Photo: eye of einstein

Movers and Shakers

• A big premiere, that I’m sad to have missed, happened in my old hood last week: Matador Goods contributor Austin Chu’s movie, The Recess Ends, made its way onto the big screen at the Victoria Theater in the Mission district (I used to live 2 blocks away). The film chronicles how the recession/depression has affected people all over the US, as Austin and his brother road-tripped and interviewed people throughout the 50 states. Check out their website for further engagements.
• Although the season premiere of House has come and gone, check out this video from the first episode’s gala in LA. Bridget O’Neill hosts and questions the stars of the “most popular show in the world” about the importance of social media in their lives. Filmed on location and edited by my friend, Joshua Johnson.
• I was in NYC a couple of weeks ago, and got *this close* to meeting Matador’s managing editor and ridiculously hard-worker, Julie Schwietert, in person after having worked with her via the web for the last six months. But then she had to go and have her baby the day we were supposed to meet. Fine, I guess it was a good enough excuse…congrats, Julie, and please take some time off!
• Love Carlo Alcos’ post on trying to get an interview with Jamie Gatto of 1 Giant Leap. Ah, the trials and tribulations of being a writer and editor, and attempting to get the types of stories you want done in this crazy, fast-paced world. Luckily, fate stepped in, as it often does. Looking forward to reading the interview on BNT.

I’m Salivating Just Thinking About It…

Wanna give a shout-out to the ladies at Babycakes in the lower East Side of Manhattan. I walked in there a week and a half ago and happened upon some lovely girlie conversation (of the deep, reflective relationship and not hair-and-nails variety), and they apologized to me as I was looking around. I quickly let them know they certainly didn’t need to stop on account of me – that’s my favorite kind of conversation – especially over some seriously good gluten-free, dairy-free, refined-sugar-free (the list goes on) treats. We then debated the highs and lows of kombucha (the Whole Foods in New York has it on tap, but I’m personally tapped out on the stuff), and how we as an American culture take everything that is healthy in moderation entirely too far.

Loved the atmosphere, loved the cornbread, loved the cinnamon toasty (later enjoyed in Central Park with some red wine and an old friend), but most of all, LOVED the donut with chocolate frosting. San Francisco, time to take notes (especially as there is a Babycakes opening soon in LA).

Things That Make You Go Hmmm…

• Undoubtedly, the thing that made me laugh the hardest this week was Tom Gates’ piece, The Five Worst Pizzas In the World. He says about a pizza in Florence with fries on it, and I quote: “Please, put this miserable, suffering beast of a pizza down.” Worse even, a pizza pie in Buenos Aires: “Toss on green olives the size of human testicles, just to make the whole thing seem even less palatable than…testicles.” Ummhmm, tasty.
• The second thing that made me laugh the hardest this week came from calls-it-like-she-sees-it-woman-extraordinare, Kate Sedgwick. Her new blog, Yes. There is such a thing as a stupid question, tackles topics such as “How do you use a toilet brush? (apparently, some of her previous tenants had no idea), and “How do you use a bidet?” (bottom line–do NOT puke into it). Keep checking this one when you need some good toilet humor (or other life lessons).

Holy Crap! They Are Finally Starting to Get It!

What alternative experts have been saying for years–that all autoimmune diseases have the same underlying causes–is finally making its way into the mainstream. A recent article in Scientific American about Celiac Disease states that, “essentially the same trio—an environmental trigger, a genetic susceptibility and a ‘leaky gut’—seems to underlie other autoimmune disorders as well.” Can we make the link that celiac, and at an even deeper level, gut permeability, is the true cause of autoimmune disorders and that healing the gut will turn around or even possibly eliminate these diseases?

It’s not as simple as “not eating wheat.” It’s about sugar, it’s about antibiotics, and it’s about stress. Save your stomach, and health, by eating nutrient rich foods and staying away from nutrient-depleting ones that trigger you, ingesting herbs that heal the stomach such as marshmallow root and aloe, and PRO-BI-OTICS. Do whatever you can to bring down stress in your life. Take some more probiotics. Bring down the caffeine and sugar.

Did I mention you should take probiotics?

Fall…it’s yummy.