonder how much of himself he puts into his characters, because each protagonist has similar traits of aloofness, curiosity and is always in danger.

I recommend The Wind Up Bird Chronicle to Start.... and then get lost from there... Enjoy!

Suzi McCoy's at it again...

Food, Inc

Trailer for Food, Inc.

You've read all of Michael Pollen's books and seen Fast Food Nation, now, watch the latest documentary about the state of our nations food.

The movie features our favorite nutrition activists, including Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) and Michael Pollan (The Omnivore's Dilemma). The movie doesn't offer ground breaking information, we know the stuff in the middle of the grocery store aisles is NOT good for us, but, it does suggest solid alternatives.

I havent seen it yet, but check out Ricky Silvers review.

Out now. Go see it at your local theater!

iPod walking tours

Soundwalk is a fun new company that produces very informative, interesting and underground walking tours for you to use along with your iPod.

You can choose a tour online and then download it for the iPod, whether you want to do a Bronx Hip-Hop tour, Louis Vuitton's Beijing, the Louvre or the artist district in Paris. Each tour varies in price, averaging around $10.

If you're going on vacation soon then check out their website, they have some really great stuff- it gets you outdoors, is cheap and offers tours of neighborhoods you might not have gone to!

Enjoy!

Aida: Giuseppe Verdi

We're back!!!!!!

I can't even begin to describe our trip to Australia. It was amazing and don't worry, there will be more posts to come about the adventure of a lifetime. But for now, let me tell you about the best 27th birthday present a girl could get.

E took me to the Sydney Opera House to see Aida, a four act (read 3 and 1/2 hour) opera by Giuseppe Verdi. The main premise of the opera is that Aida, an Ethiopian princess, is captured and brought into slavery in Egypt. A military commander, Radames, struggles to choose between his love for her and his loyalty to the Pharaoh. To complicate the story further, there is a love triangle between Radames, the Pharaoh's daughter and Aida. Drama ensues.

Aida was first performed at the Khedivial Opera House in Cairo on December 24, 1871 and has since been performed around the world, turned into a movie and a rock-opera by Time Rice and Elton John.

We were lucky enough to visit the Sydney Opera House and actually see a famous opera!

The Opera house is everything you expect, breathtaking, huge, spectacular, and we learned, VERY expensive to build and maintain. But, it is one of the biggest and most recognized tourist attractions in the world.

Being inside the famous structure gave me chills. It reminded me of a Frank Lloyd Wright structure, using all natural cement and wood as design elements.

It was one of the best nights of my life and one of the best birthday's I've ever had, and I thank you, Huck, for making it so special!

Quote Sundays

I was taught that the way of progress is neither swift nor easy.

-Marie Curie, physicist

FREE SH*T

Today, July 11th, is National 7-11 Day!

I'm not sure if we even have these in NYC, but if you can find one, grab a free Slurpee, Hot Dogs or Big Bite Meal...

Australia

It's finally here!!! Today, I embark on my 2 week long vacation to Sydney, Australia and finally get to see E! I am so excited!

A quick rundown of our itinerary: I arrive on my birthday (July 8th,) and spend the next 4 days in Sydney. Some things I want to hit up are the Zoo, Aquarium, Sydney Opera House, Harbor Bridge, hiking and maybe a winery in Hunter Valley. Then we head to the Outback for 4 days where we will explore and hike Kings Canyon, visit Ayers Rock, ride a camel at Uluru and more hiking. Then back to Sydney for a few days and home.

I will try to post when I am away, but I'm not sure how many computers they have in the Bush... but I will get back to it on July 20th.

I'll miss you!!

Quote Sundays

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.

-Dr. Seuss

Satunesday

"Laughing With"
Regina Spektor

Bobo and I ran into Regina Spektor at Carnegie Hall last year. We couldn't believe it was her, buying tickets and waiting in line like a normal person, because she is anything but normal. Regina is an artist. Her genius melodies blended with provocative story telling make for a brilliant new album, Far.

Far is a record worth putting on repeat. It feels simple on its surface, but the secrets and the fun lie just underneath. Enjoy!

Happy (almost) 4th of July!!!

Pre 4th Tips

There is a big holiday coming up (and no, I do not mean my birthday...) I'm talking about the fourth of July!!

We all know what the 4th is... but here we are, 233 years later, fighting a different kind of revolution; a sustainable future. While that wasn't the forefront of our ancestors goals in founding our country, we can still tackle this problem with the same passion, dedication and energy (and that's not coal powered energy.)

A few things you can do to fight the revolution this holiday.
1. Grilling: charcoal grills emit TONS of carbon, electric or clean burning propane are the way to go.

2. Eating: Buy organic a local products for your picnic. It causes less transportation pollution to the environment -- and your food will be super-fresh. Choose a variety of veggies for the grill and less meat (while I know that hot dogs and hamburgers are a necessity, the less the better)

3. Skip the plastic plates and cups. Go for anything recyclable or reusable, even bamboo!

4. Guest list: Invite a lot of your friends and encourage them to carpool or bike!

5. Have fun!

So this Friday, when you're lounging by the pool, at the beach or watching fireworks, Declare Your Independence!

Eco-Cities

Everyone is going green. Whether it's rebuilding or new construction, green cities are popping up all over the place. Check out these three futuristic city plans:

Tianjin

Located in Singapore, this city will utilize waste heat from a nearby power plant and emphasize green modes of transportation and water recycling.

Zira Zero Island

Designs for this sliver of land off the coast of Azerbaijan mimic the country's rugged peaks. Each mountain is a residential development lined with solar panels. Wind farms almost totally power the island.

Gwanggyo Power Center

The concert here in heavy populated South Korea is to build green space upward, imitating patterns of hills and valleys. Each tower would drip with lushly planted terraces.

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