Tangerine Home/Living Articles

Living La Vida Vegan

Hadrian Miguel

Published: October 5, 2011Posted in: Featured Articles, Health and WellnessTags: Be Love Farm, Blossom, Choices Cafe, Flore Vegan Cuisine, food, Golden Era Vegetarian Restaurant, Gracias Madre, Hadrian Miguel, health, los angeles, Mac'n Food Truck, Miami, Native Foods Cafe, nyc, October, san francisco, vegan, vegetarian, Vegetarian Awareness Month

by Hadrian, Life & Style Director

I love animals, just not for breakfast, lunch, or dinner anymore, nor for the snacks in between.

My journey to la vida veganista (& vegetarianism) has been a clear choice for me and almost seamless because of the exceptional choices and fabulicious flavors (minus just a few missteps when traveling and dining out). While it might not be an economic or unfathomable choice for most, it’s definitely one to consider.

So, open your mouth nice and wide and try some meatless meals this October to participate in Vegetarian Awareness Month. And—if you open your mind just a little bit, you just might find a great meal without meat in it a little more often.

Let’s suppose you’ve decided to eat less meat, or are contemplating it. Here is a list of some of the best, and highly-recommended veggie-friendly and vegan food havens from the left coast to the east and some spots in between:

Los Angeles

Flore

This Silverlake jaunt is a vegan resto that uses organic ingredients, and has tasty gluten- and soy-free options for those with food sensitivities.

A favorite of mine for brunch (and now din din), it also has a delicious and much more extensive dinner menu. The “Chicken & Waffles” is my go-to Sunday morning must-have. It’s lightly-breaded and seared faux chicken served atop potatoes and smothered in mushroom gravy…hmm hmm good! Other brunch goodness includes the “Classic Tempeh Reuben”, grilled & marinated tempeh served on rye with layers of cashew & tofu cheese, sauerkraut, and 1000 Island.

For dinner I’ve had the “Eastsider Tacos”, seasoned seitan on stone ground tortillas and topped with cashew cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and with a side of cilantro cream, pico de gallo, and black beans and brown rice. You must try vegan carrot cake and chocolate strawberry cake, they’re delish too.

I’ll most definitely be back to discover even more vegan treasures there.

Flore is located at 3818 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026. Hours vary, Mon: 11am – 4pm, Tues – Fri: 11am – 10pm, Weekends: 10am – 10 pm. Breakfast served until 1 pm.

Native Foods Cafe

Native Foods Cafe is a vegan restaurant designed to meet the needs of today’s discriminating, health-conscious diners looking for great-tasting food… both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Native Foods was founded 17 years ago by acclaimed vegan chef Tanya Petrovna and its success can be measured by its 6 locations in Southern California (and a 7th in Encinitas opening soon), 3 in Chicago, and in Portland, Oregon opening in November.

This is where I go for their delectable “Ensalada Azteca Salad” (with fresh avocado, cucumber and jicama salsa atop quinoa, romaine and Chef Tanya’s award winning mango lime vinaigrette and finished off with currants, toasted pumpkin seeds and cilantro), the “Greek Gyro” (thinly sliced Native Peppered Seitan sautéed with shallots on quinoa, steamed vegetables, and kale with lemon garlic sauce and hummus, served with grilled flatbread), and the “Chicken Run Ranch Burger” (crispy-battered Native Chicken, ranch dressing, romaine, carrots, and onions). Native Chicken is made from free range soy, wheat and pea protein.

They create their cheese by creatively blending cashews, sunflower seeds and other nuts to create textures from creamy to crumbly, and all desserts are dairy-free, cholesterol-free and refined sugar-free.

And while you’re there, do not forget the “Crispy Sweet Potatoe Fries” (lightly fried in canola and seasoned with curry), the “Watermelon Agua Fresca” (fresh watermelon juice with a touch of mint and sweetened with organic agave), and the “Chocolate Love Pie” (thick and lustfully creamy chocolate filling in a delicious spiced almond crust).

I’ve had almost everything here, and nothing has ever disappointed. This is definitely one of the best vegan places in Los Angeles!

And check out some other L.A. vegan goodies previously reported The Fast & The Savory at Tangerine Living.

San Francisco

Gracias Madre

Gracias Madre is serving 100% Organic Mexican cuisine in the heart of La Mission in my beloved hometown of San Francisco. Gracias Madre is vegan, and the menu is seasonal and determined by what is currently available at their organic (Biodynamic method) Be Love Farm in Pleasants Valley, California. It was started by Terces and Matthew Engelhart (of popular and renowned Café Gratitude).

Gracias Madre’s seasonal menu respects the Earth and her cycles and showcases local fruit and vegetables at their peak so that our food is fresh, vibrant and flavorful. They believe that eating local, organic food prepared simply and with love is medicine for both the body and spirit.

I love it here, it always feel warm, authentic, and well, home-y! I can never get enough of their Empanada (homemade pastry filled with grilled plantains, served on a bed of spicy mole sauce, topped with cashew cream), the Pozole (traditional hominy stew in an ancho-chile broth), the Tamal (stoneground heirloom masa steamed in the husk filled with sautéed zucchini and onions, served with beans and escabeche), Be Love Farm Peach Cobbler (served warm with Dulce de Leche Ice Cream) …and the cocteles (the sangria, mojito, and margaritas made with agave and soju are simply irresistable!)

They offer the non-GMO varieties of heirloom corn to make their handmade tortillas and tamales, and all of the cheeses, milks and ice creams are made using nuts.

Gracias Madre is located at 2211 Mission Street, San Francisco, California. Open 11am-11pm, 7 days a week.

Golden Era Vegetarian Restaurant

Golden Era was introduced to me by a good friend last year when I went home for a visit. A group of us ate there together and I was amazingly surprised how mouthwatering and lush the cuisine was…it’s one of the reasons I eventually became vegan! I never thought food could taste this good.

The freshly prepared vegan dishes feature the bold and delicious flavors of Aulacese (Vietnamese), Chinese, Indian, and Thai and everything is prepared from scratch daily and with only the freshest premium vegan ingredients…and no MSG, milk, or egg.

Golden Era is in the epicenter of the TL, the Tenderloin( or if you want to be bourgie, you’d say Tender Nob). So, by no means is it in a fancy locale, but let me tell you the food is downright ambrosial. What’s good is their specialty dishes “Happy Tamarind” with slices of soy “beef” cooked in sweet tamarind sauce and served w/ vegan chips, “The Queens Chicken” with soy “chicken” caramelized in sweet chili soy sauce and embedded on lettuce, tomato, and cucumber, and the “Pho” with Vietnamese rice noodle soup w/ organic tofu, soy protein, bean sprouts, and fresh basil.

Great taste and even better prices always wins… And, it’s so yummy too!

Golden Era Vegetarian Restaurant is located at 572 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco, California 94102. Open Wed-Mon 11am – 9pm, and closed Tuesdays.

New York

Blossom

Blossom serves organic vegan cuisine in a chic atmosphere, and encourages a vegan lifestyle with its principles and the 5 locations in New York which includes, their two restaurants Blossom and Cafe Blossom, two fast-food shops called Blossom Du Jour, and Cocoa V, their vegan chocolate boutique and wine cafe.

Blossom uses fresh organic ingredients from local farms and small distribution companies and all their dishes are animal free.

There’s many tasty eats here and the noteworthy standouts are: “Porcini Cigars” with hand-rolled phyllo filled with porcini mushrooms, almonds, and ground tempeh, served over a cashew pesto, finished with pomegranate seeds, “Seitan Skewers” with bbq’d seitan meat, onions and peppers, jicama carrot coleslaw, “Southern Seitan Sandwich” with spiced breaded seitan, caramelized onions, avocado, chipotle aioli on rosemary focaccia, “Soy Bacon Cheeseburger” with caramelized onions, tapioca cheddar, soy bacon, grilled mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, chipotle aioli on a sesame bun, and “Warm Spinach Salad” with tempeh bacon, crumbled soy filet, spincah, grilled Asian pear, and a citrus dressing.

If you’re ever in NYC, check out any one of their various spots…it’s well worth the trip!

Miami

Mac’n Food Truck

This is Miami’s first (and maybe only) 100% vegan eaterie on wheels that serves up a twist on soul food classics and where all cheeses and meats are plant-based alternatives.

Catch them if you can because the Soyrizo & Pepperjack Mac N’ Cheese is TDF, and the Pulled “Pork” Jackfruit Sandwich is my favorite, and the Sweet Potato Fries and the Portobello, Pea & Mozzarella Mac N’ Cheese are pretty darn good too.

All cheeses and meats are plant-based alternatives, and all of their sides are gluten-free, some soy-free & we have gluten-free noodles on hand at all times. They have a dedicated GF (gluten-free) fryer, as well as pans & cooking utensils.

Small selection of eats, but it’s fresh and mostly made to order, and the great price is well worth any wait. Since it’s always on the move, locations vary, check Mac’n Food Truck website for more info.

Choices

Choices Cafe is an eaterie with all kinds of Organic, Mexican, Americana, and Thai goodness…something good for all tastes, and eating philosophies. It’s located in the heart of Miami’s Brickell neighborhood, and recently I discovered this cute cafe on my last visit to Miami.

Here you’ll find some creative and lovingly prepared foods, made from fresh and organic fruits and veggies. The menu varies with daily specials and continues to grow and evolve, but they’ve created three menus to choose from “Soul-ution” with meatless alternatives to traditional foods like pizza, lasagne, burgers, and pancakes , “Raw-volution,” serves up wholesome raw foods like Pad Thai, a sprout salad, and “Evo-lution,” with healthier vegan meals like tacos, burrito, and salads.

Try the Tacos or Burrito with soy chorizo, so very yummy! I can’t wait to go back on my next visit to Florida, and see what other goodies they come up with.

What’s great here besides the great selections, but that everyone can individualize their salad, sandwich, burrito, juice or smoothie, or select from a wonderful range a ready-made plates of vegetarian sushi, rich salads and even vegan pizza if they want to.

Choices Cafe is located at 379 SW 15th Road, Miami, Florida. Open Tues – Fri 11:30am – 8:00pm, Weekend 9am – 9pm, and closed on Monday.

The Pump Up Sofa: The Eclosion

Peter Chan

Published: December 7, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags: furniture, home living

Here’s a sofa that you can pump up according to your mood. The zipper reveals a pop-up layer to mold into what your want to sit on. The Eclosion is project designed by Olivier Gregoire, NY-based designer.

Love the style.

Check out Olivier Gregoire’s portfolio site.

Singapore Shop Home

Peter Chan

Published: December 7, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags: asia, home living, singapore

This beautiful Singapore home was once a storefront building built in the 1930′s. Amy Long who was raised in the United States, Germany, Hong Kong and Korea have always been drawn to nostalgia. It was her dream to convert a humble terraced structure into her home. Quite beautiful.

Source: NYTimes

Perfect Holiday Travel Companion: The Scooter Luggage

Peter Chan

Published: December 7, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags:

Perfect Holiday Travel Companion: The Scooter Luggage

Here’s another way to beat the Holiday madness. Speed through the airport with this Scooter Luggage and leave the crowd behind. This mashup of Samsonite and Micro Mobility Scooter is available in Germany only. I wonder if riding this (or a scooter for that matter) in the airport is legal or not?

It’s a fun idea.

You can check it out at Micro Mobility.

Three Bedroom Apartment In Mumbai India

Peter Chan

Published: November 30, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags: apartment, india

New York Times has an article with photos of India Designer (Design Temple) Divya Thakur’s Mumbai apartment. The area was recently hit with a string of terrorist attacks but instead of relocating she renovated the apartment. Located behind the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower hotel the apartment is over a century old.

The terrorist attack had damaged the integrity of the building and Thakur had to restructure and modify the building. The apartment is a mix of modern and antiquity of India. It’s such a beauty apartment.

Read the NY Times Article.

Source: New York Times

Home Built Around a Rock

Peter Chan

Published: November 23, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags:

The New York Times has a story about John Carson, a New York City builder and developer who built his around around a huge boulder. He looked at 75 property before finding the right rock to build his house on.

He built his dream rock house in Margaretville, NY. Check out it out:

via NYTimes

Designer’s Temp Space

Tangerine Home

Published: November 17, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags: apartment, home

Interior Decorator Jamie Drake, who has worked for Mayor Bloomberg and Madonna, has a temp space while his new home at the Annabelle Seldorf-design tower awaits construction in Chelsea. Meanwhile has setup a temporary apartment in the same neighborhood.

Instead of living out of boxes he decorated the temp apartment with simple items that reflects easy living. The apartment has spectacular window view.

Source: NYTimes

UV Self-Sanitizing Keyboard

Peter Chan

Published: November 16, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags: sanitizing, tech

With so many workplace sharing computer workstations the chance of catching germs and bacterias are pretty high. Vioguard makes a self-sanitizing keyboard using germicidal ultraviolet light technology which has proven effective against the H1N1flu virus, MRSA, molds and variety of other other harmful microorganisms. The 50 watt UV light kills more than 99.99% of these harmful bacteria and viruses.

The keyboard is encased in a cool silver case that doubles as a monitor stand. All you need to do is press a button and the keyboard slides in where the UV light does its magic. The keyboard slides back out and it is completely sanitized.

It’s a bit pricey at $899 but worth the investment for a workplace to avoid the spread of harmful germs.

You can get it at Amazon.

Studio Mesila: Sustainable Designs from Tel Aviv

Peter Chan

Published: November 10, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags: eco, home furnishing, sustainable

Studio Mesila: Sustainable Designs from Tel Aviv

Studio Mesila is a eco/sustainable design studio that has created some of the coolest green ideas. The eco-design strategy minimizes the environmental footprint of the product by using a careful selection of the materials.

The materials range from fabric remnants, bricks, wood chips and recycled building materials from the streets of Tel Aviv.

We love the lighting designs.

Check it out (some of these you can replicate yourself)

Mesila Designs website

VIDEO: Holstic Dog Training

Tangerine Living

Published: November 10, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, PetsTags: dog, dog food, holistic, training

Check out the new video:

Interview with New York City Holistic Dog Trainer Bruno Mithout about the benefits of holistic dog training and food tips for your dog.

Eat Me! A Dog is Not Eco? How Green Should I Be?

Ziggy

Published: November 9, 2009Posted in: Ziggy's Doggie BlogTags: eco, madness

ziggythumb First, I want to seriously say Poo to Robert & Brenda Vale. They wrote a book that basically says having a dog is like having a SUV in terms of carbon footprint. Name of the book: Time to Eat the Dog! They are obviously trying to get some kind of rise out of pet owners but think about the message it sends to people who does not look beyond the headlines. Adoption would go way down and nobody does anything about spay and neutering animals. Don’t blame us for your irresponsibility.

But these headlines!

Eat my dog and save the planet?

Throw the Book at Dog Dumpers

How Green is your Pet?

Where do I start? Why don’t humans stop having babies? The diaper problem is astronomical in landfills. Why don’t you guys drink water like us? No plastic bottles. We as living beings have more rights to be here than an SUV.

Not to go on a rage, but it’s really the headlines that I can’t deal with.

Is my friend here green enough for ya?

How Green Should I Be?

I understand that the book is trying to get us to change our diets, less meat, but baby it’s mother nature. We are meat eaters. Instead of trying to change us, why don’t you stop all your own pollution.

Poo Poo Article on this Poo Poo Stupid subject

Tokyo Sweets Collection 2009

Peter Chan

Published: November 9, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags: japan, pastres

Yesterday was the start of the Tokyo Sweets Collection 2009 where top pastry chefs around the Japan gather to display their artistry in pastries, sweets and a fashion show. It’s a piece of art that you want to just eat up.

Check out the pastries as headwear. mmmm. Yum.

Tokyo Sweets Collection 2009 Website (translated by google)

Source: Xinhua, Reuters, AP

Beware of ‘Greenwashing’

Peter Chan

Published: November 6, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags: eco, greenwashing

Green is the new black and the corporations are taking full advantage of us. Okay, you bought the Greenworks line from Clorox and it’s been proven to be 99% natural but bottom line is Clorox the corporation will always be a bleach manufacturer so while they make ‘green’ products the other side of the manufacturing aisle still makes bleach.

ABCnews.com has a great article on ‘Greenwashing’. Greenwashing is basically duping the consumer into buying a product that is ‘environmentally friendly’ ‘eco’ or ‘green’ but without much proof or backup that it’s actually good for the environment. Currently there are no government standard for labeling a product ‘green’ so there are plenty of deceptive (some are right out lies) information and advertisement touting their so-called green products.

What about all those little labels with the green leaf, the three arrows triangle and countless other ‘eco’ labels? What does that really mean? Where’s the data?

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green+business fair-trade-label recycle

It seems like anyone can use any green colored label and claim environmentally friendly. But where are the facts?

Here are some examples of greenwashing:

Poland Spring claims to be eco because their new bottle uses 30% less plastic but the reality is that these bottles will be in landfills for decades to come.

How can Fiji water claim that 'Every drop is green' where's the proof? btw, Fiji uses much thicker plastic bottles to justify their higher prices.

This is the reality of bottled water.

Where do you think this will end up?

Freshly picked gum? Are you kidding?

Gas free? Is this really Chevy?

Changing your logo to green does not make you green. They sell gas, end of story.

Natural?

Greenpeace has a alternative site: stopgreenwashing.org where you can get more information and see investigations into corporate greenwashing.

Greenwashingindex.com is an interesting site cause it features the worst offenders in terms of greenwashing advertisement.

inhabitant.com has some great information on which product is actually green. There’s a series they do: Is It Green? where they distinguish fact from fiction (greenwashing).

Get the facts, don’t be duped! (We should really do away with the word ‘green’ it’s overused and undermeant)

Ode to 70′s Living

Tangerine Home

Published: November 2, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags: Brooklyn, home living

New York Times profiled the rental home of furniture designer Jason Miller, best known for his Antler Chandelier. He left his loft for a traditional 600 square foot one bedroom apartment. The 70′s inspired home is located in Greenpoint Brooklyn.

Source & Photo: NY Times

Modern Cabana

Peter Chan

Published: October 28, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags: prefab, tiny home

The San Francisco based company Modern Cabana manufactures these fabulous prehab tiny homes. Model range from $11,500 for a 10×12 cabana to $67,500 for the studio that includes kitchen/bathroom.

These are cool little prefabs that can be installed in 2 days pending local requirements. Installation and shipping in the bay area is inexpensive.

Check them out:

Check it out Modern Cabana.

Rewrite Minimalistic Desktop

Tangerine Home

Published: October 27, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags: minimalistic, office

Check out the Copenhagen design team GamFratesi’s latest work, the Rewrite desktop. It’s kind of like a work pod cubicle. Extremely minimalistic. This is only a prototype and not available for sale yet.

A Cinematographer’s Home

Peter Chan

Published: October 26, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags: home, los angeles

New York Times has a article on the Los Angeles home of Oscar nominated cinematographer Claudio Miranda. He paid $257,000 and spent $500,000 to renovate it. As a cinematographer lighting is extremely important to Miranda so a dramatic skylight spanning the ceiling was installed.

The renovated was done room by room starting with a small bathroom. Santa Monica architecture firm Minarc was hired to do the renovation.

Slave to the Card

Vincent Alston

Published: October 26, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Vincent's The Red PillTags: debt, Spirituality & Karma

Early in our lives we dream of being free, independent finding our place in the world. Little do we know that if we are not careful our lives have already been set up to live in servitude. Its pretty simple how its done and it starts when we are young with the bombardment of advertisements. We are told that the things we obtain materially will determine our worth and unfortunately we find ourselves following that belief without question. Not questioning things in life will definitely lead us to a place of hard lessons.

Last week when I was in New Mexico I was going to a drive thru when I noticed the master card logo in Spanish Maestro Carta and in an instant I found myself shocked for it became apparent to me that it did not mean that we were the master of the card but the card was the master of us then I noticed the visa card and suddenly realized it meant vise. I was shocked because the card companies laugh at how stupid we had become that we couldn’t see that they were the true wolves in sheep s’ clothing. When we borrow anything from anyone we surrender a part of ourselves until we pay our debt back. We in essences become a slave to that debt until it is paid back, for many that could be a life time of servitude and for what! Things that as soon as they are brought have no real value, considering what the card companies do which is tack on a hefty twenty plus percent, the objects brought are never worth the cost at the end. The curious thing is that even though people know this they are still inclined comment themselves to being a slave to the plastic that is used to determine the value of who they are based on a number. Well the difficult thing is coming to terms that we are not a number but spirit/ life which in reality is priceless and should never be given away for a few trinkets however once the spell has been cast it is hard to convinced the mesmerized that they are being taken for a ride. When the pen is in their hands they are unable to resist signing the dotted line. Once any of us has commented ourselves to a debt it is hard to think of anything else and our precious energy of possibility is absorbed by the companies that cant live without us. Yet has been able to convince us that we can not live without them.

When one is in debt it is hard to think of anything else but that debt if one gets behind the companies have no problem having some eager twenty something who hasn’t figured things out yet to call and try to school one who is late on how to be a more responsible card holder. Poor creatures, they don’t even know what they are doing or rather how they may find themselves on the other side of that phone later in life talking to someone who has just about as much compassion or apathetic they do at that very moment. What a unsavory job to have for it may give them a paycheck but it also create a lot of negative energy as well. The way things are set up in our society is to wave the carrot in front of us with the pressure that without things we are nothing, then it is easy for us to surrender into becoming slaves with a sense of normalcy and complacency to ones own plight. What we are offered is rarely what we end up with and for most the promise of happiness within it is always a mirage that is forever chased with little to no yield.

However it doesn’t have to be that way. Think about it we are life as it is us, we are not separate of it but as one. That means the same energy that flows through the universe flows through us. We have abilities that most will never discover in themselves simply because their debt wont allow them to see what possibilities lie within, in fact it is all set up that way. Our own incredible power is used against us we bury ourselves into position to be used for the benefit of others. Most of us are surrounded by things that aren’t even in use yet for some reason within an impulsive moment of blind consumerism we find items of no use occupying space that could have other useful means. Then there is the burden of responsibility due to ownership which makes us unable to move at times out of fear of losing stuff we really don’t need. All while not realizing the real treasure was being ignored by oneself while being used by those who understand its value and convince us to surrender it for things that ultimately have no value except for what the mind has placed upon it. I think as a consciousness we have the ability to achieve anything mind wants but before we can realize that we are already under siege from a world that places us in the haves and have nots filling our heads with wants and desire of things we never knew we wanted or needed. Our reality is filled with commercials at very waking of consciousness in this world. The programming is started early and very difficult to break but not impossible. Its easy to see that the mind is a programmable organic computer that can become anything even a willing participation in the slavery of the me, myself and I with its wants and needs. We are not even given an opportunity to explore the possibilities before we have already been given limitations so that we can perform at our function for what serves those who control most of the resources of the world. For many going this path is lonely unfulfilled yet amazingly enough very crowded mainly because of fear, most will never try to escape. Those who try are often overwhelmed by the magnitude of the situation and a sense of what could one person do. Well, a lot when you think about it.

See I was once a slave to the cards which was a downright frightening experience particularly when strangers would call to speak in a manner that not even my family or friends would consider. Yet Mary do right from bloom cage screw me good Idaho had no problem scolding me for late payments on a bill of a thousand dollars while asshole corporate suit and tie that loves money so much that they have no consciousness of the lives they destroy, gets away with stealing money from company and customer with as little as a slap on the wrist. The most disturbing part is that we take it, fist and all!

I say stand against these leeches, yea they don’t force us to sign the dotted line technically but psychologically they keep the thumb screws on with constant bombardment of our self worth based on what materials we have in our possession.

We should not surrender our life force over for so little when we actually have access to the universe and instead of thinking about ones own needs understand and be willing to participate in the changing our world that we have somehow forgotten we are a part of. We are not as helpless as we think. A lot of time its just pure laziness that is filled with a mountain of excuses but no attempts to try to understand. We have to carry some understanding of the powers that moves through us otherwise it will be hard to use them in the most optimal way in which they will be beneficial. We want the world to change then the journey begins with one understanding their place within it all and the possibilities that lay with the change of ones own perception. The problems at hand can not be solved if one is not aware of them. So in order to free the slave mind we must first know the mechanics of how we got to this point.

This world that we are in that has most of us dazed and confused started somewhere. The answers are all around us, so are the warning signs, it is up to each one of us to do the foot work to see the world as it really is and how instead of us thriving in it we are limited by our own perceptions. Its natural to want a better life but lets be real with all the promises and formulas that would guarantee success why are we as a country so freaking broke disillusioned cemented together with fear and unreasonable expectation . Why has the American dream made so many homeless standing in longer food lines, literally imprisoned within our minds that filled with wants and needs that didn’t even exist until created by someone looking to profit? Where is the fairness in all of this? Our brains are an organic computer we must learn to become the programmer of it least someone else will without hesitation. It’s a matter of being in control of ones own destiny or letting someone else. Happy journey!

The Eco Electric Bicycle

Peter Chan

Published: October 23, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Health and WellnessTags: bicycle, eco

You’ve seen them around for a while but it seems like the last few months the folding eco Bicycles (some modified to power by battery) are all the rage. New innovation in lightweight materials make this bike a must-have for the urban eco-minded person. A recent New York Times article highlighted the battery powered hybrid bike’s popularity despite the legal ban (of battery operated bikes) in New York City.

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The prices ranges from $600 up to the thousands (there are tons of accessories and add-ons for your bike) Here are some popular choices:

Dahon is the veteran in folding bikes. They have been manufacturing them for the last 25 years.

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dahon-ciao-p8-folding-bike

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New innovation uses your bicycle to recharge your devices. How eco is that?

Izip Electric Bikes Mods. These are the electric modified bicycles. They sell battery conversion kit so you can turn any bike to battery powered.

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Battery Conversion kit $299

Brompton folding bikes are manufactured in the UK. The style is pretty cool.

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Green Toys

Peter Chan

Published: October 21, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags: eco, kids, recycled, toys

These fantastic eco-minded toys are made from 100% recycled milk jugs and minimal packaging. Green Toys are manufactured in California. These toys are not the drab recycled toys of yesteryear. These are cool toys with cool colors. Check them out:

truck truck2

tool1 tool2

planter planter2

frisbee1 frisbee2

recycletruck recycletruck2 recycletruck3

Great for the holidays. They are available on Amazon and other retailers.

A Drop of Water

Peter Chan

Published: October 20, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags: eco, garden, urban

This water-saving device by Bas van der Veer called “a drop of water” won the prize for best project at the Design Academy Eindhoven exhibition over the weekend. “a drop of water” was designed to collect rain water in an urban environment. It comes complete with water container and tap to keep your garden growing all year round without the use of tap water. The device fits perfectly on a drain pipe.

3D model of the mold.

van der Veer started with the mold construction.

The mold is coated.

After the mold was coated, an epoxy gel coat was applied to the outer layer of the barrel

Several layers of fiberglass & epoxy is applied.

The mold is removed.

Final protection finish.

“a drop of water’ at the exhibit.

“a drop of rain” installed.

Check out Ban van der Veer’s other projects.

Pod Aluminum Planters

Peter Chan

Published: October 16, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags: plants

Check out these cool Pod Aluminum Planters from A+R Store. They come in 7 different colors, 2 different shapes and 2 stand.

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They look great indoors and outdoors:

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Here are some great combination.

A set of 3 planeters cost about $176 with free shipping. You can get it here.

Barnes & Noble’s New Reader – Kindle Killer?

Peter Chan

Published: October 15, 2009Posted in: Tangerine Home/LivingTags: ebooks, tech

Barnes & Noble’s New Reader – Kindle Killer?

Image of the new ebook Reader from Barnes & Nobles has leaked out and the word is that it’s a Kindle Killer. The stylish reader will cost less than the Kindle and will run on Google’s Android OS (which means that it will probably be very customizable).

The look and feel is very much like an iphone. But the name, it’s called the GAL. How awful? Maybe they will realize what an awful name it is and change it before it goes out into the market. Don’t know the exact date it hits the streets but I’m sure it’s before the holidays.

I want one!

Souce: Gizmodo

The Perfect Laptop Sleeve

Peter Chan

Published: October 15, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags: tech style

I recently purchased a laptop and the search for the perfect protective sleeve was harder than deciding on the laptop purchase itself. For protection I knew I needed a good material like neoprene, not standard black, and it was to be under $40.00. I excluded anything I can get from Staples or Office Depot.

Here are the 3 neoprene sleeve contenders:

InCase

This is quite the popular choice as this can be found at Best Buy, the Mac Store and apple.com. They come in different colors ranging from bright orange to stripe patterns. $39.99. Available everywhere.

Boob

These stylish laptop sleeves priced at $29.99 and available in a few different color combination. The colors are muted. Comes in tan, brown, black, purple and green with highlight stripes. $29.99 Available online and at selected stores.

Built

From afar these sleeves look super cool but upon closer inspection, I just cannot deal with the extra corner design. The ‘cargo’ version of the sleeve comes with pockets for your power cord and accessories. I almost went with this but the high price and bulky design made it a ‘no.’ $55.00 Available in selected stores and online.

I purchased the Incase but returned it cause I actually thought the Boob had a better style. The only slight downside is that the Boob sleeve does not come with any pockets for power cord. Fortunately the Macbook Pro has a battery life of about 6 hours so that was not much of an issue.

I went with the Khaki color with no buyer’s remorse. It looked great and for $29.99 it’s the cheapest of the bunch.

TSKS-KHG1s

MOMA Holiday Cards is Here!

Peter Chan

Published: October 15, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine Home/LivingTags: holiday

Every holiday season the MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) Store has some of the coolest holiday cards around. Most of the cards have pop-ups or great tasteful holiday graphics. When I was at the MOMA store today they had them out on display (already!).

momacards