HBO documentary series: Gasland

Throughout the summer on Monday nights HBO has been airing a series of documentaries, I think that this is the third or so already (you can see them all on On Demand, they have all been great so far!) but this one has a real telling story: Gasland - follows Josh Fox while he finds out more about the natural gas drilling practices in the United States. The film won the special jury prize at Sundance 2010.


The film will air on Monday, June 21st on HBO at 9pm. So don't miss it!
click here to see trailer

Drilling for natural gas relies on a process of special concern in the film know as hydraulic fracturing or "fracking". In fracking, companies inject, at high pressure, into each well up to 8 million gallons of water and toxic chemicals (like kerosene and eiesel fuel). This fluid fractures underground formations, unlocking natural gas that had been trapped. Filmmaker Josh Fox takes a closer look at natural gas drilling and fracking and their effects on communities in the award winning documentary called Gasland.


If you would like to read more visit the HBO website to see a trailer
Information taken from the Environmental Working Groups (EWG) website

Tomorrow is the last day for Layla Trunk show!!

Friday, June 19th is the last day of the Layla Trunk Show

I will be packing up the remaining items to go back to Layla!

There are still some wonderful items left and a couple of Afghani dresses...

Next week we will have our own FRESH supply of Afghani tops! so if you LOVED the dress you will LOVE THIS TOP!!

In the meantime, take one last look at the Trunk Show page by clicking here just to make sure you are not going to miss your FAVORITE item!

We Love Layla!

Diem Chau - crayon statues!

I am finding myself quite the cheerleader for Diem Chau, this may very well be my THIRD blog about her! Going back to first writing about her amazing crayon statues back in 2008 and then her Blythe Dolls in 2009... Well here we are in 2010 and she is still amazing me!


I received her newsletter and there they were these super cool, very intricate, and might I add, totally chic colors and packaging -- crayon statues of the World Cup Soccer players! (nice one!!) These are so much fun and might I add.. funny! Even the arm positions are the classic stance of each of the players (not that I know them but NOW I do thanks to these little crayon guys!).


I feel as though I should give you some facts here, Diem was comissioned by Wieden + Kennedy to carve 66 crayons for this year's Nike World Cup press kits! Only 11 kits went out each with 6 of the players each -- she banged these guys out in 18 days! It all sounds brilliant and wish I was a recipient! For the time being we can just enjoy a job well done!!


And... dare I mention what a good gift this would be for Fathers Day!! She does make commissions of the crayon sculptures you can email her to get the specifics (but maybe it will have to be next year while Diem gives her hands a rest!)

visit Diem Chau's blog: 'The Pleasure of Tiny Things' by clicking here

Mor Mor's Sour Cream Waffles

We have the pleasure this week of my mom visiting from MinnesOta, the kids love it when she is here but I think that I love it most! She is a clean FREAK and whips this place into shape! AND we eat the best food while she is here... she loves to cook, but not those simple things, she has these delicious elaborate recipes that I LOVE. She is the kind of mom that made stuffed peppers when I had friends over as a kid... embarrassing then but I am so thankful now that I have a taste for the good things in life!

She found her old waffle recipe and has been making waffles for my sister and her kids in the last few months, she is on a bit of a roll with it... you never know when you are going to get the invitation to Margit's house for waffles! I was so jealous that I went out and bought a waffle iron for her arrival, and I am glad that I did... you cannot believe these airy and delicious delights! I remember them as a child but they seem even better now! We paired them with whipped cream and lingonberries and YUM! Amazing! or fresh strawberries when they are in season!

Mor Mor's Sour Cream Waffles

2 eggs - separate the yolk and whites
1 cup sour cream (or buttermilk but she prefers sour cream)
1/3 cup melted better
3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda (mix with a bit of water)
3 teaspoons milk

beat the egg yolk and mix in sour cream, flour, melted butter, salt and baking soda/water mix and the milk.

beat the egg whites separately until light and fluffy and fold into batter.

When my mom made them she said "you are not going to like this recipe because it's a little bit fussy" and she is right, but they are darn well worth it and make up for all the trouble with delicious waffles! She also said that she once forgot the milk (runs in the family) and she thinks they taste even better that way!

Any way you look at them they are THE BEST!


These would be a great idea for Fathers Day!!

Jann talks about travelling in South Africa (just in time for World Cup!)

Thank god I started Nonchalant Mom... because this is how I met Jann Cheifitz who IS Lucky Fish. Many times I think what would I do without her in my life, she is so very balanced, calm, and her approach to work is well, just the way I like it! We work great together, "Jann I need more t-shirts!!" is a frequent email subject! But our lives cross paths on many subjects and I love that about her... and HEY, Nonchalant Mom would not be half as cool without her whispering in my ear!

Recently Jann wrote a blog for BozAround, which is a family travel blog run by Vanessa Boz, a self described world traveler! So, where is the hot ticket this summer... SOUTH AFRICA! And who better to ask about that than Jann. She wrote a wonderful blog for BozAround that is filled with tips and information on Cape Town and local haunts from the South African native, and if you think she is hip on New York (well really it's Brooklyn she is passionate about) wait until you read about what she as to say about Cape Town!

The blog is filled with dozens of links to amazing restaurants, hotels and sites and rather than going into detail here I am going to ask you to click directly through to BozAround. (because for all of you who do NOT have a blog you have no idea how long it takes to write a blog with this many links!!) BUT I want you to be able to click through and see all the fun and beauty that South Africa has to offer and hopefully you will be travelin' soon!

G...O...A...LLLL!

click here to visit BozAround

road trip anyone!? - tada shop blog

(somewhere in Canada-Lake Superior in distance)

Hadley and Holly from the Tada shop asked if I would write an 'Essential Road Trip' blog for THEIR wonderful blog. The Tada Shop blog is mostly about their shopping expertise which is honed for their website Tada Shop, but also includes exciting information on happily living with your kids in which they talk about games, playtime, creative time, travel and much more! We have been working hard to make Nonchalant Mom available at Tada Shop and should be ready soon... (if only I could be a bit more technical!).

In the meantime, I am guestblogging with them about our Road Trip across Canada and back (well, all the way to Thunder Bay and back to Rhode Island). It's filled with tips on how to pack (which, depending on how well you know me, my surprise you?!), what to bring and not to bring and some tips on how to generally keep things going while you and your group are in close quarters. We love a good car trip and I would recommend it to anyone!

So here is the entire blog:
or click through to Tada Shop Blog)

We have been obsessed with Carina since seeing her in Domino magazine ages ago and love her approach to life, the products she stocks her store with, and well, her! She fills her blog with inspiring ideas for kids activities so we figured what better person to weigh in on the SUMMER ROAD TRIP!

************


Last year we took the time to go on an extended car trip around the Great Lakes, our destination was an Island on a lake in Northern Minnesota and then back to Rhode Island in two weeks. We drove the Trans-Canadian Highway through the tops of the Great Lakes, it's kind of funny even when you look at the map, there is ONE road through Canada and while you are on that road it certainly feels like it's the only road for miles around. We stopped to eat from 'chippie trucks' whenever we could and then we hit local diners and such for dinners. As soon as you come down through Thunder Bay, Canada and back in the USA it's an immediate change of scenery, and instead of just driving through beauty, you can feel the change in the United States. Roadside stops in Grand Marias really stood out for their smoked fish sandwiches and small health food stores.



Just in case you think that you need to prepare yourself for a trip like this, we are here to say that you don't! (although it IS a good idea, it's not necessary). So if you find yourself with some time this summer, without plans, and not much money I would completely suggest a car trip. And don't worry, your kids will be so excited about the trip that you won't need to plan for entertainment as much as you think you do! Let them in on the map directions (I would even get a map so that the kids can follow the progress on their very own), finding signs for directions, exits, and number of miles to the next stop. When things start to get rowdy in the back seat, make a pit stop, let them help clean the windows on the car, take a bathroom break, and even take the moment to chew a stick of gum, you will be amazed at the troopers that you have along with you!



Our drive took two weeks and we had to hustle it on the way back a bit, so give yourself time to relax and drive at a good pace so that when you stop you can enjoy yourself a bit and not have to take off early in the morning. We planned a mix of camping and staying in small hotels along the way and this broke things up a bit and worked out very good. We found the camping in Canada really amazing, beautiful and natural, while in the USA it was slightly more crowded. But if you do your homework on the towns in which you would like to stop, I am sure there would be a treasure in each day! The point is to not expect too much and just plan on keeping it cool with your family and rolling with the punches.

Wovenplay's Sun Suit is Carina's "favorite summer piece of all time!" and on her packing list!

As for what to bring, don't pack all the practical stuff you would 'think' that you would want on a car trip. In that I mean have some fun and bring the crazy stuff... On a road trip, this is where you are out of your element and have a good time! I have a friend who is an amazing Womens Clothing designer, she is super chic, always... when we traveled to Sicily together she would wear Prada to the beach, I thought she was nuts but really... if you have the stuff you just have to wear it, don't let it sit in your closet! This is especially true for kids clothes, they will outgrow it anyhow and you don't know how cool a totally worn out Makie dress can be while camping or playing at the beach, why not look completely amazing all the time instead of just for a wedding! (expensive also means that it's made well in my book!). We also don't bring along tons of games and things on road trips, yes, I think that the correct games and learning apps loaded by a parent onto an iPod touch is great, but on the other hand a slinky bought at a gas station in Des Moines, Iowa can become all the rage! (if you brought it along it wouldn't have that appeal). Our kids both have an old fashioned radio with earphones (we use these wonderful ones by iFrogz that are colorful and the kids LOVE!).

Good Luck and maybe we will see you this year as we plan to camp our way through the Grand Canyon... somewhere around there... let us know if you have any ideas!

Very warmly - Carina

click here to visit Tada Shop
click here to visit Tada Shop Blog

handmade toy alliance

Looking for a really great toy gift... something completely unique, perhaps even with the child's name on it!? Well look no further! The Handmade Toy Alliance is a group of toymakers that are continuing the tradition of handmade toys in the USA. I browsed through the list of toymakers and I was amazed at the selection of brilliant toys, you can even search by State to find a toymaker near you! What could be better, this is great for retailers and also consumers, parents who are looking for very special toys for their children.

Take a look through their 442 retail shops and toymakers! Here are a few special things that I found today but I could keep looking....

(bath boats - click here for website)

(hand made crafting toys - Beka in Minneapolis MN)

(handmade trucks! - click here)

(plush toys and blankets)

Visit the Handmade Toy Alliance to find perfect handmade treasures for gift and your own kids! It will take some looking around but I am sure that this is one of the most complete list of toymakers that you will find!

click here to visit Handmade Toy Alliance

Tortoise - Venice, CA - exhibition: satsuma mono

My favorite store on Abbot Kinney in Venice, California is Tortoise, it has amazing things going on all the time, I wish I lived nearby so that I could attend them. But I wanted to tell you all about this in case you are able to get down there to see:

SATSUMA MONO - craft.design.food.customs from the Southern part of Japan.

Tortoise will be hosting this Craft Fair of objects and crafts from the Southern region of Japan called Satsuma. The name "Satsuma" is commonly used for a kind of orange in Calfornia, but at "Satsuma mono" you will see products that are made by designers and craftsman from Satsuma.

This craft fair is put on by Landscape Products Co. Ltd Tokyo, Japan - they are another of my 'favorites' whom I have talked about before and are always inspiring. You can visit their website to get inspired yourself! (and don't miss the Chigo collection of kids clothing... wonderful!)


This fair has been traveling throughout Japan and I think it will be an exciting look into traditional Japanese crafts.

Opening reception: June 11th (friday) 6pm - 9pm - where you can enjoy the local Shochu tasting. (Shochu is made of spirits distilled from fermented rice, potatoes, wheat and the like and retains some of the original flavor)

The Craft fair will go on from: Friday, June 11th - Sunday, July 11th (one month)


If you live in California please stop by and don't miss it!! Say hello to Keiko for me!

Tortoise - 1342 1/2 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice CA 90291
tortoise@tortoiselife.com

store hours in June 2010:
monday - closed
tuesday - 12-6
wednesday - 12-6
thursday - 12-6
friday - 12-6
saturday - 12-6
sunday - 12-6

(just a reminder that Tortoise is very near my favorite restaurant.. you could make a day of it! Axe - 1009 Abbot Kinney - 310-664-9787)

Pesticides and summer fruits and vegetables

(onion - lowest pesticide load)

That time of year is upon us when our diet significantly changes to eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. I thought that this was a good time to review ranking of fruits and vegetables that are exposed to pesticides. I think that this way you can make priorities and you don't necessarily have to go out and buy all organic but you can choose non-organic from the list of fruits and vegetables that are not subjected to as many pesticides. It's also a good idea to talk to your local farmers and see if you can find a local organic CSA or at the very least talk to your local farmer about the amount of pesticides that they use.

Once again it is the Environmental Working Group that is putting out this study, but I found the information via my Warren King Newsletter (if you have not already signed up for your Warren King newsletter you can do so by clicking here). His newsletter and website are filled with terrific information -- or maybe not so terrific, depending on how you look at it, I am just reading about Soy products (upcoming post-just collecting more information).. and I am surprised by his report! But back to Fruits and Vegetables...

The good news is that it seems in urine tests on children that upon eating conventional fruits the pesticides show up but after just days of moving to Organic fruits the pesticides disappear. But what is NOT tested is the long term effects of these pesticides on the organs and bodily fluids.

To quote Warren Kings report:

-When children are exposed to toxins, there is more time for resulting damage to occur than when adults are exposed. To elaborate, if a series of events have to occur before the toxic effects of chemicals present, then it is more likely that those events will occur someday if the children are exposed early in life as opposed to exposure much later.

-Due to the rapid cell growth in children, they appear to be more susceptible to some carcinogens than adults are.”

Because of such concerns, the Food Quality Protection Act required that by 2006, the EPA was to complete a comprehensive reassessment of the 9,721 pesticides permitted for use. They were to determine safe levels of pesticide residues for all food products.

Even though this law’s passage resulted in a lowering of pesticide amounts applied to foods intended for children, many critics still consider the levels too high for safety. The other concern is that there are no restrictions on imported foods."

RANK FRUIT OR VEGGIE SCORE

1(worst) Peaches 100 (highest pesticide load)

2 Apples 96

3 Sweet Bell Peppers 86

4 Celery 85

5 Nectarines 84

6 Strawberries 83

7 Cherries 75

8 Lettuce 69

9 Grapes – Imported 68

10 Pears 65

11 Spinach 60

12 Potatoes 58

13 Carrots 57

14 Green Beans 55

15 Hot Peppers 53

16 Cucumbers 52

17 Raspberries 47

18 Plums 46

19 Oranges 46

20 Grapes – Domestic 46

21 Cauliflower 39

22 Tangerine 38

23 Mushrooms 37

24 Cantaloupe 34

25 Lemon 31

26 Honeydew Melon 31

27 Grapefruit 31

28 Winter Squash 31

29 Tomatoes 30

30 Sweet Potatoes 30

31 Watermelon 25

32 Blueberries 24

33 Papaya 21

34 Eggplant 19

35 Broccoli 18

36 Cabbage 17

37 Bananas 16

38 Kiwi 14

39 Asparagus 11

40 Sweet Peas-Frozen 11

41 Mango 9

42 Pineapples 7

43 Sweet Corn-Frozen 2

44 Avocado 1

45 (best) Onions 1 (lowest pesticide load)

Warren suggested that anything at a level of 28 or up (from sweet potatoes up) should be eaten organically -- I will certainly take this advice!

I think that this is a good list to follow and maybe it's a good idea to keep this list on your refrigerator to reference and keep as a reminder! (I certainly can't keep remembering this stuff!)

Happy eating this summer!

Visit Warren Kings website here.

click here for his full report on Pesticide Levels in Children

(peaches - highest pesticide load)

Alayne Patrick of Layla

I recently visited with with Alayne Patrick of Layla in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn one of the most wonderful neighborhood stores in the entirely chic neighborhood of Brooklyn on Hoyt Street (between Atlantic and Smith St.) I have written about her store before, but I wanted you to get to know Alayne just a bit better (because you will be seeing A LOT of her collection on Nonchalant Mom). Right now we have a trunk show going on with Alayne's beautiful Summer 2010 collection until June 18th and I can tell that you all love her talent for making something simply beautiful just as much as I do!

Just in case you can make it to her store, don't miss her wonderful towel shop across the street! hours are only wednesday - sunday, so make sure she is open before you visit!


I asked Alayne to talk about her travels, since she goes everywhere!

TRAVEL
1) I know that you travel quite a bit so tell us about your FAVORITE PLACE!

-Anywhere in India. If I had to pick one place it would be Kashmir, for the people, peace, and beauty.

2) Are you a finicky traveler or do you just go with it? Tell us about your travel 'tricks'.. everybody has them and we want to know yours!

-I don't plan ahead. I never have a set itinerary. I always carry a shawl, handwipes, incense, and pack lots of Layla kurta dresses to wear over churidars. This is my uniform when I travel.

3) What is your favorite food (from a far away place) and if you know how to make it please tell us!

-Kashmiri food at my good friend's home. It's clean, fresh and the chutneys are delicious. If I only knew how to make it...


4) And we all want to know what you LOVE to do in your favorite place?

-In Kashmir I'm on vacation so just spending time in my friend's home; their sincerity is inspiring. They are the most gracious, lovely family. The moghul gardens are beautiful as is the Dal Lake. The houseboats with intricate wood carving and of course, the most beautiful pashminas. The air of Kashmir touches one's heart.

5) I know you travel a lot but really how much (I think it will come as a surprise to some people!)

-In general, I make two to three trips per year to India, usually three weeks at a time. Each trip I try to include a new destination to discover. My latest trip was to Pondicherry, a seaside town in the South and checked out Auroville Ashram.

6) What was your inspiration to start Layla, the store and the collection?

-I went to India on a personal trip and spent most of my time in Delhi, then traveled a bit in Rajasthan and discovered so many beautiful things. I met generous people who shared with me the techniques and types of dyeing, blockprinting, embroideries and also discovered beautiful antique jewelry and the intricacies of that craft. The colors and textures of everything there inspired me to bring back the finer qualities of what India has to offer; many things I had never seen in the West. I started making clothing because the Indian styles and fits are not suitable for us westerners. I am trying to translate Indian techniques and styles into our own original prints and designs using better quality fabrics and construction, made by master craftspeople who are socially and quality conscious.

7) What is your favorite find and where did you find it?

-My earrings I have on; they are antique gold with enamel work. I found them in Old Delhi and tried to bargain as they were in a very dirty junk shop. The man would not bargain and told me to leave! I never stopped thinking about them and months later on my next trip, the first thing I did was go back to buy them. This time, the brother was there and I got a great price. I took them back to my hotel and cleaned them up to reveal their hidden beauty, as they were so dirty they would be unrecognizable. They are very intricate and unique. Everywhere I go in India people comment on them. They are a treasure.


8) Your collection is so colorful, tell us where you get that inspiration!

-If only I could translate the beautiful colors of India, it is only an attempt on my part. I always say I would love to see color through an Indian set of eyes. There are also so many beautiful bold colors and combination's beyond our Western sensibility and the collection only touches on a fraction of the possibilities.



MY FAVORITE THINGS
Please tell us about a few of your favorite things....

-Khadi towels, pashmina shawls, antique jewelry, Alexander Gorlitzki miniature paintings, and the beauty and inspiration India provides for me. The relationships I have with all of the lovely people I have come to know and work with.


Layla collection at Nonchalant Mom
Layla Trunk Show - Summer 2010 - through June 18th

new homepage...

Nonchalant Mom has a new homepage! It was really hard for me to change from the last one because I really liked it but... then I came upon these great photos... and the change became easier! Both of the looks are from the Atsuyo et Akiko collection of kids accessories (and a few things for mom). We had such a fun photo shoot with this collection of crazy, fun and just totally irresistible things for kids.

Our photo shoots are always fun but there was a bunch of music and dancing involved here and we had a great time! In these photos Franny is wearing mostly Atsuyo et Akiko (hairband, necklaces, feather boa and t-shirt), Nico Nico shorts, and wovenplay socks (a couple of sizes too big.. hence over the knee).

Here Franny is wearing a Organic cotton black dress from BO de Bo (she is crazy about this dress because it twirls so very nicely!) Atsuyo et Akiko hairband and necklace and in the third photo she has the wings on (I think these are sold out at the moment but I will have more soon).


In case you need a favorite bag for the summer... Atsuyo et Akiko's JE TAiME bag is perfection! not too big... not too small, JUST RIGHT!



Thank you Atsuyo et Akiko... you guys are wonderful! I am interviewing the girls at the moment so you will learn more about them in the coming weeks.

shop the Atsuyo et Akiko collection at Nonchalant Mom by clicking here

new issue Small Magazine - Summer 2010

It's time to enjoy the new issue of Small Magazine!!
Summer 2010 - click here

- ENJOY!

macrobiotic summer conference - July 22-25, 2010

Each year I promise myself that I am going to make it to the Kushi Institute Macrobiotic Summer Conference, but it's been two years since I last attended, and I truly miss it! Officially they call it "Peace and Joy through Health and Vitality" which gives you an idea of what you are in for... four days of classes in health, cooking, exercises and much more... Visit the Kushi Website for complete details and have fun choosing the classes you would like to take each session.

The Conference is set up in sessions, up to four each day, and then you can choose from 5-6 different classes each session -- there is sure one to peak your interest! (I found myself choosing 2-3 favorites each session).

Some of the classes are:

-Yin or Yang? Understanding Your Balance
-Beyone Normal Health and Healing - How to Increase Your Everday Energy and Vitality
-Facial Diagnosis - Find Your Hidden Strengths
and one of my personal favorites:
-Discover the Energies and Cooking Styles of Each Season

These are just a few of my picks... but I hope that you are interested to join one of the most interesting and life-changing movements that you can find. When you gain all of this knowledge that is available to you it's impossible to pretend you don't know it... Macrobiotics is just simply something that makes sense to me and I hope that you will come to feel the same way after you attend some classes and take in some of this exciting information.

I hope that I will see you there... and if you do decide to go please send me an email so that we can meet up!

visit the Kushi Institute website for more information on the Conference
Macrobiotic Summer Conference - July 22-25 - 2010

Environmental Working Group 2010 Sunscreen report is out

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has issued the 2010 Sunscreen report, so before you go out and buy your new sunscreen for the summer check the report and get educated as to what you want to offer for you and your kids. The report is very easy to read, you can even check your favorite brand and see how it rates. The good news is that there are some products that are okay out there (39 to be exact on their list of 500 sunscreens tested) and only 21 with a recommended rating of 2 or lower!

New to look out for... Vitamin A (which is found in 41% of sunscreens)- it has been discovered that this compound is possibly photo-carcinogenic (can accelerate skin damage when exposed to sunlight). The evidence against vitamin A is not conclusive, but as long as it is suspect, EWG recommends that consumers choose vitamin A-free sunscreens.

The EWG also suggests that the best source of 'sunscreen' is wearing a hat, the shade and wearing clothing to cover up from the sun. The obvious staying out of the sun from the hours of 10am - 2pm are important. The suggest "Products with high SPF ratings sell a false sense of security because most people using them stay out in the sun longer, still get burned (which increases risk of skin cancer) and subject their skin to large amounts of UVA radiation, the type of sunlight that does not burn but is believed responsible for considerable skin damage and cancer. High SPF products, which protect against sunburn, often provide very little protection against UVA radiation. Also, most people don’t get the high SPF they pay for: people apply about a quarter of the recommended amount.

So don't miss this chance to check out your sunscreen and read-up on what is better for you and your family!

The Environmental Working Group's 2010 Sunscreen Report