The Age of Drinks

On any given day, you can glance around town and see people walking with a drink in their hand. The explosion of coffee, tea, boba, smoothie, and juice places has made it a necessity of daily life to stop by a shop and pick up a drink as you make your way through the day. Drinks have become a boutique industry.

I think about how we never used to have the need for a drink at any given time of day. If we were thirsty, we would have some water and keep going. Now there are so many options, and it’s not just about quenching your thirst. I personally like to stop for a tea so I can take a break and slow down. Others choose to have an espresso for a quick charge or a smoothie or juice for health benefits. The choices of milks, flavor additions, supplements, and simply hot or cold is mind blowing. We all have our particular nuances when ordering a drink. Makes me think of Tom Hanks’ line in You’ve Got Mail, “for only $2.95, [you] get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self.”

We are living in a carefully curated age where the choices are endless. There is something comforting about clutching a drink. It can calm you, it can energize you, and it can make you feel smart for making good choices. At the end of the day though, do we really need all these fancy liquids from chic and trendy boutiques? I believe in keeping things simple, and the age of drinks is anything but.

With the variety of options out there, we need to mind the extra calories and sugar as well as caffeine. Ultimately, water is still our best drink. Admittedly, it is not as fun as a pink and purple drink with boba in it. So order with knowledge, and limit the ingredients in your drink. Less is more, and a good drink doesn’t need more.

Skin Care

I have been taking care of my skin since I was a teenager. Thankfully, my mother was very good at taking me to the dermatologist when I had a teenage breakout and teaching me how to care for my skin. Throughout the years, I have used many products all of which have been appropriate for my skin type and age. I don’t believe in using just one product your whole life or even seasonally. Just like eating, we need to take care of our skin seasonally as well.

In the winter months, our skin tends to take on the cold and wind, making it more dry. So power up the moisturizer, especially in the morning when your skin needs protection against the elements. I also love a good hyaluronic acid. I say good because there are a lot of hyaluronic products out there now that are not as potent as the more expensive ones. You get what you pay for. I am loving one by Sturm right now. Everyone should be using a good hyaluronic acid to replenish the moisture in your skin.

In the summer months, obviously slather on the sunscreen. With the change of season, it is a good time to assess your skin and what changes you might need to make. Our skin responds to the elements and our diet, so it is important to be sensitive to that and not afraid to mix it up. I love trying new products, sometimes they are a match and others not so much. Just like food, if we stick to the same routine, even a healthy one, our skin and body will no longer benefit or at least not as much. We all crave new and exciting things in our lives, and skin care is no exception.

Every Sunday morning, I put a mask on my face. I like to mix my own depending on how my skin is feeling that day. It also brings a sense of calm which is exactly the feeling I want on a Sunday morning. I love rituals, and taking care of myself makes me feel empowered. Know your skin type, and choose your products accordingly. Don’t always follow the trends as that might not be right for your skin. What works on one person doesn’t always work on another. Our skin is our largest organ, so take care with your skin.

A few brands I am loving right now: May Lindstrom, Sturm, Pai, Santa Maria Novella, Luzern, Ursa Major and Organic Pharmecy.

I've Been Thinking

If Maria Shriver can do it so can I. We as women have a lot to say, and we need to get it out. The power of our voice should be heard and acknowledged. It has taken me a lifetime to be able to do this, and I am so grateful to be able to speak my mind now and have support. My community that inspires me and makes me work harder everyday is primarily women and women-owned companies. We just have the best ideas!

When I first started KTH Kitchen, I threw myself out there and wrote about things I believed in, some very personal. Sharing is how we all learn. It does us no good to sit and hoard our ideas and thoughts. Communication is how we grow, not just in relationships but in our careers. If we communicate our ideas to one another sometimes great things can happen. I have learned to trust my instincts and my style and go with the flow. You never know where it may take you.

For instance, I set out to be a food photographer, not really knowing anything about it but super excited to learn. I took pictures in my own artsy style and one day someone asked me to be a stylist. Without hesitation I said yes, then went home and panicked. As it turns out it was one of the best days of creating and working with other talents. I met some wonderful people I still work with today, and it inspired me to add stylist to my resume.

Years ago, I worked as a fine art photographer, and I had very much a tunnel vision of my career, and I refused to stray from the path I thought I should be on. Turning down opportunities because they didn’t fit the model of what I thought an artist timeline should look like. While I had success, I felt like I could have had so many other moments along the way that would have fulfilled me. In this new career path I am on now I am leaving myself open to what may come. Just this week I was asked to do a cooking demo. Me? Ok, I am up for it. I came up with a plan to include some styling tips, so I can keep it relevant to what I am doing. The bottom line is don’t turn down an opportunity just because it doesn’t fit the mold. Life is about experiences and challenges and becoming a whole person because of them.

While the times we are living in can be challenging for women, there are still so many doors that are opening, and we have much more respect than before. As we move forward, we must stay strong to our commitments to conquer whatever our hearts desire. One of the things that makes me so happy is seeing women in careers they truly love. If we are spending our days being creative, sharing and thoughtful than we are succeeding. Success isn’t always about money. It is about living a life that makes you happy and fulfilled. Stay true to your passions, and the rest will follow.

Nature in Decor

Bringing the outdoors into your home or work space is a gentle, calming addition. It is proven that being in nature is good for the soul. A token from your garden or travels adds a natural element that is often missing indoors.

A found fragment of nature can be a lovely reminder of the outdoors. It can also be a memory of a time spent away from home that you enjoyed. I have black rocks I brought home from Iceland that I found on the beach as well as a twig I brought back from a hike in Maine. Scattered throughout my house, I have natural memories from my travels. Glancing upon them in the midst of my day takes me back to those places and provides a calm, relaxed feeling. Recently, I was on the island of Lanai and was surrounded everyday by orchids and, of course, plumeria. While I have a plumeria tree at home already as a reminder of Hawaii, I have since added orchids. These elegant flowers simply placed around my home have brought back the serenity of the island.

With spring upon us, there is no more lovely natural element to bring inside than a tangle of blooming branches. Step outside, and you will see them everywhere. Available at farmers markets if you don’t want to trim yours or your neighbors. Bring them home and arrange in a big vase for a dramatic statement. I also love huge trees inside that draw your attention and add a sculptural element to a room. Small plants in groups as well as cut flowers are always simple to add. A walk outside can provide not only a break in the day but a treasured leaf or flower that may have fallen in your path. Bring these home, and maybe it will be a reminder to get outside more and enjoy the day if only for a few moments.

I use nature inside not only as a reminder of travels or times outside but to feed my soul and create a calm environment. I leave flowers or a new found rock by my bed, so when I go to sleep I feel grateful. I have herbs from my garden in the kitchen in small containers of water ready to use. These are reminders to always cook from scratch and use fresh, organic food. Plants are also good for air quality inside and to de-stress your home. I find I can’t have a room without at least one.

Add an element of nature to your interior, and you will be grateful you did. I am glancing at some vintage roses and jasmine on my desk now that I cut from my garden. The jasmine trails onto the desk and reminds me as I write this that no arrangement is imperfect. A casual gathering of flowers, herbs, or leaves is always pleasing. Bring the outdoors in for a healthier interior and lifestyle.

Sustainability

I recently came upon this article on what sustainablity means and how the value of that word is diminishing. It was so accurate I wanted to share it as well as add some of my own comments. The following is an excerpt from Daylesford Organic Farm Journal.

“These days, when you open a newspaper, turn on the TV or check social media you are likely to spot a mention of “sustainability” before long. Whatever the topic, be it politics, fashion, food, transport, agriculture or relationships, “sustainability” seems to be the latest buzzword thrown around at every opportunity. As the use of the word becomes more frequent, its importance is in danger of being diluted. Are we loosing our grasp on what sustainability really means?

Sustainabilty is defined by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) as economic activity that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. But today, it has more pressing and time-sensitive meaning; that of reducing our collective harm on the environment and ultimately reversing the damage we have already caused.

Sustainability means we are all responsible for our planet, and we must all take action. How we take action is where our personal understanding of the word is really put to the test. Our modern life is full of convenience: water, electricity, fuel, clothing and food are all readily available and require very little thought to obtain. But if we took a little time to consider the environmental implications of each, perhaps we wouldn’t be so quick to waste them.”

So what does sustainability mean on a personal level? How can we as consumers effect change? I believe we each have the power in some small way to help our environment. Whether you shop local, recycle, use less energy or simply commit to living a more simplified lifestyle that respects the planet. We as individuals can really make a difference by seeking out sustainable solutions. Ultimately sustainability means we all take actions. We all have a part to play, however small. And by setting an example we empower others to do the same.

In my garden I try to grow as many herbs and fruits as possible. Living in the city does not aford much gardening space and in my case much sun due to tall trees. I have tried to create a beautifully landscaped garden that follows the architecture of my home while considering drought tolerant plants to save water in addition to incorporating as much produce as possible. Balancing my asthetic needs as well as environmental considerations is most important to me. I buy local, shopping at farmers markets and choose the produce grown locally in the market. I have always been a romantic, low light person so conserving energy is an easy one for me. I have no air conditioning and I run my dishwasher and laundry at night, not during peak hours. I would love to compost but don’t have the space. This year I need to make more of an effort to recycle. I feel horrible writing that but it is not my forte. These are some of the small ways I try to make a difference.

What drives you to make a difference? How are you sustainable? Let us not make this the tag word of our generation but rather the change we want to see in the world. Ask yourself these questions and see if there isn’t something more you could be doing. The littlest of shifts in how we live our lives can prove to be effective. Plant well, eat well, shop well, live well!

Relevant

As I was driving by a church the other day, there was the typical sign with a quote or single word. That day it simply said in all caps, RELEVANT. I had spent the morning thinking about how I could use my photography to help others and be more relevant. So when I saw that word, as I drove by, it truly felt like a sign. I believe in signs.

My vision as a photographer has evolved over the last year and a half, but I have continued to be inspired by food. Not just the prepared dish but where the ingredients come from and who grows them and how. These thoughts took me on a journey this summer to some local farms. I began learning about biodynamic farming. The methods used in this type of farming to grow produce, raise animals and nurture the land and ulitmately what we eat are raising the bar.

What we put in our bodies makes a difference in our health and mind. It is important to know where your food is coming from. I personally am very sensitive to different foods and feel vibrant and alive when I eat well grown and lovingly prepared food. Some of our earliest memories involve food. We all have an attachment to a meal or a moment in life that involved a specfic food that resonates with us. Food feeds our soul. So feed your soul well, right?

My mission with my photography and writing is to educate. I want to inspire young people to learn to cook healthy and to educate themselves on where their food is coming from. It can be as simple or complicated as you want to make it but ulitmately you will be the one who feeds others. That is the greatest gift. Gathering around and sharing a meal with family and friends brings joy and connection. There is so much disconnect right now and I believe in the power of simple things. As we get closer to the holidays now is the time to consider disconnecting and being in the moment with those close to us and sharing a memorable meal.

Conversly I love supporting my local chefs. In Los Angeles there are many and they are so connected and in tune with what is happening in the food scene. Not just organic produce, farm to table, etc., but bringing us part of their childhood, their heritage. Cooking from their family recipes and tweaking them to make them more relevant. We have such a diverse community here in LA and we are blessed to have chefs share with us their culture. I use my photography to inspire people to go out and try food that is not culturaly familiar.

If I can inspire people to get out and support their local farmers at the farmers market with my photographs of the week and what is currently in season I will be pleased. Going to a farm or a farmers market is uplifting. Talking to the people who grow the food you eat provides the story. Sometimes not just the story of how it is grown but where they have come from as people and how they treasure what they do. We all have diverse backgrounds but food is a commonality. Maybe in some small way you will be inspired to grow some herbs or produce yourself. I am an avid gardner and long for more land to express my passion. I garden every week and love to take pictures as I go.

All of this is relevant in the times we are living in. My thoughts are always linked to a way to get back to a more simpler time. Since I was a kid I have loved country life. As an adult in the city I use my garden, ventures to farms and farmers markets, and cooking as ways to feel connected to nature. I use my photography to influence ways in which we can heal ourselves and community with food. This is what I have been thinking about lately. How can I make a change in my community? How can I influence others to eat and live a more healthy life? I have been a photographer my whole life. This is what I know so this is what I use to influence. I think food, farms, gardens, and community are worth photographing. These are things that feel relevant to me right now and worth fighting for.

What's for Dinner?

I was always a basic cook, never making anything fancy or complicated. My mother was the one who was more adventurous, making delicous meals for our family. She would try new recipes all the time and succeed. I would sometimes cook beside her and learn things along the way, like clean up as you go. Nothing worse than coming to the end of a long journey making a beautiful dish only to turn around and find your kitchen in disarray.

I remember my mother would cook something different every night for dinner. Many years later, after she passed away, I found myself in the kitchen yearning to be the chef she once was. Cooking, I found, was very meditative and therapeutic. So I scoured my cookbooks and bought many new ones and began my culinary adventure. Much to my family’s delight I made some tasty meals. Of course there were failures, but that is where you learn the most. Being an artist at heart, I was always wanting to add something or change some little part of a recipe. I found that baking was not meant for me right away as you have to be so precise. I preferred making dinners rather than desserts.

I am noticing these days that many young people do not know how to cook due to busy lives and never having the time to learn. I understand the impatience with needing everything right away, including food. I was once one of those busy people with no time to cook. Living in Los Angeles, there are so many healthy options for take out and even good prepared food available at markets. Not to mention our growing food scene with food trucks and super talented chef’s opening new restaurants all the time. It has rendered home cooking a lost art. Getting back to our roots in so many areas is important these days, and I place home cooking at the top of the list and here’s why.

How many times have we all asked that age old question, “What’s for dinner?” Which answer would you be more proud to say, I got take out or I made lasagna? Cooking for our families or friends is so satisfying. It does more than just simply put food on the table, it nourishes and provides warmth and love. It not only brings us closer to our families, it also brings us closer to our community. I make weekly forays to my local farmers market and support my farmers. I wander and find something new everytime. Buying locally grown, organic food is the healthiest way to eat and reduces environmental impact. Cooking is about slowing down and disconnecting for awhile so that you can reconnect with family and yourself. I recommend turning up some good music when cooking and don’t rush the process or your food will suffer for it. This image above was from a recipe given to me by a friend. I would never have imagined being able to cook this complicated of a dish. But with patience and care I accomplished it, and it was delicious beyond words.

I have been re-evaluating my goals as a photographer and social media influencer. I am a fine art photographer first and formost. In addition to my fine art photography, when I began my Instagram @kthkitchen a little over a year ago, I posted some of the recipes I had made to show my food photography skills. I have had requests to include more photographs and text of the process I go through to create each dish. I would like to begin doing that in the hopes of inspiring people to not only eat healthy and organic food but to begin cooking at home. It is fun and simple and only complicated if you make it so. Then you can answer that age old question, “what’s for dinner” with pride and time well spent in the kitchen.

Farm Girl

With school about to start I am reminded of my favorite question, "How did you spend your summer vacation?" I spent mine researching, exploring and photographing farms. Walking deep in dirt, up hills and down, over bridges and through fields usually wearing the wrong shoes. I am learning how to be a farm girl. My kind friends who hosted my visits taught me much about the trials and tribulations of farm life. It is not an easy life but most say they would not trade it for another lifestyle.

I am in awe of nature and its cycles. This summer I especially enjoyed learning about  the philosophy of biodynamic farming. Biodynamics is rooted in the work of philospher and scientist Rudolf Steiner, whose 1924 lectures to farmers influenced the  organic farming movement. Biodynamic agriculture goes one step further than organic farming in that it treats soil, animals and crops as a single system, intended to restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. This principle emphasizes that humans have a responsibility for the development of their ecological and social environment. The prime objective is always to encourage healthy conditions for soil fertility, plant and animal health, and product quality. The farmer seeks to support the forces of nature that lead to healthy crops, and rejects farm managment practices that damages the environment, soil, plant, animal, or human health. With this practice the farm is a self-sustaining entity. Biodynamic farming has been found to be more resiliant to environmental challenges and to be more energy efficient, increasingly important in the face of climate change and population growth. I have a great amount of respect for the farmers taking on this method. We need to get back to our roots and treat our land, animals and produce with the respect they deserve. Please support biodynamic farmers in your area by buying their produce at farmers markets or your local market. Most farms take volunteers and will give tours. Learn more about this type of farming and make it a part of your life. 

 A summer vacation well spent.