What Do You Know About BPA?

More on the Big Cleanse:  looking at other websites and getting ideas for gaining control of my health.  Found this post on fastcompany about how to reduce BPA, which  is a potentially toxic estrogen-mimicking compound used in plastic production that has been linked to breast cancer, early puberty, infertility, and other maladies. It's dangerous enough that it has been banned in baby bottles in Europe, Canada, and even China--but not in the U.S.  So, how important do you think it is to reduce them in your life?  Is this something I should do for the health of my family, or is it over-reacting?

Desks, Offices and Signs

I am by nature a sarcastic person who often wonders about the collective brain power of the human race.  This website confirms my worries.

So, you ask, how else have I been amusing myself in the vast wasteland that is the internet? Well, let's talk office health and desk decor:

I found this desk yoga video helpful - the stretches actually work.

To hold up the books currently in piles all over my office and desk I need this.

Fun uses for alligator clips are found here.  I can't help it - I love office supplies.  Does that make me totally weird?

I also want a stand up desk. I have major back issues and lately sitting seems to make it worse.  I think the Pottery Barn Bedford Desk would be way cool:

Too bad for me it is ridiculously expensive and I am cheap.

I could go for one of these balance ball chairs, but I am notoriously uncoordinated and would probably roll off and hurt myself.

What is your dream office or desk set-up?

Salsa Discovery

Trader Joe's Double Roasted Salsa - YUM!  Perfect combo of smoky/hot peppers and rich tomatoes.  You could even make a dinner out of Trader Joe's corn tortillas and this salsa, not that I would know that from personal experience or anything....

Swimming Season

Come on in, the water is great!  Except maybe for the 420 whale sharks.....

Found at http://news.discovery.com/animals/420-whale-sharks-gathered-off-mexican-coastline-110525.html

Wish I Was This Creative...

Found at http://www.nerdnirvana.org/2010/01/30/watermelon-shark/. 

For Erin, Part 2

There is just no pleasing some people.  The complaint:  the juice recipe was too healthy.  The fix:

Oreo and Ice Cream Pie

• 24 Oreo cookies (plus extra for eating while you make the pie)
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• ice cream (lots)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Place Oreos in a large plastic zip top bag and smash the heck out of them.  A flat mallet or rolling pin works great.  You could probably also use a food processor or let your kids smash them to burn extra energy. The filling should resemble moist crumbs (if you do this by hand there will be a few larger pieces in the mix, this is fine).
3. Empty crumbs into a mixing bowl and stir in melted butter until well combined.
4. Pat wet crumbs all over and up sides of pie dish, making an even surface.
5. Bake crust for 8-10 minutes or until hardened.  Cool before filling.

Buy large quantities of your favorite ice cream (my personal favorite for this pie is coffee ice cream), soften it, spoon it into the crust, then freeze the pie.  Make sure to eat a bowl of the left over ice cream while waiting for the pie to set, otherwise you will feel weak from hunger.  If you are making this in the evening, drink a glass of wine (or beer if you are Erin) while you wait.

Coolest Furniture EVER

Just wanted to share some really cool furniture that I found from my search of the blogosphere and from recommendations from friends.  While none of this will work in my house, when I get my dream studio/office maybe I'll have a shot at it (I'll probably need that independent wealth thing going on too though).

From artist Andrea Zittel come the following:

Critical space

Personal spaces 

From MisoSoupDesign comes:

K Workstation

For Erin

There have been some complaints (Hi Erin!!) about the (in)frequency of my blog updates.  First, flattered that anyone even noticed.  Second, glad for the kickstart, as I need to get going again.  Amazing how life gets in the way.

So, simply because this is on my mind because I just made it and it isn't bad at all, here is an addition to the recipe portion of my ongoing big cleanse.  This is specifically dedicated to those of us with digestive issues (Hi Erin!) and food allergies.

Veggie Detox Juice:

You will need a juicer to make this, but you wanted an excuse to get one anyway didn't you?  I have a Breville Compact Juice Fountain that cost around $99 on amazon.  Works great.

2 firm Bosc pears, cored and cut into wedges (fine to leave skin on)

1/2 inch piece peeled fresh ginger

5 medium carrots, scrubbed (I cut the ends off too, but some people don't bother)

2 celery stalks, trimmed, cut into 3 inch pieces

1 beet, trimmed and scrubbed and sliced into wedges

1 handful fresh parsley, stems and leaves

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (I use bottled whole foods lemon juice)

Push pears and ginger through juice machine.  Then in batches add carrots, celery, beet and parsley.  Stir in lemon juice.  Makes two glasses.  Tastes better over ice or chilled.

There now, don't you feel healthier already?