Happy Mother's Day!

I was reading USA today the other morning and came across this sweet "Ode to Mothers" in a Procter and Gamble advertisement. Though it is indeed an ad, it's still a super cute Mother's Day poem of sorts; this being said, Happy Mother's Day to you, Mom! Thank you for everything you do, and being there for us each and every day. We love you. 

- Oven Zest & The Printed Thought.

Mom will ask you to wash

your hands and wipe your feet.

To mind your manners.

To cover your mouth when you cough.

Mom will ask you to not jump off a cliff,

even though everyone else is.

To stop making that face or it will freeze that way.

To stop fighting or she'll turn this car right around. 

Mom will ask that if you don't have

anything nice to say, to not say anything at all.

To remember that money doesn't grow on trees.

To do your homework, clean your room,

keep your elbows off the table and eat your vegetables.

To not forget your jacket. To brush your teeth,

wash behind your ears and wear clean underwear.

Mom will ask you what you want for breakfast,

when you need a ride home from practice

and if you have any clean socks.

Mom will ask you to be kind and patient.

To be a good person, call your grandparents,

work hard and pay your bills on time.

But there's one thing Mom never asks for:

thanks.

Thank you, Mom. Happy Mother's Day.

Hold the Bag, Save the Dough

I've traveled to Washington D.C. only a handful of times (and counting!), but here's a story about a girl, a carton of Soy Milk, a plastic bag, and a 5-cent tax. A tax, yes, in the sense I had to part with my hard-earned cash, but a brilliant, potentially-revolutionizing tax that in my eyes, is a progressive step towards greener communities and more sustainable environments.

Before you think I'm crazy, first things first:

1.) No. I do not enjoy paying taxes.
2.) I don't think anybody in their right mind particularly enjoys paying taxes. (If you do, let me in on your secret).

So now, here goes the little story: I purchased a carton of soy milk at a natural foods market this past weekend in D.C. The cashier inquired if I needed a plastic bag. The thought crossed my mind and I briefly debated her question in my head. Pictures of tattered plastic bags blowing in the wind fluttered through my cerebrum. But, against my better judgement, I said yes - "Sure, throw it all in a plastic bag." Side note: I had some other things to carry at the time, I always reuse plastic bags anyway, and my thinking was that it would be handy to consolidate my goodies for fear of dropping them splat all over the sidewalk.

Big mistake. To my out-of-towner dismay after glancing down at my freshly-printed receipt, I had just paid a whopping 5-cents for that flimsy plastic bag. What was that all about?!

Turns out, on January 1 of this year, a 5-cent tax law came into effect for Washington D.C. One of the first of its kind in the nation, the tax is designed to change consumer behavior and limit pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed - specifically, the Anacostia River with collected revenue directed specifically towards the clean-up project. Under regulations created by the D.C. Department of the Environment, bakeries, delicatessens, grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores that sell food, as well as restaurants, street vendors, liquor stores and "any business that sells food items," are required to charge the tax on paper or plastic bags. Signage is posted at the register explaining the law, and vendors must ask the customer if he or she would like a bag-with-purchase. As an incentive, stores keep one cent of every five cents they charge for bags, and two cents if they give customers a credit of at least five cents for each bag (of any sort) that they bring to the store.

Slightly inconvenient, yes. But totally worth getting into the habit of toting along a reusable bag to avoid the additional charge. It's a win-win situation, really. Cut down on disposable bag consumption and simultaneously aid the Watershed clean-up. And the tax is working. Already within a few months, District residents have drastically reduced their use of disposable bags and have adopted using reusable ones more quickly than expected. The D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue estimates that city food and grocery establishments handed out about 3.3 million bags in January, a drastic reduction compared to the estimated 22.5 million bags issued per month in 2009. And according to a recent March 29th article published by the Washington Post, the District's 5-cent bag tax generated approximately $150,000 during the month of January to help clean up the Anacostia River. (A lot of dough for a lot less paper and plastic).

To be honest, after being taxed on something so avoidable, I was slightly irritated. But, after a brief moment of frustration, my better judgement sank in. I don't know about you, but plastic bags are seemingly everywhere I look. Stuck in fences. Snarled in leaf piles in Central Park. Floating along in the East River. Being handed out two-by-two in double-bag form at Drug Stores and Supermarkets around NYC. Whether or not you believe in global warming/climate change, it can not be denied that tattered plastic bags on the ground, in rivers and streams, on the the side of the road, perhaps even in your front lawn, are unsightly and have a negative impact on the environment. Eventually, they all end up in landfills, (if not in the woods or river bottoms). Super ick.

So, while it may require a little extra planning on your next trip to the grocery store, and sure - can be a slight inconvenience from time to time, I think this tax is an incredibly effective solution for solving two pressing issues: curbing disposable bag consumption by encouraging environmentally-responsible shopping practices, and cleaning up the local environment by directing tax revenue towards the project(s).

A hands-on lesson and policy learned that was worth my 5-cents at the time. Though, you can be assured this budget-minded city dweller will be bringing along a tote bag or hand-carrying any Nation's Capital purchases in the future.

En la Moda

Fashion Week came to a close a couple weeks ago here in New York, and amidst all the hustle and bustle, I happened upon a fantastic blog called Advanced Style. I've been checking in on it quite frequently, and apart from the hilarious culinary-disaster blog called Cake Wrecks, Advanced Style makes me smile inside every time I scroll through author Ari Seth Cohen's posts. Maybe...just maybe because his blog reminds me a little bit about my own fashionista Grandmother, (who has a closet specifically designated for her handbag collection, btw). Here she is, always looking so glam!

Similarly to The Satorialist, (which is another fun blog to check out), Advanced Style is unique and genius in the fact it focuses solely on the fashion sense of the ever-so-slightly older set of Manhattanites. No, you won't see any sky-high gladiator heels, mini-skirts, or distressed jeans featured in these postings. Rather, this blog brilliantly - in a simplistic and respectful manner - showcases the classically stylish (if not sometimes eccentric) outfits of older generations, struttin' their stuff.

These individuals' threads and treads may not grace the pages of Lucky Magazine, InStyle, or WWD, but it goes to show that true fashion isn't always about the next season's cuts and color trends. Rather, it's about confidence and self-expression.

The men and women photographed in Advanced Style radiate confidence. After all, their personal style has been chiseled to perfection after years of donning one outfit after the next, (and perhaps throwing a few vintage pieces in there for good measure). Their clothing embodies the idea that fashion doesn't always have to be about a trend or fad-of-the-moment, but rather clothing that one feels most comfortable and themselves in. Most importantly, their outfits reflect that creativity and living life to the fullest do not diminish with age. In fact, a little wardrobe "zest" here and there - no matter the designer, color, or era - is an inspiring way of dressing indeed, and a wonderful means by which to express LOTS of shining individuality.

Ergonomic Importance

Humans, (as far as this human is concerned), were not designed to sit at a desk all day, squinting from the glare of overhead fluorescent lighting, hunched over a tiny laptop, staring numbingly into a computer screen. No, not at all. Our bodies are instinctual machines with the primitive desire to be in constant motion; exercising, stretching, harvesting food, socializing, moving. We like to migrate. Travel. Explore. Yearnings which, more often than not, are suppressed by the confines of the work environment. Yet, it seems as if over the eons, we have adapted to our ever-changing surroundings and slowly, yet surely, have evolved into the Office Hominoid.

Indeed, the neck rolls, the adjusting of the squishy chair, the back cracking, the overhead stretch, the frequent walks to the water cooler, yes - these techniques all help "work out the kinks." But they do not solve the core issue of discomfort as a result of sitting at a desk for hours on end: poor posture.

For almost two years - TWO naïve years - I sat hunched over a work laptop, bewildered why my neck and back called out to me almost every night with a dull ache. Maybe I'd go for a run and the strain would subside, but it always seemed to reappear at the end of each Monday's work day. Until finally, I had a "Eureka!" moment, did a little research, and realized that I drastically needed to reevaluate my sitting posture.

In a nutshell, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the official proper-posture check-list reads as follows:

• Hands, wrists, and forearms are straight, in-line and roughly parallel to the floor.
  
• Head is level, or bent slightly forward, forward facing, and balanced. Generally it is in-line with the torso.
  
• Shoulders are relaxed and upper arms hang normally at the side of the body.
  
• Elbows stay in close to the body and are bent between 90 and 120 degrees.
  
• Feet are fully supported by the floor or a footrest may be used if the desk height is not adjustable.
  
• Back is fully supported with appropriate lumbar support when sitting vertical or leaning back slightly.
  
• Thighs and hips are supported by a well-padded seat and generally parallel to the floor.
  
• Knees are about the same height as the hips with the feet slightly forward.

A holiday wish-list, (followed by one very grateful visit from a sympathetic Santa Claus), resulted in a Printed Thought product rave: the laptop stand! It's an affordable and effective solution for combating neck and back strain. My innovative new laptop stand set-up in the office was such a success, this is the one Santa brought me for personal in-apartment use. What a guy (p.s. thank you, Mom and Dad!).

Here you have it: The Printed Thought Blogging Station! The desk in my room has officially metamorphosed into a gorgeous and ergonomically-correct sanctuary of computer creativity. My muscle aches have virtually disappeared. All it took was proper posture. True, I still need to remind myself at times to sit correctly in my chair, but the screen viewing angle, seat position, and keyboard set-up make a world of difference. The mStand by Rain Design, Inc. cradles a MacBook Pro flawlessly, while almost becoming an extension of the computer's silhouette in itself. An external keyboard and wireless mouse complete the healthy and worth-while transformation.

Return of the Thoughts!

Where did vacation go? I just can't comprehend how 12 days of relaxation and cookies and bubbly and hot chocolate and snow and adventures melted away with '09. Waaah. I diligently toted my MacBook along with me in my travels throughout the Northeast, but failed to actually remove it from its computer case, let alone take it out of my bag. Whoops. At least I meant well. Though I firmly believe that vacation is all about going off-the-grid for a little bit and disconnecting oneself, if ever so slightly, from technology.

HAPPY NEW YEAR by the way!

I have SO much to fill you in on. Like how I saw AVATAR (awesome - I want to be a Na'vi), cooked/ate lots of deliciousness, went skiing in -1 degree base temps (not awesome), celebrated New Year's Eve in Boston, spent quality time with family and friends, and oh-so-many more exciting adventures in CT, VT, NH, and MA. First, though, I shall vent via blogging and complain about my not-so-glamourous first two days back in the Big Apple because it's only inevitable that a relaxing vacay must give way to some frustrating back-to-reality moments. 1.) I tossed and turned all night last night because of the street lights glaring in through my window. 2.) Was rudely shoved not once, but twice on the subway this morning while stepping aside (like a good citizen) to let other passengers off. 3.) Stepped in dog poop. 4.) Could NOT obtain an open cardio machine at my gym despite my sketchy lingering near the ellipticals. 5.) Staples was sold out of the only essential computer item I specifically trekked in to find and 6.) Purchased an over-priced box of Museli from a Natural Foods market that I ate, then realized - after eating a bowl that tasted slightly off - was infested with squiggling green worms. *Sigh* I know, not the end of the world. But tomorrow is a new day and 2010 an exciting new year!

I shall now direct your attention to the darned most adorable product design there ever was for a Snuggie (as if saying the word "Snuggie" wasn't cute enough). I am convinced Snuggies will take over the world. I came across this in the checkout line at a Walmart in New Hampshire. Trust me - it was cold enough up there that miniature Dauschhunds and Bichon Frise's really do need their own fleece blankets with leg holes and cowl necks. Not that I own a little dog. But if I did for some reason unbeknownst to me, he or she would certainly be wearing one in blue.

Home on the Free-Range

After a relaxing Thanksgiving hiatus that turned into a lovely tour of the Northeast, (namely Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut), it's back to NYC and my cozy little apartment. I say cozy because my room only measures a mere 10' x 12' and the building's thermostat is currently set on "inferno."

Some R & R over the past few days was certainly a refresher for the mind, body (well, maybe too much pie on that front), and soul. Now, I'm all geared up to tackle the remainder of 2009 with fervor and embrace this joyous holiday season with open arms.

Which leads me into the completely unrelated topic of free-range chickens.

My Mother is a born-and-raised Vermonter. (Thanks to her; a love for Grade A, Dark Amber Maple Syrup). This Thanksgiving, per the norm tradition on major holidays, we traveled up North to visit family. As we pulled into the road that leads up to my Grandparents' house, we were thrilled to be greeted by the neighbor's newly acquired free-range/cage-free flock of 35 chickens and 2 roosters.

I've seen many a chicken, and well, tasted them too. But never before in my life have I seen chickens so healthy and happy. They were going about their own chicken business as chickens are meant to do: scuttling about in the woods, scratching the ground for insects to eat, running across the grass, flapping their wings, and in the evening - diligently returning to their clean, well-built and roomy shed together to roost. (A chicken, like any bird, naturally likes to perch while it sleeps). Every single fowl had unhindered access to fresh food to eat, clean water to drink, rocks to climb on, and plenty of room to stretch their legs. No hormones. No antibiotics. Just plain happy Green Mountain chickens.

We harvested twenty-four of their freshly-laid eggs and whipped up some omelets two days later for breakfast after refrigerating them overnight. They tasted absolutely delicious. Hearty, bright yellow yolks, and perfectly natural and nutritious the way nature intended.

Even if quality eggs and meat backwardly cost me slightly more in this industrialized food society of ours, and I ultimately end up eating less of them in my diet, I have vowed to try my very best never to eat a NON free-range/cage-free chicken or egg ever again. Because if the living conditions of the animal whose product I buy are anything but what I had the pleasure of experiencing, it's not worth the creature's suffering or inhumane treatment. A chicken with a life well-lived, with clean air to breathe and grassy patches to roam, is simply the more responsible and ethical choice on my plate.

Google Doodle

If you're an avid Googler, you've most certainly cracked a smile over the past week typing into a search field gazed upon by a slew of Sesame Street characters. Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, Elmo, and The Count have recently been THE shining stars in the past six "Google Doodles." And it's anybody's guess which muppet may show up tomorrow, if any. There are several more Sesame Street characters that hold potential doodle-worthy clout...Snuffleupagus perhaps? I can visualize his eyes forming the two "O's" in "Google".

First aired in 1969, Sesame Street is celebrating it's 40th anniversary of muppets, A, B, C's and 1, 2, 3's this year. And I'll admit: Google’s tribute has brought a fun burst of excitement to my morning of launching into my web browser's Home Page. Plus, don't we all enjoy (even just a little bit) clicking on the Google logo and being whisked away to links about the featured doodle? If you've missed the Sesame Street Doodles, here they are, (screenshots courtesy of the Huffington Post).

While I thoroughly enjoy a colorful burst of Google creativity in the morning, I must reluctantly say, however, that six consecutive days of Sesame Street muppets kind of gets uninspiring. Cute, but let’s see something new. How about a Googled rendition of the fall of the Berlin Wall? Albeit, this momentous occasion would have fared better today on the official anniversary, but it's still my hope tomorrow morning to tune into a brilliantly Googled event of historical significance rather than more fuzzy puppets of my childhood, (as adorable and innocent as they may be).