whole living

Sunscreen

by marianne on July 7, 2012

in great outdoors, whole living

Summer is here and it is BLAZING. Well, not so much blazing in Los Angeles (it’s 71 degrees). The sun in southern California, however, is always a vicious beast and pretty much at its strongest right now. Constantly, every day, it beats up my skin with its rays and makes me fear that my skin is aging more quickly than if I were still under the protection of Michigan’s cloudy days. On the upside, I’m slowly growing my sunhat collection!

Recently, I needed to buy some sunscreen on my way out of town, and I cursed my new android phone and its lack of the EWG sunscreen guide app. If I had planned ahead, I could have always done my research on EWG’s 2012 Sunscreen Guide. Long story short: I didn’t plan ahead.

My main concern is that I get an actual broad spectrum sunscreen vs something only LOOKS like it has broad spectrum protection because of  misleading labels. Also, I’m not super into chemical ingredients that are hormone disrupters nor the possibility that as a sunscreen breaks down it might release free radicals and actually INCREASE my chances of cancer! Personally, I err on the side of mineral sunscreens. My quick tip is to look for titanium dioxide.

You can read more about sunscreen’s complexities here. Also, NPR had an interesting story this week on Science Friday about how sunscreen works. If you really want to nerd out, you can read about the FDA’s new sunscreen labeling requirements. They were supposed to be enacted before this summer season, but were pushed back 6 months. This is something else I learned from NPR.

Photo by Gordon Parks// LIFE magazine

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35 by 35

by marianne on April 13, 2012

in self improvement, whole living

What are this chipmunk's 35 things?

Last year, after my friend’s 30th birthday, I was inspired to write a list of 35 things I want to do before I turn 35. It’s now 7 months later, and one week before my 33rd birthday, so I thought it might be a nice time to revisit my list and see how I’m doing.

The answer is: not good. I haven’t completed a single thing on my list! But, I’m not going to be hard on myself about it. There is still time. And, it’s sort of an ambitious list, considering my current financial situation. I had expected that I would have done at least ONE of them. Sigh. On a positive note, I have started to work on number 22 from my list, which is “learn macrame.” I even have books from the library sitting next to me right now on the subject. AND, I bought twine. So, that one is definitely in progress. Actually, a lot of them are in progress! Katie and Tim, are coming to visit this September, and we will most likely knock numbers 7, 11, 12, 13 & 14 off of that list, no problem. And, I sometimes wear a sunhat! Take that, #17!

I’ve copied my list for you below. I’ve made a couple of revisions from the original, which should be clear to you. Because it’s a personal list, a lot of names will mean nothing to you. But, I truly think this type of lists can serve as an inspiration. For me, seeing this list helps ground me and give me a perspective on what truly sets my soul ablaze. It’s friends, family, travel, learning, creating and quieting my mind. I could easily add to this list today, especially in the creating department, but I’ll save that exercise for another day.

I’d be curious to know what’s on all of your lists. Feel free to comment below, or email us privately at hello@smittenliving.com.

  1. Have a successful online shop that rivals a combination of  Hindsvik and DWR and2Modern. Only cooler. (A girl can dream, alright!?) edit: Have a successful online shop, the likes of which the world has never seen.
  2. Live at least 3 months in the middle of nowhere. (I need some space to breath, dammit.)
  3. Teach my old dog new tricks. Like how to like other dogs and new people.  Sign language. My poor baby doggy has gone deaf.
  4. Fly my family out to California for a visit.
  5. Cross country road trip with Sean and DJ.
  6. A short road trip to Colorado with Jill, Sean and DJ.
  7. Camp in Big Sur.
  8. Visit New Mexico.
  9. Create a living space that brings myself and others comfort.
  10. Spend three days alone, in silence, completely unplugged from technology.
  11. Soak in hot springs.
  12. Visit the Giant Sequoia National Monument.
  13. Go see the Bristlecone Pine, the world’s oldest living things!
  14. Yosemite
  15. Lake Tahoe
  16. Develop a well curated collection of clothes that a versatile and comfortable. Emphasis on quality and layering. I don’t want a bloated closet full of cheap things.
  17. Wear more hats. They really make a huge difference on an outfit. But, often, at the last minute, I leave my hat at home because it makes me feel like I’m “trying too hard.” I just need to admit that I like hats, and phooey to anyone who wants to judge.
  18. Have at least one polished screenplay that I’m actually proud of.
  19. Be completely debt free.
  20. Visit Michigan at least twice.
  21. Swim in Lake Michigan.
  22. Learn to macrame.
  23. Bake an apple pie with Kate.
  24. Visit Meg.
  25. Renew my Passport to prepare for my 40 before 40. :)
  26. Write a children’s story with Sean.
  27. Gain a greater understanding of Economics.
  28. Develop a regular exercise habit. I walk and stuff now, but I’m soft around the middle. Time to step it up!
  29. Remember to take a quiet moment just for myself every single day.
  30. This one is a secret.
  31. This one is another secret!
  32. Get a pedicure. I get nervous about people touching my feet, so this one will be a challenge for me. I’ve decided I don’t care about this one. Instead I will add…hrm…learn how to use a saw. Various saws, in fact. This terrifies me, but I would love to be able to build things out of wood.
  33. Take a class at UCB.
  34. Finally get my hair cut by a serious hair stylist whom I have the pleasure of knowing. A stylist who has also been known to style Miranda July *AND* Fred Armison’s hair.
  35. Re-learn all of the Spanish I’ve managed to forget over the past 10 years.

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Imagine

by katie on April 5, 2012

in self improvement, whole living

It’s funny. I’ve never really thought of myself as creative. I’ve always associated the word with artists and artists only for some reason. The fact of the matter is that we’re all creative. From the ideas we come up with for work to making dinner to decorating our home to making handmade gifts for our friends. We all have that spark. We all have the ability to create something.

Feeding my obsession with the brain, I recently finished Imagine by Jonah Lehrer (he regularly appears on Radiolab!), and it left me completely inspired. It made me realize that I need to learn how to let go. It reminded me that I need to keep traveling, not only because it makes me happy, but because it encourages an open mindedness that helps me make connections I have never made before. When we stay put, we’re more likely to be shackled by the familiar. It made me realize that frequently daydreaming as a kid was actually good for me and that sleeping is truly the height of genius. If you’re experiencing a mental block in your creative path, I suggest reading this book.

I’ll leave you with a quote on persistence: “It’s only by really thinking about something that we’re able to move ourselves into perceptions that we never knew we had the capacity for”.

How do you find inspiration?

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Journal Keeping

by marianne on April 2, 2012

in self improvement, whole living

I read the blog Zen Habits, by Leo Babauta. I find it valuable as a productivity blog, and occasionally, it helps me remember some wisdom that I have briefly possessed, but I cannot hang on to. I’m assuming this is true for all people, but it seems, at least for me, that moments of feeling some sort of true understanding are fleeting.

I recently read Leo’s post on keeping a journal. Keeping a journal is something my ideal self would do, but not something actually practiced. I have started up and abandoned countless journals. This cycle began in junior high and has repeated itself as recently as 8 months ago.

Whenever I find one of my abandoned journals I love flipping through the two or three written pages and remembering things long forgotten. I am a very future oriented person, so it would helpful to have a record of the past to help me stop and remember things gone by. Also, I am in a period of accelerated change and (hopefully) growth, so it seems like it would also be awesome just to look back on my progress.

It’s hard to say what keeps me from following through on journal writing. I think that my hand just gets tired of writing or I go to bed so late that I just want to fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. Regardless, I’m going to give it another try, this time following Leo’s suggestions. They are pretty easy…he says to just jot down a few bullet points to get the idea across of what you did with your day. This sort of takes the pressure off. It makes it a quick activity, which makes it seem more doable. He also suggests writing about the previous day in the morning before you check your email, but I think I’m still going to try and do it before bed. It seems like a good way to reflect on, and perhaps learn from, the day’s happenings.

Clearly, this all sounds like a good excuse for getting a new, covetable notebook. However, I will only reward myself with one if I can successfully journal for three weeks straight in a regular old composition notebook I have around. If there is one thing I’ve learned about myself, it’s that buying a new fancy journal does not guarantee follow through. I will develop the habit first, and then get myself a pretty, covetable notebook.

The Journal pictured is available at Domestic Papers, $22.

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My Top 5 Superfoods

by katie on February 27, 2012

in eats, whole living

Here are 5 superfoods I simply cannot live without lately:

 

GREEN TEA: This stuff is chalk full of catechins, which lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol. It’s also a great source for antioxidants, it lowers stress, and rehydrates you better than water (nutrients with 0 calories!) I could go on and on about all of the benefits. I drink a few cups every day, but remember, there is such a thing as too much.

 

BLACKBERRIES: I’ve heard several times now that out of all the berries, blackberries are the best for you. They are known for their super antioxidant strength, and they’re rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, dietary fiber, folic acid, and manganese. I’ve been buying them frozen and throwing them in smoothies.

 

 

QUINOA:  How have I not heard of quinoa until a few years ago?! As a vegetarian, this little grain is a wonder, as it is a complete protein source. It also has dietary fiber, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and it’s a significant source for calcium. Try the Sweet Potato Quinoa Burger from Marie Catrib’s. It’s my absolute favorite sandwich on their menu. If you don’t plan on being in Michigan anytime soon, try using it in tabbouleh instead of the traditional bulgur.

 

WALNUTS:  I honestly didn’t even start to like walnuts until recently. Being a vegetarian has been wonderful for a number of reasons, but the biggest reason is that I have completely fallen in love with foods that I never really cared for before (Hey there, green onions). Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and manganese. I add a handful to salads, and that’s all it takes to reap the benefits.

 


THE SWEET POTATO: You’re probably thinking, “Uhhh, she hasn’t even listed a vegetable yet…”, so here you go! Seriously though, just skip all other potatoes. This is the best one for you, and come on, it tastes a million times better than any ol’ baked russet potato. These guys have a TON of vitamin A, and they’re rich in complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. One of my favorite recipes is this West African Peanut & Sweet Potato Stew.

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