ARTIST SERIES :: Nikki Juen

opening reception

Friday, February 9th - 5-7pm

drinks, hot tea and light snacks

Nikki Juen is one of our excellently talented local artists who takes every opportunity to share her knowledge through teaching and lecturing. I honestly don't know where she finds the time to create her art as well, but I am sure that it is essential to her process. Nikki is a strategist and national organizer of Brick x Brick, and a founding member of Public Displays of Affection Collective - it's possible you have seen this work with particular focus at the last two Womens Marches of 2017 and 2018 - taking a stand to visually represent the incredible number of social crisis our country is experiencing today. She is also a founding faculty member of the MFA in Graphic Design at Vermont College of Fine Arts her research focuses on the body as media as well as the contemplative mind in higher education. Her classes and workshops explore the development of the individual through the cultural roles of art and design in society.

I am so excited to introduce Nikki's works on paper, join us for an opening reception with the Artist as she will share a cocktail and discuss her process and give us a wider knowledge of her work. Friday, February 9th from 5-7pm and we will continue to show her work through February.

This Artist series began in 2017 when I realized that most of my friends and patrons were Artists and my shop was the perfect showcase for art, in our open and minimal shop. In these winter months when it's cold outside we welcome everyone into our warm shop for some great conversation, laughs and loving camaraderie. I hope you can join us and don't forget to bring your friends.

nonchalantmom

556 Kingstown Road

Wakefield, RI 02879 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

We look forward to this day in our family, we take the family time (dinner) to do some learning about Dr. Martin Luther King and his values. Last year my daughter was lucky enough to have a teacher at her Middle School who teaches Kingian Nonviolence - in a way that went directly hand in hand with who Franny is as a person, she found this to really ring true with her heart. She asked me to join a monthly parent group which teaches the principles and I can say that it has changed me life as well. I am not far into it yet but the ways of conflict resolution have helped me so much in my home and in my work.

The approach is quite simple, and when you get into it the approach is so well thought out and practical that we can all gain from learning from the ways that Dr. King took to approach nonviolence. I consider myself well educated about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - I've seen countless movies and show's about him but until I learned from my daughters teacher, Mrs. Robin Wildman, about Kingian Nonviolence, I feel I did not know the essence of what he was doing. Now going back to see, listening to stories, I hear the references to the movement.

The Triple Evils of POVERTY, RACISM and MILITARISM are forms of violence that exist in a vicious cycle. They are interrelated, all-inclusive, and stand as barriers to our living in the Beloved Community. When we work to remedy one evil, we affect all evils. To work against the Triple Evils, you must develop a nonviolent frame of mind as described in the “Six Principles of Nonviolence” and use the Kingian model for social action outlined in the “Six Steps for Nonviolent Social Change.”
(taken from the website: www.thekingcenter.org)

The Six principles of Nonviolence will pull you in but it is the six steps to social change that will help you start to use this method for yourself, in your family and in your community. I will take this opportunity today to learn more and try to pass on more of this social change that we all need today, but most importantly - use this method in your day to day life to create social change in your community.

SIX PRINCIPLES OF NONVIOLENCE
Fundamental tenets of Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolence described in his first book, Stride Toward Freedom. The six principles include:

1. PRINCIPLE ONE: Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people. It is active nonviolent resistance to evil.
   It is aggressive spiritually, mentally and emotionally.
   
2. PRINCIPLE TWO: Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding. The end result of nonviolence is redemption and reconciliation.
   The purpose of nonviolence is the creation of the Beloved Community.                                                                                                      
   
3. PRINCIPLE THREE: Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice not people. Nonviolence recognizes that evildoers are also victims and are not evil people.
   The nonviolent resister seeks to defeat evil not people.
   
4. PRINCIPLE FOUR: Nonviolence holds that suffering can educate and transform. Nonviolence accepts suffering without retaliation.
   Unearned suffering is redemptive and has tremendous educational and transforming possibilities.  
   
5. PRINCIPLE FIVE: Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate. Nonviolence resists violence of the spirit as well as the body.         
   Nonviolent love is spontaneous, unmotivated, unselfish and creative.
   
6. PRINCIPLE SIX: Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice. The nonviolent resister has deep faith that justice will eventually win.
   Nonviolence believes that God is a God of justice.  
   

 SIX STEPS OF NONVIOLENT SOCIAL CHANGE
The Six Steps for Nonviolent Social Change are based on Dr. King's nonviolent campaigns and teachings that emphasize love in action. Dr. King's philosophy of nonviolence, as reviewed in the Six Principles of Nonviolence, guide these steps for social and interpersonal change.

1. INFORMATION GATHERING:To understand and articulate an issue, problem or injustice facing a person, community, or institution you must do research. You must investigate and gather all vital information from all sides of the argument or issue so as to increase your understanding of the problem. You must become an expert on your opponent's position. 
2. EDUCATION:It is essential to inform others, including your opposition, about your issue. This minimizes misunderstandings and gains you support and sympathy. 
3. PERSONAL COMMITMENT:Daily check and affirm your faith in the philosophy and methods of nonviolence. Eliminate hidden motives and prepare yourself to accept suffering, if necessary, in your work for justice.
4. DISCUSSION/NEGOTIATION:Using grace, humor and intelligence, confront the other party with a list of injustices and a plan for addressing and resolving these injustices. Look for what is positive in every action and statement the opposition makes. Do not seek to humiliate the opponent but to call forth the good in the opponent. 
5. DIRECT ACTION: These are actions taken when the opponent is unwilling to enter into, or remain in, discussion/negotiation. These actions impose a "creative tension" into the conflict, supplying moral pressure on your opponent to work with you in resolving the injustice. 
6. RECONCILIATION:Nonviolence seeks friendship and understanding with the opponent. Nonviolence does not seek to defeat the opponent. Nonviolence is directed against evil systems, forces, oppressive policies, unjust acts, but not against persons. Through reasoned compromise, both sides resolve the injustice with a plan of action. Each act of reconciliation is one step close to the 'Beloved Community.' 

Based on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" in Why We Can't Wait, Penguin Books, 1963.

All of this information is from the website: www.thekingcenter.org - and don't miss reading about The Beloved Community! And remember it is possible for your schools to teach this as a grounding principle - it takes a dedicated teacher, one who will not waver. We are so lucky to have this taught in our school in our area, it is solely the work on ONE teacher, it's taken her ten years to work on bringing this approach throughout our schools, how lucky are we!

conscious city guide

I stumbled upon this wonderful website Conscious City Guide which lists events going on all over the world, with one thing in common - these events are all good for you, good for your soul and good for you as a human being, they are 100% created to make you feel better about yourself and why you are on this planet. AND I am pretty sure that some events are free others have an option to purchase a ticket. With headline words like: RETREATS, MOVE, INSPIRE, NOURISH, CREATE, GLOW, and CONNECT you can easily find something going on near you, there are completely obscure or large events - it's all good. I would suggest a visit and see what's going on near you, this is new so I predict it's just going to get bigger and bigger!

Or maybe you want to list your won event... host a meditation!

 a bit about the founders Mel Nahas and Kiki Falconer -

we are women who woke and want the world to wake.

we come from many fields with a unified mission: to raise consciousness.

we have come together to collaborate because now is the time to unite, to gather our tribe and allies.  

the earth needs us. we need us
I am excited to see this community grow! Perhaps if you are traveling it's nice to check and see if there is anything interesting going on in your destination.... more to do, always more to do!

Conscious City Guide

Swedish Death Cleaning... it's not what you think

When I read this article in TreeHugger it just rang so true to me, at some point in my life my mom just began referring to things as "when I die, you can have this bracelet"... but it's not just one thing, it goes through just about everything - dishes, pots, pottery, christmas decorations, you name it. It's a private thing and I am sure my sister gets it on her side as well, however my sister does not appreciate the finer things in "stuff" like I do - so I'm pretty sure I get it more often than she does. So when I found this story on 'Swedish Death Cleaning' something inside me perked up. Part of me thought that it was going to be about some kind of hard-core cleanliness cleaning type thing, which of course is possible with Swedes, but it's not... and there is a book about it, written by a Swede of course, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, by Margareta Magnusson.

In Swedish, the word is "Döstädning" and it refers to the act of slowly and steadily decluttering as the years go by, ideally beginning in your fifties (or at any point in life) and going until the day you kick the bucket. The ultimate purpose of death cleaning is to minimize the amount of stuff, especially meaningless clutter, that you leave behind for others to deal with. Who can resist doing something called Death Cleaning anyway....

I think that a big part of this is cleaning up your life so that your family doesn't have to deal with it after your death, practical right. Magnusson says that the first secret to effective death cleaning is to speak about it always. Tell others what you're doing so they can hold you accountable.
She writes: "If you vocalise it, it will come. Or something like that." Pass on your belongings in order to spread the happy memories. The second key point is not to fear death cleaning:

"Death cleaning isn’t the story of death and its slow, ungainly inevitability. But rather the story of life, your life, the good memories and the bad. 'The good ones you keep,' Magnusson says. 'The bad you expunge.'"

Finally, Magnusson encourages those engaging in Swedish death cleaning to reward their efforts with life-enhancing pleasures and activities, such as going to watch a movie, spending time in the garden, or eating an enjoyable meal. Besides, you need to enjoy yourself after purging all those belongings. I am pretty sure I would enjoy this book, but I'm not ready for it.

I have to say that personally I can't picture this happening with me, if you know me and you've seen my home you know I love all my 'things' and can't imagine life without all of these memories around me. You can pick up anything in my home and I have a story behind it... many of those stories include how I hide any of my thrift shopping from my husband.

And don't tell my husband about it... I will never hear the end of it.

link to purchase book here 
link to full article on Treehugger here

WASTED! The Story of Food Waste...

I don't care how careful you are to use the whole plant in your cooking this is going to open your eyes! What a great movie for all Americans to see - it's not shaming, because maybe you didn't even know this but this movie will teach you how to eat the whole pant... it's okay and even delicious!

This movie is in Theaters and On Demand now....

Matcha Latte Recipe

Here it is folks... I've had a few frantic texts requesting the recipe so here you go!

So yes, this is my new JAM as the young kids say (haha) - bye bye coffee... HELLO MATCHA! I've been telling you all for years about taking Astragalus for your immune system, but since I have been drinking Matcha instead of coffee in the morning there is no need! My allergies are at bay and I have no need for coffee. This is terrific! I also think it's good for our bodies to switch things up. I think it would be optimal to fast each month or so... but I never seem to get that done. In the mean time just drink this... it's super delicious!

I got my recipe from my niece while we were on our summer vacation in Colorado.  She made them for us every day so when I got home I ran out and got everything - I will say this, this stuff is NOT CHEAP but it's a big initial investment but it will have you set for a long while. I think it's also a good idea to mix things up a bit and come up with your own recipe. Mine is different every day so let's say it's a variation on the below recipe.

MATCHA LATTE
you will need a blender or vitamix - if you don't have a vitamix go out and get yourself one it will change your life!

ingredients
1 tbsp + hemp seeds - to make the milk
1 tsp + matcha (finely ground matcha green tea - it's basically a powder)
1/2 - 1 tsp morniga (again finely ground leaves) - immune booster
1/2 - 1 tsp ashwaganda - I love the SUN POTION brand - their website has all the benefits listed and they are many!
1/2-1 tsp collagen
my neice uses 1/2 a date I like a whole date
(she also adds cashew butter or something and I will do that if I am not going to have breakfast but if it's just a drink I leave that out)
1/4 - 1/2 tsp vanilla (just a few drops)
1/2 - 1 tsp cinnamon
filtered water
... I think that's it, however you can add anything!

take the hemp seeds and about +/-2 cups of water and blend those into a milk. It will get a bit warm and this is good to help mix in the tea. You can also make the whole thing warm/hot with hot water! (my sister likes it like that but it's too thick for me)
When you have your milk put in your other desired ingredients and blend for a while so that it gets warm and a tiny froth. I pour over a 2-3 ice cubes so that it's not too thick - I guess I like it watered down (I'm a weakling). When I drink it it's not cold but not hot either... healthy!

I can't wait to hear from everyone... tell me how MUCH you love this!

Holiday Makers Market in the shop!

FIRST ANNUAL MAKERS MARKET!
Now that we have a shop space the first thing I wanted to do was bring together all of our talented Rhode Island ARTisans for a shop-bop. We have some talented people showing their wares for you to peruse and shop this HOliday season.

Join us on FRIDAY + SATURDAY (12/9 AND 12/10) from 10am to 6pm
it's a part party, part shop, part art show!

Laura Kramer - glass blower in Pawtucket Rhode Island
Corwin Butterworth - woodworker making beautiful objects in wood including cutting boards, trays and candle lights
Maura - Potter by day and activist all the other time... She makes crazy things with clay, crazy BEAUTIFUL things!
Dennis Melucci - creating gorgeous pieces of jewelry by hand every inch of the way. His metal-smith work is divine in it's simplicity and grace. Bracelets, rings and more!
Karen - making delightful animals with clay that will amaze you. She has made literally thousands of animals, never the same one twice and they are OH so nice
Lucky Fish - Jann Cheifitz our favorite screen printer is here with goodies galore - pillows, ornaments, clutches, coasters -- you name it she's printed it!
Carina Schott - Jewelry with crystals that will bring you back to 'center' - her simple netted gemstones and smooth tumbled quartz crystals and cleared in the ocean and left out in the moonlight to charge and bring you peace and love (and a bit of luck too!).
Robin Mollicone - her fine art beaded pieces are the center of gravity in this crazy world we live in - she has sent some of her most unique pieces (including her sought after 'safety pins'!)

And lot's more....

Join us on FRIDAY + SATURDAY (12/9 AND 12/10) from 10am to 6pm
it's a part party, part shop, part art show!

What next

Looking at my post from yesterday I am reminded of my optimism, which I will continue to have because it's all that keeps me going. In the meantime I will take this time to be quiet, introverted and cleanse. It could be easy to turn to other things (especially since there are more legal forms now in many states) but I challenge you to take this time to become stronger, ignite from within, maybe this will become an impetus to meditate, strengthen your mind body and spirit - to stretch, eat better and show this country where it's strength lies.

It was a very long night in the USA with the election of a new president. I've been on social media and there is a lot of complete shock and disbelief, and I have been hearing from many of my clients since the announcement. Indeed, if you are involved in many progressive ideas about the raising of our children, the state of our natural environment, women's rights, etc - then this election has been pretty shocking. But, it has me thinking as well. When I began Nonchalant Mom in 2004 the political climate was not very different from what happened today. My ideas for what I wanted to do with my business and how I wanted to present and run my business may have been a little more surprising and out of place then, but the core ideas remain the same. Needless to say, it was a challenge then, and is still a challenge now, to declare that you want your business idea to respect small crafts people and designers, that I want my business model to be a holistic benefit from the creators of many of my small labels I represent right through to the way I present the items I sell. I wanted to find things that showed respect between peoples and also respected the environment in the best ways possible. I didn't want to disregard the maker's and manufacturers of the things I sell/sold. I wanted to treat them with respect, I wanted them to treat me with respect and most importantly, I knew then that I was interested in small manufacturing, choosing to work with people who are respectful of their manufacturing process and people. I wanted to do something that felt right - something that felt good for both the people who make and provide beautiful things and for the people who would become my clients and buy and wear (or use) those beautiful products. And, though it looks like the social and political climate here in the USA (if not the world in general) is going to take a turn for some unsure outcomes - I felt it was and is very very important to remind myself and to remind any of you who follow and support my business I am invested in you as well. A good solid fight for the progressive ideals I built my little business on top of - a good fight for our children, for our family,  for our friends, and for ourselves to do and make things that we all can use and enjoy.

As always this also involves food so here's a good way to start - bring your lunch with you to work, play or to keep yourself from not eating snacks or food that is not good for your body. This photo is my lunch (well just one of the jars). I make brown rice a few times a week and we either use it for dinner and then I use the leftovers for lunch. I mix in roasted vegetables, nuts, steamed greens or even last nights leftover salad! I keep a jar of my home made tahini in the fridge to drizzle on top (that's the second jar) and I honestly can't think of a better, more satisfying lunch.

I heat it up in the morning so that it's at least luke-warm (which is fine and delicious too) by the time I eat it (yes, I could maybe use a thermos but I am a little too attached to these jars).

TAHINI RECIPE
(I personally don't measure anything but you may want to the first few times you make it until you come up with your own favorite recipe)

1/2 - 1 cup tahini
juice of 1 lemon (use more if it's not juicy)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
salt & pepper
add water to your liking - I like my slightly thick, but I know some people like it very watered down

blend in your vitamix or blender until smooth and creamy
keep in a jar for up to two weeks in the refrigerator (you will certainly use it before then!)

If you are really on top of things its nice to top your jar lunch off with gomasio (see link for recipe) or toasted seasame seeds or just about any toasted nut

monk oil

I knew when I opened the shop that I wanted to have Monk Oil - I reach for it daily, it's the scent that gets me through the day - and I swear it makes me ready and AWAKE, it's the perfect morning - set me straight - kind of scent, plus it's added good vibrations... life just got better my friend!

In the afternoon I put monk oil #2 on the back of my hands so that it's there for me to smell on demand. And call me crazy but I am dry hair girl and I have taken to putting it in my hair, yes you heard that right! Both Potions have a Rose Quartz crystal in the bottle to harmonize with unconditional love.

Monk oil is a earthy blend of oils that will ground you for the day. When Katie and Monika were on their annual camping trip to the Pacific Northwest they felt so close to the land. So much so that when they got back to their jobs at a honey factory in Brooklyn they realized they wanted that feeling of living on the earth - Terra Firma - to be with them even if they were in a busy metropolitan city. This was the beginning of Monk Oil.

The first blend:

Monk Oil City Skin Potion
Is the original and much loved Monk Oil. Organic Avocado and Apricot Kernel Oils nourish, hydrate and soften all skin types. Essential oils of Cedar and Lavender simultaneously ground, soothe, focus and energize. Organic Rose Otto Essential Oil balances and uplifts, offering a sense of comfort and well-being. Yarrow Environmental Solution Flower Essence by FES protects against toxic environmental influences and other hazards of modern life. This includes the disruptive effects of electromagnetic fields and crowded places. Rose Quartz Crystals harmonize the potion with unconditional love.
Monk Oil City Skin Potion is conjured in New York City on New Moons, Full Moons and other auspicious days.

"As much as we both love living in New York City, we’d both been feeling the strain of urban life and were having reentry problems! We were working full time in Brooklyn and wanted to be present throughout the day not just physically but energetically too. As we all know, nature is life’s best healer and we came away from our camping trip feeling not just intact, but also inspired. We wondered how to create that feeling of calm, inner stability and harmony with the outer world while still in the city. Monk Oil came out of that need. Monk Oil was imagined with a blend of ingredients to support the body, the soul, and the spirit." -Katie and Monika

Blend #2:

Monk Oil City Skin Potion #2
We created Monk Oil’s City Skin Potion #2 to be a scent as reassuring as a dear friend to accompany you throughout your day. A love poem to the California coast, it contains a triple rose formula of Rose Essential Oil, California Wild Rose Flower Essence and Rose Quartz Crystal. It is balanced with pure Sage Essential Oil to uplift and purify. Organic Avocado and Apricot Kernel Oils nourish, hydrate and soften all skin types. Together, these ingredients inspire us to embody the grace and resilience of a Rose. California Wild Rose Flower Essence is made by FES Flower Essence Solution and promotes a Love for the Earth and for human life, enthusiasm for doing and serving. Rose Quartz Crystals harmonize the potion with unconditional love.
Monk Oil’s City Skin Potion #2 is conjured at dawn (for new beginnings!) on New Moons, Full Moons and other auspicious days.

Monk oil makes the best of gifts to your good friend, someone you want to watch over and give them strength. It's like a warm hug....

coming soon... Palo Santo Monk Oil... stay tuned :)
shop Monk Oil at Nonchalantmom here!

about one of our makers: Tsia Carson :: Language of the Birds

I love the idea of the name of her collection: Language of the Birds... I think about it each morning that I wake up in Rhode Island and I have these crazy birds outside my window that certainly have their own language and I think I am starting to understand them! One is a something a-kin to a dove I think.. is there such a thing as a sea dove? "coo - coo" he softly says, or is it "whoo - whooo"? But guess what I can make the sound back to him - so yes we can talk... a language of the birds, even though I have no idea where he is or what he is... he is out there!

Spending time in Hawaii is a different kind of Language of the Birds I would imagine, much more tropical and crazy sounds is my guess. In mythology, medieval literature and occultism, the language of the birds is postulated as a mystical, perfect divine language. A green or angelic language, a mythical or magical language used by birds to communicate with the initiated. Tsia Carson aptly named her collection :: Language of the Birds. She has a way to communicate through her simple clothing collection which consists of dresses and tops, because let's face it... that's all you need! (and a pair of jeans... right!)

Tsia is a steward of printing as well as shape - I think this is what makes her collection stand out for me. At a show, there is a sea of vendors, it's terrific if you are a lifelong fashion freak as I am but it can also be overkill, it's like going to Art Galleries all day long, it becomes a glaze. But since it's my job I stay alert - and  good thing because when I walked by Tsia's booth I knew it was for us, and I'll tell you what, you don't see garments made this well often, it would be terrific if more people paid better attention to detail and crisp clean lines and a well made garment. Tsia had her daughter with her and I had mine - so that helped.

I asked Tsia a few questions so this post wasn't all about me, gushing about my new favorite designer (this tends to happen when you find something you really like). So here is our little Q and A.

NCM - tell us about how you started this collection - what was your inspiration?

TC - 1993. Chicago Sal Arms. Racks of 1960s-70s discarded Hawaiian honeymoon mu'umu'u and holomu'us. Each more incredible than the next. A snapshot of my maternal grandmother in the 1960s in Israel. Brightly patterned pant suit, cocktail ring she wore everyday, giant smoky sunglasses, laughing.

NCM - your prints are really unique and I love them... tell us about your process there.

TC - Well I definitely have a point of view with prints. I like big repeats and prints that tell a story. I like it when they feel like they are trying to speak to you. I am not one for prints to simply be pretty. I also feel strongly about how the print feels on the fabric (the sink of the ink, the saturation, the hand) which is why I usually opt for silk-screen. And I can not stand a lazy print where the repeat is poorly done. A print should feel like magic.

My process begins with a concept I want to explore. I try not to get to heavy about it. Last year was "summer", this year I tried to create prints that looked like a close up or xerox of an existing print. I tried to make them look like how things were made before we has such great technology. I was feeling nostalgic for zines. Next year I am working with parking lots. Not kidding. We will see how that goes.

I generally start with a tiny something - a fragment of a Victorian circus poster, a photo of sparklers, a detail of pavement, a paint stroke. It's definitely an open ended process. I end up throwing out a lot of stuff. I am learning on the job so the last two seasons I have worked with Gina Gregorio who teaches at RISD and is super talented. I am slowly taking over as I teach myself textile design. I have no background in it. I am completely unqualified.

NCM - since I am always into food I HAVE to ask you about your favorite recipe/dish 

TC - I love food too, way too much. I have all kinds of crazy dietary restrictions which has taught me to be a good cook. I can make a buckwheat, gluten free, vegan cornbread that will blow your mind. I use coconut yogurt. Right now I have been crazy for this charcoal bread - it's black - so I've conscripted my husband into being a sourdough charcoal bread factory. It's amazing toasted with avocado or good with just olive oil.

NCM - Injection here.. I will get the low-down on this charcoal bread as well as the corn bread so keep checking back! They both sound too good and I need to know more!

NCM - I know you have a connection to Hawaii can you give us a Hawaiian recipe!?

TC - The food culture there is amazing. The restaurants in Honolulu are unbelievably good. It's worth the flight just to eat there - so many talented people making unreal stuff. But a lot of it can't be translated due to ingredients being local and highly perishable. I have been working on a butter mochi recipe but it's still a bit rough. Instead let me share lomi lomi sea asparagus with you. 

Lomi Lomi Sea Asparagus

Lomi means to massage in Hawaiian and it is "traditionally" made with raw salmon but here't the thing- there's no salmon in the waters there so like some other Hawaiian dishes it is a hybrid of many influences. There is a huge cross pollination between Hawaii and Alaska where the salmon comes from. This recipe is adapted from Wenhao H. Sun, Ph.D and his seaweed farm in Oahu (http://www.seaoflifeusa.com/olakai). 

Ingredients: 
2 cup fresh sea asparagus tips (AKA samphire or glasswort seaweed. Also called "sea bean" on the mainland)

4 med tomato, diced
1 med maui onion (any sweet onion will do), diced

Place sea asparagus in boiling water for 10-30 seconds, and then quickly chill seaweed in a bowl of ice water. Cut the blanched sea asparagus into about 1 inch pieces and soak them in cold water an hour or longer, drain. This will make them less salty (do not skip this step). Optional step: place diced onion in a bowl of ice water for 10 minutes. This will make it easier to digest.
   

Drain everything, mix all ingredients, chill in refrigerator before serving. Do NOT add salt or dressing.

Variations: trade cucumbers for onions. Use grape or currant tomatoes whole. Add avocado.

Thank you so much Tsia for sharing your talents with us and we are excited to see more from you... anytime soon! And if you are looking for some really amazing things to do with your kids, pick up her book, it's just enough of easy and GOOD, practical crafts to do with your kids! It's called Side by Side by Tsia Carson

shop the collection on Nonchalantmom HERE

five things I'm doing this week...

I get a weekly newsletter from the ladies at 'of a kind', it's called 10 things we are doing this week and I always love to read it! They are delightfully useful and from time to time I pass their ideas onto you! So I decided it was a good idea I start a 'five things I'm doing this week' - because I knew it was impossible that I come up with 10 things each week! I think I can keep this going by keeping my 'things' short and sweet... things you can just do - without a DIY video or anything.

five things I'm doing this week....

1. reading my favorite book in a LONG time - The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney - mostly because of the endorsement of Amy Poehler - I'll read just about anything this hilarious lady thinks is good.

2. Vitamix of the week - coconut water, 1/2 lemon, 1/2 lime, nectarine, handful of arugula, pinch of pepper, small handful of walnuts and some more water and ice! yUM!

3. my new frida No. 6 clogs! obsessed.... obsessed! happy feet!

4. The 'perfect shirt' by Auntie Oti - going on my favorite for three weeks now so I figure it should be on the list!

5. Scallops... I would make scallops every day if I could! I am lucky, my shop shares the same mall as the best fish shop in Rhode Island - Ocean Catch Seafood - I've been grilling them on salads, serving with a mustard sauce (Swedish mustard, sour cream, salt and pepper) and tossing them with quinoa. Every which way they are delicious! (I usually marinate them in olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon - then pan grill them in a really hot pan in some ghee.

I hope you enjoy this new section on my blog as much as I enjoy all of these things!