Here is some advice if you feel you are not comfortable having plants in your home.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Gardening
My landlord has a great little garden in our backyard; Several tomatoes, basil, thyme, cilantro, cucumbers, hot peppers, green peppers, eggplants.Last year we planted strawberries that I purchased for her. They didn't come up last summer, but they seem to be sprouting as we speak! I hope to plant a lettuce mix in there too in the coming weeks.
Besides the backyard garden, I do a lot of gardening indoors with herbs. Mostly basil, Thai Basil, cilantro, parsley, and sage. I've tried chives and chili peppers but my cats find their sprouts to be a delicacy. What are you gonna do?
Today I was trolling through the Spring growing section over at You Grow Girl and I read this post about microgreens. For the past two years I have tried to grow lettuce indoors, but I have failed each time. I get the lettuce to sprout wonderfully, just not to grow into full leaves. I think I can handle these microgreens.
Oh, give us pleasure...
Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day; And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.
Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.
And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.
For this is love and nothing else is love, The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfil.
-Robert Frost
My BF bought me some beautiful purple, planted lilies this weekend. I love them!
Greening your life
What ever happened to designing with plants? I'm a huge plant person and use plants as a major part of my home decor. Lately, I've had an itch to update my collection.
AIRPLANTS
It's time to replenish my supply of these beautifully intriguing airplants. I'm ashamed to say that after years of love and 'alleged neglect', my current airplants past away.
Succulents
I am going to try as I might, once more, with succulents. They are just so wonderful to me, but for some reason they hate my house. I have radiators blasting heat at every single window in my apartment. Despite my best efforts and that fact that my apartment gets amazing light, the winter is very cruel to my plants. All plants suffer during those long months and pose a large challenge in growing, but you would think that the succulents would like the dry air. No. So this summer I hope to make a deal with the succulents and see if we can work something out.
Ferns
I love ferns despite the fact that they shed more than my two cats.
Here we have three, easily accessible plants that I will start my Spring off with.
Plant Source:
Home Depot
(I can't walk into a hardware store without making a b-line to the plants)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
To My Dearest Friends:
Here's to friends that stick by you no matter what. Who hold your hand when you need to be led through the fog. Who, despite what their own personal opinions are, love you no matter what and will stand by your side.
Here's goodbye to those who leave you alone in the darkness. Who choose their own opinions over a friendship's agenda. Who loose track of what true friendship means and what forgiveness can give.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Touch, then Retouch
I realize that every woman that graces the pages of magazines are airbrushed. I sadly realize that I am not lucky enough to be one of those women. And I also realize that I just asked 'god' to make me look like Elle Macpherson. BUT, does Kim K. really need to be airbrushed. Whatever your opinions are of her (and I know they are a plenty), she still is a voluptuously good looking woman. And I am pretty sure that men would agree. Can we just let her be curvy and proud? Is that too much to ask?Beautiful Somethings
Please send me one of each of your newest arrivals. I'm pretty sure you already know my size. And while you are at it, please ask 'god' if he would be so kind as to give me your body.
Much love,
xoLooseChange
P.S. I'll also take past collections if they are just lying around.
Don't Do It.
Right now I am looking out of the 36th Floor of the IBM building. A man has committed suicide by jumping off a balcony at Marina Towers across the street. He smashed into a car below and now lies contorted and in pieces.
Listen people, times are tough. But don't jump. It never ends well.
Read about it here.
Listen people, times are tough. But don't jump. It never ends well.
Read about it here.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Simply Modern
This weekend is the Chicago Modernism Show and Sale in which I hope to make it to. On Saturday at 2pm there is a special film and discussion about Mies van der Rohe's Tugendhat House.
The Tugendhat House: Mies van der Rohe's Czech Masterpiece a film by June and Paul Finfer, Lost and Found Productions
Monday, March 23, 2009
Planet Earth
Planet Earth on the Discovery Channel is the best damned show out there. I can't get enough. I always get sucked in, staying up way past my bedtime. And I sit there giggling and cooing like a little child. It's awesome.Last night I watched Shallow Seas and Forests: Towering Trees, Falling Leaves.
Friday, March 20, 2009
No-Bake Strawberry Pie
Speaking of a Raw Food diet. I think I shall make this for myself this weekend.
The recipe is courtesy of Crazy Sexy Life
Spring has arrived, but has it sprung?
Today is the first day of Spring. At the beginning of the year we have our resolutions that we promise ourselves not to break and at the beginning of spring we find ourselves actually motivated to achieve these goals. I find spring to be an easier time to start or finish those resolutions. It's a time of renewal in all sense. This spring has been especially more of a renewal than most years. I'm turning a '9' year this year. It's said that people tend to spend more time and money on improving themselves in their year of '9'. That has sure been my case. The major of these 'improvements' has been an intense detox program with Karyn Calabrese. It hasn't been easy. I've hit major roadbumps, I've balled my eyes out, I've imagined walking up to Karyn and throwing that damned Kamut in her face, but in the end of it all I realize that I am renewing my body and my obligation to my life.
Most people I talk to think I am crazy (which I am) so I have an easier version to help you cleanse your liver, pain free. Try it for a week and see how you feel.
Here are 10 ways to increase your vitality and give your liver a little more TLC:
(reproduced from The Huffington Post)
1. Drink plenty of water. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj, M.D. is one of the world's foremost experts on the therapeutic value of water. He suggests that half of your body's weight is the number of ounces of water to aim for each day. For example, if you weigh 120 pounds, 60 ounces of water is your goal. I have seen the beneficial effects of this formula in the clinic with many patients over the years. Also, drinking a glass of warm water with lemon first thing in the morning will support your liver's natural detoxification processes. By the way, dehydrating beverages such as coffee and alcohol don't count towards your total water intake.
2. Eat vegetables every day, especially greens. In TCM, the color green is associated with the liver. When choosing your salad fixings, go for the organic spring mix instead of the iceberg. Your liver will love a variety of greens such as kale, spinach, and collard greens. The color green in these vegetables comes from chlorophyll, a substance plants use to trap the energy of the sun. Go ahead--eat some sunshine!
3. Add sour-tasting foods to your diet. These include citrus fruits (sprinkle lemon in your water and on foods such as fish and vegetables), raw apple cider vinegar (good for balancing pH--try two tablespoons in a glass of water, or use with olive oil on your salad), and sauerkraut (which contains beneficial bacteria). With our over-sugared, over-salted palates, we often overlook sour-tasting foods. According to TCM, the sour flavor is associated with the liver, and it enhances bile flow.
4. Avoid toxic fats, eat beneficial ones. Decrease your consumption of trans fats and partially-hydrogenated oils. Toxic fats put an unnecessary burden on the liver, further stagnating qi flow. Emphasize organic, unprocessed oils (such as olive oil and flax oil) in your food preparation. Increase the use of fish that is low in mercury, avocados, nuts, and seeds in your diet. Consider supplementing your diet with an Omega-3 supplement to boost your essential fatty acid intake. Omega-3 supplementation has been shown to decrease cardiovascular disease risk, and it can reduce symptoms of arthritis, depression, cognitive decline, and a seemingly endless list of health challenges.
5. Reduce your sugar consumption. On average, Americans eat 137 pounds of sugar a year! It's the hidden sugars that often add up. Watch what you add to foods like cereal and coffee. Read food labels and avoid overly sugary choices. Know that "fat free" foods can be loaded with sugar, and actually increase triglycerides, a fat in your blood. Eat whole fruits rather than drinking fruit juice. If you find your cravings too strong to follow practical steps, you might find helpful hints in The Sugar Addict's Total Recovery Program by Kathleen Desmaisons.
6. Eat close to nature. Often simpler is better. Select the best of what comes from Mother Nature, and avoid artificial ingredients and toxic sweeteners by eating less packaged foods. Go organic as much as possible. The Environmental Working Group offers a free guide to pesticides found in common foods. You might be surprised that peaches, apples, and bell peppers top their list of the "dirty dozen"―foods recommended especially to be purchased in their organic version.
7. Incorporate more conscious breathing and exercise into your routine to boost circulation and enhance overall liver function. Choose a form of exercise that you enjoy, and remember to breathe. In traditional Chinese cultures, you can see people doing qi gong, which emphasizes breathing and movement specifically designed to promote the smooth flow of qi.
8. Choose to be joyful by cultivating a spirit of gratitude, and regularly forgive others as well as yourself. In TCM, the emotion that contributes to stagnant liver qi is anger, especially repressed anger. The virtues that free the liver qi are forgiveness and a release of judgment towards self and others. In China, when someone is angry, they are said to have a toxic liver. In fact, a morning greeting there translates to "How is your liver?"
9. Reduce or eliminate your use of alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine. These substances can become very addictive, masking a greater imbalance in our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Taking these suggested steps to give our liver some TLC can be part of a comprehensive program to heal our reliance on potentially harmful chemicals.
10. Schedule time for self-care. Get a massage, take a yoga class, etc. I say schedule because I've noticed something in our 24/7 culture. This is that if we don't put taking care of ourselves on our own list, it often doesn't happen. Even Oprah, the woman who seems to have everything, admitted her health started to suffer as she didn't put self-care as a priority on her to-do list.
Here are 10 ways to increase your vitality and give your liver a little more TLC:
(reproduced from The Huffington Post)
1. Drink plenty of water. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj, M.D. is one of the world's foremost experts on the therapeutic value of water. He suggests that half of your body's weight is the number of ounces of water to aim for each day. For example, if you weigh 120 pounds, 60 ounces of water is your goal. I have seen the beneficial effects of this formula in the clinic with many patients over the years. Also, drinking a glass of warm water with lemon first thing in the morning will support your liver's natural detoxification processes. By the way, dehydrating beverages such as coffee and alcohol don't count towards your total water intake.
2. Eat vegetables every day, especially greens. In TCM, the color green is associated with the liver. When choosing your salad fixings, go for the organic spring mix instead of the iceberg. Your liver will love a variety of greens such as kale, spinach, and collard greens. The color green in these vegetables comes from chlorophyll, a substance plants use to trap the energy of the sun. Go ahead--eat some sunshine!
3. Add sour-tasting foods to your diet. These include citrus fruits (sprinkle lemon in your water and on foods such as fish and vegetables), raw apple cider vinegar (good for balancing pH--try two tablespoons in a glass of water, or use with olive oil on your salad), and sauerkraut (which contains beneficial bacteria). With our over-sugared, over-salted palates, we often overlook sour-tasting foods. According to TCM, the sour flavor is associated with the liver, and it enhances bile flow.
4. Avoid toxic fats, eat beneficial ones. Decrease your consumption of trans fats and partially-hydrogenated oils. Toxic fats put an unnecessary burden on the liver, further stagnating qi flow. Emphasize organic, unprocessed oils (such as olive oil and flax oil) in your food preparation. Increase the use of fish that is low in mercury, avocados, nuts, and seeds in your diet. Consider supplementing your diet with an Omega-3 supplement to boost your essential fatty acid intake. Omega-3 supplementation has been shown to decrease cardiovascular disease risk, and it can reduce symptoms of arthritis, depression, cognitive decline, and a seemingly endless list of health challenges.
5. Reduce your sugar consumption. On average, Americans eat 137 pounds of sugar a year! It's the hidden sugars that often add up. Watch what you add to foods like cereal and coffee. Read food labels and avoid overly sugary choices. Know that "fat free" foods can be loaded with sugar, and actually increase triglycerides, a fat in your blood. Eat whole fruits rather than drinking fruit juice. If you find your cravings too strong to follow practical steps, you might find helpful hints in The Sugar Addict's Total Recovery Program by Kathleen Desmaisons.
6. Eat close to nature. Often simpler is better. Select the best of what comes from Mother Nature, and avoid artificial ingredients and toxic sweeteners by eating less packaged foods. Go organic as much as possible. The Environmental Working Group offers a free guide to pesticides found in common foods. You might be surprised that peaches, apples, and bell peppers top their list of the "dirty dozen"―foods recommended especially to be purchased in their organic version.
7. Incorporate more conscious breathing and exercise into your routine to boost circulation and enhance overall liver function. Choose a form of exercise that you enjoy, and remember to breathe. In traditional Chinese cultures, you can see people doing qi gong, which emphasizes breathing and movement specifically designed to promote the smooth flow of qi.
8. Choose to be joyful by cultivating a spirit of gratitude, and regularly forgive others as well as yourself. In TCM, the emotion that contributes to stagnant liver qi is anger, especially repressed anger. The virtues that free the liver qi are forgiveness and a release of judgment towards self and others. In China, when someone is angry, they are said to have a toxic liver. In fact, a morning greeting there translates to "How is your liver?"
9. Reduce or eliminate your use of alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine. These substances can become very addictive, masking a greater imbalance in our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Taking these suggested steps to give our liver some TLC can be part of a comprehensive program to heal our reliance on potentially harmful chemicals.
10. Schedule time for self-care. Get a massage, take a yoga class, etc. I say schedule because I've noticed something in our 24/7 culture. This is that if we don't put taking care of ourselves on our own list, it often doesn't happen. Even Oprah, the woman who seems to have everything, admitted her health started to suffer as she didn't put self-care as a priority on her to-do list.
Stop and smell the rosemary
(JCM at Chicago Botanical Gardens '05)
Until next time, Happy Spring!
Until next time, Happy Spring!
Baby Design
I'm not a huge fan of gender based baby rooms. Pink for girls, blue for boys. It just doesn't make sense to me. I guess I always have been a blue girl my whole life. But! Instead, I'm a huge fan of color that stimulates imagination (especially for toddlers and beyond).
This is Beth Jansen's House. Redesigned and geared for a child, how could you not dream in 
this room? Here are some other things me likes in a baby room.
- DIY Felt Mobiles :: So easy and they look so great.
- Fun Animal Prints :: A great piece to frame plus a learning tool.
- Wall Decals :: I can't think of an easier (or cheaper) way to redecorate a room.
- Either/Or convertible Couch :: Great space saver.
- Eames molded rocker :: Every baby needs a rocker and why not this one.
- Bassinett :: Lust object of the moment. The legs become table legs when the baby grows.
ohhh Baby
Last night I received a Baby Shower invitation. My brother and his wife (T+R) are about to have their first baby and this has had me thinking for a while about what kind of baby products are out there. Are they safe? What are they made of? Are toys that are designed to be put in a child's mouth made out of harsh chemicals and plastics? How available are toys made from organic, chemical-free, sustainable or recycled products?
I realize that my philosophies and beliefs on life are on the far left of the spectrum fro
m T+R (and most of my family), so with the expectancy of this child it got me to think about a few things: How would I want to raise my child? What kinds of products am I willing to expose my newborn to? Am I willing to expose my newborn to BPA just to save a few bucks? Are those few dollars worth it to me? Besides Big Box retailers, what products are actually available for a young couple expecting their first child?
m T+R (and most of my family), so with the expectancy of this child it got me to think about a few things: How would I want to raise my child? What kinds of products am I willing to expose my newborn to? Am I willing to expose my newborn to BPA just to save a few bucks? Are those few dollars worth it to me? Besides Big Box retailers, what products are actually available for a young couple expecting their first child?Here is a reference list to sustainable sites, baby products, and toys.
On The Web
- Eden Home: (Knitted Organic Cotton Teether) Offering natural, organic yet stylish products for your home, bath, bed and baby
- Hazelnut Kids: (Sunshine Mobile) Natural, earth-friendly, wooden andorganic cotton toys for children and babies
- Play Happy Toys: (Unfinished wooden rocker) Mission is to promote imaginative and intelligent play while setting a higher standard for children’s products.
- Happy Green Baby: (Fair Trade Organic Cotton Monkey, BPA free glass bottle) Handpicked specialty organic baby and natural baby products from top quality brands, all with a commitment to lessening impact on the environment.
- Green Grow: Bisphenol A-free. Phthalate-free. Worry Free. Baby Bottles.
In Chicago
In the San Francisco Bay Area
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Who you callin' yellow?
Ahh....yellow. I love yellow. Yellow everything.My main squeeze tells me that according to GQ a man should never wear yellow. I love a man in some yellow kicks or a yellow shirt. I think GQ can shove it. Thank goodness my baby don't listen.
- Anthropologie
- Anthropologie
- Anthropologie
Dwelling Do #1...the bedroom
I need to update my bedroom. It's time. It has been three years and I still have an unframed poster hanging on my wall amongst other laxidasically placed items. Here is a list of things I plan to do in the near future.
- Frame said Matt Daly poster (after three yrs)
- Frame and collage my Post Family prints with the MD poster above my dresser.
- Paint the dresser sitting out on my porch so that my beautifully expensive underthings can have the room that they deserve.
- Finally organize my closet properly.
- New curtains. (Yes, mother, I know....curtains, curtains, curtains.)
- Add a punch of color. ... YELLOW.
My walls are a similar color to Melissa and Matt's wall. (RL Palaise Royal to be exact) I just love how the yellow pops out. I'm thinking about getting a new duvet in a yellow floral. Check back to see before and after photos.
Baby's First Blog
What of this world but joys+sorrow. - Greg Evans
Welcome to Loose Change. This is a personal blog for me to organize my thoughts, archive things of interest and track DIY projects. If you know anything about me, you'll know I am addicted to blogs. One day recently while trolling around the web I ran across my beautiful friend Caitlin's blog, Sous De Charme. She's inspired me to start this 'scrapbook' or personal 'book of reference'. I see so many amazing things each day that I want to remember and now here is my chance to document those findings.
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