mod*mom

Organic House

2012-01-02T21:56:00.000-08:00

i want this organic house i saw on hgtv
arquitecturaorganica

molecular level testing :: targeted cancer treatment :: is my cancer different

2011-11-03T11:18:00.000-07:00

my cancer is different:

extra aggressive her2neu breast cancer with grim prognosis + not calcified.

molecular-level testing prescribed the targeted cancer drug herceptin, in addition to chemo, shrank my huge tumor completely, but i still had to have deforming surgery + radiation, in case a single cell of cancer survived.

detecting cancer that isn't calcified, like "my different cancer" that mammograms aren't designed to detect, requires an MRI + self exams.

i wish detecting breast cancer didn't depend on waiting for a tumor to grow.

google doodle :: mary blair 100th birthday

2011-10-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

mary blair google doodle today :: it's a small world illustrator designer 100th birthday :)

vintage mary blair designs :: i want to take mod*tot to it's a small world!!!

LYFE Kitchen launches organic restaurant chain in Palo Alto, CA

2011-10-11T05:31:00.000-07:00

i attended the LYFE kitchen pre-opening vip dinner in palo alto :)

delightful to sample the organic vegan dishes, wild salmon, beet + faro salad, corn chowder, ancient whole grains, coffee, cucumber mint coolers... + witness a "nutrition tech startup" launch

the ultra modern decor, furnishings + flooring are all ecofriendly + gorgeous!

the execs, designer, + staff are amazingly gracious, committed to nutrition, design + an inspiring healthy dining environment :) lots of herbs growing inside + outside!

LYFE opens to the public tomorrow at 4pm 10/12/11, then spreads across the U.S.
like a dream come true. they'll build 5 in the san francisco bay area by next year (they plan 250)

LYFE is a new healthy restaurant chain created by former mcdonald’s execs + oprah's vegan chef, + a venture capitalist, offering healthy food, drinks + wifi. plus they'll sell organic vegan products in grocery stores :)

sci-architecture :: solar home walkthrough

2011-09-12T23:37:00.000-07:00

sci-architecture :: solar home walkthrough

Google Blogger + mod*mom blog are getting renovated

2011-09-06T19:27:00.000-07:00

Google Blogger + mod*mom blog are getting renovated :)

i got to go to Google + ride a 2-story slide + sneak peek preview my blog in the newest Blogger version in 5 years :)

my blog skin's customised DIY code has gone wonky in the 7 years since i created my Google Blogger blog, because browsers, operating systems, blogger templates, widgets + sharing buttons have evolved + so has the width + variety of screens to view blogs. soon i will be able to integrate with all Google products i LOVE

doris day is releasing new songs :)

2011-09-04T13:20:00.000-07:00

doris day is my favorite movie star + glass bottom boat 1966 is my favorite movie :)
doris is a mermaid, space center worker, night student, + maybe a spy?

doris day is my vitamin D :: i LOVE all her 39 movies, 600+ songs, tv shows, tv specials, + relentless generous animal protection (that influence child protection legislation - like not leaving them in cars with windows rolled up ). her life story is inspirational. she has overcome so many obstacles in her public + personal life... her persevering positive caring assertive character is my role model + mod*tot loves her too.

doris day is still the top actress in box office history, even though she left show business in 1978! i am her HUGE fan, but i usually can't get through editing a post about her including the Doris Day Barbie Doll, new Doris Day paper dolls... because i get so caught up enjoying her movies, music + going to her Cypress Inn dog friendly hotel in any chance i get.

Sixties pop icon Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney, interviewed Doris at her home in Carmel Valley, about her new album "My Heart" for the London Daily Telegraph. "My Heart" includes cover versions of the Beach Boys, Lovin Spoonful, Joe Cocker + 9 songs written by Doris's son, Terry, who was the Byrds producer, a singer, + passed away in 2004 of cancer.
"My Heart" CD will be released September 5 worldwide on Amazon

Doris Day Animal Foundation

google+ chef charlie :: calafia

2011-07-31T15:36:00.000-07:00

queen calafia namesake of california

Chef Charlie Ayers, opened "Calafia Cafe + Market A Go Go" across the street from Stanford University + Palo Alto High School. Calafia demonstrates that "being green" is good for consumers, team members, the environment, + community. Calafia Cafe Market a Go Go provides healthful, artisan-style, sustainable cuisine, fresh smoothies like "Google Gulp" + fair trade coffee in a fast, affordable format with FREE WIFI :)

Chef Charlie was executive chef for Google Inc., a position he won in a cook-off, judged by the company's 40 employees in 1999. As Google grew, Chef Charlie + his helpers in 10 cafes across the Googleplex served 4,000 meals daily. Chef Charlie's Google cafes were featured in the New York Times, London Times, France's Le Capital, the Washington Post, Food Management, Restaurants Institutions, The Food Network, + the book, "The Google Story: Charlie's Place"...
At Google, Chef Charlie established a new standard: "fine food for the fast crowd" + gained a reputation for innovative, flavorful, + healthful foods that are good for you + the planet. His unique operation was visited by culinary luminaries Cat Cora, Mario Batali, Martin Yan, Bruce Aidell, Bradley Ogden, + Michael Chiarello. In addition to nourishing Silicon Valley high-tech innovators, Chef Charlie has cooked for Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Al Gore, Madeleine Albright, Colin Powell, Mikhail Gorbachev, the Sultan of Brunei, Queen Noor of Jordan, The Grateful Dead, Robin Williams, Bono, Cold Play, Gwyneth Paltrow + mod*mom :)

Chef Charlie's 1st cookbook is a collection of smart recipes offered at Calafia (i got an autographed copy at a kiwi themed luncheon he created to educate lunchbox preparers like me on innovative ways to get kids to eat green + gold nutritious kiwis!). Chef Charlie is on advisory boards for social conscious organizations such as ChefsForHumanity.Org + ROCKtheEARTH.Org + he supports http://folding.stanford.edu/English/forevercloud

all rights reserved 2011

Stanford University "Abstract Parallels Beyond the App" an Art-Science- Technology performance event. The Art is "forevercloud" 2011 by artist Peter Shaw, in collaboration with the Science of protein folding research program that is calculating to accelerate cures for diseases ranging from Neonatal to Cancer + Alzheimer's. The Technology is the Cloud computing distributed program dynamic of the enterprise created by the Pande Lab.

Stanford University Professor Vijay Pande presented the fundamentals of the http://folding.stanford.edu/ enterprise and how the aesthetic engagement with the New Media Art work "forevercloud" allows Social Media to deliver significant computer power support to http://folding.stanford.edu/ with the content being the vehicle, beyond the standard of applications. what the pande lab can do with their computer program for $1m, would cost $1b to buy from a "cloud" computer power service (computing speed, bandwith).

midcentury modern design tribute :: zooey :: modernica

2011-07-15T16:45:00.000-07:00

modernica

curiosity group :: toy calendar of the month :: virtual summer camp project :: touchsmart

2011-07-03T15:56:00.000-07:00

hp virtual summer camp projects :: free 3D toy calendar of the month curiosity group + hp fabric prints :)

via apartmenttherapy

design*sponge :: at home

2011-07-02T12:35:00.000-07:00

Design*Sponge at Home :: official book trailer by the Panic Room

Design*Sponge at HOME by Grace Bonney is available for pre-order :)
i have been an adoring fan of generous grace's inspiring blog since 2004

oral care of the future :: probiotics :: crowd out plaque colonies. our children can avoid decay, drills, morning breath, yellow teeth...

2011-06-08T18:43:00.000-07:00

mod*tot is growing up so fast + had another great dentist exam + cleaning :)
i'm thrilled mod*tot still has no cavities + loves to brush, floss + gargle :)
maybe there will be no decay in the future because of oral probiotics!!! yay!!!!
she was so cute in the purple miniature dental chairs getting examined.

pic lark

oral care of the future :: probiotics crowd out decay-producing plaque.
our children can avoid decay, drills, morning breath, yellow teeth...

oragenics specializes in innovative biotechnology for oral health + launched the 1st ever probiotic oral care chewable for kids.
"designed for kids 3 to 10, EvoraKids is 100% natural + targets only the bad bacteria in the mouth + establishes a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria."
oral probiotic mints colonize healthy bacteria to "crowd out" bad bacteria.
before i was offered samples of evora oral probiotics, i had my teeth cleaned + my dentist gave me a folder with pictures of gingivitis, periodontitis , + bad news. parents like me often concentrate on their children + neglect their own oral health, then pass the harmful oral bacteria to their children.

my pregnant dental hygienist confirmed this week, that my gum "issues" have almost completely resolved in about a month of using oral probiotics, desert essence tea tree oil toothpaste + mouthwash, which saved $2,000 she quoted for deep cleaning, antibiotics + placing the antibiotics under the gumline, which she + my dentist warned wasn't a cure + would quickly grow back if i didn't religiously brush, floss, have 4 cleanings a year...

also, my teeth are noticeably whiter + my breath is much better + i don't get bad taste in mouth - morning breath as much + my sinuses feel clear.
this is so amazing for my total health, because it relieves the burden my immune system was fighting as a "wound". i want everybody to use oral probiotics.

very important for seniors + disabled too, since medicare does not cover dentistry.
they also have evora for dogs and cats called teddy's pride. you mix in food.

i am so excited with oral probiotics i interviewed a company spokesperson at evora:

the directions don't say if it's ok to drink water after chewing mint?

With either EvoraKids or EvoraPlus (Oragenics' probiotic oral care
product for those over the age of 11) it's best to wait 30 minutes after
the chew or mint dissolves to eat or drink anything.

how does it affect gut bacteria?
ProBiora3(r), the active ingredient in EvoraKids and EvoraPlus, is a
blend of beneficial bacteria that survives only in the environment of
your mouth. If you swallow some of the probiotics, those beneficial
bacteria become inert and have no effect on your gut bacteria.

how does it work if it's chewed + swallowed immediately?

Try to allow the EvoraPlus mint or EvoraKids to dissolve in the mouth.
The absolutely best way to use it is to let it first dissolve, then
swish it between your teeth. We know it may not be easy for many kids to
understand those directions, but remember - some of the EvoraKids chews
will stay in the crevices of the teeth even if they chew it (just like
tiny particles of food linger after eating) so kids get plenty of
probiotics from EvoraKids even if they chew it right up.

i only chewed with side teeth, so how does it help front gums?
The ProBiora3(r) probiotics are living bacteria that move around in your mouth - just like the other 700+ bacteria that normally reside in your mouth. Even if you chew with your side teeth (we all do!) the bacteria floods the entire mouth and sets up camp below the gum line and between the teeth.

The mint in the EvoraPlus is not super strong like many breath mints, and the mint itself is not actually meant to freshen your breath. It's the probiotics that freshen your breath by crowding out the harmful bacteria that produce the foul-smelling sulfur gases that give us all bad breath. If you use the EvoraPlus for about 5 consecutive days, you notice a significant decrease in bad breath and morning breath. It's very important to use the mints as directed. Not using them twice daily will allow the smelly bacteria the opportunity to begin to repopulate right away.

harmful bacteria are common in children’s mouths and are passed from parent to child, usually when the child is between 6 months to three years old – a time–frame dentists refer to as “the window of infectivity". These bacteria can be passed through kissing, sharing cups or utensils or food.

One simple step parents can take to reduce the risks of passing these harmful bacteria to their children is through daily use of EvoraPlus® to keep their own mouths healthy while reducing the risk of passing these harmful bacteria to their children.

The beneficial bacteria found in EvoraKids™ are natural residents in very healthy mouths. Using EvoraKids™ daily ensures that the beneficial bacteria have the upper hand in maintaining a healthy bacterial balance in your children’s mouths.

EvoraKids™ reaches where toothbrushes and floss can’t – into the crevices on the chewing surfaces of teeth

"tonsil stone" bacteria is not same as mouth plaque. it's anaerobic, so it's treated with "oxygenated" mints. how do you use both mints, if you need to solve both problems?
Tonsilith is defined as an infection occurring over the tonsils. This infection is generally associated with bacteria. EvoraPlus does not claim to address tonsilith. If someone uses "oxygenated" mints to treat tonsilith, these mints will not affect the activity of our probiotics mint. The two mints can be used together, or best separated by about 30 minutes. Our probiotics are not anaerobes and so extra oxygen will not affect them. However, our probiotics generate hydrogen peroxide (oxygen) and that is how they negatively impact on the
anaerobes that occupy the space around and under the gum line, and these anaerobes have been identified as risk factors to gingival health. Our probiotics may be transient colonizers on tissues at the back of the mouth, and could temporarily occupy space on the tonsils, but no studies have been done to determine if our probiotics have beneficial value past their existing health benefit claims for oral care

food yogurt probiotics: do these linger in mouth + compete with evora?
Yogurt probiotics are residents of the gastro-intestinal tract and not the mouth, so they would only be present in the mouth for brief periods of time as they pass through to the gut. The yogurt strains may
loosely attach indiscriminately to oral tissues but not likely to compete directly for space and nutrients with our probiotic strains since our strains are natural colonizers of the mouth have very specific
niches in the complex 3-dimensional oral biofilm surrounding the teeth and around the gums. One should be able to use our product without concern, even if the previous meal/snack included a fermented dairy product such as yogurt evora

"whitens teeth 4-5 shades in 30 days" : how does that work? will your teeth get tooo white if you use evora daily for years?
Evora can whiten up to 4 shades in 30 days. This whitening effect is achieved by the low dose of hydrogen peroxide naturally produced by our probiotic strains on a 24/7 basis. Because the whitening effect is gradual, there is not the threat of damage or sensitivity that can sometimes be experienced with whitening kits that rely on much higher strength hydrogen peroxide and short contact times with the teeth. Our product can maintain its moderate whitening effect over time, even without a change in life-style (e.g., smoking or drinking wine or coffee). By regularly using our oral care probiotics, you are not adding anything to your mouth that's not already contained in a healthy mouth. Our product has been on the market for 2 years, and none of its long-term users have complained that their teeth were "too white"

pic: disneyland house of the future 1957, life magazine

evorakids lindathetoothfairy

eco laundry love video :: method :: good clean fun

2011-06-01T13:22:00.000-07:00

eco laundry love video :: method :: good clean fun
watch this a bunch of times to really appreciate the stop motion animation + spot me
director tony benna of mekanism in san francisco

mod*mom hero :: alaina giordano :: activist :: cancer don't take kids away

2011-05-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

i'm grateful to mom hero alaina for sharing her private struggle to overcome devastating domestic abuse: emotional, financial, legal.

alaina is role modeling how to stand up to "bullies" who exploit our adversarial family court system that profits from parental battles.

alaina was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer 3 years ago, then her 10-year marriage broke up + her husband moved 600 miles away. he hired lawyers to battle alaina in court for custody of their 5 + 11 year old children. alaina could not afford to hire an attorney + lost primary custody.
she is in remission + has a strong support system for her + the children.
join her supporters to appeal the judge's decision before june 17

worse than a deadbeat dad, it seems her ex is attempting to destroy alaina emotionally + physically with the devastating toll of chronic stress to her immune system by taking their children from her care + their home + community.

financial abuse tactics aimed at a custodial parent to get out of paying child support + spousal support hurts children most, because family resources go to lawyers + family court fees. parents lose time at both work + parenting, because they can't be in 2 places at once with attention + energy to personally work full time + care for children, since both are full time jobs.

help alaina giordano at beauty in truth: say NO! to CANCER discrimination

1967 kindergarten :: expo67 world's fair

2011-05-13T23:30:00.000-07:00

expo 67 lounge

futuristic monocycle exercise bike :: ciclotte :: generates magnetic field

2011-05-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

ciclotte monocycle exercise bike :: Luca Schieppati for Lamiflex Group

"designed to reproduce the dynamics + performance of road cycling. ideal for high intensity spinning workouts. ciclotte uses an epicycloid system, which works by generating a concentrated magnetic field using a copper ring that is rotated at a high speed in front of 5 magnets. resistance is controlled via the touch screen."

(i wonder if this is a "superconductor" + i could produce an MRI scan?
or even better, power smart appliances like washing machine + dryer)

ciclotte gym-standard training machine is only 121 lbs.

thank you home&spa design italy

go vegan :: vegetabull :: casein causes cancer

2011-05-05T18:44:00.000-07:00

we saw "forks over knives" film screening last night

in 1971 USA declared "War on Cancer", but they didn't listen to the doctor appointed by the government to lead the fight:

"casein is more deadly than ddt or any known carcinogen. casein causes cancer." dr. esselstyn, cardiologist, appointed by president nixon.

casein is "animal protein" found in all animal products including:
poultry, fish, eggs + low-fat dairy that we are often told are safe.

prefab fiberglass house :: kunststoffhaus :: wolfgang feierbach 1968

2011-04-28T21:29:00.000-07:00

prefab modular fiberglass house :: Wolfgang Feierbach :: Kunststoffhaus FG 2000

constructed 1968-1970 in Altenstadt Germany . furniture designed + custom made by Wolfgang Feierbach, except sofa + chairs designed by Dieter Rams + produced by Vitsoe, + fiberglass bathroom fixtures created by Rohm and Haas.

via: Wolfgang Feierbach, Taschen Prefab Houses, T3RD.be

mod summer camp :: museumotel :: france :: come inside

2011-04-28T19:18:00.000-07:00

come inside the mod summer camp :: museumotel :: france :: built 1967

"on an island in the Vosges by Pascal Haüsermann, utopian organic architect
9 bubble cabins with bathrooms, accommodate 5 people each."

earth day :: mom starts co-op renewable energy company

2011-04-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

earth day :: mom starts co-op renewable energy company that buys electrical grid

doris day :: happy birthday

2011-04-03T11:54:00.001-07:00

duravit :: Starck sensowash shower-toilet seat + lid launches next week

2011-03-31T18:19:00.000-07:00

duravit :: remote controlled toilet seat + lid launches next week

philippe starck 3 sensowash remote controlled toilet seat, lid, rear-front + oscillating wash, individual adjustment of water, air + seat temperatures, as well as nozzle position + jet strength, self-cleaning wand, individually adjustable programmable user profiles, night light

i want one that's solar powered :) no more running out of paper :)

suita sofa desk vitra.com

2011-02-20T18:53:00.000-08:00

future lymphedema therapies :: lymphatic system :: stanley rockson md

2011-01-08T13:15:00.000-08:00

yesterday, i celebrated my 5-year re-birthday from terminal breast cancer diagnosis + living with the side effects of breast cancer surgery, radiation + drug therapies, by meeting with top lymphedema research pioneer stanley rockson md, to learn the future of lymphatic disease treatments. the lymphatic system is our 2nd largest circulatory system + connects with our blood vascular system; it produces our immune system cells, filters our blood, + if it isn't working properly, spreads cancer.

doctor rockson is a professor at stanford university school of medicine + practicing cardiologist at stanford medical center. he told me he has a text book publishing later this year for use in educating doctors on lymphatic disease, + he hopes we will be able to develop molecular therapies, + enable "survivor's bodies to grow new lymph nodes" (lymph node replacement surgery is more damaging, than beneficial). doctor rockson also lead an animal model study that reversed lymphedema.

millions of cancer survivors, like me, emerge from surgery, to a lifetime of swelling + discomfort, caused by an incurable buildup of waste fluid in their tissues. doctor rockson's team at the stanford university school of medicine created an animal model for this complex condition called lymphedema, toward understanding its behavior. their results, published in Public Library of Science-Medicine, indicate lymphedema is characterized not just by the presence of swelling, but by a profound, accompanying inflammation. this finding suggests molecular therapies could one day be used to treat lymphatic disease.

"10,000,000 people in the United States have lymphedema. it's heartbreaking that it goes unacknowledged or unrecognized, because doctors have no treatment to offer," said doctor rockson. "15-30% of breast cancer survivors develop lymphedema from surgery-induced damage to the lymphatic system."

the lymphatic system consists of the lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, thymus, bone marrow, appendix, peyer's patches, lymph vessels, + lymph fluid. a network of lymph nodes "draw" the lymph in a 1-way pathway of "channels" throughout the bodies tissues + cells, to the spleen. the tonsils + lymph nodes produce + store lymphocytes to fight infection. the thymus makes "T" cells, by adding an androgen marker to lymphocytes. the lymph nodes also filter lymph, which is protein, sugar + fat rich fluid waste products from the body's continual cell replacement. the spleen destroys pathogens + old red blood cells (rbc have a 120 day lifespan). protein goes back to the blood, fat is absorbed in the lower intestine by peyer's patches (masses of lymphocytes) + uptaken by the thoracic duct to the junction of internal jugular + left subclavian veins in the neck, to be distributed back into blood venus pathways. when lymph node removal surgery disrupts this circulatory system, lymph fluid collects in the interstitial (between cell) tissue of the affected limb + torso. this stagnant liquid bloats the tissue + impairs limb mobility, creating a cesspool for infection.

treatments for lymphedema involve bandaging the affected area or wearing tight-fitting garments to compress the swelling. elevation, exercises, + daily lymphatic drainage massage treatments can also help re-direct lymphatic flow. but such measures are temporary + provide little relief. "it's like the iron lung for polio--it works, but it's certainly no way to live," rockson said.

in this study, doctor rockson + his co-authors generated a mouse model to simulate human-acquired lymphedema. the model was tested using microscopic imaging + molecular-level techniques to find a molecular fingerprint or signature of the disease. "mouse tails were used for the model because of their rich lymphatic network--a simple substitute for the arm," rockson said.

researchers were able to trace lymphatic cell flow by injecting luciferase, the enzyme that gives fireflies their glow, into the mouse tails. using a dynamic imaging technique, the scientists observed cell traffic slowing to a crawl in mice with lymphedema. at the molecular level, the researchers used a microarray chip to determine which of the mouse genes were active. "much to our delight, only 600-700 of the genes had changed," rockson said, corresponding to about 1% of the 55,000 genes in a mouse. "this will allow us to determine whether we can treat lymphedema with a drug or compound that will revert the patient to normal behavior."

please see the information + join the community dedicated to curing lymphatic diseases at lymphatic research foundation - guided by doctor rockson.

(btw he refuted my theory that chemobrain may be caused by lymphedema :)

info edited via stanford research news + ucb integrative biology

lymph edema sleeve giveaway $12,000

2011-01-05T15:57:00.000-08:00

this $12,000 giveaway is in memory of crickett julius + rachel troxell

crickett julius, survived breast cancer only 4 months from HER2+ diagnosis in 2006, but her mother + cousin are dedicated to helping other women enjoy life post-diagnosis. Crickett’s Answer, is their nonprofit that provides wigs, mastectomy + lymphedema products, massage, facials + other pampering services to help women heal after losing their breasts + hair.

rachel troxell was cofounder of LympheDIVAs with her friend robin miller, also a breast cancer survivor. they saw a need to create attractive, fun + comfortable compression garments for life with lymphedema. rachel passed away in 2008.

Crickett’s Answer + LympheDIVAs want to help breast cancer survivors with lymphedema who can't afford $2-$500 for compression sleeves + gauntlets (gloves). lymphedema sufferers (like me) must wear these every day to control swelling. although lymphedema sleeves are medically necessary, they are not covered by most insurance, including medicare, under current law*, so thousands of survivors go without sleeves, needlessly suffering painful swelling that interferes with their normal activities + leaves them vulnerable to infection. left uncompressed, lymphedema increases steadily, becomes debilitating, + is irreversible.

to apply for 2 sets of lympheDIVAs compression sleeves + gauntlets (gloves), please download forms at Crickett’s Answer for Cancer + write in “lymphedema sleeve + gauntlet” on page 2. include measurements.

*the lymphedema treatment act will be reintroduced in 2011 Congress,
to help change the law, so insurance covers lymphedema garments.

thank you susan of mothers with cancer for sharing this with us :)

space age bluetooth headset with touch control

2010-11-07T18:38:00.000-08:00

jabra :: stone :: space age touch control bluetooth ear piece has 1.5 hours power + fits into charged carrying base with 8 hours of power.

you can use the ear piece up to 30 feet from the base to talk or listen.

the danish company gave me a demo + sample. it is superb!

the jabra stone reminds me of the pastilli chair 1967 by eero aarnio

(i'd LOVE to visit his design shop in helsinki)

the lunch box is transforming public school food from processed

2010-11-05T21:39:00.000-07:00

thelunchbox.org provides free practical, professional tools + recipes for U.S. schools to create healthier lunches. they've already transformed the school lunch experience for tens of thousands of nutritionally challenged children across America by helping their schools switch from processed foods to fresh, natural ingredients + scratch-made meals. now they can help 200 more schools since they partnered with whole foods, to raise $1.4 million so far. so please nominate your school at great american salad bar project before 11/12/10 :)

"renegade lunch lady" Chef Ann Cooper, has a vision to ensure that all children have access to healthy food at school to grow their bodies, minds + future. so she started a school lunch revolution last year, when she created a nonprofit to change the u.s. school food system to an ecologically sound model that empowers schools, families, farms + food producers to operate sustainably. it enables schools to serve nutritious whole food. it educates through training programs, direct services, + thelunchbox.org to provide tools for all schools, parents, advocates, students, administrators, teachers + food service staff to progress from serving highly processed, unhealthy food to serving fresh, healthy, scratch-cooked food.

over 66% of public schools serve lunches made of highly processed foods that exceed recommended limits for fat, sugar + sodium content. over 33% of u.s. kids are overweight, yet undernourished + predicted will develop preventable diabetes.

mod eyewear :: cinizia :: redeux :: trendies

2010-11-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

mod eyewear at cinzia designs

halloween robot kits :: chronicle books :: blinky bugs

2010-10-27T12:51:00.000-07:00

mod*tot + i attended a tea party at chronicle books hq in san francisco hosted by the children's book editors. they showed us books in progress for fall 2010 + spring 2011. here's a cute blinky bugs robot kit

family sleepover of the future :: california academy of sciences :: penguins+pajamas giveaway

2010-07-21T16:42:00.000-07:00

win a mod family sleepover of the future :: california academy of sciences

mod*tot + i had the most mod sleepover ever at penguins+pajamas at the california academy of sciences in golden gate park san francisco! the ecofriendly building is a masterpiece of modern architecture, with a living roof that reminds me of our beloved teletubbies. dinner at the academy cafe was heaven: organic food + mod orange eames chairs! then we toured the rainforest, said hello to claude the albino alligator, + flew through the universe learning about our "fragile planet" in the digital planetarium with @300 sleepover participants (a galapagos island is shaped like a sea horse). then mod*tot chose our comfortable camping spot near the penguins + we rolled out our sleeping bags, inflated our air mattress, got our pj's on + went for a bedtime snack + story about pierre the penguin. we were sooo lucky to sleep right by pierre + the penguins, because in the morning i was awoken by mod*tot whispering, "mama look at the penguins"... which woke up the people near us and they woke up the next + so on + soon everybody was awake + watching the penguins playing on the rocks + darting under the water. it was an unforgettable experience.

amazingly, breakfast + the whole next day admission + parking is included in the sleepover package too! so we breakfasted in our pajamas, trekked through the rainforest again to see the rare animals, birds + butterflies fully active, browsed the store science toys + books, took our stuff to our car + got mod*tot's scooter to whiz around golden gate park. we passed the japanese tea garden, ornate band shell stage, statues + art museum. we met a friend back at the academy for brunch, checked out the elegant reservation-only moss cafe downstairs + went through the aquarium + one more trek through the rainforest :)

the more time we explored the academy, the more we noticed more life + more parts of the academy. so be sure to stay the next day :) there is an explorers cove especially for children under 5 with an adult. we have to go back for the extreme mammals show + the learning center. until then, we'll be watching pierre on the live penguin cams :)

visit + win a penguins+pajamas family sleepover at the california academy of sciences

went to pixar for toystory 3 launch :)

2010-06-13T21:27:00.000-07:00

mod*tot + i went to pixar for toystory 3 launch last month, may 5th. we got to interview the director, producer + video game makers. we also had a tour of pixar including the "renderfarm" where each 3D frame is "squished" into a single frame from many frames (i wasn't taking notes... i was just in awe, like i was in wonka land). it was an adult only event to launch the video game, but i brought mod*tot, because she is my video game guru. we sat front row center in the pixar theater for the movie + game sneak peeks that had just been completed, like this video. the mc was comedian jeff garlin, who plays a new character called buttercup the unicorn (he also stars in curb your enthusiasm). he 's hysterical + worked mod*tot into his presentation :)

mod*tot loves the toystory games on the wii, playstation, xbox... she was thrilled to get a toystory 3 barbie and ken set, a jessie doll and jessie tshirt for her birthday, and toystory 3 printed bandaid samples. she can't wait to see the whole movie with RealD 3D kid-sized glasses that will be in theaters when movie opens friday :)

dyson air multipliers are coooooool

2010-06-12T16:52:00.000-07:00

i want futuristic dyson air multipliers for our spacestation this summer :)

i noticed them at target + they have no blades so they're safer + quiet

dwell on design conference is june 25-27

2010-06-10T18:23:00.000-07:00

dwell on design conference is june 25-27 in los angeles

they have local modern home tours like this, plus a convention center full of modern products for home, garden, transport + play

liberty of london at target gives me spring fever

2010-03-22T17:38:00.000-07:00

i was gearing up for spring cleaning with eco friendly
method products, when i saw these lovely prints on
clothing, shoes, storage solutions, home furnishings...

innovative hp touchsmart tablet launched at ces this week

2010-01-08T11:29:00.000-08:00

innovative 2010 hp touchsmart tablet launched at ces keynote this week

grinchmas

2009-12-23T15:54:00.000-08:00

happy winter solstice! i LOVE this grinch animation + music.

i would also LOVE to go to grinchmas at universal studios!

santastic! the retro dome

2009-12-21T16:18:00.000-08:00

santastic! is fantastic! the live comedy musical revue is at the retro dome

the new owners rescued the 1969 dome theater + wrote, star in, direct + choreograph this amazing show. they have retro films + live shows all year.

the owners have created a special place of joy! see some reviews on yelp :)

roald dahl movie :: fantastic mr.fox!!!

2009-11-19T15:56:00.000-08:00

the fantastic mr.fox movie (book by roald dahl )opens thanksgiving day!!!

yay! i get to interview mr.fox's son ash (jason schwartzman) tomorrow :)

here's what the movie pr person told me to share with mod*mom readers:

fantastic mr. fox is visionary director Wes Anderson’s first animated film, utilizing classic handmade stop-motion techniques to tell the story of the best-selling children’s book by Roald Dahl (author of Charlie + the Chocolate Factory + James and the Giant Peach). The film features the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Wally Wolodarsky, Eric Anderson, Michael Gambon, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, + Jarvis Cocker.

Mr. + Mrs. Fox (Clooney + Streep) live an idyllic home life with their son Ash (Schwartzman) + visiting young nephew Kristofferson (Eric Anderson). But after 12 years of quiet domesticity, the bucolic existence proves too much for Mr. Fox’s wild animal instincts. Soon he slips back into his old ways as a sneaky chicken thief + in doing so, endangers not only his beloved family, but the whole animal community. Trapped underground without enough food to go around, the animals band together to fight against the evil Farmers - Boggis, Bunce and Bean - who are determined to capture the audacious, fantastic Mr. Fox at any cost. In the end, he uses his natural instincts to save his family and friends.

Jason Schwartzman (Ash) made his motion picture acting debut in Anderson’s RUSHMORE in 1999, he reteamed with Anderson for THE DARJEELING LIMITED (which he co-wrote + starred in), + the movie short HOTEL CHEVALIER. His recent credits include FUNNY PEOPLE, King Louis XVI in Sofia Coppola’s MARIE ANTOINETTE; SHOPGIRL, BEWITCHED, I ♥ HUCKABEES, C.Q., SLACKERS. Jason currently stars in the HBO comedy series “Bored To Death” which premiered in september."

i am sooo excited about this movie! the story, cast, crew, technology...

learn more about the movie + play games here: fantasticmrfoxmovie.com

net cetera :: chatting with kids about being online :: ftc

2009-11-05T12:06:00.000-08:00

the federal trade commission wants mod*mom readers to read their new net cetera online guide about parenting your webhog kids in the internet.

i want a breast thermography scan for breast cancer :)

2009-10-26T16:14:00.000-07:00

i want a thermascan digital mammogram at clear center for health in marin!

medical director + founder, dr beth mcdougall says “breast thermography has the ability to warn women up to 10 years before any other procedure that a cancer may be forming." i'm interested in nonsurgical no radiation early diagnostic technology. i don't have faith in traditional mammograms, + a needless breast or lymph node biopsy is wasteful. i know these are controversial, but i'd still rather have one than a biopsy or mammogram.

my pal rob mahar taught martha stewart to make sock skeletons!!!

2009-10-20T20:47:00.000-07:00

my pal, rob mahar taught martha stewart to make sock skeletons!!!

here's the awesome video so you can make them too or buy a kit here :)

groovy new halloween book by illustrated by s.britt!

2009-10-20T20:29:00.001-07:00

s. britt, one of my favorite illustrators, has a new halloween book!

i'm so happy i saw just this on junior society. they're for sale here.

he also has lots of my favorite classic prints for sale on his etsy here.

save the world from power vampires....

2009-10-17T09:18:00.000-07:00

save the world from power vampires....

motherhood movie sneak peek

2009-10-14T21:00:00.000-07:00

MOTHERHOOD: Movie Trailer -

the movie "motherhood" about a nyc mom blogger, opens 10/23.
i got to see a screening at the mill valley film festival last weekend.

i think it is inspired by my blogging mom pal liz of mom 101

60's orange sinks

2009-09-28T16:20:00.000-07:00

i'd LOVE these 1968 orange sinks for my bright yellow bathroom vanity!

pics: kohler blog

http://westcoastgreen.com october 1-3

2009-09-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

check out this eco conference in san francisco next weekend!
http://westcoastgreen.com

join the school lunch revolution!

2009-09-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

school is back in session. whole foods wants mod*mom readers to join the revolution to replace processed food served in school. they see improving childhood nutrition as a social justice issue.

Chef Ann Cooper a.k.a. the "Renegade Lunch Lady," has been making school lunch programs healthier across the U.S. for the past decade. Whole Foods Market is working to help her raise awareness of her mission, + to develop a free online resource, which will empower parents, schools + districts to make the change to healthy school lunches for our children. as part of the campaign you have the chance to bring Chef Ann to your school or district for your very own action plan to improve your lunch program. just create + post a 1 minute video showing why your school is in need of a School Lunch Makeover, + submit the link to: schoollunchmakeover@wholefoods.com by October 8

learn about Chef Ann + the contest: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/schoollunchmakeover/

wii + ds

2009-08-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

mod*tot previewed the new nintendo wii hockey game in san francisco.

the game hasn't become publicly available yet. it features the mii cartoony characters in the skill builder part, but in the actual hockey game they have excellent graphics that make it look like real television + put real faces on the hockey players. 4 people can play on one team or against other people with wii machines in their homes. they can negotiate salaries + change teams. the hockey was too complicated for us, but introduced her to wii.

now she is crazy for wii. she begs to go to best buy to play the wii games.

she likes the sports resort games. now i'm interested in wii too for fitness.

jenny mccarthy has a new wii fit game. your face shows up on your avatar. + daisy fuentes has a new pilates game i want to try.

mod*tot is also crazy about the nintendo dsi + wants the G-force game.

they were on sale at t arget this weekend, so we had to go take a look.

circus in town

2009-08-12T00:27:00.000-07:00

mod*tot + i are on a circus theme this summer. we LOVE playing with

our new shrinky dinks circus party pack illustrated by my webpal s.britt,

one of my favorite artists in the entire universe. check out his website :)

then our friend introduced us to the 1960s movie jumbo starring doris day.

doris plays the daughter of the circus owner + she performs many of the circus jobs + sings + dances + saves the failing circus + gets the guy :)

barnum + bailey ringling brothers circus is in our town now, so mod*tot + i checked it out last week as vip guests in oakland. it goes to san jose next.

if you want to go to the circus, check this schedule to see when the circus is near your town + get 4 tickets for $44 by entering "mom" in the code box.

mod*tot loves rollerdisco

2009-07-07T15:49:00.000-07:00

mod*tot loves to rollerdisco with me + mod*pop in our dining room disco :)

alexander girard products

2009-06-26T17:37:00.001-07:00

i am so excited to see the all new alexander girard products from house industries!

we went to the dwell magazine design conference in los angeles this weekend as press,

sponsored by dwell, olympus + hp to blog about the conference + products.

i remember seeing the la fonda del sol girard flor tiles at the tottini booth last year.

i'm so happy now to have them in our kitchen! they're perfect with our colorful home.

hp smarthouse + dwell design + summer camps...

2009-06-18T15:07:00.000-07:00

my family has been so busy!
i'm so excited! we got to spend a day "living" at the futuristic "SmartHouse" on the hp campus in cupertino. it's a 3-bedroom prefab automated dreamhouse showcasing hp's electronic "connected home" technology for work + entertainment, like the first connected hd lcd tv + gadgets for the kitchen, bedroom, office, fire safety + security surveillance that are available now. here's a video tour.

then after kindergarten graduation, we spent the weekend at an eco camp near petaluma that was a miwok indian village + saw foxes + stopped in mill valley on the way home + watched "UP" at the quaint little old theater.
this week, i met the pbs kids executives + the creator of 'super why' at stanford + they explained how they make their programs + gave me some show DVDs + projects to try with mod*tot for feedback. we LOVE pbs kids shows + online games. mod*tot is in gymnastics camp + i'm skating along the bay trail across the street from her gym, updating my blog, planning giveaways + getting ready for the dwell on design conference next weekend at the los angeles convention center!!!

i want to drive an eco-friendly zipcar hybrid + use our autonet mobile wifi with an hp touchsmart tablet laptop + olympus stylus "tough" camera.

my geek mom secrets

2009-05-06T11:56:00.000-07:00

i have a secret....

i live in silicon valley + have a blog, but i don't have a working laptop.

i've been stuck on the question: apple or windows...

i LOVE apple design. i love apple stores. i love apple employees. macworld was amazing! i voted for woz on dancing with the stars. i love iphones + apps. i want a white macbook right now!!!! (i heard a rumor new macbooks will have at&t wifi soon like iphones). but, also i LOVE hp, hp employees + especially hp touchsmart technology, hp laptops, + their adorable 2.25 pound 10" hp netbooks that have wifi via at&t or verizon already.

macbooks are $999 + netbooks are only $299. macbooks have ilife easy to use programs + apple store assistance vs. hp netbooks don't have cd/dvd drives or capacity to handle photo editing programs that i like to use for preparing images for my blog. but i went to best buy last night where they sell both apple + hp. the sales people were very knowledgeable + helpful like the apple store. i tested my netflix account on an hp netbook + the dvds streamed live (yay! no carrying movie dvd's) + an employee showed me how to use a seagate "free agent" mobile hard drive to carry around all the contents of my home computer, including videos, music + thousands of pictures up to 500gb. then i can use an online photo editing website like picnik + hit the road with autonet mobile service that turns my car into a wifi hotspot for $29 a month. this summer we're heading to the dwell on design conference in los angeles + then to mammoth mountain for environmental education, a scenic gondola ride + a music festival. i love the geology of the east side of the sierras. i think we'll take a hybrid from zipcar like a ford truck, so we can bring our mountain bikes.

i'll bring along my flip video camera, dwell magazines + new reference guide: "how to be a geek goddess". i need to read up on geek parenting + keeping kids safe online, especially when they use free online video chat like tokbox that lets up to 20 people video conference.

here are some geek mom gadgets + tips:

wifi certified shopping guide + how to secure your wifi at home + on the go.

p.s. i wear low tech birkenstock's, because now they come in space age + mod new colors like white, silver, orange, lime, purple + pink...
i like that they're an environmentally friendly company

flex :: house of kolor custom by funkmaster fresh

2009-04-16T12:26:00.000-07:00

ford is loaning me a flex for shuttling my friends to earth events all over california this month! it seats 7 in 1st class comfort with sun/moon roofs over all 3 rows + gets 24 mpg, which is amazingly only a few mpg less than my vw bug. i think it's cute as a huge mini with this Funkmaster Flex House of Kolor Kandy custom paint job :) the 2nd + 3rd rows recline flat + have dvd players. it has so many awesome features you should take a tour here

earth

2009-04-09T16:00:00.000-07:00

dancing with the stars :: vote for woz!!!

2009-03-09T05:29:00.001-07:00

i'm so excited to watch steve wozniak on dancing with the stars tonight at 8 on abc!

i met him at macworld 8 weeks ago at the premiere of the welcome to mac intosh movie. i got my picture with him. it will be interesting to see his improvement in fitness + how well he's learned to dance in a short time. yay for smart nice guys!!! vote for woz!!!

are you going to watch? you can vote on your phone for free up to 11 times per phone line during the show (+ up to 30 minutes after) + you can vote online until noon the following day. you can also vote online up to 11 times per email address + see videos of the shows at abc until 9pm tuesdays when the "results show" airs.

giveaway : Nutrition for Mom and Baby | WholeFoodsMarket

2009-03-05T20:08:00.000-08:00

giveaway :: Whole Baby diaper bag from wholefoodsmarket.com

whole foods market wants to know what mod*mom readers think of their "Whole Baby" podcasts. from now until march 30th, they’re offering “mod*mom” readers, an incentive for you to listen + provide feedback to their Whole Baby Podcasts covering Natural Baby Body Care, Pregnancy – A Time to Go Natural, + Organics for Baby, Beyond Food

prize:
the “Deluxe Urban Sling” is made with 100% post-consumer recycled materials- “yesterday’s discarded water bottles and yogurt containers”. It comes loaded with natural products for new babies, and families.

enclosed items may vary slightly and may include:
Belly Bar - assortment of Chews, Shakes + Bars
California Baby - Super Sensitive Shampoo + Body Wash - No Fragrance
Peter Rabbit Organics - Baby Intense Therapy Cream
Seventh Generation - Natural Baby Laundry Detergent
Hylands - Teething Tablets, and Teething Gel

how to enter:

1. there are 3 podcasts please feel free to listen to all 3 but you just need to leave a comment on 1. to listen click here:

2. after listening, click on the “comment” text to leave your comment. *please enter: modmomblog.com in the “website” field on the comment form, so we know your comment is part of this promotion.

3. when you leave a comment, with modmomblog.com in the website field, you will be entered in a drawing, + on march 31st, 1 winner will be randomly selected to win a Green Baby Diaper Bag!

oscars

2009-02-19T06:35:00.000-08:00

i'm off to the oscar's gifting suites at the sls hotel in beverly hills.

it's going to be warm there. i wish i was wearing this alexander girard dress by anna sui. it's embroidered on silk. (click image to enlarge)

i'll keep an eye out for mom sally fields!!! i LOVE all her movies + her brothers & sisters tv show cast + production crew + editing are the BEST!

i just got a roku that unlocks netflix, so i'll be able to watch unlimited streamed movies instantly on my tv or pc + it connects up to 6 devices with sub-accounts, instead of separate netflix accounts for each device.

the oscars are on abc sunday night! (then brothers & sisters is at 10pm)

mod*mom oscars giveaway :: roxio vhs to dvd digitizer $600

2009-02-10T10:57:00.000-08:00

mod*mom oscars giveaway :: 10 roxio vhs to dvd software/hardware digitizers $600

i'm so excited i'm going to the oscar's gifting suites next week with mod*tot + roxio is sponsoring a mod*mom giveaway to introduce my pals to their new product that will save your treasured favorite movies, since vcr's + tapes are becoming obsolete.

Roxio Launches Easy VHS to DVD

Helps Families Revive, Relive, and Preserve Cherished Personal Video Memories and Entertainment
Roxio's latest consumer application, Roxio Easy VHS to DVD is a combination of software and hardware that enables users to quickly digitize analog recordings stored on VHS tapes. The product is available now direct from Roxio for $59.99 and will be introduced later this month in retail stores worldwide.
Roxio Easy VHS to DVD also enables consumers to transfer their favorite collections of LPs and tapes onto CDs or portable players.
Users simply attach the included hardware to their high-speed USB 2.0 port, then capture from virtually any analog video or audio source. S-Video and composite video inputs enable full-resolution DVD recording from VCRs, VCR/DVD combo players, and analog camcorders including Hi8 and V8 models.
Easy VHS to DVD includes Wizards for automatically capturing and converting analog video directly to DVD and for automatically labeling audio tracks captured from LPs or tapes with artist, song, and album information.
Easy VHS to DVD comes equipped with a full-featured video editor that enables users to apply filters to correct video quality, rearrange or remove unwanted video segments, and spice things up with a range of transitions, titles and effects.
Video and audio can be easily converted and exported for optimal playback on a range of mobile devices including iPods, iPhones, and PSPs or prepared for posting and sharing via online services or social networking sites.

The product also includes an innovative DVD authoring application complete with professionally designed templates that enable users to easily create personalized DVDs with motion menus, menu-to-menu transitions, animated buttons and custom navigation. With the included express labeler, users can also create personalized disc and case artwork.
VHS tapes can last 10 to 20 years in ideal conditions; however, heat, humidity and improper storage cause videotapes to deteriorate, which degrades the magnetic particles and can lead to failure. Converting analog content to a digital form stops the deterioration and preserves the content for generations.
The CEA reported that as of January 2007, 85% of households still had VCRs in the home. The number dropped to 70% in January 2008. With VCRs quickly becoming obsolete, it’s important for families to have a plan for preserving precious memories of key events that are currently on VHS tape.

“Whether it’s aging footage of weddings, baby’s first steps, reunions and other special family moments or collections of classic TV episodes, movies and concerts, the clock is ticking on massive amounts of irreplaceable analog video and audio recordings. With Easy VHS to DVD, we’ve made it point-and-click easy for families to preserve, rediscover, revive, and relive this content on PC, DVD, or mobile devices.”

to enter to win a roxio vhs to dvd digitizer, tell me in the comments, which features are your favorites + favorite movie?

(include your email address + web url so i can contact you when you win!)
before midnight, saturday february 28

2009-02-02T19:00:00.001-08:00

this is going to be a weekly dj party in golden gate park for over 18.

all of the exhibits will be open 6-10pm. $10 admission. i can't wait :)

i'm so excited california academy in san francisco sent me a press release:

SAN FRANCISCO (January 28, 2009) – Every Thursday night, beginning on February 12, the Academy will transform into a lively venue filled with provocative science, music, mingling, and cocktails, as visitors get a chance to explore the museum at night. NightLife events run from 6-10pm, and are open to adults ages 18 and up. Entertainment and a bar stocked with food and drinks available for purchase will be set up in a given area of the museum each week. The location of the bar and entertainment will rotate on a regular basis, placing the pulse of the party in different locations throughout the year. Visitors will be able to explore the rest of the Academy's exhibits as well – from the fish, snakes and other creatures in the aquarium, to the dioramas and live penguins in African Hall. Engaging science programming and activities at each event will introduce visitors to cutting edge research in an informal, social environment. The focus of that content will rotate quarterly– the themes in 2009 are Evolution, Sustainability, Climate Change & Space, and Explorers. Activities will vary week to week and include informal talks by scientists, stargazing, screenings, opportunities to meet aquarium animals, and more. Event-specific details are available at www.calacademy.org/nightlife. NightLife Basics What: NightLife at the California Academy of SciencesFeaturing music, cutting-edge science, and food and cocktails available for purchaseNightLife is for adults ages 18 and overWhen: Every Thursday 6-10 pmFebruary 12 – October 29, 2009Where: California Academy of Sciences55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, San FranciscoCost: $10 per person ($8 for Academy members) Tickets available at the door or online at https://www.calacademy.org/event_tickets/ Details: Visit www.calacademy.org/nightlife for a schedule of upcoming events

compostmodern 09 :: san francisco

2009-02-02T14:58:00.000-08:00

compostmodern is a 1-day event in san francisco saturday february 21 dedicated to promoting ecologically sustainable design solutions.

compostmodern networks designers as a core piece of changing our world by their influence in altering everything we consume + the way in which we consume it to be more sustainable. as green a conference as possible, compostmodern is a flagship event for sustainability + design.

compostmodern is available via webcast + you can host a group viewing.

via treehugger

celebrate the temporary

2009-01-14T09:26:00.000-08:00

celebrate the temporary
don't wait until tomorrow
live today

celebrate the simple things
enjoy the butterfly
embrace the snow
run with the ocean
delight in trees
or a single flower
go barefoot in the wet grass

don't wait
until all the problems are solved
or all the bills are paid
you will wait forever
eternity will come and go
and you will still be waiting

live in the now
with all the problems
and its agonies
with its joy
and its pain
your despair
your anger
it means you're alive

look closer
breathe deeper
stand taller
stop grieving the past

there is joy and beauty
today
it is temporary
here now and gone
so celebrate it
while you can

celebrate the temporary

(this is one of my favorite poems + i think i'll post it every new year as a reminder)

macworld + macheads movie + me

2009-01-06T22:42:00.000-08:00

i'm so excited to go to my 1st macworld! especially for the special preview of macheads the movie, featuring apple employee #1 daniel kottke + guy kawasaki. the movie will premiere to the public thursday 1/8 at macworld.
i LOVE iphones + speck iphone covers. i'll be looking at all the new products available + getting some tips for digital photography, video + graphic art.

joy to the world!

2008-12-25T20:19:00.000-08:00

Peace: the biography of a symbol

2008-12-25T13:55:00.000-08:00

PEACE: the biography of a symbol: "As the boomer generation moves onward through the milestones of life, 1960s nostalgia holds tremendous meaning today. And nothing more eloquently symbolizes the counterculture era than the peace sign. How did this simple sketch become so powerful an image? Peace: the biography of a symbol tells the surprising story of the sign in words and pictures, from its origins in the nuclear disarmament efforts of the late 1950s to its adoption by the antiwar movement of the 1960s, through its stint as a mass-marketed commodity and its enduring relevance now."

i want this book! peace to you pals!

herman miller :: mid-century innovative design leader

2008-12-23T09:23:00.000-08:00

herman miller began by manufacturing residential home furnishings in the early 1920s + became known as a modern furniture manufacturer in the 1930s, 40s + 50s, by collaborating with some of the country's most influential designers in the modern movement: alexander girard, george nelson, charles & ray eames.

jack kelley, designer of the world's first computer mouse pad + precursor to the cubicle, partnered with herman miller to create functional + stylish pieces including the scooter keyboard and mouse stand. an avid sailor, kelley said "i won't tolerate anything that doesn't work on a sailboat, so why would i tolerate anything that doesn't work in the office?"

"Kelley has been captivated by computers since 1968, when he represented the Herman Miller Research Corporation as a researcher/designer at the Stanford Research Institute + worked with Douglas Engelbart, inventor of the world's first computer mouse. The mouse needed a pad, so Kelley designed it--the world's first mouse pad, an invention that brought him great satisfaction and an early understanding of the complexities of working in computer environments."

herman miller is also a leader in eco-friendly office products + has been environmentally -conscious since the 1950s, strategically placing windows in all herman miller corporate buildings to let in more natural light + allotting 50% of herman miller corporate land as "green space." today, many new herman miller products are made from recycled materials + the classic herman miller pieces are upholstered using recycled textiles.

classic herman miller designs are as popular now as they ever were. to commemorate the 50th year of the eames aluminum group, herman miller is offering them in a special edition, anniversary white leather.

2008-12-19T11:34:00.000-08:00

new toy safety regulations slated to take effect in the US starting in february are well intended, but flawed legislation + will have devastating consequences for small toymakers + handmade toy vendors.

last year, the us media broadcasted many stories about recalls of toys made for children that included dangerously high levels of lead or other chemicals or small parts that could easily detach + be swallowed by a child. several of the world’s leading toy manufacturers were forced to recall tens of thousands of units of toys to ensure the safety of american children. almost every problem toy recalled in 2007 was made in china. read more at mahar drygoods.

getting glamorous for holiday parties + the oscars

2008-12-14T17:14:00.000-08:00

i'm getting ready to take mod*tot to the oscars parties in february.

this is my 1st oscars + i'm so excited, so i'm preparing early.
i wanted to remove some sun damage brown spots on my cheeks, so

i had a laser photo facial $400 at the loveliest spa in palo alto skinspirit by co-owner + mother of 2, cara. she also has a location in walnut creek.
it was a lot easier than i thought + your face isn't red afterwards, but you do have to wait about 2 weeks for the dark spots to break up + move to the surface + go away. obagi sent me a set of products to enhance the treatment $450, but i was concerned about hydroquinone in 2 of the products, because its carcinogenic + banned in canada + france, so i checked with my oncologist, about the 4% hydroquine in 2 of the products + she said it was ok to use them for under 2 months.

+ i'm feeling like a glamorous movie star in my new cinzia crystal glasses.

i love the illustration on the cinzia homepage, it's a jeffrey fulvimari.

also, i have had a hard time blogging since this summer, because my once exceptional eyesite has deteriorated noticeably for closeup reading. so i've been on the hunt for fabulous reading glasses. i love cinzia's readers. you don't need an Rx, but you could fill these frames. here are my favorites:

lace green or orange, electric purple, twisties clear, uptown aqua.

enter my holiday giveaways

2008-12-14T06:40:00.000-08:00

enter my holiday giveaways

palm :: centro smartphone $300

modern dose :: mod rocker $300

peek :: mobile email device $100

congratulations to jaime for winning my keen giveaway!

mod*mom holiday giveaway :: smartphone $300

2008-12-09T10:40:00.000-08:00

mod*mom holiday giveaway :: palm centro smartphone $300!

palm is introducing their new web browsing phone to mod*mom readers.
go pick your favorite palm centro features + list them in the comments below, include your email address + web url to be entered to win,
before midnight, new year's eve 12/31

bugaboo :: travel with kids video

2008-12-04T06:31:00.000-08:00

bugaboo friends is a community of active, modern parents sharing pictures, ideas, stories, videos, tips + inspiration to stay on the go with children.
i like the full length version of this world traveling surfer family video.

mod*mom holiday giveaway :: mod rocker $300

2008-12-01T16:50:00.000-08:00

mod*mom holiday giveaway :: mod rocker $300

modern dose is a wonderful mom-owned company with mod furniture + home products. i'm so excited they're offering a mod eames era rocker.

to enter to win a white mod eames style rocker, please leave me a comment telling me your favorite modern dose products + include your email address + web url, to identify you when you win!
before midnight, monday, december 22

enter my holiday giveaways (+ winners)

2008-11-30T13:51:00.000-08:00

enter my holiday giveaways

modern dose :: mod rocker $300

KEEN :: eco-friendly product of your choice!

peek :: mobile email device $100

here are the halloween giveaway winners:
global exchange :: fair trade organic chocolate assortments $100+
sarah, ana, lacey, jodi, danil, micaela

mod*mom holiday giveaway :: KEEN product of your choice!

2008-11-21T05:56:00.000-08:00

mod*mom holiday giveaway :: KEEN eco-friendly product of your choice!

keen stockholm winter boots are my favorites at keen's new online shop.

i love their simple modern design, cozy fleece lining + water-proof outers.

go pick your favorite keen products + list them in the comments below, include your email address to be entered to win your favorite keen product.

this is a quick giveaway, so get your entry in before midnight, monday 12/8

winner update: congratulations jaime!

mod*mom holiday giveaway :: peek email device :: Target

2008-11-21T04:30:00.000-08:00

mod*mom holiday giveaway :: peek mobile email device $100

the fantastic new peek mobile email device just debuted at target!
the 8mb peek is simply email: no contracts, credit checks or activation fees.
i was checking these out in the target electronics section last week + i'm so excited target is offering a peek for a lucky mod*mom reader!

to enter to win a peek mobile email device, tell me in the comments your favorite features of the peek + how it would make your life easier.
(include your email address + blog url, so i can contact you when you win)
if you have a blog, please link to mod*mom before midnight december 15

Little touches: Plugs everywhere � T508 Live Blog

2008-11-07T08:13:00.000-08:00

i'm excited about jetblue's new terminal at jfk next to 1962 saarinen
terminal they're restoring!!! these are some of the restaurants + bars.
i'm going to add more later. i'm off to the san francisco night skate

FLOR :: Martha Stewart Floor Designs

2008-11-04T08:18:00.000-08:00

FLOR :: martha stewart floor designs

martha wants mod*mom readers to watch her FLOR show today!
she's demonstrating how you can design with FLOR style carpet tiles.

update:
FLOR's Martha Stewart Sea Grass Stripe Rug was featured on The Martha Stewart Show today. if you weren't able to tune in ... click on the this link to check-out the segment!
FLOR is offering the Martha Stewart Sea Grass Stripe Rug at a 20% discount.

future cars :: air cars, electric...

2008-11-03T08:47:00.001-08:00

air cars run on compressed air!

watch this video about the future of cars that run on a variety of alternative fuel sources

groovy halloween song :: donovan's season of the witch

2008-10-31T15:55:00.000-07:00

groovy halloween song :: donovan's 'season of the witch'

soundtrack clip from the 1973 movie 'season of the witch'

i'd LOVE to watch this tonight :)

thanks for the song daniel

halloween midcentury

2008-10-28T09:38:00.000-07:00

i went to the funnest haunted house last friday + it's open til saturday.
not for little kids.
pic glenmullally

here are some halloween pics from my hardrive i'm not sure where i got.

update: the cat on the jackolantern is from johncoulter

happy halloween

2008-10-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

i love fun halloween decorations that aren't too scarey for mod*tot

pic lala-a-gogo

mod*mom halloween giveaway :: 6 fair trade chocolate winners $100+

2008-10-09T11:44:00.000-07:00

mod*mom halloween giveaway :: 6 fair trade chocolate winners $100+

global exchange wants to educate us + our trick or treaters on the importance of fair trade chocolate that doesn't exploit workers.

global exchange is a wonderful non-profit company dedicated to socially conscious artisans + products. i'm so excited they're offering 1 fair trade organic halloween is boo-tiful kit, plus 5 boxes of fair trade organic chocolates made of the finest ingredients--18-piece assortment.

to enter to win environmentally friendly + socially responsible chocolates + gifts from global exchange, please leave me a comment telling me your favorite global exchange products + why fair trade is best for everyone .
(include your email address + web url, to identify you when you win!)
before midnight, wednesday, october 22

winners announced thursday, october 23, so check to see if you won,
so you can email me your mailing address before halloween

san francisco :: california academy of sciences opened this weekend in san francisco!

2008-10-01T13:29:00.000-07:00

california academy of sciences opened this weekend in san francisco! mod*tot + i got a peek at the building from the de young museum tower. here are some photos they sent us. does that roof look like teletubbies?
i'm going to add some more photos this evening. right now, we're off to the oncologist for an ultrasound of some lumps. i'm also going to meditate + do a mind/body/spirit dance class. mod*tot's online kindergarten isn't challenging enough for her yet. we go through the lessons, hoping to get to the challenging part. she keeps saying, "boring... preschool..."

click to enlarge photos... i'll add lots more tonight :)
update: ultrasound showed lumps are normal tissue :) yipeeeeeeeeeeeee!

mod*mom breast cancer awareness giveaway :: 2 pink dyson vacuums

2008-09-22T08:01:00.000-07:00

mod*mom breast cancer giveaway :: 2 pink dyson vacuums $300

dyson is launching their new spage age dyson DC16 root 6 pink vacuum + i'm so excited they're sharing 2 vacuums with lucky mod*mom readers!

"Dyson is proud to support breast cancer research with the introduction of the DC16 Pink. The limited edition vacuum, which uses Dyson’s patented cyclone technology + does not lose suction, is available exclusively at Target. Dyson + Target will donate over $1 million to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation from sales of the DC16 Pink. Dyson understands how critical research is in advancing early breast cancer detection + treatment, + is dedicated to supporting efforts to develop a cure in our lifetime."

as a breast cancer survivor, i'm so excited dyson is offering these giveaway prizes + raising awareness that 1 in 8 women in the us will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime according to the american cancer society.

to enter to win a dyson dc16 pink vacuum, tell me in the comments how breast cancer has affected you + ways you can detect it early.
(include your email address + blog url, so i can contact you when you win)
if you have a blog, please link to mod*mom before midnight october 31

we're going to the emmy's this week!

2008-09-15T10:40:00.000-07:00

mod*tot + i are getting ready to go to the 60th Annual Emmy Awards
"style lounge" this week in hollywood. this exclusive event offers emmy nominees + celebrity guests a chance to get "red carpet ready" with luxury services + gifts in a 5,000 square foot secret location transformed into an ultra luxurious gift lounge + spa. we're invited as part of the "press" with magazines, newspapers + tv shows. it's so exciting to be included as a real mom getting to interview celebrities. i hope i get to interview christina applegate, sally field + the actors from desperate housewives, ugly betty, house + the late night talk shows. i'd like to ask them about their ideas on saving the environment+being healthy role models.

the 60th Annual Emmy Awards will air this sunday september 21 on abc

virtual kindergarten

2008-09-08T18:46:00.000-07:00

i've been so busy getting mod*tot started back to school + playdates.
mod*tot is really good at "virtual" public school kindergarten. it's a lot of online games, but they also mailed her a great hp computer + printer, headphones, microphone, lots of books, cds, dvds, maps + extra stuff.
it's been taking a week to get acclimated + organized + excited.

the k12 website software has the lesson plans + it tracks attendance, so i just have to read the instructions. she's breezing through the 1st courses, because she has known her alphabet since she was 2 + she's a webhog. her nursery school was play-based + we read several books a day to her, but we haven't tried to teach her to read. she recognizes a lot of words + she's so bright i think she'll be reading on her own soon. it's so exciting to see her learn + answer questions correctly. it's just as exciting as seeing her pull up to standing for the 1st time or take a 1st step. it's awesome too, when she corrects my spelling or that i'm explaining something incorrectly :)

the stanford kindergarten math module is a great supplement + it adds the extra challenge, because the public school math is not challenging yet. the stanford software adapts to her answers, so if she gets a lot of questions in a "strand" correct, it won't work on that area + it will work on weaker areas.

modern caravan :: mehrzeller 2008

2008-09-03T06:04:00.000-07:00

i'd love to road trip in this futuristic caravan
‘Every customer configures his own very personal caravan according to his or her wishes and needs, with the help of an online configurator. The honeycomb exterior design is continued in the interior: Each function has its own cell.’

education for whole being :: human ecology

2008-09-03T05:30:00.000-07:00

mod*tot is starting virtual kindergarten this week + i want to make sure i don't squander her precious creativity + talents of childhood. this video on educating the whole being by supporting daily dance, art, play + music as much as academics is a must for parents, educators + human ecologists.

"the purpose of public education is to produce university professors (who live in their heads-disembodied). public education is a protracted process of university entrance designed to meet the needs of industrial-age jobs, but now we're in a world of revolution that requires intelligence + creativity."

mod*mom back-to-school giveaway :: 3 student body gift bags $150

2008-09-03T01:00:00.000-07:00

mod*mom back-to-school giveaway :: 3 student body gift bags $150

whole foods has a new back-to-school podcast + they want to know what mod*mom readers think of their work, so they're giving away 3 gift bags of products mentioned in the podcasts this month :)

to win a whole foods market back-to-school student body gift basket, listen to their new back-to-school podcast, then leave them feedback in the "comments" + be sure to put modmom.blogspot.com in the “website” field on the comment form, to be entered in this giveaway.

+ please leave me a comment to tell me what you thought of the podcasts
before midnight tuesday, september 30

nursery school carnival

2008-08-28T06:17:00.000-07:00

mod*tot's bing nursery school carnival was so much fun! she played all the carnival games with her friends. they caught "fish", tossed bean bags, painted cookies, made hand prints, navigated the obstacle course, cakewalked, + watched the stanford marching band, with tree + dancers perform their loud + lively show. i used room&board big orange cantilevered umbrellas to create a subtle entry archway that looked perfect with the rolling green wooded campus + shaded the registration area.

giveaway winners updated this week

2008-08-23T08:33:00.000-07:00

i apologize i am way behind with picking + posting giveaway winners. i have been working on a tracking system to organize them + get them caught up. this project is very important to me, but is hard to manage in addition to being a full-time mom with ongoing physical therapy + doctor visits, + i keep getting distracted. plus i'll be homeschooling mod*tot starting in september. i hope to have the giveaway winners all picked + posted by the end of next week! i super appreciate all my pals + sponsors. thank you :)

illustration: julia's flickr

Sunday Streets San Francisco

2008-08-22T20:37:00.000-07:00

Sunday Streets San Francisco august 31 + september 14 9am-1pm
is a 4 1/2 mile route stretching from Bayview to Chinatown along the Embarcadero will be open to physical activity. this route will be closed to traffic + allow for biking, walking, jogging + physical activity of all kinds. it's free + open to all. travel the route + explore free activities along the way. explore new neighborhoods. exercise + have fun. try your hand at yoga or dance. bring your kids for special children's activities. run the bases at AT&T Park + more...

the 1st event is the same sunday as slow food nation, so we'll bring our skates + mod*tot's big pink jogging stroller + her skates + scooter :)

Slow Food Rocks Music Festival august 30-31

2008-08-22T06:41:00.001-07:00

Slow Food Rocks will bring together Phil Lesh and Friends, Gnarls Barkley, Ozomatli, The New Pornographers, Medeski Martin & Wood and G Love & Special Sauce and the John Butler Trio for 2 days of concerts coinciding with Slow Food Nation. this will be world-class music with magical views of the bay + Golden Gate Bridge from the Great Meadow at Fort Mason.

"in a rare, hometown appearance, Phil Lesh and Friends will headline the concert on Sunday, August 31. the latest formation of Phil and Friends, including Lesh (the Grateful Dead’s bassist), is Larry Campbell (guitar, mandolin, fiddle), Jackie Greene (vocals and guitar), Steve Molitz (keyboards) + John Molo (drums). Sunday’s other performers include G Love & Special Sauce + the John Butler Trio."

Slow Food Nation is sourcing all of the food + beverage vendors for the music festival, showcasing the best in good, clean + fair foods, micro-brews + wine. bring your own reusable water bottle, as Slow Food Nation strives to be a zero-waste event.

tickets for Slow Food Rocks are on sale now at slowfoodrocks.com

Slow Food Nation Festival of Food + Music august 30-31

2008-08-22T05:19:00.000-07:00

slow food nation victory gardens installed at san francisco city hall

Slow Food Nation festival of food + music san francisco august 30-31

saturday, august 30 11am–3pm + 5pm–9pm sunday, august 31 11am–3pm + 5pm–9pm $45-$65 at fort mason center festival pavilion

The Taste Pavilions present an unprecedented opportunity to sample the regional foods of America, with products from every state hand-picked by ‘curators’ who are nationally recognized experts in a particular type of food.

organized into 15 distinct pavilions within the 50,000 square foot pier at Fort Mason. each pavilion will offer 2 types of food plates, flights + snacks, + connect visitors with the artisans’ process via unique displays + demonstrations. Strawberries + cream will be hand-cranked into ice cream at the Ice Cream Pavilion; stuffed breads + pizzas will be baked outside in the tandoori + wood-burning ovens of the Bread Pavilion; quick pickles will be brined at the Pickles & Chutney Pavilion. The Taste Pavilions represent Beer, Bread, Charcuterie, Cheese, Chocolate, Coffee, Fish, Honey + Preserves, Ice Cream, Native Foods, Olive Oil, Pickles + Chutney, Spirits, Tea + Wine.

to provide a backdrop to the unique and delicious foods, the bay area’s most celebrated architects have worked pro-bono to design the Taste Pavilions.

the slow food rocks festival looks great + there will be lots of free slow food events around the city like the market place + victory gardens at the civic center. some downtown streets will be blocked off for san francisco sunday streets, a big free block party for pedestrians, cyclists, cyclists, hula hoopers... to enjoy the streets with physical activity.

dwell magazine conversations :: san francisco museum of modern art

2008-08-18T11:01:00.000-07:00

dwell magazine conversations :: san francisco museum of modern art
this is going to be spectacular! it's tomorrow night + i can't wait!
top design innovators give insights into creating modern products.
$8 tickets

fairyland

2008-08-18T06:42:00.000-07:00

fairyland
we went to fairyland + got a sneak preview of the fairy music farm.
it opens next saturday + will feature musical bridges + benches, fairy musician murals + organic food garden. i love the beautiful gates!

apple + social vibe help me “Stand Up To Cancer”

2008-08-15T11:20:00.000-07:00

please watch stand up to cancer september 5 at 8pm on abc, nbc, + cbs!!!

stand up to cancer is an historic event uniting the nation in fighting cancer.
if you click "join now" + register for social vibe, social vibe+ apple will each donate $1 to stand up to cancer, a telethon raising funds to conquer cancer.

then you have the option to make a badge for your blog or social media page + encourage your friends to join social vibe to support good causes.

Birth of the Cool California Art, Design, and Culture at Midcentury

2008-08-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

birth of cool :: california art, design, + culture at midcentury
if you're around the san francisco bay area, check this out!

StandUpToCancer TV Event September 5th, 2008 at 8:00 pm, ABC, CBS, NBC

2008-08-12T08:38:00.000-07:00

StandUpToCancer television event

september 5, 2008

8pm et/pst on ABC, CBS, NBC

stand up to cancer will be a history-making interactive television special, uniting the nation as it is simultaneously aired on ABC, CBS + NBC to raise money + awareness for cancer research, early detection + treatment. it will feature 50+ stars of tv, film, sports, music + cancer science.

Stand Up To Cancer is designed to educate, inspire + entertain. jennifer aniston, scarlett johansson, charlize theron, christina applegate, meryl streep + sally field (the flying nun! i was her for halloween in 1st grade) are appearing along with dozens of other celebrities + sports figures. segments on cutting-edge research, reported by network news anchors katie couric, charles gibson, + brian williams, will include intimate dialogue with renowned scientists who are making big, potentially life-saving discoveries.

p.s. i'll be interviewing many of the emmy nominated performers next month! yipeee! i hope i get to meet sally field + the performers from ugly betty, project runway, 30 rock, boston legal, dancing with the stars, the office, saturday night live, desperate housewives, house, conan obrien, jimmy kimmel, david letterman, jay leno, extreme makeover home edition, samatha who + flight of the conchords!!! have any question suggestions?

mod*mom giveaway :: whole foods market :: 3 boxes of eco-friendly back to school supplies $150

2008-08-10T13:16:00.000-07:00

mod*mom giveaway :: 3 boxes of eco-friendly back to school supplies $150

whole foods market wants to prepare mod*mom readers for back to school!
can you believe it?! it’s time to start thinking about back to school. in addition to finding out about classes, teachers, schedules + readjusting to waking up to an alarm clock, back to school is the perfect opportunity to embrace a more eco-conscious lifestyle, from shampoo to an outfit for the first day of school to binders, backpacks, books + lunch!

tip 1: look for organic + chemical free personal care + body products. for a complete list of chemicals to avoid, check out the skin deep database.

tip 2: incorporate green into your clothing choices for the 1st day of school. cotton is among the most pesticide-laden + water-intensive crops in the world, which is why purchasing organic cotton is so vital. eco-fashion can be everything from vintage to recycled fibers like bamboo, hemp, recycled denim, + even cork for shoes!

tip 3: when shopping for school supplies, purchase recycled binders + post-consumer notebooks + dividers, like those by new leaf paper (made in the usa + available at whole foods market). look into refillable or recycled pens + pencils, auspen markers, mainstream office supply stores + companies with green initiatives, + online eco-office supply databases.

tip 4: save money + trees by reusing + recycling reading materials! visit the library, research on the web, swap books + look for used books at local or online stores.

to enter to win a selection of fabulous eco-friendly back to school supplies, leave me a comment telling me your favorite "eco-friendly" back-to-school tips, before midnight, monday september 1 (back to school podcast)
(include your email address + your url, so i can contact you when you win!)