A Beautiful Garden: Best Flowers to Grow During Summer
Summer is a very anticipated season. Come summer, everyone is enjoying the sun, the warm weather, the vacations, and the swimming. Not only does everyone love the beautiful sun, but the excitement of blooms of the season. Summer hosts a parade of colorful and blushing flowers.
Flowers that bloom in summer mostly come from tropical and subtropical areas. These flowers need a humid environment and a warm temperature for them to grow and thrive. Growing plants in summer flowers could be a challenge. Growing them in blistering heat could put harm instead of bloom when done inappropriately.
Thus, aside from giving them sunlight, it is best to know the other needs of a specific plant to grow in full bloom all summer long. Check the list below and be informed on how to grow and propagate them.
Fuchsia
Fuchsias grow in warm climates native to Central and South America. It is a shrub flowering plant, but some species are grown in small treelike species that make attractive plants in your garden, pots, or hanging baskets. The plant has a bell-shaped, tubular flower hanging like a ladies eardrop, thus the name given to the plant. The flower comes in red, purple, and white color with a double or single calyx and ruffled and wavy sepals.
Propagation of fuchsia is through its cuttings or seeds. Mature cuttings are directly planted in the pot or the garden. Make sure, though, that it will receive appropriate water, and sunlight, and moist soil. At the same time, seeds will germinate in about 21 to 28 days. You can get this information in the plant seed packet or check it from GardenersPath.com for detailed information about the flower and growing and propagation.
Coleus
Coleus is a popular garden plant and is cultivated as an ornament, but the ancient people initially used the plant as a medicine. Its root, which contains a high level of forskolin, is used as herbal medicine. Forskolin is used to treat multiple health issues like heart disorder, high blood pressure, and chest pain.
The plant was to treat asthma, dry eyes, erectile dysfunction, and many more. Coleus loves the sun, and it prefers bright but indirect sunlight. The plant’s foliage will give its lush when the plant receives appropriate amounts of sunlight, especially morning sunlight. Its leaves, though, have a certain level of toxicity that is harmful to both animals and humans. And it may also cause irritation and skin rashes to some.
It is easy to propagate coleus. You can grow it from seeds and cuttings. Cuttings can be directly planted in soil or soaked in water. Get a mature cutting and soak in water; after a week or so, you would expect roots to come out. Meanwhile, if you plant it on soil, get a mature cutting and ensure proper watering and enough sunlight.
Persian Shield
Persian shield or Purple Persian Shield is also known as Bermuda conehead. It is an ornamental plant that grows anywhere in places during the summer season as a houseplant. Its foliage yields a brilliant purple color in a shaded, sunny location. Its iridescent leaves brilliantly shine when viewed from different angles in shades of purple with impressive green-colored veins.
Like any other plant, the Persian shield can be propagated through its seed or cuttings. Just cut a mature stem about 2 to 3 inches in length from the tip of the mother plant cutting below its node. Use peat soil as a planting medium and mist it just enough. Roots will grow after about two weeks, and it is now ready to be transferred to a potting mixture.
Gerbera Daisy
Gerbera daisy is a bicolor flower with many color shades like orange, yellow, pink, white, salmon, and lavender, and its center disk has shades of light-bronze to black colors. Gerbera is a symbol of beauty and cheer believed to be due to its assorted colors. Its flower is composed of hundreds of individual cluster tiny flowers with a vase life of up to 14 days. Gerberas absorb toxins and emit oxygen during nighttime instead of daytime like any other flowers.
Gerberas track the sun, and it turns from east to west from sunrise to sunset. You can propagate the plant with its 6-inch stem with its tip dipped into a rooting hormone, then plant in a container and water it lightly each day.
Hydrangeas
To propagate hydrangeas, take a cutting from the shrub with a length of 5-6 inches long. Get cutting from the branch that has no flower. Ensure that the cuttings have their nodes for faster growth, dip the cutting in a rooting hormone, and insert into a damp sterile soil. Water just enough and allow it to drain.
Takeaway
The list of plants that bloom in summer is endless. But for you to decide which flower to plant, you can refer to the list above. It provides you with the necessary info that you need about the flower, including growing and propagating.
“Athena Jephson is a freelance writer and a gardening enthusiast. The current pandemic forced her to stay at home but in turn, made her hone her gardening skills and knowledge. Now, she is sharing tips and writing articles about it.”
Every year it seems like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day creep up on us faster and faster. Which weekend do the days fall under this year? Well, Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 9th, while Father’s Day is on Sunday, June 20th. There’s still plenty of time to get those gifts, and if you’re looking for some help in deciding what’s best for your fam, you’re in the right place!
Our Mother’s Day & Father’s Day Gift Guide for 2021 will highlight all the things that your parents are bound to love, and even a few that may be questionable. Who knows? You might find their new favorite drink! Whether you play it safe, or take a chance, let them know how you feel with a special surprise!
Food & Drink
Dahlia
If you’ve ever heard your parents exclaim that you would someday “drive them to drinking,” why not give them a little help?
Dahlia launched in February with its sights set on a new wave of tequila aficionados — offering an enchanting, modern and masterful Cristalino expression that can be sipped or mixed, day or night. In this 100% Blue Weber Agave Reposado Tequila, each drop is filtered through charcoal for purity and balance. The end result is a smooth, clean, true transformation of agave into art that straddles time by honoring the past.
Okay, so maybe helping drive your parents to drinking alcohol is a bit much — and who wants to see their parents get sloppy drunk, anyway? Well, what if the alcohol was replaced by cannabis? Yup. Imagine mellow mom and dandy dad — with the best part: no hangovers!
With 3 classic flavors and 3 relatively new refreshers, Cann is both light in calories, and in additives. Each Cann has a fast onset for a light buzz, and gets packed with flavor.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is known for a ton of health-boosting properties, but who ever thought about sneaking it into a soda? A carbonated beverage that’s good for your gut is too good to be true, right? Wrong.
Poppi is the replacement to your parents’ old-fashioned sodas — complete with all their favorite flavors! Welcome to the 21st century, mom & dad. Poppi, low on sugar (5g or less) and calories (20 or less), is good for you due to being packed with probiotics and big on flavor (which isn’t ACV flavor).
What’s a parent who can’t cook? Time for them to learn! Help your parents liven up their meal options with The Chef & The Dish. The Chef & The Dish features a chef from around the world, hosting a monhtly cooking class to bring together food lovers to cook, connect and educate over a delicious traditional dish, in their Wednesday night Supper Club classes!
If you’re not quite sold, check out tthe upcoming schedule, which makes a perfect excuse to spoil mom and/or dad early:
Wednesday April 28th- Empanadas with Chef Lucia from Peru 6-8 PM EST
Wednesday May 5th – NOLA BBQ Shrimp With Chef Gaston from Louisiana 6-8 PM EST
Wednesday May 12th – Mastering Risotto with Chef Carlotta from Italy with her mom 6-8 PM
Who would pass up the convenient opportunity to randomly drop by for risotto!?
Eyebrows, cosmetics, skincare, and nails are Underlining’s specialty, and everyone wants to look their best these days. Underlining is one of the most innovative beauty companies out there, featuring top brands like TatBrow, Hide, and Nailboo. The best part is that each of these brands are holding their very own Mother’s Day sales right now!
Dads and dudes everywhere have at some point struggled to find a deodorant they like — that actually works. Dr. Squatch has somehow found the perfect formula for long lasting freshness, refreshingly natural scents, and an aluminum-free product!
In addition to deodorants, Dr. Squatch has a line of amazing shampoos and natural soaps to complete a B.O. squashing trifecta that not even Big Foot himself could go up against.
You want the best for your parents and their health. If they aren’t already taking supplements, Ritual is quite possibly the one they didn’t know they needed.
With traceable nutrients, a vegan-friendly profile, and no artificial colorants or synthetic fillers, Ritual give men and women the best in what they need based on their age range and most likely nutrient gaps. Couple that with a minty taste, and Ritual is definitely an easy pill to swallow.
Imagine jewelry for mom, made to order. Chérie has you covered, so that bracelet means more than just something picked out at a store counter. What helps Chérie stand out from other jewelers is that this brand is Direct to Consumer — cutting out the middleman — and keeping your costs low. Check out some highlights and favorite pieces below:
This as-seen-on-Shark-Tank item boasts incredible benefits for (aging) spines like those of the mom and dad in your life. Jokes aside, we really should all do more to watch our posture and take care of our backs.
All33 created the perfect office chair for back pain, preventing the user from slouching, effectively moving all 33 vertebrae within the spine.
Do you ever wish you could be a super hero and watch over your mom when she’s alone in public? Thanks to Flare, this is more of a reality than ever before. Flare is a discreet, “invisible bodyguard” that can initiate pre-recorded incoming calls for exit cues, call 9-1-1, and alert friends and family when in danger. The bracelet connects to the Flare smartphone app via bluetooth simple operation.
Stylish and functional, Flare has saved lives, and helped women get out of unsafe and uncomfortable situations before they escalate. For everyone who worries about their mom, Flare is here to help save the day.
Ready, Set, Go: Don’t lose the Oscar party competition because you haven’t seen all the films. Here is an inclusive guide as to where to watch the winners
this weekend:
Best Picture:
“Judas and the Black Messiah” — in theaters (no longer on HBO Max); VOD release TBA
Marie Petulla, co-owner and visionary behind Pasadena’s beloved and award-winning Northern Italian restaurant UNION, Grand Central Market’s Knead & Co Pasta + Market and Red Jungle is excited to announce the opening of U Street Pizza. This chef-driven, casual neighborhood pizza joint, featuring New York- style pizza made with high-quality, market-driven ingredients from California, is located in Old Town Pasadena and opened its doors on Wednesday, April 14th for dine-in, pick-up and delivery.
Led by Executive Chef Chris Keyser – currently UNION’s executive chef and a protégé of Philly’s Marc Vetri – the New York-style pizza at U Street Pizza is an homage to the pies Keyser grew up with in upstate New York, but with a distinctly LA spin. This translates into a hyper-specific pie where the dough is fermented for over two days and made from a blend of artisanal wheat from Washington and Vermont, layered with CA-grown tomatoes, topped with produce from a veritable “who’s who” of local farms (like Girl & Dug and Wieser farms), and finished with 18-month aged Fiscalini cheddar used in lieu of traditional parmesan — all cooked in an impressive electric deck oven, resulting in the quintessential super crispy, chewy crust.
The pizzas are centered around classic, nostalgic pies from red versions like the housemade fennel sausage with Italian long hot peppers, bell peppers + fior di latte mozzarella and Petaluma piewith Petaluma organic mozzarella, grandma sauce, Fiscalini cheddar and California olive oil; to white pies like the little neck clams with garlic, Fiscalini cheddar, lemon zest, parsley + mozzarella; and with square pies coming soon.
Rounding out the menu are rotating seasonal salads like an red salanova, Weiser Farms baby squash, muscatel ranch and basil breadcrumbs, alongside their rendition of the requisite Caesar and chopped salads. In addition, guests can look forward to their arancini of the day (think saffron risotto and pork ragu), and sides like Japanese eggplant with Calabrian chili agrodolce, Spanish onion and basil. Chef Keyser and team will be spinning fresh soft serve and swirling in seasonal fruit in addition to housemade zeppole, risotto rice pudding and more.
U Street Pizza is aptly referred to as UNION’s “little brother”, as it’s located next door to UNION and shares a strong team that Petulla has curated over the years comprised of longtime beverage director and operators, David Castagnetti and Francis Castagnetti, and newcomer Logan Bates (Jon + Vinny’s) who completes the stellar front of house team.
In the walls that originally housed a Cuban choreographer’s dance studio, interior designer Andee Ferrer has reimagined the space to evoke a classic New York slice joint vibe, but with a modern, spunky touch. To strike that perfect balance of old and new they retained the original stained glass along with exposed brick walls and added glossy, glazed white subway tiles, copper light fixtures, and an impressive white terrazzo bar. The aforementioned electric deck oven anchors the space and allows guests to watch Chef Keyser and the team work their pizza magic. A custom, hand-painted mural by a local artist Eric Junker and neon art complete the space giving it a new voice within a familiar context. Additionally, the dining room and open kitchen is adjoined to a forthcoming event space with a private bar.
Ideal for families, pizza connoisseurs, and everyone in between, U Street Pizza will be open daily from 4-10pm for indoor and outdoor dining, pick-up, and delivery. Even more, they will open for lunch with beer, wine, and cocktails coming soon.
U Street Pizza is located at 33 E Union Street in Pasadena and is open seven days a week from 4:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. More information can be found at ustreetpizza.com or @ustreetpizza.
The drive to the Griffith Observatory is always a fun-filled drive. It is where Vermont Avenue meets the hills as one passes the rich homes of Los Feliz, the open spaces where the coyotes roam, the Greek Theater and up the hill to the Observatory. On a recent Friday night, the drive was interrupted by the twinkling of lights on the left—and a parking lot full of parked cars! Turns out, it was The Cinespia Drive-In at The Greek Theatre, a drive-in movie presentation in Griffith Park.
Make it an “Only In LA” event (an event that is popular but you need to be on some very hip list to know about it), but it looks like great fun. On April 17, the film Hairspray will be played against the backdrop of foliage and landscape. Here’s what we know:
Sat, April 17, 2021, 8:00 PM PDTDoors at 6:30 PM It is $45 per car.
Limit 4 customers per car.
Patrons must remain in their car, masks must be worn when using restroom.
Bring food and drink, no alcohol permitted. (ah huh)
Occupants of your car must be members of your household.
2020 was a lot on our brains. Life can also be a lot on our brains. How do we cope with all of the trauma, anxiety, and baggage so that we’re not weighed down? A few options may have come to mind, but it’s unlikely that you’ve ever thought about anything like this!
Introducing Field Trip Health, the groundbreaking company redefining mental well-being and consciousness through psychedelic-enhanced psychotherapy, recently opened its doors to Los Angelenos. We’re excited to share the news of Field Trip Health’s Los Angeles clinic opening, and highlight the revolutionary work FTH is doing to revolutionize mental health treatments using psychedelic-enhanced psycho-therapy.
Super exciting for frequent travelers — Field Trip Health now has Clinics opened in Toronto, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, and Houston, so far, with a clinic coming to Amsterdam soon! At the FTH clinics, legally administered psychedelic-enhanced therapy, mindfulness, and self-care are blended with a series of sessions with trained psychotherapists. Field Trip Health takes a step-by-step, medically-supervised, integrated approach using ketamine-enhanced psychotherapy to help people heal from tough-to-beat mental conditions like depression, anxiety, and trauma.
Field Trip’s forward-thinking and progressive therapy methods are revolutionizing the health-care industry as we know it, with the continuing embrace of psychedelics leading to a mental health revolution.
And, while you may imagine a clinic to be sterile, the clinic space is intentionally designed to promote the healing journey — clean, quiet, and alive with light + plant life, reimagined to replicate a nature-inspired oasis of peace.
Q: There’s therapy, and then there’s psychedelic-enhanced psychotherapy. How did you discover all that this alternative approach to mental health had to offer?
RDL: My journey to psychedelic enhanced therapies started about 15 years ago when I started work with meditation and metaphysics as part of my personal growth journey. (I was in the process of a breakup so sought support to help through that process.) But my interest in psychedelics was really piqued when I read Tibetan Peach Pie by Tom Robbins, in which he described his first psychedelic experience in the 1960s in a psychologist’s office. This opened my mind to the expansive potential of psychedelics. Fast forward a few years and my work within medical cannabis showed me just how therapeutic plant medicines can be. The combination led to the birth of Field Trip.
Q: Drugs typically make people feel good, right? What was the mindset you had when you decided that psychedelics were the way to go in helping treat mental health issues? Did you think it would be taken seriously from the start?
RDL: Drugs, when used therapeutically, can act as a filter that helps people tap into different levels of awareness. This is true about certain pharmaceuticals as well as plant-based medicines. I remember the moment when we decided to lean into psychedelics. It was electric. Everything in me knew that it was not only an incredible entrepreneurial opportunity, but also an incredible opportunity to create global scale impact. I had no concerns about being taken seriously — the objective data and evidence speaks for itself.
Q: Could you describe one of your favorite success stories?
RDL: I can’t speak to individual experiences out of respect for privacy, but we’ve seen incredible results both objectively and subjectively. Objectively, people’s depression and anxiety scores drop markedly and for an extended period after a journey with Field Trip. Subjectively, we’ve had survivors of sexual trauma report being able to see themselves as beautiful for the first time that they could remember, military veterans saying they’ve felt empathy for the first time in years. Powerful, beautiful stories of just how transformative these experiences can be.
Q: Based on the photos, it’s clear that FTH wants visitors to feel comforted from the moment they first step foot inside. What can visitors expect the process to be like upon their first visit?
RDL: Yes, we’ve designed all of our Field Trip Health locations to be bright, warm and inviting. The evidence indicates that set and setting (the preparation as well as the physical location) play an important role in the therapeutic outcomes so we’ve leaned into that very thoughtfully in the design of our locations. Similarly, we want people to feel safe, comfortable and supported every step along the way, from the initial assessments (to make sure psychedelic assisted therapy is appropriate for you), to meeting your therapeutic team, to all the information and tools you are provided with throughout the journey.
Q: Can you share a bit about why you chose LA as a location for one of your clinics and the main reasons that LA patients have for undergoing treatment?
RDL: As persuasive as the data is around psychedelic assisted therapies, we knew that it’s going to take time to challenge old stigmas and ideas around psychedelics. So we focussed on opening our first locations in cosmopolitan centers such as Toronto, New York and LA that have greater influence on social and cultural trends. Also, these cities are generally known for their progressiveness so we anticipated a more receptive audience. In LA, we are seeing people for a wide range of reasons but primarily it’s people dealing with the anxieties of a fast-paced life, as well as depression.
Q: What were some of the challenges you faced while creating FTH, and how did you overcome them?
RDL: Truthfully, as far as startups goes, launching Field Trip has gone as elegantly as we could imagine. For those who have been touched by psychedelics, there is a palpable desire to see legal access to these therapies and we’ve been able to tune into that momentum.
Q: What do you say to a doubtful reader struggling with mental health conditions to convince them why they should pay FTH a visit?
RDL: Don’t ignore your doubts! All emotions are valid and real and should be considered. But also don’t ignore information and evidence. Seek to be fully informed and I think you’ll find that the reasons that support exploring psychedelic therapies outweigh the risks and reservations. But ultimately the decision is yours to make and we’ll be supportive of you whatever path you choose.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
RDL: For anyone looking to get an understanding of psychedelics or what the process of psychedelic integration looks like, download our app, Trip, from iTunes or Google Play, or find it here www.tripapp.co. You can also learn more about Field Trip Health on our podcast: Field Tripping with Ronan Levy.
The Mexican-American entrepreneurial duo behind the largest independent mezcal brand in the country, El Silencio, has just added a new, bright and seductive Cristalino Tequila, to their portfolio: Dahlia!
Dahlia launched in February with it’s sights set on a new wave of tequila aficionados, offering an enchanting, modern and masterful Cristalino expression that can be sipped or mixed, day or night. A 100% Blue Weber Agave Reposado Tequila, each drop is filtered through charcoal for purity and balance. The end result is a smooth, clean, true transformation of agave into art that straddles time by honoring the past.
Made in Jalisco, Dahlia is the vision of Fausto Zapata and Vicente Cisneros — the Mexican-American entrepreneurs behind the largest independent Mezcal Brands in the World — known as El Silencio. As is the case with their award-winning mezcal, there is no famous face of the brand – the star of this show is in the bottle. Packaged in a captivating glass vessel reminiscent of a classic perfume bottle, Dahlia is created for the new wave of tequila aficionados as an enchanting Cristalino Tequila that can be sipped or mixed, day or night. Dahlia is available nationwide at here at a retail price of $39.99.
About El Silencio
El Silencio has revived the ancient art of artisanal mezcal, pioneering a unique approach and delivering the hand-crafted spirit to a new generation of creative drinkers and cultural innovators. El Silencio is made in Oaxaca, Mexico using the traditional process carried on by generations of Mezcaleros. Meticulously picked agaves are roasted, crushed and double distilled resulting in a full-bodied flavor. El Silencio goes beyond the bottle, transforming the ordinary and disrupting the status quo.
About The Founders
Co-Founder and CEO, Fausto Zapata’s affinity for Mezcal, along with the creative inspiration that came from both his love of craft spirits and a deep passion for the storied state of Oaxaca, drove him — along with his business partner Vicente Cisneros — to launch Mezcal El Silencio in September of 2013. Since then, Silencio has become the leading premium artisanal Mezcal and a focal point in the spirits industry currently being served in establishments across the Country.
Prior to Mezcal El Silencio, Mr. Zapata was a private real estate developer and investor with projects in both Los Angeles and Mexico. A serial entrepreneur at heart, Mr. Zapata has helped launch more than a half-dozen companies, many in the food and beverage industry, but also in financial services, media and technology.
Through Mr. Zapata’s leadership, Silencio has been a strong supporter of The Chase Foundation, LAPD’s Hollenbeck PAL, LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade, #PorOaxaca and Keep the Memory Alive, among other charities. A Mexico City native, Mr. Zapata resides in Pacific Palisades with his two children, Alexia and Adriano. In his spare time you’ll usually find him skydiving, rock-climbing, skiing, or trail running on the Santa Monica canyons, all of which are usually followed by a glass of Mezcal El Silencio on the rocks.
President and CMO, Vicente Cisneros, has been the creative force behind the explosive brand Mezcal El Silencio since the spark of its conception over seven years ago. Throughout the company’s thrilling journey, he has led the emergence of product design, aesthetic development, and marketing implementation strategies. He is responsible for taking a unique product and expanding it into impactful images that deliver a distinctly provocative, mystical and cutting-edge experience.
With over twenty years of expertise under his belt, Vicente has directed the company’s creative output by developing a unique in-house digital marketing machine. This powerhouse of content creation and production remains in constant pursuit of cultural innovation and imaginative evolution, creating an unmistakable image for a quality product that promises elevated design to consumers. Establishing a clear brand identity has been fundamental to his work and vision for the company.
Ultimate Ears (from Logitech) and Westbrook Media (Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith’s digital content studio) have announced a year-long partnership to celebrate creativity and technology.
The collaboration will leverage Westbrook Media’s creator-driven, innovative storytelling approach by using short films to bridge traditional entertainment with branded content that puts the product at the center of the story. The first project from this partnership will feature Jaden and Willow Smith and focus on the recently launched UE FITS, the world’s first truly wireless earphones with instant custom-fit.
Logitech has made strides in honoring creators this year and, most recently, the brand partnered with TikTok by reimagining the award show experience with its first-ever Logitech Song Breaker Awards, celebrating top creators who changed the face of music in 2020. Ahead of his exclusive performance at the awards, 24KGoldn tried on a pair UE FITS himself.
About Ultimate Ears
Ultimate Ears redefined wireless earphones by recognizing that each person’s ear is unique, and consumers should not have to conform to standard tip sizes of small, medium and large. With Lightform technology, UE FITS mold to fit each person’s ears in under 60 seconds to deliver all-day comfort and an exceptional audio experience. This creative collaboration between Ultimate Ears and Westbrook Media shares this same spirit of innovation and inclusivity.
In addition to the UE FITS campaign, Ultimate Ears will also be participating in Creator Days with Westbrook, where it links talent with digital native creators to produce original social content.
In the summer of 2019, while in Madison, Wisconsin, Shona Gupta went swimming in a lake. Right after her swim, Shona developed an angry red rash on her face and quickly went in search of something to put on her skin to help calm it down. There weren’t many store options to choose from, and Shona landed up with some topical CBD oil. Although she says the oil smelled bad, the efficacy of the CBD oil blew her away. Of Indian heritage, and with a lineage of fabulous skin, Shona started thinking.“Since my grandmother and my mother had great skin, I wanted to include their skincare regime into Western culture. I wanted to put Indian Beauty on the map and make a unique combination of Indian wisdom and CBD science.”
And thus, by the summer of 2020, Shona had launched a new beauty brand—Maharindee. In Hindi, “Maha” means great and Indira (which Shona abbreviated to Indee) means beauty. Indee also represents an independent spirit.
When I came across The Change Maker, I was skeptical as I have sensitive skin with a tendency to Rosacea flare ups. I was worried this product might aggravate my skin. The very opposite happened. The Change Maker, which is an oil (and oil is recommended for Rosacea, so I only use oil to moisturize) made my skin feel silky soft and calmed down the red. I love it! Both products are non-comedogenic, and good for all skin types, probably because they’re made with centuries-old Indian skincare ingredients including amla fruit, argan kernel, bergamot, lemon, ylang ylang, fennel, and lavender, as well as natural plant-based super stars such as vitamins B5, B3, E and C. And to top it off, Maharindee products contain 100mg of broad-spectrum CBD which brings its extraordinary antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory response. FREE of toxins, sulfates, parabens, mineral oils, phthalates, soy, gluten, SLS/SLES, Formaldehyde, aluminum, fragrance, and artificial dyes, the CBD is non GMO, grown without pesticides, and farmed with organic practices in Minnesota.
Sounds good to me.
THE CHANGE MAKER
Super Serum $70
Each transformative drop nourishes skin with a powerful blend of pure CBD oil and vitabotanicals to calm, correct, brighten, and balance.
For a limited time you can get all 3 products for $165 and SoCal Magazine readers can get a further 20% off. Use the code SoCal20 when ordering.
Maharindee also gives back and believes that beauty, business, and doing good, are not mutually exclusive. That’s why they donate a percentage of every purchase to organizations that advocate for girls and women. Maharindee currently supports Room to Read’s “Girl’s Education Program,” an organization that helps adolescent girls around the world stay in school by promoting girl-friendly learning environments.
THE BELIEVER
Face Moisturizer $65
A super absorbant, anti-oxidant, rich blend of vitamins C, E, B5, B3 and pure CBD oil – magically plumps and hydrates, restoring a radiat youthful glow to the skin
Our/Los Angeles vodka, led by distiller Anton Van DerWoude and located in the arts district of downtown Los Angeles, recently partnered with artist Ruben Rojas best known for his “love” artwork to spread the message of “Live Through Love”. This collaboration saw the creation of a custom designed label on its 750ml bottle and retails at $20.99.
The collaboration also includes a street mural by Ruben in downtown Los Angeles with a donation made to benefit Beautify Earth, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and international movement that creates impactful murals in neglected areas by engaging with brands, cities, developers, small businesses, neighborhood organizations, schools, and individuals. This will be the second initiative as a part of Our/Los Angeles’ LA Spotlight campaign partnering with different Angelenos each month for social good.
You can purchase the first edition Ruben Rojas x Our/Los Angeles collaboration bottle at Simon’s Provisions (Venice Beach) and Flask (Highland Park).
Wine has been used to cook amazing dishes for a long, long time. The Romans were known for including wine in sauces, braises, and stews. The French make Coq au Vin, the Italians have risotto and chicken marsala, and the Japanese use sake for all kinds of dishes.
Food and wine paired or cooked together can be a dream come true. Whether the wine is from your favorite winery or from your local grocery store, a little bit of wine can add a lot of complexity to a dish.
What Is the Difference Between Cooking Wine and Table Wine?
Cooking wine is different than your average bottle of wine. This wine was never meant to be drunk, but it was meant to be included as an ingredient in cooking. Cooking wine has salt and other preservatives that extend the shelf life of the product and keep it from spoiling. These small additions allow it to legally be sold at grocery stores, but you wouldn’t want to drink it. This also means that when you open a bottle, it can be used for a long long time. Unless you’re running a restaurant, you’d never need to buy a whole case of cooking wine.
But let’s say a recipe calls for cooking wine and you don’t have any on hand. You can substitute almost any leftover wine you have in a recipe as long as you stay close to the flavor profile and color called for. Substituting red wine for white wine can have a significant impact depending on the dish, but if you are an adventurous cook, it could be a fun journey. Fortified wines, like dry vermouth or dry sherry, are other good options for cooking as the high alcohol content preserves them from going bad.
It should be noted that there is contention in the cooking community, and some chefs think that using leftover wine (or bad wine) is fine, whereas others disagree and call for only the finest in their dishes. We think this is a somewhat silly argument when the wine is being cooked (as opposed to being used as a final topping). Heat exposure will destroy much of the wine’s flavor, such as tannins or those imparted by oak barrels. So we wouldn’t ever recommend cooking with expensive wine.
Uses for Wine in Cooking
There are so many applications for how we can use wine when we cook. Wine brings acidity, sweetness, and flavor to a dish which enhances the complexity and makes a better final product.
Marinades
Marinating meat or vegetables in wine, herbs, vinegar, and other flavoring agents, is a great way to ensure what you cook is flavorful and retains some moisture in the cooking process. A good rule of thumb is to use one cup of wine for every cup of oil in a marinade.
Stocks
Stocks are used as bases for soups and grains and can be much more flavorful when accompanied by the right type of wine.
Braising
Roasting meats in a liquid base (especially when flavored by good wine) creates a robust flavor and tender finale for a dinner entree.
Deglazing
Wine can be poured into a hot pan that has been used for searing or for braising, to help loosen what has stuck to the pan (called the fond). This is the base for many pan sauces which are the foundations of French cooking.
Poaching
Fruit can be cooked in wine to form the base of many Italian desserts, or poached fruits can be used to form the filling for pies.
Floats
Simply pouring a bit of sweet wine over the top of ice cream or other cool desserts is a delicious way to finish a meal.
How to Use Wine in Cooking
Some Dishes Featuring Specific Wine Varietals
If a recipe calls for cooking wine a table wine will suffice, but the reverse is not always true. Different wines bring different flavor profiles, and sometimes when a recipe calls for a dry white wine, a Marsala will not cut it.
We wanted to list a few dishes that are either closely associated with a certain wine, or are a particularly good use for a varietal.
Pinot Noir: A good pinot is earthy, but still has good forward fruit. We would love to pair this with braised meats and mushrooms or maybe roasted duck breast. Pinot is also a good candidate for making a rich pan sauce — with pork chops, for example.
Chardonnay: The buttery full-bodied Chards will be a great addition to a coq au vin blanc. It could also be used to make a beurre blanc, a delicious butter and wine mixture that can be spooned over vegetables and other meats.
Sauvignon Blanc: Sauvignon blanc typically doesn’t carry heavy flavors that will overwhelm lighter dishes, so we would recommend cooking the sauvignon into a cream sauce or with seafood dishes.
Riesling: Riesling has many different flavors that can show through depending on how it is made, but look to classic German and Alsatian dishes. Pâté in a riesling jelly is a classic, as is chicken braised in riesling and cream.
Pinot Grigio: The lightness of pinot grigio will be very helpful for seafood dishes and could be used to poach light, Mediterranean fish with olive oil. Served over pasta, the pinot grigio flavored cooking liquid makes a delicious sauce.
Zinfandel: The big fruit flavors of zinfandel work well with gamey dishes. Think about cooking venison or wild boar and using zinfandel to make a pan sauce.
Merlot: We love the flavors of duck breast and merlot. Make a rich, buttery pan sauce to accompany it.
Cabernet Sauvignon: Risotto tinted with a dry red like cabernet is a great side dish that can be paired with pan-seared scallops or roasted chicken.
Chianti: Classic pairings for cooking with Chianti include lamb, boar, and offal all braised in rich Chianti.
Syrah: Syrah is another wine that is great for making pan sauces and braises. We really love it as a pan sauce that gets spooned over grilled red meats.
Sparkling Wine: Sparkling wine (and particularly champagne) is a classic addition to a lot of desserts. Truffles, mousses, and foams can be pepped up with a little bit of sparkling wine.
Vermouth: Vermouth is a classic cooking ingredient due to its high acidity, and can be used as a base for sauces and braises. We would recommend trying it in chicken Provençal.
Madeira: Madeira can be a magical addition to dishes, and works particularly well with gamey flavors. It can make great sauces for game birds and it is an integral part of making some types of cake.
Sherry: Sherry is used to add acidity to many glazes (for desserts or savory dishes) and makes an incredible vinaigrette.
Amidst nutrition facts, ingredient lists and dietary claims on food packages, the term organic might seem like just one more thing to decipher at the grocery store. Are those organic eggs and carrots really worth the extra few bucks?
Well, from a physical health standpoint, eating organics won’t make a noticeable difference in your physique. Unfortunately, the media tends to focus on this point, alone, causing many people to overlook organics. Yet, organically grown food can make a big difference in your mental health and overall sense of wellbeing.
What Is Organic Food?
Organic food includes plants and animals that were produced without harmful pesticides, fertilizers, GMOs, antibiotics or hormones. Instead, farmers rely on biological fertilizers and eco-friendly pest management practices to produce a healthy crop and fertile soil year after year. They also use environmentally friendly production practices like water management, no-till farming and habitat maintenance. In doing so, organic farmers enhance the ecosystem and promote biodiversity.
To gain organic certification, a farmer submits an organic system plan to an accredited certifier and undergoes an inspection each year. Farmers must also meet animal health welfare standards, keep a detailed record of all products and abide by all rules that the National Organic Program has put in place to maintain their certification.
Pesticides and Mental Health
Nearly 47% of U.S. adults will battle a mental illness at some point in their lives, and 18% of the population suffers from anxiety each year. In many cases, lifestyle changes, major events and even chemical imbalances in the brain can cause anxiety. However, what you put in your body can also increase your risk of developing this debilitating disorder.
Many conventional farmers use fertilizers and organic insecticide pesticides like organophosphates to protect their crops. Despite some differences, all organophosphates inhibit acetylcholinesterase. This enzyme is responsible for clearing chemicals that transmit signals between brain cells and other parts of the body. If this acetylcholinesterase doesn’t do its job, the pesticide can disrupt the central nervous system.
Over the past few decades, researchers have discovered a link between organophosphates and neuropsychiatric disorders. Some of the most striking evidence comes from instances of short-term, high-level exposure in agricultural workers, veterans of the Gulf War and civilians in the Sarin gas attack on a Tokyo subway. Each of these groups of people have shown high incidences of depression, anxiety, and related neurological impairments.
Now, many scientists surmise that long-term, low-level exposure to this compound can play a role in disorders like anxiety and depression as well. Therefore, eating foods free of these toxic compounds can minimize your risk of developing these mental illnesses.
Which Organics Are Best?
Because organic foods are free of anxiety-inducing pesticides, fertilizers, and insecticides, they can potentially help with anxiety. However, if you don’t want to commit to a fully organic diet, buy foods that will give you the best bang for your buck.
The following foods are especially beneficial for those looking to ease anxiety and live a happy, healthy life.
Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts are high in selenium, which can reduce inflammation, a common symptom of anxiety. They also contain other antioxidants like vitamin E that can effectively treat anxiety and potentially prevent depression in some people. Consume three to four brazil nuts or no more than 400 micrograms of selenium per day to get 100% of your daily intake.
Eggs
Researchers have begun to link vitamin D deficiency to mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Luckily, you can boost your intake of this essential vitamin by consuming more eggs. Eggs also contain tryptophan, an amino acid that creates serotonin. This chemical neurotransmitter helps regulate mood and can even relieve anxiety.
Dark Chocolate
Although it’s unclear how dark chocolate reduces stress but, experts have found that cocoa can improve mood. Like eggs, chocolate contains high levels of tryptophans. Plus, dark chocolate contains magnesium, an essential nutrient that may reduce symptoms of depression. Aim for 70% or more cocoa when choosing a dark chocolate to reap the most benefits — and minimize sugar intake.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea also works to reduce inflammation and relax the body. It’s also similar to chocolate in that it contains flavonoids, which can reduce anxiety symptoms. The herbal remedy contains antioxidants as well, which help to prevent cell damage and treat mental illnesses like anxiety.
Yogurt
Fermented foods like Greek yogurt can benefit natural gut bacteria and reduce chronic inflammation, a condition that may be partly responsible for anxiety, stress and depression. Look for organic brands that contain living bacteria to really give your brain a boost.
Managing Anxiety Holistically
Of course, eating whole, organic foods can do wonders for your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. However, the best way to treat anxiety is with a holistic approach. Treat the whole body to sunshine, fresh air, movement, and meditation. Practice mindfulness, start a gratitude journal, or try traditional Chinese medicine. When paired with a healthy, organic diet, natural remedies can help ease your mind and minimize symptoms of anxiety.
The drive to the Griffith Observatory is always a fun-filled drive. It is where Vermont Avenue meets the hills as one passes the rich homes of Los Feliz, the open spaces where the coyotes roam, the Greek Theater and up the hill to the Observatory. On a recent Friday night, the drive was interrupted by the twinkling of lights on the left—and a parking lot full of parked cars! Turns out, it was The Cinespia Drive-In at The Greek Theatre, a drive-in movie presentation in Griffith Park.
Ronan Levy at Mastermind Talks 2014 in Toronto, Ontario. ©2014 Mark Adams www.MarkAdamsPhoto.com
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