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Great Travel Writing

May 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

An incredible piece of travel writing is not just about destinations and locations, it’s also about the traveller's experience. A meditation on travel reveals more than a locale’s beauty and culture, instead illuminating how the journey changes people in powerful ways.

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
With his trademark wit, Bill Bryson scales the Appalachian Trail between Georgia and Maine. Along with sharing general history and ecology of the area, Bryson waxes poetic on his personal journey of mountains, hikers, and bears.

The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux
Now a well-known travel writer, Theroux cut his teeth early on with this 1975 account of traveling through Asia by train. He meets many memorable characters and encounters uncommon destinations along the way.

In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin
Attempting to establish new norms of travel writing, Chatwin weaves a strange tale documenting the interesting characters he meets while living in a barren, disjointed region of South America. A healthy dose of the region's unique history only adds to the weirdness.

A Week at the Airport by Alain de Botton
This short book takes the adage "the journey is the destination" to an extreme. Written over a week de Botton spent at London's Heathrow Airport, A Week at the Airport considers how the airport concentrates beginnings and endings in a unique way.

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Top Ten Mother’s Day Movies

May 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Top Ten Mothers Day Movies

1. Mildred Pierce
2. Imitation of Life
3. Mama Roma
4. Mommie Dearest
5. Step Mom
6. Changeling
7. All About My Mother
8. Mamma Mia
9. Where The Heart Is
10. The Kids Are Alright

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Unique Shopping Malls Around the World

April 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

While most shopping malls look the same and boast the same stores, there are some that step away from the pack and offer attractions that are beyond the norm. In this feature, we’ll share five malls from all over the world that will dazzle and befuddle you.

Fabrica La Aurora, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Located in an old textile warehouse, this shopping center is a feast for the senses. Divided into artists studios, galleries and boutiques, it’s an amazing place to get one-of-a-kind items.

West Edmonton Mall, Canada
This megamall contains a flabbergasting variety of retail choices over six million square feet. The largest mall in North America, in addition to over 850 stores it also includes an indoor amusement park, a hockey rink, a shooting range, a chapel, two nightclubs and more.

GPO, Melbourne, Australia
While most malls are custom-built for shopping, Melbourne’s GPO is actually housed in a retired post office. With gorgeous neo-Renaissance architecture and some of the world’s leading fashion brands, this is an upscale shopping center that draws raves.

Khan Shatyr, Astana, Kazakhstan
The capital of the Kazakh nation is home to an unusual shopping center built in the world’s largest tent. Using a three-layer plastic for the covering, the Khan Shatyr hosts stores, restaurants, movie theatres, and a water park.

Kanyon, Istanbul, Turkey
One of the coolest achievements in mall architecture comes from this striking Istanbul shopping center, which is built with undulating walls to mimic the natural formation of canyons. It also hosts a street bazaar and outdoor performance spaces.

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Stories of the City of Angels: Four Classic Films Set in Los Angeles

April 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It’s not hard to find movies filmed in Los Angeles – after all, the city is the home of the movie industry and filming there is simply convenient. However, some movies really capture what Los Angeles is all about as a city. These four films are prime examples:

Sunset Boulevard
This classic is certainly set in Hollywood, with most of the action taking place on one iconic street, but it is also about the Hollywood star system itself. Fading star Norma Desmond has become shorthand for the men and women who are discarded by the Hollywood machine.

The Player
A wry satire of the movie business, Robert Altman’s black comedy pokes fun at the system without truly deriding it. Starting with the opening montage of writers pitching to producers, this film is pure Hollywood.

Rebel Without a Cause
James Dean, who died before the film was released, plays his quintessential role as an angsty teen in Rebel Without a Cause. Several pivotal scenes take place at the iconic Griffith Observatory.

Chinatown
Using the real life California Water Wars (disputes over reservoir rights in the 1910s and 20s) as a backdrop, Roman Polanski’s neo-noir captures the smoky glamour and menace of the Hollywood noir films and detective novels of the 30s and 40s.

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Health Buzz: The Basics On How to Read A Nutrition Label

March 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Paying attention at the grocery store can make the difference between success and failure on a diet. But you might find it a little difficult to parse all of the information on the nutrition label. Here’s a quick rundown on how to get the information you need off of the label.

The most important thing to look at on the nutrition label is the portion size. This may not be the amount of food that you’re typically eating! Portion sizes are one of the biggest ways food manufacturers trick you into consuming too much sugar, fat and sodium.

The next thing to pay attention to is the proportion of calories from fat to total calories. Obviously, the lower a ratio you find here, the better. Some foods do have heart-healthy fats, such as fish or nuts, so this isn’t always a bad thing, but it’s important to keep in mind.

Nutrition labels typically also list the vitamins and minerals present in the package. The most important of these are vitamins A, C, calcium, and iron. These are the ones that the FDA claims Americans need to eat more of.

Of course, the absolute best way to eat healthy is by buying food that doesn’t have a nutrition label on it. Fresh fruits and vegetables don’t even need a label and are much better for you than anything processed.

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Look Your Best: Great Green Beauty Products

March 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It’s important to help the environment however you can, and thankfully many companies are offering ways to do it. If you find the waste from traditional cosmetics to be a little excessive, check out these five great beauty products that are made with environmental safety in mind.

John Masters Organics is one of the most dependable producers of green beauty supplies, and many people rave about their sea salt sprays. These sprays give your hair a classic beachy look, and their combination of sea salt and lavender protects and hydrates your locks.

Burt’s Bees has made a great reputation for themselves as producers of high-quality lotions and other products. If you want an alternative to traditional alcohol-based hand sanitizers, try their excellent aloe and witch hazel-based product. It kills germs and leaves your hands feeling soft.

The German-made Dr. Hauschka products are very popular among skin care experts, and for good reason. Their rose day cream is made with natural rose petal extracts, and rose wax plus marsh mallow root strengthen and hydrate delicate skin.

To tone and clear up unsightly bags under your eyes, try 100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream. Caffeine is a natural tightener, and it constricts blood vessels and makes skin clearer and smoother.

Makeup tools are also made with care for the future of the Earth. The brushes and sponges made by the EcoTools company are crafted from cruelty-free hair on bamboo bodies and natural, recyclable materials and come in a reusable storage pouch.

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Five New Visual Artists You Should Know

February 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Like the visual arts but haven't kept up with the latest hot artists? Here are five new artists making images and sculptures that are as striking as they are moving:

Beth Kamhi
Juxtaposing great strength with delicacy, Kamhi creates sculptures of woven steel that explore identity. Her work also includes stunning ceramics and hand forged copper, among other materials, and is both beautiful and meaningful.

Philip Denker
With intense geometry that draw you into a strange world of color and pattern, Denker's origami-like creations are expertly crafted and intricate. His works feature pen and marker work over paper that's shaped into stunning artwork that's one of a kind.

Marcelo Gomes
This Brazilian photographer creates images with lush color saturation and quiet mystery. His beautiful portrait work has appeared in numerous magazines, and has often been sought out when fashion shots require some singular allure.

Angel Otero
By pouring paint onto glass and then peeling it off, Otero creates "oil skins" which he then applies to canvas or sculpture. When combined with other materials such as spray paint and silicone, the result is beautifully colorful and tactile art that shouldn't be missed.

Nathan Hylden
Like a number of modern artists before him, Nathan Hylden uses a regulated process to create interesting variations within each piece. Hylden paints over identical aluminum panels, finding freedom to experiment with geometry and spontenaity in this serialized format.

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Introduction to Fermentation

February 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The ancient art of fermentation has served humankind with myriad uses from intoxication to preservation over the centuries. Now, with the nutritional benefits of probiotics prompting a flood of fermented products,  it’s the perfect time to learn how to make your own fermented foods and drinks at home.

Learn from the master
Wild Fermentation by Sandor Katz is considered the bible of home fermentation. This tome covers the science behind fermentation and contains dozens of recipes for everything from beer to sauerkraut to cheese.

Start simple
Sauerkraut and kimchi are great first fermentation projects. Requiring few special ingredients or equipment, the process is as simple as salting your ingredients, squishing out the water that the salt pulls from them, and letting them sit at a cool temperature for a few days. The result is delicious and full of beneficial live bacteria.

Save money on kombucha
Devotees of this sweet-sour concoction tout its health benefits and a bottle from a health food store can run you several dollars. But all you need to make your own is tea, sugar, and a kombucha mother – this mass of yeast and bacteria starts the fermentation process. Kombucha mothers can be ordered online or you can seek out local fermenters who have a mother to spare.

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Los Angeles Clippers: A Team Worth Waiting For

January 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Coming off of a disappointing season, the Los Angeles Clippers have a lot in store this year, and fans should start getting excited. They've improved their roster and in doing so, given the franchise a pretty great outlook for future seasons. It's hard to discuss Clippers talent without starting with 2011 Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin. His strength and athleticism make him a threat both offensively and defensively.  He's a powerhouse player, and he's just getting started. Former NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups recently joined the Clippers, as well, and looks to bring his reputation as "Mr. Big Shot" to Los Angeles with his powerful, clutch game. And of course, the recent arrival of superstar Chris Paul is also cause for real celebration! Head coach Vinny del Negro has a roster full of exceptionally talented players. The Clippers are a team pulling up to the Lakers as the best of Los Angeles basketball. This season, the Clippers might just move ahead.

Go to http://www.nba.com/clippers for Clippers schedules, merchandise, ticketing, and more!

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Great Sites for Free Online Classes

January 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Increasingly, universities and companies are creating free and accessible online courses to open up education to everyone. Got an itch to learn something new? Check out these five sites offering free online courses:

MIT’s Open Courseware
Now you too can experience a prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology education through their free online Courseware. While you can't earn an MIT degree through the site, Open Courseware allows you to watch lectures, study from real exams, and more in disciplines such as Architecture, Engineering, and Science. Click here to learn more.

Open Yale Courses
Open Yale Courses grants free access to Ivy League introductory courses on programs like Astronomy, Economics, and Philosophy. You don’t need to register, giving you freedom to learn at your leisure through lecture videos and notes. Learn more by clicking here.

iTunes University
iTunes U’s podcasts are used by students and professors alike through a variety of mediums such as laptops and iPhones.  Along with lectures from top universities, iTunes U also distributes video tours, books, and films from museums, PBS, Public Radio International, and more. Click here for more information.

Khan Academy
Developed by an entrepreneur from MIT, Khan Academy allows users to register and track their progress wading through thousands of videos and problems from high school to college level courses. This is a unique gem for home school students and their coaches. To learn more about the Khan Academy, click here.

Idealware
Along with pay-for courses, Idealware has free web-based classes aimed towards non-profits. Typically an hour-long apiece, these courses address topics such as software and fundraising. Click here to visit Idealware's site.

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