New Magnet Technology in Natural Latex Mattress Topper

RAM (radial-axis magnetism) Technology features small magnetic spheres in groups of six. Each magnet is positioned so that its positive-negative axis is rotated 60 degrees relative to its neighbor. Arranged in a circle, these sequentially rotated spheres produce a series of overlapping magnetic fields. This means that the flux energies enclose any object in proximity to them. No matter how any contact is applied, positioned, or shifted, the magnetic cocoon remains constant.

This new RAM technology is only found in the new Nikken Naturest Mattress Topper constructed with natural latex rubber, providing an ideal blend of support and comfort, naturally resistant to microbial growth and dust mites. It retains firmness better than polyurethane foam and wicks away moisture. It is a natural fiber, promotes ventilation, helps regulate temperature and offers natural resistance to flammability without adding the chemicals that some other sleep products require. It is a specially washed and hypoallergenic latex. The surface of specially molded, gradient-density nodules is the final touch- producing a massage effect that helps you sleep soundly and wake refreshed. You can pre- order your topper: www.mynikken.net/joanspear

Lolcats again!

 

This time Fatcat has really done it.

Gluten Free Chocolate Muffins

I love this super simple but yummy recipe from Elana’sPantry.com. My only caution is that because these are mostly air and eggs, be careful about opening the oven and checking them too much. 22 minutes is 22 minutes. They will puff up and be gorgeous if you give them a chance. Note the coconut flour it’s new to me and maybe you, too. Bob’s Red Mill makes a good product, easy to find or mail order. Grapeseed oil- use organic, I like the oil from Salut Sante.

¼ cup coconut flour

¼ cup dagoba cocoa powder

¼ teaspoon sea salt

½ teaspoon baking soda

3 eggs

¼ cup grapeseed oil

½ cup agave syrup (more or less to taste, this can be too sweet, too)

In a medium bowl, combine coconut flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking soda

In a large bowl, blend together eggs, oil and agave, whisk this well!

Blend  ingredients

Line a cupcake tin with paper liners and scoop a scant 1/4 cup into each

Bake at 375° for 20-22 minutes DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DOOR!  THE MUFFINS WILL FALL

Cool and cover with your favorite frosting or a scoop of coconut milk ice cream

Makes 12 cupcakes

 

(Happy Birthday to Greta, a wonderful baker!)

“We can change the world one bite at a time”

I have just seen Food, Inc. It is a stunning look at the industrialization of our food chain. It is at times frightening, disgusting, deeply saddening and yet the slightest bit hopeful. Hats off to Robert Kenner and Eric Schlosser, Director and Producer for bring ing this forward in an engaging and sometimes unbearable in-depth look at corporate food culture.

Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto and  an award-winning journalist and world-renowned food expert gives a relaxed and informative commentary through the film.

Pollan speaks about the illusion of diversity in our season-less supermarkets. The truth is that there really are only a few companies and only a few products most of which are a clever re-arrangement of corn engineered into foods that basically do not age. Only a few companies control our food system. There is a loss of diversity and now people are used to a conformity and uniformity of food. There is a lot people don’t know about what is in the food they buy. People do have a right to know, a right to food labeling and a right to protest.

There are powerful images of meat “factories’ with enormous assembly lines. Hidden cameras take us into places where we see how the animals are raised. Photos of chickens on conveyor belts, who have never seen sunlight.

Heroic farmers speak out in the film.  A strong-willed mother fights for food safety. Big business creates law suits to financially cripple those who don’t conform. Immigrant workers are pawns. It is something out of a sci-fi movie.

The saddest truth is that many people cannot afford fresh food- it is cheaper to buy soda, a hamburger, than it is to buy a head of broccoli. It’s a very skewed system. Carrots should be a better bargain, don’t you think? The film ends encouraging us to vote on the kind of food we want to eat- 3 times a day. Bruce Springstein sings Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” through the closing credits. It is a strong reminder that we must make choices daily to hold onto our uniqueness and to bring nature back into our lives, homes and diets.

TakePart.com/foodinc

 

More Japanese Cats and Some Dogs

How does Micah find these sites? Cat lovers. In Japan. Gotta see it to believe it.

Bayleaf Studio on Etsy

Hand knit hats on to my friend Lili who has launched her Bayleaf Studio’s ETSY site with yummy, cozy and creative accessories and hand made invitations and cards. I will attest to her powerfully creative industry and talent having been the recipient of cards and useful gifts from this prolific knitting, sewing and collaging artist. Lili’s studio is full of baskets of deliciously soft yarns and projects. You can also go to Bayleafstudio.com for more news and info. Hurray!

 

US Postal Service Cares Enough To Deliver Damaged Junk Mail

I recently received an envelope with the US Postal Service logo on the envelope. I didn’t look at it carefully because through the window I saw “Holiday Cards, Gift Seals and Labels” and thought, “Even the Post Office is trying to sell me something.”  Today I was sorting the mail and came across it again. On the back of the envelope was a printed note from the postmaster extending apologies for damaging the enclosed envelope while being handled by the postal service. Interesting and thoughtful. Never got one of these before. It was protecting JUNK MAIL.

The USPS handles over 202 billion pieces of mail each year. That’s alot of letters. AND how much of it is unwanted and unsolicited, paying lower rates for bulk mailing?

It’s the season of catalogs again. Here are a few ways to get off mailing lists.

CatalogChoice.org can help you reduce or opt-out of unwanted catalogs and choose how you wish to hear from brands.

Call the phone number on your catalog and speak to a human being requesting to be removed from the mailing list. Have your catalog handy, or the back page with your address and codes so you can be specific.

Contact the Direct Marketing Association and register for the Mail Preference Service. Your name will be placed in a delete file, and you should notice a decrease in junk mail about three months after you register.

Avoid sending in your warrantee cards. You are still covered. They are simply gathering your info to bombard you with more products.

EHow has extensive posts on how to get off email lists, telemarketing lists, and more.

 

 

Cute Compact Carry Bag

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all buy cloth bags for groceries- so in Asheville I went food shopping and of course didn’t have a bag because they are all at home in Connecticut in the back seat of my car….and so I bought a great, reusable, light weight nylon bag at the check out. It has a patent pending, holds up to 25 pounds, has a little stretch pouch built in and a no slip shoulder strap.

compact
about the size of a peach
roomy
holds 2x a plastic grocery bag
strong
ripstop nylon, so load it up with a bowling ball or two
good clean fun
machine washable

Retails for $7.49. flip & tumble

Enjoying Natural Foods in Asheville, NC

Asheville is surrounded by the beautiful Smoky Mountains. Everywhere you look are gentle, round mountains and in late October the colors are warm, vibrant and delicious. Even the trees in town are beautiful.

When I visit a new place I like to get a feel of what it is like to live there. I am not so into being a tourist, although I did some touristy things. I am interested in the food stores, the farming, the organic restaurants even the yoga classes. Here are some stores I visited last week.

Greenlife Grocery (where they now bake organic bagels) has a delicious hot bar, and is well-stocked particularly with local products and produce. I bought a jar of local sauerkraut- totally delicious, made by Viable Cultures who also manufacture kombucha and tempeh. EarthFare is another large store with all imaginable products. Their conscious philosphy is inspiring:

I want to mention The French Broad Food Coop which has been around for almost 35 years, having started as a group of families buying cooperatively and now a busy and large store. “The French Broad Food Co-op is a store owned by the people who shop here, and we work hard to satisfy your shopping needs in a courteous and conscientious way. Shares are fully refundable.” You can also subscribe to a discounted group health insurance program.

Last but most exciting to me are the Farmer’s and Tailgate Markets which you can access at over 25 locations from early spring until late fall.

The Asheville area has much to offer for the health conscious person. Next post: where to stay!

How Fragile Our Water Is

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A single quart of oil spilled on the ground can seep in and pollute 250,000 gallons of drinking water. Pouring oil down a storm sewer is the same as pouring it directly into a stream or river. The time it takes to properly dispose of old oil and gasoline is small compared to the time and effort to clean up a spill.

EarthWorks has good ideas on where, how and why to carefully dispose  of used oils and gasoline.