Near the end, film critic Roger Ebert wrote a heartbreakingly beautiful blog post about what he had learned about life and death, in which he emphasized the value of kindness and contributing joy to the world. His beautiful and wise words are given an artistic treatment in this “Zen Pencils” narrative comic. (Bonus: sales of prints of this comic will be donated to the Sundance Film Festival’s Roger Ebert Scholarship For Film Criticism).
Photos taken in Los Angeles of Jacaranda trees in bloom.
I have always loved the idea of a good luck charm, even if I have not always been inclined to believe in luck or fate or things that cannot be explained by science. Still, I love charms and trinkets with a history, and my mother has passed on many charms from the jewelry box I loved to open and explore when I was a kid. This typewriter charm was one she received when working her first job; engraved on the back is the message, “Good luck from accounting.” I wore it recently for a job interview–and got the job. For as long as I can remember, my mom has been a confidence-booster, so it might be that I reached for the charm that day seeking luck. I’m glad I did.
Thinking of the bees this Earth Day.
Photos from a walk through the lilac grove at Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles.
Indeed.
A green coin in my hands on St. Patrick’s Day. Feels like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
I searched for a good recipe for a mixed berry pie in an attempt to approximate the deliciousness of the “Merry Berry” pie from the farm stand near my parents’ home on Long Island. This one is adapted from the Open-Faced Blueberry Pie from Epicurious; my version uses half fresh blueberries and half frozen mixed berries and fresh tangerine juice instead of lemon juice (and I use my own pie crust recipe). Yum. Happy Pi Day!
The fine folks at Music for Good talked to me about my work and asked about the five bands I’m listening to and loving right now. The post — and reasons for why I chose Local Natives, Yo La Tengo, The Shins, Wilco, and Florence & The Machine — can be found on the Music for Good site.  Rock on.
Photos from the Stanley Kubrick exhibit at LACMA.
Heart leaves, books, mermaid tail. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Originally published on The Green Beauty Team website
The most surprising prescription I’ve been given by a doctor wasn’t something I could pick up at my local pharmacy. Instead, she told me to get out in the sun more—and to go easy on the sunscreen. The advice from my doctor came when a blood test revealed I had a vitamin D deficiency. As someone who has been a devoted sunscreen user for years, this sounded as nonsensical as being told to take up smoking or eat more deep-fried foods.
It has long been established that exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) increases your risk of skin cancer and causes signs of premature aging. I wear a moisturizer with an SPF of 15-30 every day to prevent skin cancer, sun spots and wrinkles. (Health is a top priority, but vanity is another great motivator.)
HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin found in some, but not many, foods. The National Institutes of Health recommends 600 IUs (international units) of vitamin D for adults 19-70. The trouble with getting D from your diet is that it’s found in limited quantities. For some perspective on amounts of vitamin D in foods, one cup of fortified milk has 115-124 IUs and 3 oz. of salmon has 447 IUs. The best food sources of vitamin D are fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines. Egg yolks, cheese and mushrooms also contain small amounts, and some milk, cereals, cheeses and yogurts are also fortified with vitamin D. You can also get vitamin D from supplements.
Alternately—and this is where my doctor’s advice comes in—your body can naturally synthesize vitamin D when your skin is exposed to the sun, without sunscreen or windows to block the rays. According to the Natural Institute of Health, most people get enough D from regular sun exposure.
WHY YOU NEED PLENTY OF D
Those of us who wear sunscreen regularly are at risk for a vitamin D deficiency, but it’s important to take steps to maintain the recommended levels, as the role of vitamin D is not to be dismissed.
Let’s begin with bones. The body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium, which is essential to maintaining bone health. If your body doesn’t have enough vitamin D, it cannot absorb calcium and you can develop osteomalacia, a condition which causes bone pain and muscle weakness. A calcium deficiency also puts you at a greater risk of developing osteoporosis, a disease that weakens the bones. Each of us naturally loses bone mass as we age, which is why it’s critical that we get enough vitamin D and calcium.
Vitamin D has other vital roles in maintaining overall health: it helps our immune system fight off bacteria and viruses, and works to make sure muscles and nerves function properly. Though not yet conclusive, recent studies have also been conducted on vitamin D’s role in preventing cancer and other diseases and conditions.
GETTING BACK THE D
Just as my doctor prescribed, I am now trying to spend 10-20 minutes of unfiltered sunlight several days a week—not long enough to get burned, but long enough for the body to produce vitamin D. (Lucky for me, living in Southern California makes this possible year-round.) Of course, those especially at risk for skin cancer need to take greater care in protecting themselves and no doctor will carelessly recommend that people get too much sun exposure. I’m also taking a daily vitamin D supplement and taking care to add more fatty fish to my diet.
You never have to twist my arm to go out for sushi. These days I’m also making my tried-and-true favorite of tuna and capers with pasta weekly (penne with fresh or canned tuna, a handful of capers, tossed with fresh lemon juice and olive oil). Plus I’ve added these vitamin D-packed recipes below to my repertoire.
Sicilian Style Pasta with Sardines
Salmon with Herbed Mustard Sauce
Baked Salmon in Foil
Roasted Mackerel with Avocado Salad
Something for a writer to hang above his/her working space. Photo taken at Bart’s Books in Ojai, CA.
What happens to Barbie dolls when they’re donated to thrift shops.
When Mr. MVP started sniffling, I knew it was time for a dose of lemon chicken soup. I call this double lemon because it has the zest of two lemons as well as the juice. I used half low-sodium chicken stock and half of my homemade vegetable stock for the broth and added chicken, corn, carrots, and chopped green onions with the lemony goodness. I scooped each serving into a bowl filled with chopped avocado and cilantro then topped with crumbled tortilla chips. The fuzziness in the photo is thanks to the steam. Yum.
Photo taken in Santa Monica, CA.
Trees left for recycling in Santa Monica. Wish I had my camera handy when I saw a guy wheeling his over using a skateboard.
Photo taken in San Francisco.
Stef McDonald 