Throw Back Thursday: Portland Vacation

So.... I know it's only throwing it back a little over a week, but hey it's still in the past. My cousin Kelly and I visited our godfather and godsons (and our aunt Kristen) in Portland last week. Where, once again I continually asked myself, "why don't I live in the mountains?"It was a great trip and I really loved the city of Portland. We stayed in the SE neighborhood of Woodstock!

The first night there we went to dinner at the HUB: Hopworks Urban Brewery. It was such a neat place. The bar is decorated with recycled bike frames and the place is huge, apparently there are two locations in Portland. We got there early because we were eating with the kiddos (2 & 4), it was already packed. The two rooms towards the back are geared at families and kids, they have books and train tables for the kids to play with. We had a few incidents at dinner ( a puker and a spill) and the staff was so helpful and calm. The beer was great, as a non beer drinker I can't recall what I had but I know I enjoyed it. The menu had plenty of options for all dietary restrictions- vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, and the good old meat lovers' dishes as well. To top it all off the place is completely sustainable, their mission is “(to)produce world-class beer and food as sustainably as possible.”  Every aspect of the company is "green". Check out the video above.


 In an effort to keep my clothing sustainable I am a huge fan of resale stores. Newly opened on Woodstock Ave. is Red Fox Vintage. I got an amazing top from the 1920's-- rockin' it tonight, pics to follow. The place is a goldmine for finding amazing pieces (clothing, furniture, and trinkets) from all different periods. It is beautifully organized, I want to move to Portland and host time period parties just so  I have a reason to shop there and buy everything from house coats, kimonos,  gowns, and head pieces. I MEAN if you have a Mad Men party this is the place, and it won't cost you your monthly grocery budget.





Another favorite from the trip--- there were so many great places---was the cake that showed up at a birthday dinner. GEM bakery is named for the daughters of the owner, all three of whom eat a gluten free diet. The bakery does only GF so there is no cross contamination, it also offers vegan desserts. I have had my fair share of vegan desserts and this takes the cake, the chocolate peanut butter cheesecake, pun totally intended. The non-vegans loved it and had no idea at first that it was dairy free. The crust was crunchy and the cheesecake part was delish. The bakery does mostly phone in and wholesale orders but does have a small cooler with treats if you walk in, they also distribute to stores in the Portland area.

 

MMMM! http://glutenfreegem.com/index.html

They also are using the Portland pedal delivery= sustainable delivery of their delicious bites around the city!

Since I ate more cheesecake in 24 hours than I had in the last six months--which considering I had not eaten any isn't that much :)-- I rode the bike to The BHAKTISHOP for some yoga early Monday morning. It is an adorable little studio offering Kirtan and all sorts of wonderful yogic programs to the community. Upon signing in I was handed a welcome envolope with coupons, chocolate, and a schedule--so adorable. The class was amazing, it was a vinyasa 2 meaning it was more basic poses put together in a more challenging way, it felt great. We chanted before the practice, which I am a lover of chanting so I was happy and then I was sad because I was only able to make it to one of their classes, I left yoga blissed and will for sure be going back when I am in Portland  next.

http://underthetablewithjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/bhaktishop.jpg

Last, but not least I loved the Columbian George area, we went hiking to the waterfalls and also visited the cutest little lake/mountain town and watched the kite/wind surfers.

 Till next time Portland!!

Pose of the week: Happier than a camel on Wednesday

Besides the fact that it is Wednesday, camel pose / ustrasana is the perfect pose for me this week. Backbends open the heart, stretch the body in many ways, and require trust as you bend back into the unseen. This is the first week back to school for me- teaching and as a graduate student. I was not sure if this was the right path for me to continue on and have been a little anxious about this upcoming semester--- I am going to embrace camel pose and let go of my fears--which may be completely unfounded since it is a brand new semester-- open my heart, and lean back trusting that it will all work out.

Benefits:

• Energizes- make sure to do deep back bends earlier in the day if you have a hard time sleeping 
• Stretching the front and back body 
• Tones thighs
• Opens chest

Preparation for Camel Pose:  poses that open &/or stabilize the joints and muscles used

• Anjaneyasana (crescent pose)
• Vira 1 (warrior 1)
• Bujanghasana (cobra)
• Urdva Mukha Svanasana (up dog)
• Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (bridge)
• Shalabasana (locust pose)

 Counter poses and safety: 

• be properly warmed up 
• baby cobra offers all the same benefits so start small keeping the hands on your back
• bring both hands to the heels at the same time with either toes tucked or untucked, come out of the pose by using your abs and releasing the hands at the same time
• use a block or place the thighs against a wall to help with proper alignment
• use a block between the thighs for extra thigh engagement
• keep an imaginary grapefruit between your neck and chest, not releasing the head all the way
• forward folds like poschimottanasana, janu sirsasana, etc. help neutralize the spine
• gentle twists are great counter poses

Happy Hump Day--get your ustrasana on

Conscious Product Lovin' : Nubian Hertiage Products

During one of my days exploring new cities I discovered Pharmaca, a pharmacy/drugist that sells "natural medicines and herbal remedies" along with skin care etc. The girl working there was extremely helpful and patient, I was looking for a thick moisturizing lotion that did not contain fragrance or any other harmful ingredients. She introduced me to the Nubian Heritage brand's lotions. These body lotions are rich and creamy offering lasting moisture to my humidity deprived skin this summer. It was hard to decide which scent to go with- I decided on the Raw Shea Butter Frankincense and Myrrh. It smells so wonderful.

Good smelling, small amount needed, absorbs awesomely into skin (no greasy feeling), affordable, and soon to be all organic, natural ingredients.

Pharmaca was selling it for around $9 a bottle-- and a little goes a long way. I left the bottle with a friend in Denver to avoid having to check a bag :(. This morning I found the line at Whole Foods on North Ave. in Chicago :)- they had different scents which also smell great. Whole Foods was selling the bottle for $9-$11. They also had the soaps and hand creams. Amazon also sells the line at a lower price than WF.

The Nubian company is currently discontinuing there previous products and exchanging out the ingredients for organic ones!!!! I have tried looking for more information on the company and their production information--I may have to continue digging. I did find out that their products are not tested on animals. The company began when the two founders Richelieu Dennis and Nyema Tubman
sold drops of scented oils on the street in the NY neighborhood of Harlem and from there has grown to what it is today.
.

Benefits of the main ingredients of this lotion-
  Shea Butter is extremely moisturizing and helps reduce fine lines, stretchmarks, and scars.
  Frankincense  is used to aid in skin regrowth, Frankincense and Myrrh are soothing to skin

 What we put on our SKIN (large, breathing, porous organ) is super important.



To see the break down of risks or concerns (very few) related to this product check out this sitehttp://www.ewg.org/skindeep/product/527392/Nubian_Heritage_Lotion%2C_Raw_Shea/

Friday Five: Thankful for...

1. Google Maps Bicycle and Public Transportation Option: The ability to use the little bike icon or the public transportation icon on Google Maps makes my life easier on a daily basis.

2. Waterfalls: They are so beautiful and this past Monday my cousin and I passed so many beautiful falls while heading to our final destination of Triple Falls in the Columbia George area of Oregon. We don't have many big waterfalls in IL, there is just something some magical about them.

3. Swings: I had a lot of fun playing on the swings this last week, I hadn't pumped that high in a long time, not to mention the joy that underdogs bring to all.

4. My uncle's bike: he let me borrow it to get around the Portland and go to yoga. I love that it acts as a form of transportation as well as a great way to see a city while getting some physical activity in- man Portland's hilly.

5. Small airports and airlines- A lot of my travel is done in large, overcrowded airports, there is this great energy to the tiny airports of Montana. The same person who checks you in will later be driving the baggage trolley to the plane, or taking your ticket at the gate. There are no lines, people are happier and you don't feel like if you can't get your shoes off, your clear bag out of your carry-on, and all your stuff on the belt in record time. Not to mention that Alaskan Air still gives you a complimentary snack and glass of local beer or wine!!! I feel like that is similar to what flying back in the day was like but without the smoking on the plane and the adorable flight attendant outfits.



gratitude 2 by cloch1 featuring hammocks & swings

Hammocks swing / Hermès Bicycle

Friday Five: five little things I am grateful for this week

FRIDAY FIVE: Each week I want to dedicate my Friday post to 5 little things that I was grateful for throughout the week. Of course I am grateful for my family, friends, home, food, and my job, but in trying to practice gratitude I want to take a moment to appreciate the little things or maybe to find the gems in a not so great situation. This week's 5 are tightly related to my trip to Montana this past week.

1. COCONUT OIL- After spending a little too much time in the sun with too little protection, combined with the dry air, my body loved the coconut oil I put on it after being outside all day.

2. MOUNTAINS- They are just so dang pretty to look at and fun to play in.

3. PEPPERMINT OIL- I have used this numerous times this week and it always comes to the rescue. After driving through the dang pretty mountains I tend to get carsick and the peppermint oil helps with nausea (not to mention headaches, a quick pick me up sniff, or a convenient breath freshener) Just apply a dab on the tummy, under the nose, in the mouth, on the temples, or behind the neck.

4. LAKES- This past week I have enjoyed being out on the lakes in inner tubes, paddle boards, kayaks, and a pontoon. The little, okay big, fish jump up and it's really neat to watch. The mountain lakes have been super refreshing to jump into-- so many laughs and so much fun.

5. SEAT BELTS- Some of the mountain roads are really curvy and I feel better knowing that my seat belt is helping to keep me safe as we hug the side of the road.

Friday Five: five little things I am grateful for this week by cloch1 on Polyvore

Organic Coconut Oil Pure Extra Virgin

Throwback Thursdays: sustainable gifts for bridesmaids

 I was inspired to do this post after coming across FashionABLE's website and mission- http://livefashionable.com/ . Their products are beautiful and I have always loved this type of shop/company's products with their exotic yet classic style and the greater impact on the women of the world. While in Boulder this past month I came across MomentuM, a small boutique of fair trade/ sustainably made products located on the east end of Pearl St. I loved the Sari quilts and scarves (below), another favorite was the salve by alaffia also below)--which I should have bought the first time I went because they are closed on Mondays and I never made it back, my hands are still trying to recover from the dry mountain air. 


                     


For our wedding it was really important to me that I get my bridesmaids gifts that they could use again (cliche I know), and that the money I spent would go to a good cause. I ended up with a traditional gift set for the girls- a bag for the day to carry their stuff in, comfy shoes to dance in, and their jewelry. Although traditional, each gift gave back or supported  a local artist. NOLAbead did all the jewelry and it is beautiful (check out her shop on etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/NOLAbead).

bridesmaid gifts by cloch1 featuring toms flats

TOMS footwear / TOMS flat, $54 / TOMS KIDS Hot Pink Toms Classic Tiny Glitter, $40 / FEED 1 Bag - FBAG001 / Turquoise Bridesmaids Bracelet Beaded Wrap Bracelet by NOLAbead,
*earrings are not by nolabead but are along the same line- I don't have a pic of just the earrings she did
*fashionAble product photo from http://emilymaynard.com/blog/here-i-come-ethiopia/ 
* MomentuM photos  http://ourmomentum.com/products_bath_body.html

Family Roadtrip: Here's to not getting HANGRY

Family Roadtrip by cloch1 featuring james perse

Topshop sweat shirt / H&M shirt top, $9.19 / James Perse / American Apparel / TOMS shoes, $63 / DENY Designs Anderson Design Group Chicago Shower Curtain / Lug Snuz Sac U Blanket Pillow / Sony Over-the-Ear Headphones (MDRZX300IP/B) / Studio Pant II *No Liner / Matthew Justin Rupp Society6


Practically every summer my family loads up the car and we hit the road to visit our family in Montana. The drive from Chicago to Butte, MT has taken us as long as 26 hours and as little as 22...thats a lot of time to make great memories, but it is also just a lot of time. With about 29 years of practice I have the ride preparation down, one of my greatest challenges this year is the food!! I am a mostly plant based eater, my sister is gluten free and soy free. Oh, and have I mentioned that we get HANGRY--- super crabby when hungry-- so it is essential that we prepare appropriate food to tie us over between stops.

Two Day Road Trip Survival:
  Clothing:

• AVOID white (trust me)
• Two pairs of comfy pants
• Layering tops that are easy on/easy off in case you are the driver--overhead removal is highly frowned     upon
• Easy on/off shoes-- sometimes there is little coordination (mid nap) or time (post large coffee) to slip the shoes on once you stop
• socks to put on your feet in the car

Activities:

• something to do with my hands like Knitting
• ipad (I get carsick when reading in the car but I always seem to try)
• ipod/adaptor to listen to in the car because there are a lot of areas without any radio between Chitown and Butte
• headphones for when you need to feel like you are alone instead of in a six by six box with four other people
• camera to capture any beautiful sunsets, animals, or great pictures of your trip along the way
• PILLOW and BLANKET- I love my Lug because it is small and supersoft

Food:

• Grapes and other fruit that you can munch on to healthily pass the time (berries are more dangerous because if you drop one and sit on it your pants are done, especially if this berry is a piece of chocolate :/ )
• popcorn--stove top popped with a little salt
• chia seed puddings
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1 cup milk (any kind, I use any non-moo milk)
• a little bit of coco and or fruit you choose
• in a blender combine the milk and coco (or fruit) and mix well
• combine the chia seeds and the liquid and let sit at least 15 minutes
• this makes a pretty good size batch and I like to divide it up between small tupperwares for either a sweet treat or breakfast
• Date Balls
• 1/2 c rolled oats
• 1/2 c pepitas (aka raw pumpkin seeds)
• 1/2 c walnuts or pecans
• 1/2 coconut flakes
• pinch of salt
• splash of vanilla
• about 25 pitted dates (depends on the size so check the consistency throughout the date-ing process)
• place all the dry ingredients in the food processor (not dates or vanilla) and grind up
• add the vanilla and pulse a few more times
• through the feeder tube add the dates one by one- test the texture as you go, you want to be able to roll the mixture into balls
• remove the blade and roll the mixture into small balls
• place in freezer and keep frozen
• Energy balls- hits the sweet tooth and includes protein
• 1c rolled oats (gf)
• 1/2 c coconut flakes
• 3/4 c peanut butter
• 1/2 c honey
• 1 t, vanilla
• 1/4 t. cinnamon
• handful of chocolate chips - vegan for me, regular for my sister 
• mix all in a big bowl and then roll into balls, feel free to add nuts or other seeds
• great refrigerated

• 3 ingredient cookies- I have seen these all over the web
• 2 ripe bananas
• handful of rolled oats
• add-ins (chocolate chips, nuts, coconut, cinnamon)
• mash up the bananas
• toss in the oats
• add one or two at most add-ins
• scoop into little cookies and bake for 15 minutes at 350 (place cookies on parchment paper or sillpat mat)

• trailmix- I love monkey buisness from Trader Joe's or Diet Delite from Whole Foods
• Kombucha tea--- maybe dangerous if you are not planning a stop anytime soon
• Lots of WATER-- I love my Hydroflask because if I fill it in WI, fall asleep with my water bottle in the sun, and wake up in SD I know my water will still be COLD (cold for 24 hours and hot for 12)! It also frees up room in the ice-chest for all the yummy snacks!

This year it is just my mom, sister, and I driving out--- here's to not getting HANGRY at each other!

Kombucha

Kombucha by cloch1 on Polyvore

Patterns / frame square / How to Make Kombucha An Illustrated Mother/Daughter Tale / How to Make Kombucha An Illustrated Mother/Daughter Tale / How to Make Kombucha An Illustrated Mother/Daughter Tale / How to Make Kombucha An Illustrated Mother/Daughter Tale / kombucha_before.jpeg (JPEG-Grafik, 550 × 550 Pixel) / Kombucha / Brew Dr. Kombucha

I LOVE kombucha tea, I started drinking it a little over a year ago and every time I go to the grocery store or on a little trip I treat myself to one. While I know there are more expensive and worse vices to have, my bank account (and therefore probably my husband) would prefer if I could resist the beautiful little glass bottles of culture at $3-$4 a pop. Solution: BREW my own kombucha. Most of my guy friends have gotten into brewing their own beer and I am going to join this brewing movement--just via tea.
 A little over a year ago my mom bought a self brew kit from OK Oregon Kombucha and it has sat in a cabinet since then. This weekend I decided I was going to give this a whirl, the best by date read some time about six months ago ;/. I was a little bummed out, but then my dad said pointed out it said "best by" not "bad by", so I figured if it didn't turn out then I would be down a gallon of water and some suger--BUT if it worked I may be able to save $4 here and there, and enjoy kombucha way more frequently = WIN WIN.
 If this works I am excited to keep brewing with my scoby and pass on a part of it to a friend- the guy working at the Ace down the street explained to me that out west people pass on pieces of their scoby as a sign of friendship and respect.
So here is my journey to my Blueberry Black Tea Kombucha

 1. open up the package
2.  boil one pot of water
3. put in the tea bag (black tea 4 mins, other 2-3)
4. add 1 cup sugar and let it dissolve
5. let the mixture cool and place in the appropriate container (food grade plastic, glass, or ceramic container with a wide mouth)
6. once the tea is at room temperature...still waiting for this,  add the culture packet included
7. cover with cloth and secure the cloth with a string or rubberband
8. place in a warm darkish place (I think I will do our back storage space), the tea brews best at 85' degrees.
9. Wait it out and taste after seven days, let it keep growing until it reaches a taste you enjoy.

 I am glad I will be leaving town for a little bit so that I am forced to be more patient! I will post some finished reviews.