backyard beauty

check out photojournalist peter bennett's new blog, citizen of the planet.  he takes us through a journey of what he sees around him in los angeles and promises to entertain while educating us.  his images are stunning and remind me of the beauty around me as well as my place in this natural world.  thanks peter!

peter documented the junk raft that navigated from long beach to hawaii which took 10 weeks plus making the boat out of 15,000 plastic bottles and an airplane fuselage.

he also captured the LA river expedition in 2008 to help spread awareness that there's even a 55 mile river running through LA and that it's not protected by the EPA because they deem is not navigable.  LA was settled here because of this river.  imagine a thriving river for which LA is known, something of which we are proud rather than being embarrassed.

did you know LA has a 51mi river?

do you know where this is?

if you said Los Angeles, you're right! LA actually has a 51mi. river running through it yet it's not protected by the EPA (the army corps of engineers says it's not navigable yet kayakers float down it), it's lined with concrete, none of the water is captured for the city and many locals think it's part of the sewer! learn about this river, the current political situation surrounding it, and its potential to be the brightest star in LA from a stunning documentary, 'rock the boat'. check out 'rock the boat's facebook page too!

how healthy is your home?

for those who are following my blogs and tweets regularly probably know that i love q collection for for their exquisite eco-friendly furnishings. they just sent me an email with shocking information. ABC News' reported that products on american store shelves now contain 89,000 chemicals! many of these have proven to increase the risk of cancer, neurological disorders or reproductive defects! why is this possible? the EPA is virtually powerless to regulate these chemicals due in part to lobbying by the chemical manufacturers.

however, a new senate bill, powered in part by dow and dupont, is pushing for the reform of outdated chemical regulations and is expected to be introduced soon and then would need to be passed. until we know that our laws are protecting our health, it is up to us to know how things are made and the impact it has on the people who make them and the environment so that we can make healthy choices.

q collection's primary goal is to eliminate all toxic chemicals. for example, their furniture is free of formaldehyde and polyurethane. their fabrics are printed with low-impact, heavy metal-free dyes. this fabric is durable enough for commercial applications and was used as welting on the chairs in sea wellness spa at casa del mar.