I saw this documentary “Food, Inc” a while back and couldn’t really get it out of my mind. Directed by Robert Kenner and narrated by Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser.
When we walk in our supermarket aisle, we rarely think about where and how the food got here. But his film will make you think twice. Beware, there are scenes with factory farm cows that is very disturbing. But it does make you not want to eat another hamburger again.
This film explores the corporate side of farming in the U.S. They mention Monsanto and their need to genetically modify seeds (soybean and more).
Monsanto have now increased their seed prices and many farmers are not happy. Now the Obama administration is looking into it. the New York Times reported recently, “The Justice Department began an antitrust investigation of the seed industry last year, with an apparent focus on Monsanto, which controls much of the market for the expensive bioengineered traits that make crops resistant to insect pests and herbicides.”
Monsanto isn’t just doing this in the U.S. but abroad too. They even want small farmers in South America and Mexico to use and rely on their seeds. And the villagers can’t win this battle, as the corn become cross pollinated and eventually end up as part of Monsanto’s GMO plant.
A great idea is to plant heirloom variety seeds saved by gardeners. My mom usually gets her seeds from other gardening friends. Especially seeds for eggplants and hot chili pepper. Seeds of Change is another great place to get organic non-GMO seeds.
Grow Your Own Drugs: Easy Recipes for Natural Remedies and Beauty Fixes by James Wong.
In his book, James share many homemade and economical recipes for both health and beauty fixes.
James Wong likes to think of herbs as your very own pharmacy (although few would think this). As mentioned by Wong from The Times Online:
“The problem, Wong believes, is that there’s a big cultural dividing line between conventional medicine, which is thought of as effective, proven and serious, and herbal medicine, which has the reputation of being a bit flaky.”
James also goes to explain that up to 50 per cent of over-the-counter medicines are based on chemicals that are extracted from plants. Aspirin, though now synthetic, was originally derived from willow, meadowsweet and the shrub spirea. Morphine-based painkillers are based on opium from poppies. And the birth control pill was originally isolated from the Mexican wild yam. The World Health Organization estimates that 80 per cent of the world’s population still rely on plant-based medicine as their way of health care.
Traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda is also gaining more popularity in the west as more people look into alternative therapy.
I am looking forward to catching the PBS special on April 7th - Prince Siddhartha of India. The documentary will look at the life of Prince Siddhartha, or more commonly known as the Buddha.
The bodhi tre and leaf is an important symbol in Buddhism. As Buddha achieved enlightenment while sitting under a bodhi tree. I took this photo many summers ago at a Buddhist temple in northern California.
The reclining statue of the Buddha in Uttar Pradesh. - Photo from PBS, The Story of India. There are also statues like this found in many Buddhist temples in Laos and Thailand.
Here is a little synopsis of Buddha’s life from the University of Minnesota, Mankato:
“The historical Buddha was born Prince Siddhatha Gotama in Kapilavatthu, near the present-day border of India and Nepal, on the May Full Moon day in 623 B.C. His parents, King Suddhodana and Queen Maya, had waited for a child for a long time. Everyone in the kingdom rejoiced at his birth.
At this time India already had a rich spiritual heritage. It had been prophesized there would soon be an ascetic who would realize the ultimate truth and become the greatest teacher. According the Hindu tradition, five days after his birth seven Brahmin priests came to the temple to name the baby using astrology and forecast his future by reading his body signs. Each of the Brahmins said this baby would become a universal monarch or leave his princely life to become a world spiritual leader. The youngest priest, Kondanna, was so confident that this was the future Buddha that he left the priesthood to wait in the forest for his future teacher.”
And here is the preview. Check your local listing here mark your calendar!
Lately I’ve noticed lots of fruits, especially citrus just ripening on the tree. And was wondering how anyone could actually eat or pick them all.
Sometimes I think I wouldn’t mind asking for permission to pick some of the fruits. But I just can’t help feel like I’m intruding on someone’s life. Maybe even being seen as strange for not wanting to just buy the fruits instead. As it seem people believe only good fruits come from the supermarket.
Back in January, residents of Echo Park (in LA) were lucky enough to get free fruit trees. A great idea to have residents growing their own food and maybe sharing them too. Photo source.
California law states it’s OK to pick any fruits hanging over the fence. The people in LA even have a website dedicated to foraging for these urban fruits. Even then, I still think it would be nice to ask. It would seem too rude to just show up at someone’s front yard and start plucking their over hanging fruits.
Interesting ideas come out of Japan. The latest trends over the years is the Cat Cafe. I wonder if such a cafe business would work in the U.S., but probably not as successful as in Japan.
I have heard of dogs for rent, where people can rent dogs for the hour and just take them out for the day.
At Cafe Nekorobi all the cats have their own photograph albums for visitors to look through. Image source.
Norimasa Hanada, owner of Neko no mise (Shop of Cats) was among the first to open up a cat cafe. Handa explained, cat cafe are popular with young urbanites who live in rental apartments that prohibit pets. While most family condominium allow pets, it’s really the young single people who could use some comfort and companionship of a pet.
Here is Megumi, 33, an office worker. She noticed that each cat cafe has it’s own vibe. This one at Neko no mise, has more friendly cats that are less stressed out. Image source.
The fees are charged by the hour, from $7 - $10. In order to survive in the cat cafe business, they need a high turnover rate of visitors. Despite the recession, the folks here don’t mind spending the money to hang out with these furry creatures. Maybe it is due to work or other stressful events, that cat cafes are so popular. Consider it “pet therapy”.
Today is opening day of the Winter Olympics 2010 held in Vancouver, B.C. California’s governor Schwarzenegger kicked in the 106th and final day of the 28,00 mile torch relay by ending at BC Place Stadium.
And I happen to have a postcard of the stadium (from my last trip to Vancouver!). “BC Place and Vancouver skyline at night.” Printed by the Postcard Company.
I’m glad the city got to host the winter Olympics. Vancouver is one of my favorite cities in the world. It’s a very scenic city that’s great for people who like the outdoors, from nearby surroundings of the bay to the mountains. And the people there are always so friendly. I hope to visit Vancouver again sometime soon.
I love the artwork by George Barbier. Here is two I’ve managed to scan from my note cards.
George Barbier was born in Nantes, France in 1882. He was a popular fashion illustrator and costume designer during the 1920’s Art Deco period. His illustrations were usually found in French fashion magazines and now can be found in art museums (as well as stationary).
“Voice me ailes!” - Look at my wings! This artwork was first printed in 1922 in French fashion magazine.
The drawing really brings you back to a different era. From the fashion to the sailboats in the background. I also like the simple yet elegant black dress, but can’t imagine looking like this all the time.
When I first heard about Silk Moon Gallery, I really wanted to visit the place. They are located in Sebastopol, just north of San Francisco. It has been years since I’ve made any trips up to that part of the state. So maybe when the weather gets better a day trip will be in order.
Beautiful jewel colors of Lao silk. Artistic composition of the objects taken by American Jon on Flickr.
I have always been in awe of the beautiful patterns found in traditional Lao/Thai silk skirts and shawls. It could be that I come from a family of silk weavers. My grandmother was very talented in silk weaving and design. As my maternal grandmother raised her own silkworms. I was told she loved them like they were her children. Hopefully someday I will be lucky enough to learn the art of weaving as well.
Here are other things you can do with Lao silk. They are suppose to be lotus blossom, an important flower in Buddhist celebration. I took this photo at a Lao Buddhist temple in northern California.
What better way to get into the Christmas spirit then putting up decorations? I just saw these cute Christmas critter ornaments at Pottery Barn. I especially like the baby penguin. But $26 for a set of 4 is quite pricey!
Pinecone Critters. Along with the pine cone body, it’s very creative! Photo from Pottery Barn.
Smith & Hawkin, the garden shop I’ve enjoyed visiting, always had nice ornaments. But sadly they are out of business (since last July 2009). I found this photo from the Daily Green. I remember seeing them last winter but didn’t buy any. They are so cute and colorful too! I found some on Ebay and thinking of bidding for them (starting bid is $3 for all 6).
I’ve always wanted to make some kind of stuff animal or doll. So I keep looking at these books and collecting them. I’ve found two more books I would like to add to my list.
Sew Me, Love Me: Best Stuffed Friends to Make by Hsiu-Lan Kuei
“Perfect for any sewer with a love for animals, this delightful handbook to crafting homemade stuffed animals features 12 fabric and sock animals that are guaranteed to charm. Step-by-step illustrations and pattern templates keep the crafting process clear and simple; and because many of the accessories are made from socks, fabric scraps, and trims, these stuffed animals make a perfectly adorable—and affordable—gift.” - Amazon
This looks like neat craft book. Perfect to make with those “stray” socks and other fabric remnants. Since I don’t have any children of my own, I always wonder if children would really like toys like this versus toys bought from the store. Maybe they would love it more if they actually got to make it themselves. When I was about 5 years old, I had a handmade “rag towel” baby doll and just loved it.
In his book, James share many homemade and economical recipes for both health and beauty fixes.
