photo/journal

February

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 09:25:53 -0800

highlights from the holidays

Wed, 4 Jan 2012 07:47:54 -0800

three sons home for two weeks.

burned candles and had a fire every night.

shopped for groceries daily and cooked every night.

people sleeping on every couch, the outdoor bed and even sparkie the camper.

lots and lots of laughing.

went to bed exhausted every night and slept as late as duke would allow.

christmas day hike through the tunnel to the beach.

jimmy cooking almost 300 latkes over three nights.

evenings gathering around the swedish candle fire.

the nikon d3000 my sons gave me.

lost 5 lbs. eating the cathy “carbs & sugar” diet ; )

lots of sunshine.

friends coming and going.

kathy’s 65th birthday dinner and her big glorious family.

jimmy home and not working.

irma & meggyn.

love. love. love.

stuff we make

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 13:34:56 -0800

i love finding treasures and repurposing them for a contemporary use.

the candy tins were found in a brocante outside of albi, france. it so much fun coming across those and bargaining for the lot of 80 or so. my friends kaari and molly got half and i bought the other half.

another item i scour france for are the hand embroidered lingerie/silver bags. stacy sews them into these fab rice filled heat therapy sacks. pop them into the microwave for a few minutes and ahhhh.

I dyed with the muslin totes with the infamous woad last summer and the hand sewn appliqués were discovered at a brocante in cassaude, france.

stacy’s sister shelley makes the soy gemstone candles, as well as hand paints the matchboxes.

the garlands are fastened from a vast collection of vintage handkerchieves, matched with vintage ribbons found mostly in france and lovingly sew by stacy.

such joy!

Another Year Another Tree

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 08:09:58 -0800

Another miracle. Tree finished. I get all warm and fuzzy when I walk into the living room and see that tree.

Cottages & Bungalows Magazine Shoot

Thu, 1 Dec 2011 19:42:24 -0800

There is nothing like having company to motivate me to get the house “presentable”.
A magazine shoot in my home and shop racketed my obsession to a whole different level of crazy. With the help of my cohorts, Stacy & Jen, I moved, tweaked, shuzzed, placed, cleaned, hung, adjusted, re-adjusted, organized, swapped and prettied for a few days. We even took a trip down to the L.A. Flower Mart for flowers. All autumnal decorations had to be replaced with Spring for the issue the magazine is working on.
Photographer Jake Cryan was supposed to shoot for one day and ended up working here for three days. We got used to stepping over the cables and closing our eyes for the strobes. It was a blast.
And now... on to holiday decorating!!! We put the lights on the tree last night. No rest for the weary.

Ready, Set, Go!

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0800

We have spent the past week getting ready for the holidays and all the cool stuff we have planned. We re-merchandised the shop and have begun holiday decorating. Our workshops are all planned and we will be open Saturdays until the end of the year. It feels soooo good to be ready!

Art’s Antique Shoppe

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:24:10 -0700

this past weekend my sister and i were driving down colorado ave. in colorado springs. we had finished a run to a few thrift shops and done an hour at the antique mall when we passed a ramshackle bungalow with hand painted sign in the front yard that read- art’s antique shoppe. the front window was filled with rows of houseplants and the rickety front porch was littered with misc. household items. my heart starts to pound with the possibility of finding treasure.

next to the broken buzzer was a handwritten sign that read- please ring bell and wait a few minutes. the woman who answered the door was ancient; hunched over she was about 3 feet tall. she welcomed us into the place which was dark and each small room was FILLED with stuff. as is often the case with a place like this, there was a melange of items. tv’s, a george forman grill pan, a friend’s husband’s slacks that she agreed to try and sell for her, pottery, glass, beads, and dressers packed with so much stuff the drawers won’t open.

alison and i spent a couple of hours going through the place and visiting with mary. she and her husband, art opened in 1970 and art passed away a few years ago. she swims at the ymca a few times a week and sleeps in a small room off the kitchen. she still collects.

Happy Trick or Treating

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:16:25 -0700

Silvered Glass Workshop

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Autumn

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Harvest. Socks & Sweaters. Darkness earlier.

I’m Back!!!

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:44:30 -0700

... in France.
There is nothing that says France like the local farmers market and only a few kilometers from the Chateau there is the Caussade Market, known as a real chef’s market; we have been the only tourists I’ve come across. This one even has an area devoted solely to livestock, duckings, chickens and the like. Handwritten labels on the colorful stacks of fresh fruit and vegetables, the town women gossiping at the charcuterie truck, the sausage man, steaming pans of paella. Cheese, bread, olives. Oh it is so good to be back.

before & after 2011

Tue, 24 May 2011 08:16:07 -0700

This was our garage BEFORE we moved in four years ago. It certainly doesn’t look that empty and pristine today.
Late last year I came pretty darn close to signing a lease on commercial space for Summerland Mercantile and then I chickened out. I just didn’t want the pressure of overhead.
Instead we took the leap and converted that last bay in to an atelier. As you may or may not know I love a good renovation project. This one went smoothly and I am so please with the results.

Woad Dyeing in Los Angeles

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 14:44:59 -0700

1-1-11

Sat, 1 Jan 2011 08:20:38 -0800

This morning, at dawn, some friends gathered with me to watch the sunrise. Together we welcomed the first day of the New Year and acknowledged a big milestone for me. Twenty years of sobriety.

While we were experiencing the shift from dawn to day, we each drew a circle on a piece of paper, writing what we wanted on the inside of the circle and what we didn’t want on the outside. As the sun rose we tossed our intentions into the fire and watched as the waves carrried the ashes out to sea.

I was gifted the surprise of a private yoga class; all levels and ages of sisterhood in one room together, sweating, stretching, meditating and chanting. It was sheer bliss.

On that first day, in 1991, I was miserable and confused, unsure how or why I had gotten in to the mess of a life I was experiencing. I felt utterly victimized by people and circumstances. I was bursting with resentments and self hatred.

I have baby stepped my way into becoming someone I am proud of, whose company I enjoy. I recommit daily to doing the best I can, to being of service when I am able and living in extreme gratitude.

In AA there is an expression called “the pink cloud”, the temporary sensation of euphoria and well being that is characteristic to those who are new to sobriety. For most, the pink cloud eventually dissipates. This morning the sky was awash with them!

christmas eve

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0800

The 1st Summerland Mercantile Workshop

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 19:55:12 -0800

Friday night we hosted the Vintage Inspired Ornament Workshop. Ten women gathered to express and create, have a nosh and a few laughs.

I hope this is the first of many!

In the meantime, French General is hosting three days of very special workshops in January. Head over there to check it out. frenchgeneral.com

the last night

Wed, 8 Dec 2010 20:23:36 -0800

one shop in lucca, italy

Tue, 7 Dec 2010 13:52:45 -0800

open air market recap

Fri, 3 Dec 2010 06:24:38 -0800

It has been a week now so it is time to look back...

The weather was kind. We had bright warm sun interspersed with dark fluffy colds that brought intermittent warm and cool streams and it didn’t start to rain until we were packing it all up.

All day long there was a steady flow of visitors.

Organizing something like this takes time, patience, money and a good attitude. I think for our first foray out into the real world (from my garden) it was successful and as always I came away thinking of ways to improve for next time.

Thank you to all the vendors who participated and to all the customers who showed up.
Can’t wait till next time.

thanksgiving

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0800

I am bursting with gratitude for EVERYONE & EVERYTHING.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

My brother in law and sister are visiting and she is doing all the cooking, so I get to spend the day tomorrow breaking out the Christmas decorations (my second favorite holiday). Today Alison and I did the grocery shopping together for the first time in years and did a lot of laughing about stuff only the two of us would find funny.

Carson is coming home. Ryland is enjoying a New Zealand summer and Taylor has just checked in with the news that he cycled today 20 miles today and it is 20 degrees in Portland this evening. Morgan & Keaton are coming up Sunday for sunday supper and Jimmy is happily looking forward to a four day weekend.

Life is good. Love to all.

Into each life some rain must fall

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 07:12:33 -0800

Looks like we are rained out! Luckily we were able to secure the location for next Saturday, November 27th and there is gorgeous weather forecasted. So far, almost all our vendors are on board AND some that weren’t able be there this weekend will be joining us.

This market will have some beautiful lamps that are rewired and have vintage shades to match, a sweet group of vintage Christmas decorations, our usual array of glass, crystal and pottery, in addition to some fab linens.

I guess it is going to work out after all.

Huh?

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 07:24:23 -0800

I wrote a week or so ago about an experience I had involving my father and perhaps him reaching out to me from the beyond.

Yesterday the posted blog entry vanished. Dylan- the Witmark Years- is a blank page.

I started this photo/journal sixteen months ago. Written well over sixty entries and this has never happened.

Vanished.

Artie died six years ago this month.

Sixteen Hours in Rome October 2010

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 18:45:22 -0800

Dylan- The Witmark Demos

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 10:57:55 -0800

harvest moon dinner

Sat, 23 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) enables a community of individuals to pledge their support to a farmer and in exchange, they receive a share of its bounty throughout the growing season. Many CSA’s produce organically locally grown produce.

The CSA that we belong to is Sheperd Farm, named for its owner Tom Sheperd, a fifth generation Santa Barbara resident. Tom began farming organically in 1973. He was one of the original salad mix producers in California. He was also one of the earliest members of the SB Certified Farmers Market, where he still sells his produce twice a week.

Last Friday night Tom and his loyal crew hosted a Harvest Moon dinner for the CSA members. The farm is nestled at the base of the Carpinteria foothills. Tables were set in an idyllic spot of green lawn plopped between rows of brussels sprouts, rosemary, sage. We had a warm bonfire- a screening of a short film about beans- yummy food prepared on outdoor stoves- and met some of our fellow members.

For information about a CSA program in your area: http://www.localharvest.org/

flat

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0700

It has been over six weeks since my last post. That is a big gap, even for me.

It isn’t that I haven’t been busy, it is just that with the changing of the season I needed to go inside for awhile. Needed to listen instead of talk. Or to hear nothing. I felt flat and I have been slowly waiting for inspiration to creep back in. One of the gifts of aging is learned faith. Faith born from experience, which for me, has been different from my intuitive faith. Now, when times are flat I recognize it as just that and I know that it isn’t going to last. It used to scare me.

Flat.

Felt like a dry well that would never fill again.

Now I relish it, with the same vigor with which I used to respond to drama. Today, I am repelled by drama.

Water comes in water goes out.

Inspiration has crept back in gently and I am back.

Shana Tova Everyone

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 18:33:22 -0700

Nice mention of my Pops

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:55:47 -0700

FG@CD- Taking Time

Wed, 4 Aug 2010 12:45:35 -0700

There were a lot of photographers on this trip and some talented bloggers as well.
Every minute and every bite was well documented. Lots of lovely sights and moments.

join us on sunday

Tue, 3 Aug 2010 21:00:12 -0700

Just wanted to extend an invitation to anyone heading up to Santa Barbara,
to come by this Sunday for the
Summer Sale in the Garden.
We have eleven vendors plus some fantastic food prepared by Morgan, as well as our vintage treasures!

for more information head on over to
SUMMERLANDMERCANTILE.COM

FG@CD- Table

Mon, 2 Aug 2010 16:42:25 -0700

We spent a lot of time sharing meals. Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day for a week. This year the food was in a league of its own.

In France the grocery stores devote whole aisles to yoghurt. Each morning at breakfast there was a big bowl filled with cartons of yoghurt in different flavors and consistencies. We awakened to the smell of croissants baking in the oven, fresh egg dishes prepared to order and lunch and dinner were fresh and flavorful, served with grace and thoughtfulness. Sometimes we ate al fresco, sometimes in the dining room. There was even a picnic by a lake and of course, the afore mentioned high tea.

The best part, aside from having it served to me, was not having to think about what to cook. That was a vacation in and of itself. It magically appeared meal after meal.

FG@CD- Textiles

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:46:45 -0700

We spent Wednesday woad dying in the woods. (see old post for detail on the process of woad dying).

In the afternoon we were treated to an English high tea and a lecture on the history of french textiles given by Karen Silen of La Maison Violette.
The proprietress of Chateau Dumas, Lizzie got out her finest antique china and embroidered table linens, the lovely server Corey donned gloves and hat and Lizzie’s mum, Mama Jo, prepared luscious desserts and brilliant tea sandwiches. Caffeine, sweets and fabric= Heaven

FG@CD- Treasure

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:07:52 -0700

I think I am correct in saying that each and every one of us had a common interest in the pursuit of treasure hunting. It is certainly MY favorite activity. From the open air flea markets to the dusty stale brocantes, nothing makes me happier than digging through a stack of old linens, spying a color I love out of the corner of my eye or looking under the tables for wares the vendor hasn’t put out yet.

Saint Antonin

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:49:52 -0700

I arrived in France a few days before the FG@CD workshop and met up with the Meng women and Michelle from Rose Mille in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val (Sant Antonin in Occitan). It is a commune in the Tarn-et-Garonne department in the Midi-Pyrénées region in southern France. A tiny bit of a medieval village, nestled in the mountains that sits quietly along the gorge de l’Aveyron.

Peaceful and dear during the day and at night you could hear a pin drop, it hosts a weekly Farmers Market on Sunday mornings and one night there was a crafts fair. That is when the town swells with people and there was partying early into the next morning.

It was extremely helpful to have a few days to acclimate before moving on to the Chateau in Auty. This year I rented my own car and had a blast navigating my way around the Tarn-et-Garrone.

I stayed at a sweet chambres d’hotel called Le Sejour located on the cobblestoned street where the markets are held. It is owned by a warm and kind English woman named Elizabeth Whitehead and the cost of the room was very reasonable. She even served breakfast on a tray in my room.
http://www.chambres-dhote.com/index.htm

French General at Chateau Dumas Deux

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:56:53 -0700

They say that lightning doesn’t strike twice but I am hear to testify it can. Last year I took a special trip to France and came away so inspired, feeling that I would never have as unique an experience. Well, this year I was presented with the opportunity to go again and I had an even better time.

We were a group of like minded women, ranging in age from thirties to seventies, sharing a passion for- creating with our hands, hunting and digging for treasure, consuming fresh local cuisine, and soaking in everything French. We swam, made jewelry, explored, traded family tales, sewed, glued, dyed and laughed until we cried.

If you ever have the opportunity to go- Carpe Diem!

Surf Toys

Sun, 4 Jul 2010 08:16:26 -0700

Handcrafted wood surfboards.
Created by Ryland and his Dutch friend, Thomas. Photographed and promoted by Carson.
Follow their blog at: surftoys.blogspot.com

Genius Creativity

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:24:27 -0700

These beauties are created from plastic water bottles. Pilfered from an article in the NY Times Home Section.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/24/garden/24qna.html?ref=garden

My Three Sons

Wed, 9 Jun 2010 19:01:38 -0700

It is birthday month.

Yesterday was Taylor’s 27th birthday. Tomorrow Carson turns 23 and the next day I turn 51.

Last night Ry and Carson, visiting Portland, took Taylor to dinner for his birthday and sent me this photo.

Wish I could have been there.

BLOOM in Stillwater by Michelle Rose Jorgensen

Sat, 29 May 2010 17:18:27 -0700

Last week I spent four days in Minnesota at a wonderful event created by my friend Michelle Rose. We met in France, last July, at the French General Chateau Getaway (see Archives). For the past year she had been sharing with me, her dream of bringing women together in her hometown of Stillwater, for a day of creative workshops. Timed beautifully with this years International Quilt Market (held this year in Minneapolis 45 minutes away); Saturday was a full day with three workshops, book signings and a soiree. The energy of women gathered to create is inspirational and I have been busy making jewelry ever since I returned. Thanks Michelle!

Jimmy’s new job

Tue, 18 May 2010 09:38:21 -0700

Jimmy has a new job:
“Outsourced" is a comedy where the Midwest meets the exotic East in a hilarious culture clash. The series centers on the all-American company Mid America Novelties that sells whoopee cushions, foam fingers and wallets made of bacon -- and whose call center has suddenly been outsourced to India. Todd Dempsy (Ben Rappaport, off-Broadway's "The Gingerbread House") is the new company's manager who learns that he's being transferred to India to run the operation.

Overwhelmed, Todd discovers that his new staff needs a crash course in all things American if they are to understand the U.S. product line and ramp up sales from halfway around the world. But as strange as America seems to his eclectic sales team, Todd soon realizes that figuring out India will be more than a full-time job. Rizwan Manji ("Privileged"), Sacha Dhawan (BBC's "Five Days II"), Rebecca Hazlewood (BBC's "Doctors"), Parvesh Cheena ("Help Me Help You"), and Anisha Nagarajan (Broadway's "Bombay Dreams") also star as members of Dempsy's off-shore team; Diedrich Bader ("The Drew Carey Show") and Jessica Gower (Network Ten's "The Secret Life of Us") additionally star.

"Outsourced" is produced by Universal Media Studios. Robert Borden ("The Drew Carey Show" and "George Lopez") is executive producer/writer. Ken Kwapis ("The Office") developed the project through his company, In Cahoots, and serves as executive producer/director. Alex Beattie serves as co-executive producer.

If your in the neighborhood (Minnesota)...

Wed, 12 May 2010 09:37:35 -0700

Happy Mothers Day

Sun, 9 May 2010 12:10:45 -0700

The 1st Summerland Mercantile Garden Sale

Sat, 8 May 2010 08:51:12 -0700

it started as a brainstorming phone call with my friend, kym. an idea, similar to a thousand ideas we have had over forty years of friendship. summerland mercantile.
a webshop. it then evolved into a sale in the garden.

last saturday was wildly successful. eleven vendors, spectacular weather, delicious food and a great turnout.

a heartfelt thank you to everyone who gave a helping hand (in no particular order):
stacy,jimmy, ryland, carson, jose, juan, martha, toni, holland, morgan c., grandma kitty, diana, ben, kate, rebecca, shelley, jill, jeannie, laura, ruby, jen, peter, brendan, morgan s., ivy, april, duke and ella.

Bat Medicine

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 07:44:05 -0700

First they were in the ceiling above our bedroom. We have no crawl space or attic above the ceiling but apparently bats can make themselves paper thin and slip into a sliver of wood. I didn’t mind sharing our space with the bats so long as they stayed outside, until the cacophony of scratching and screeching woke us before dawn a few mornings in a row and until we found bat guano on our bed. Then new arrangements had to be made.
We plugged any openings from the outside, which forced them inside.
Gratefully only two had to make it out through the house. One met an unfortunate end when Duke the Hunter had his way. The other, pictured above, lived inside the house for a night. The next day Ella (the hunter’s helper) spotted him. She got it but didn’t kill it and Ryland was able to catch and release.

Gratitude

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 08:39:42 -0700

Thank you Jen

The Give A Damn Campaign

Fri, 2 Apr 2010 07:57:28 -0700

Bursting with excitement and pride to share this recently released PSA, featuring some of our family members.
The Give a Damn Campaign is for everybody who cares about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.
But, it’s especially for all you straight people out there! Whether you’re already an active supporter, want to show your support for the first time, or hadn’t given equality a lot of thought before and now want to learn more, we are here to help you get informed about the issues and get involved, at a pace that works for you.
Visit the wegiveadamn.org for information on ways you can help.

Stillwater, Minnesota

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 07:10:14 -0700

Bloom in May is a gathering for inspiration and creativity. The long held dream of Michelle Rose Jorgensen of Rose Mille fame, to bring gifted artists, designers and eager students together, is coming to fruition with four fabulous workshops: fabric flowers, fabric ruching, basic jewelry making and making fabric flower necklaces. This year it is being held the weekend of May 20-21 and I have been invited to participate.

There will also be a soiree the last evening featuring a book signing with one of the instructors, Kaari Meng of French General. Her latest book, “Treasured Notions”, comes out this spring! Jo Packham, of “Where Women Create” is coming by and Michelle is breaking out some of her private stash of vintage ribbon and millinery to sell. I have been asked to bring some goodies from Summerland Mercantile.

Michelle and I met last summer in France, when we both attended the French General Chateau Getaway and I have been waiting for the perfect excuse to visit her in the historic river town of Stillwater, Minnesota.

For more details or to register for any of the workshops go to Bloominmay.com

World Water Day

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 11:35:20 -0700

I wanted to share this profound article, written by my friend Dr. Edison de Mello.
WORLD WATER DAY: The Water Bottle Lie and Your Health
March 22, 2010

Edison de Mello, M.D., Ph.D.

March 22nd is World Water Day. On this day all eyes will be turned overseas to the 1.1 billion people that lack access to clean drinking water. What few Americans realize is that the world water crisis has hit America with little fanfare and if we do not act soon, the devastating effects will be irreversible. But luckily this year something significant is being done about it. Beginning on world water day, an amazing new award-winning documentary, called Tapped, will embark on a 30-day cross-country trip across America in an effort to raise awareness of the water crisis in America and wean the public off their reliance on bottled water.
And yet, this is just a "drop" of what needs to be done.   While 90 percent of the US has access to clean drinking water, the remaining 10 percent live in conditions that resemble a third-world country. In a bonus clip for Tapped offered on their website, Tapped takes us to a town just three hours from Los Angeles where the water has been so polluted by the local farming community that residents must make daily trips to buy bottled water to cook, clean, and bathe in. They spend their paychecks buying bottled water thinking they will limit their exposure to the toxins in their tap water, not realizing that only a few of us really know what's in our bottled water because less than one full-time staff person at the FDA is responsible for making sure that bottled water is safe for us.
Take for example the water coolers that so many of us have in our homes and offices. Those five-gallon water jugs are made from a chemical called Bisphenol A (BPA), which was originally developed as a synthetic estrogen. Exposure to BPA has been linked to breast and prostate cancer, reproductive failures, heart disease, cognitive and behavioral problems, diabetes, obesity and asthma. A study commissioned by the Centers for Disease Control in 2007 showed that 93 percent of Americans have BPA in their urine. More recent studies are even scarier suggesting that BPA stays in the body longer than previously believed and that babies and young children may be particularly vulnerable because they may metabolize BPA more slowly than adults. Furthermore, in a study commissioned by the Environmental Working Group this past December, scientists found the chemical in nine of 10 randomly selected samples of umbilical cord blood.
The BPA compound is so harmful that several states have taken the matter on their own and are now banning it:
• Minnesota and Connecticut have lead the way and already have laws on their books banning BPA.  • Just this March, Wisconsin signed a law limiting BPA use.
• Governor Gregoire of Washington State has a bill on his desk limiting the use of BPA awaiting his signature.
• Both Houses in Maryland have approved a bill banning BPA. Governor O'Malley is expected to sigh it into law
• Massachusetts has gone further and is considering banning BPA, including its use in baby bottles and sippy cups
Yet a powerful lobbying compounded by an aggressive advertising campaign by the bottled water industry have persuaded Americans that bottled water is safer, more pure and healthier than their tap water. And so bottled sales continue to rise astronomically even as scientific evidence proving the devastating effects of the industry is stronger than ever. Hello FDA, anybody home?
But what about the single-serve plastic water bottles that so many of us tote to the gym or keep in the trunks of our cars? Those are made with a different type of plastic called PET or polyethylene terephthalate, which is also not free of its harmful effect. Scientists at Goeth University in Frankfurt found in a laboratory experiment in 2009 that estrogenic compounds leach from the plastic into the water. The lead researcher of the study, Martin Wagener, and a colleague used genetically engineered yeast, which changes color in the presence of estrogen-like compounds to analyze 20 samples of mineral water. Nine samples came out of glass bottles, nine were bottled in PET plastic and two were in cardboard, juice-like boxes.
The experiment revealed estrogenic activity in seven of the nine plastic bottles and in both cardboard samples, compared with just three of the nine glass ones: "What we found was really surprising to us. If you drink water from plastic bottles, you have a high probability of drinking estrogenic compounds," Wagner reported.
Epidemiologist Shanna Swan of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York summarizes the issue very effectively: "This is coming at a good time because the use of bottles for consuming water is getting very bad press now because of its carbon footprint," she says. "It's just another nail in the coffin of bottled water, the way I see it."
What she was referring to was the fact that It takes 1.5 million barrels a year of oil just to make the plastic water bottles Americans use. Add to that the energy needed to extract the water, refrigerate the bottles, transport them around the country (and the world), and you are looking at 50 million barrels of oil a year, according to the Pacific Institute. To add yet another nail to the coffin, a study by the environmental working group found that their samples of bottled water contained disinfection byproducts, fertilizer residue, and, not surprising, pain medication. Where do we think all the medication we take -- or worse yet, dispose of in our toilets -- ends up? Back in our water system. And most public water sanitation systems do not filter out medication or drug metabolites.
In a telephone interview with Tapped director Stephanie Soechtig, she was passionate about many of the facts uncovered in her documentary including the shocking reality that Americans in general fail to realize that 40 percent of their bottled water is drawn from municipal supplies and suffers the same problems as their tap water or worse. When water is packaged in plastic containers, it faces the potential of an array of other chemicals leaching into it. "The truth is we don't really know what is in our bottled water because it goes virtually unregulated by the FDA," Soechtig said.   According to the UN, by the year 2020, two-thirds of the world will lack access to clean drinking water. Due to economic disparities, women and Children will likely continue to be exposed to thousands of chemicals in water that are virtually unregulated by governments across the globe, including ours. And even in the US, the world's largest economy, the water and sewer pipes are so old and in such need of repair that Nestle has recently stated that America's failing infrastructure would boost bottled water sales. Yet with 40 percent of bottled water being drawn from municipal supplies, as stated previously, there is no guarantee that bottled water is any safer for us.   In addition, as previously indicated, plasticizers in our water and sewer stream are creating devastating effects to local ecosystems. The documentary uncovered that In Colorado, for instance, scientists discovered transgender fish that possessed both male and female reproductive systems because they had been exposed to the estrogen-mimicking effects of plastic. What can we do as citizens to promote change? Get educated, demand more specific water regulation and medication safety disposal from representatives in our local, state and federal governments and watch educational documentaries such as Tapped. At Akasha we found Multipure -- an affordable bottle-less water cooler than connects to the tap and runs the water through a filtration process that dispenses water more pure than bottled water. We are relentlessly educating our patients on their options and their power as consumers. We urge all of you to take a stand and not only demand more strict regulation by the FDA but also find safer and environmentally conscious alternatives to bottled water.   Dr. Edison de Mello is the founder, executive Director and co-director of the Men's Clinic of the Akasha Center for integrative Medicine in Santa Monica California. For further information check the clinics website or contact Dr. de Mello at drdemello@akashacenter.com
References and further Reading
Mass. to consider a limited BPA ban. Boston Globe, 03/03/10.
Doyle signs bill limiting BPA use. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/03/10.
Wisconsin protects kids from toxic BPA. Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group, 03/03/10.
Retailers object to ban on sports bottles with BPA. Puget Sound Business Journal, 03/04/10.
Senate votes ban on BPA in kids' containers. The Seattle Times, 01/29/10.
Plastic chemical linked to heart disease, Science Online, 17 Sep 2008.
Common plastic ingredient linked to birth defects, Science Online, 01 Apr 2003.
Plastic additive in urine and blood, Science Online, 05 Apr 2001.
Web sites:
http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2009/02/your-water-bottle-one-quarter-full-oil http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/12/fashion/12water.html http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/78384027.html http://www.ewg.org/reports/bottledwater

Guaranteed to Make you Smile

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:57:29 -0700

Happy St. Patricks Day

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:49:04 -0700

Brilliant archive photo lifted from Hollister Harvey site