Cantelope Coconut Mocktail: My Post Yoga Martini

Yes you read that right,  a post yoga martini.  

Well kind of...

It's in a martini glass, it makes me smile, and i've had 2 and am feeling pretty spunky.  Actually i'm on my third as i write this.  Clearly i had to keep refilling my martini glass (i'm sure that's not the first time you've heard that) to see how many servings this recipe produced.  Three.  Three is the answer.  And now that i'm all fired up on mocktail spirits i'm running off to the farmers market to see what else i can whip up in my blender, pour, and sip on during this cleansing adventure.  Oh yes, i'm cleansing.  The summer has come and i'm ready to feel the best i can in my skin, in my body, in my spirit putting only high vibration food in me.  This mocktail is vibrating like CRAZEEEEEE folks.  I'm seriously about to leap from my seat, hit the ground and go running....and for those of you who know me well, you know i'm no runner.  So, here it is.  Get out your cleaver, your coconut cracking muscles, slice up half a cantelope, blend & pour, and get drunk on this super hydrating post yoga martini.

Cantelope Coconut Mocktail:

1/2 a medium cantelope chopped (remove seeds and skin)
Water from one large coconut (1 1/2 to 2 cups coco water)
Generous Scoop of coconut flesh (a few tbsp - i scooped out about 1/4 of the flesh)

Blend well and enjoy.  Makes 3 martinis.

Glenfiddich MOJO Honours List 2011 Launch @ HMV Oxford Circus

Phil Alexander on stage @ Glenfiddich MOJO Honours List Launch

Last Friday night 31st June 2011 saw the launch of the Glenfiddich MOJO Honours List kicking off with a free gig at HMV in London's Oxford Circus the line up included the fabulous Wolf People, Ivor Novello award winner Conor O'Brien's The Villagers and post punk legends Dinosaurs Jr. Not knowing what to expect from a record store gig was the overwhelming feeling, having not attend such an affair prior to this occasion.

I was pleasantly surprised I arrive to Phil Alexander on a stage. Introducing The Villagers, who 's lead man Conor Obrien sang his heart out to tremendous effect the band supported him superbly having good day on the notes and backing vocals, displaying exactly why they deserved to win IvorNovello Best Song Muscally And Lyrically Award, a truly heartfelt performance of strong material I would recommend the villagers album as a must have.

 

On to the main attraction that is the legends Dinosaur Jr. As J Mascis walks on stage to applause he makes his way to stage right pick up his guitar greets the crowd and immediately begins fine tuning his guitar and setting his splendid custom built pedalboard, and thus the acclaimed musician begins his music making the crowd is then hit with a wall of sound which is the melodic rifts of Lung to a very appreciative crowd. The set continued with In A Jar which was then followed by the chopping guitar rifts and melodic vocals of The Wagon. Next up was Pain, Heaven, Kracked Sludge and one of my all time skating anthems Gargoyle. A brilliant performance by this seminal band, an absolutely fabulous free concert!

 

 

Sudocrem in a tube and NOTD

I don't think there are many people out there who haven't used sudocrem at some point, whether for breakouts, cuts, grazes, sunburn, nappy rash, most people have encountered this product. I for one always have a tub of it for helping soothe and heal any spots, but the thing about the tub is it can be bloody messy! And also, a little goes such a long way that it was often just too much, so sudocrem have introduced this new 30g tube, perfect for keeping in your make up bag for any mishaps on the go.

When I first read about this, I wondered if perhaps the original sudocrem formula would be altered as it is very thick and I wondered how well this would work in a tube, but I can verify it is the original thick white cream we all know and love. This new size retails for around the £2 mark and i highly suggest you give it a go, its much, much more convenient and hygienic!

I had a little play around with my nails earlier (please excuse the broken middle nail!) and this was my rushed attempt at some nail art! I really quite like it, and it was so simple with a mac liquid eye liner.

The colour is from the OPI Pirates of the Caribbean collection and is 'steady as she rose'. I do like this shade, though i wish it was more pink and less lilac.

Mental Ray's awesome

This is a render test of translucency with the mia_material shader. It's a simple nParticle simulation with a bit of self attraction, reduced self collision and low mass, first instanced with a simple black sphere (for the actual seed), then converted to polygons (for the jelly bit). The jelly outer part is shaded with the mia_material. I tried misss shaders and the mib_glossy_refraction, but neither gave a result like that.

I don't know why I never bothered learning more about mental ray. Okay, it's not the most intuitive option and some of the connections can confuse, but the documentation is actually quite good and there is quite a lot of help on the web.

More important, though, are the results and man am I impressed. I spent the last two days playing around and reading up on some of the shaders and their capabilities. Then it only took me 10 mins to set up the shader for this test and (I think) it's already looking pretty good. The only issues noticeable are the little spots in the mesh, which are either holes (generated by maya when converted from particles to polygons) or the original nParticles poking through.

The rendertime was surprisingly low as well and that with FG and physical sun and sky turned on.

I kinda wished I would have realized a bit earlier how awesome mental ray is, but better now than never.

ATP's Don't Look Back. The Flaming Lips performing Soft Bulletin.

My Pass and Hand Backstage.

"Dont Look Back, the series that celebrates classic records performed as the artist intended you to hear them. The concept is ATP's rebellion of sorts towards the ever changing consunption of music and the ipod shuffle generation. " Barry Hogan ATP.



Wayne Coyne onstage about to perform.



ALLTOMORROW'S PARTIES Don't Look Back presents The Flaming Lips performing The Soft Bulletin at Alexandra Palace supported by Deerhoof and Dinosaur Jr, from that description alone it should be widely accepted it going to be a good show. The grand stature of this building is an ominous prospect for its cavernous size but alas not a problem for ATP even though this Don't Look Back show would be the biggest they have ever done, they really do know how to put together the freshest line-ups and fill venues.




View from the stage during The Flaming Lips performance. 


Opening the show was the one of the most acclaimed live acts in the world, Deerhoof performing the fan favourite 2004’s Milk Man impeccably, pleasing the crowd and fellow musicians alike with their fantastic live performance. The next act to follow was the influential post punk legends Dinosaurs Jr performing their 1988 classic Bug, an album which heavily influenced the early Britpop scene wowing the audience with their anthemic catalogue.



Wanye Coyne inside the SpaceBall.



Wayne Coyne take first steps onto the crowd.



Coyne far aways from the stage in the SpaceBall.



Then to the final act, The Flaming Lips performing the Soft Bulletin an album released in 1999 to critical acclaim, an album which ended the decade as one of the top three best album of the decade, alongside My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless and Radiohead’s OK Computer according to Pitchfork in 2003. The Flaming Lips gave a touchingly intimate performance, Wayne Coyne totally connected with the audience starting with a crowd walk in a space ball, fully involving the crowd then going on to give a truly emotion stirring performance engaging all who came out to experience. This brilliant live performance consisted of songs such as Do You Realise, Waiting For Superman and Race For The Prize. In its entirety the whole show was absolutely brilliant!



Premier Screening of Robot's of Brixton

Robots of Brixton from Kibwe Tavares on Vimeo.

Alas! the day is here for the much anticipated premier screening of Robot’s of Brixton By Kibwe Tavers and the launch of Factory Fifteen @ the brick box Brixton, a sizable crowd congregated around initially thought were “An Ok turnout“, as the rest of the crowd around corner the cornes it becomes clear to me that this event has had a fabulous turnout, the multitude were strong. A D.J is set up in front on United80 providing a great score to very enthralling scene beautiful people, food. drink and laughter, the bars and eatery’s in the immediate vicinity delivery delicious foods and liquids of your choice. The mood had been set for an interesting and enjoyable evening, the atmosphere is buzzing with smiles of joviality and anticipation.

Kibwe Travers

 

Kibwe is seen standing in a small clearing in the crowd looking slightly pensive, approached he is asked if he feels proud/pleased/confident of this eventuality? And he responds “ I’m not sure, no one’s seen it yet!, They/you might think it rubbish.” and reveals a subtle smile was it a little cheeky smile or nervous smile generated by the mounting anticipation of the impending premier of such a publicised piece of work.

 

Eventually the lights are extinguished and on to what appeared to be an artists canvas about 8ftx8ft begins a projection of the animations created by Factory Fifteen that we have all so intently wanted to view. In total their were five short animations, the first four of which were visually very impressive of those four a couple were very surreal although all were challenging the way we look at and perceive space, technology, architecture and humanity.

Animation Artwork Board: Robots of Brixton

The final animation is what people really came out to see, Robots of Brixton by Kibwe Travers a some what sci-fi supposition of the Brixton Riots of the 80’s dealing with the inequities felt by the Nubian population in the are at the time, but this telling of these event are set a future were autonomous robots are subjected to being treated in this way, in a word where exiting buildings become the foundations of what I could only describe as a vertical urban sprawl were compartmentally upward extensions are proliferated without regulation. An absolutely brilliant piece visually, atmospherically superb with a strong narrative, my only displeasure came from knowing the I would not be able to have the opportunity to enjoy this piece in a cinema over 158 minutes accompanied by adequate nibbles. Tisk tisk I will have to settle for a very pleasurable evening supplemented with good animated short films. I would do that again. Contrary to Kibwe’s earlier sentiment everyone thoroughly enjoyed his work judging by the solid 2 minutes ovation.



Animation Artwork Board: Robots of Brixton



Posted by Michael.

Happy 4th of July: Easy Raw Livin' & New Jane Jewels

Official Business - New Jane Business Cards!

Happy 4th of July Friends!  I hope there are some fireworks in your near future along with a sunny day, some bike riding, maybe a BBQ or two, and lots and lots of smiling faces!  This is one of my absolute favorite days of the year!  I'm a HUGE HUGE HUGE lover of fireworks and for me this day really marks the celebration of summer.  HOLLAH!!!!  Here's a great little Independence Day note my girlfriend Melli sent me earlier this week.  I especially like the second "D" I've highlighted for you.

 I     accept my unique preciousness, loving myself unconditionally
 N    ewness awaits me in every area of my life
 D    oubt evaporates as faith surfaces
 E    ach day brings promises of spiritual surprises
 P    eople in my life are messengers of God
 E    very moment is a gift from God
 N    ever depend on any person for your well being
 D    on't just spend time - invest it by planting positive seeds
 E    njoy your day/week/month/year/life
 N    ever say 'never' - with God everything is possible
 C    hange your 'thinking' - change your Life
 E    very demonstration happens in time and on time

 D    elays are temporary - be patient
 A    lways maintain  an attitude of gratitude
 Y    our first success comes after your last failure

I also wanted to share with you how flippin' AMAZING this month's issue of Whole Living Magazine is.  There is an awesome section with raw food recipes and beautiful photos (i've pasted a few below with links to the recipes).  Reading through the recipes, they are simple and easy for even the kitchen novice to approach. 

Sprouted summer salad:  click here for recipe

Strawberry Oat Bars:  click here for recipe

Zucchini Pasta:  click here for recipe

And news on the Jane Front:  Sculpt Fusion Yoga is now carrying my line of jewels.  All pieces are made with semi precious stones for their healing properties.  New business cards read:

"healing semi precious stones, femininity & sass, and a touch of glamour, Baby."

Though not on my etsy page yet, i do have a couple necklaces:

amazonite and agate

agate is known for it's grounding qualities and helps to dispel negative energy.  Amazonite helps to calm.

 And of course more danglers are online for your shopping, gifting, and wearing pleasure:

meredithgnau.etsy.com

meredithgnau.etsy.com

meredithgnau.etsy.com

meredithgnau.etsy.com

meredithgnau.etsy.com

meredithgnau.etsy.com

meredithgnau.etsy.com

my little vintage box of goodies

Sweet Treat: Rawlicious Choco Cookie Dough Bites

It's late June and summer has finally arrived.  While i'm looking forward to this July 4th weekend and all the BBQ's, decadent foods and drinks, bike rides, and socializing that's to be had, i'm equally looking forward to bringing in beach season (and my desire to feel my best in my bikini) by participating in (and leading) a 20 day cleanse starting the end of next week.  With that said....i have 7 days left to enjoy the richness of life (though i always like to keep it with a cleaner approach).  So for my last hoorah, and to inspire you how to clean up your fave cookie dough recipe, here's a great approach for a safe to eat chocolate chip cookie dough that never needs to be cooked.

Here's what you'll need:

a vitamix blender or other high powered mill (food processor or coffee mill - though you'd have to do the coffee mill in batches)
1 cup cashew pieces
1/2 cup gluten free raw oats (bob's red mill)
approx 3 tbsp agave nectar
approx 1 -2 tbsp water
cinnamon
vanilla
sea salt
a few handfuls of chocolate chips (or use cacao nibs for a full raw experience)

look at the right side of the image, just below center.  There was a little lady bug trying to be in my cookie dough photo shoot.

The Easy Peasy Recipe-sy goes like this:

Toss the cashew pieces and oats into your vitamix blender (or other high powered mill like a food processor or coffee mill in batches).  Grind down to a fine powder/flour.  Add the agave nectar to your flour, a dash or two of cinnamon, a tbsp of water, a crank of sea salt, and about a tsp of vanilla extract.  Blend again.  If dough is stingy add a little more water to get things moving, but make sure you keep it a thick dough.  Remove your dough from the blender, set in a small mixing bowl, and stir in a few handfuls of the best choco chips you can find.  take small spoonfuls to roll between your hands, place on a parchment lined plate and place in your fridge or freezer.  My batch yielded about 13 balls, though if i didn't eat so much dough in the process i might have 15 total.  :)

For a play by play of the recipe with images and other great sweets check out this blog in which inspired these choco cookie bites:  Love Veggies & Yoga

PEACE!!!

London Music Festivals

Festival Watch 2011






Hard Rock Calling 24th-26th June 2011
Hyde Park
The biggest names Rock grace the stage in this three day event
Bon Jovi, Ronnie wood, The Killers, Kaiser Chiefs, Rod Stewart
For more information and full line up http://hardrockcalling.co.uk/

Blues Fest London 27th -3rd July 2011
Various central London locations
Confirmed Acts Booker T, BB King, Jamie Cullum, Incognito and many more
For more information Please visit http://www.bluesfestlondon.com/

Wireless Festival 1st July -3rd 2011
Hyde Park
Three day event Line up the Black Eyed Peas, Tinie Tempah, Grace Jones, The Hives, The Naked and Famous. For more information please visit http://wirelessfestival.co.uk/

itunes Festival 1st July -31st July 2011
Round House
Expect to see Foo Fighters, Paul Simon, Linkin Park, Rumer, Cold Play, Raphael Saadiq, Adele and many other acts. For full event schedule and ticket information please visit http://itunesfestival.com/

Love Box 15th July -17th July 2011
Victoria Park
East London’s two day annual music fest. 2011 line-up
Beth Ditto, Sissor Sisters. Kelis Groove Armada to name a few
For more information please visit http://http//lovebox.net/

Festival of Yoruba Art 23rd July 2011
Clissold Park
An annual open air summer event celebrating rich,vibrant colourful traditions of the Yoruba’s. Expect live music, art, cultural displays and performances.
For further information please visit http://www.foya.org.uk/

Lollibob Festival 5,6,7 August 2011
Regents Park
The big festival for little people, expect to see kids Cbeebs favourites Charlie and Lola, Rasta mouse and key kids presenters. Childhood classics Roald Dahl stories telling sessions and workshops and music stages to keep little ones and parents entertained.
For more information http://lollibobfestival.com/

Sainsbury’s Super Saturday 10th September 2011
Clapham Common
A family festival celebrating Paralympic Sport in the lead up to the Olympics 2012. Expect to see UK stars Taio Cruz, Saturdays and Chipmunk.
For further event information please visit http://sainsbury.co.uk/supersaturday

Enter our competition: Win a family Pass to the LolliBop Festival 2011

An exciting three day festival, which will take place in Regent’s Park, London on August 5, 6, and 7, 2011. The festival is a result of a sell out two day event in 2010 and is now back bigger and better than ever before. Billed as the big bash for little people, organisers have secured an impressive line up of diverse attractions and activities, guaranteed to keep kids (big and small) entertained for hours on end.

Straight off the TV and onto the LolliBop live stage is CBeebies favourite Rastamouse, making his London debut at the LolliBop festival. Rastamouse, Scratchy and Zoomer will keep the little ones bopping with ‘Hot Hot Hot’ tracks from their debut album and cool, cool performances of songs from the show including ‘Ice Popp’.Other big name acts confirmed to perform at the festival, include Dick and Dom, Zingzillas, The Bopps, Mr Motivator and Charlie & Lola. And popular Cbeebies presenters Carrie Burnell, Alex Winters and Sid Stone will be joining in all the fun too.

Other festival highlights, include Horrible Histories. From Roman Britain to Victoria’s Empire, Britain has heaps of horrible stories to tell. It’s history with the nasty bits left in! Fans of The Twits, Charlie & Lola, The Chocolate Factory and James &The Giant Peach you will not be disappointed.
 
For all budding Einsteins, Science Museum Live is great fun for all the family to enjoy, with spectacular science and hands-on exhibits. Launch an exploding rocket, fire a vortex of air and learn the secrets behind some of the coolest science experiments.

There will be plenty of arts and craft activities, face painting and workshops, including DJ classes and pizza making sessions. Go karting, a football factory (with Tottenham Hotspurs), babyoke, stand up comedy and even a ‘gorilla enclosure’ all add to the LolliBop fun. A wide selection of food and drinks stalls are on hand to provide a welcome rest.

All of the activities, stages and events are included in the entry ticket price meaning parents won’t be in for any expensive surprises!

For more information, including ticket prices and a full programme of events, visit http://www.lollibopfestival.com/

In Partnership with the LolliBop Festival we are pleased to announce we have tickets to give away to one lucky family. 

How to Enter our CreativeHappen Competition
For your chance to win tickets simply answer the following question:
What is the name of Peppa Pig's little brother?
Closing date 12th July 2011 6pm.
Email answer to creativehappencompetition@googlemail.com
Subject Header: Lollibop Competition
Please include Full Name and Address along with the answer.

Term and Conditions -About the tickets
Tickets are non-refundable and can’t be exchanged. Winners will enter through the VIP entry gate and will be given a wrist band that will enable them to enter in and out of the festival on their chosen day. One set of 4 tickets is available - One guardian/parent must attend and collect the tickets and i.d. will be required to claim your tickets. The prize entails a family pass for two adults and two children under 12, or one adult and three children under 12.

About the competition
This prize draw is open to residents of the UK, aged 18 years or over, It is a condition of entry that all rules are accepted as final and that the competitor agrees to abide by these rules. A winner will be selected at random from all the winning entries. Winners will be informed by email within 48 hours of the competition closing. The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Maximum one entry per person regardless of how many answers submitted. The winner will be drawn at random from the pool of names on submissions. The winner may be asked to participate in publicity.
The prize must be taken on the day and no cash alternative is available.
Transport to and from the festival is not included. Any personal data collected will be used for the sole purpose of administering the competition.

Good luck!