Thursday, January 22, 2009

Ünd ze nominees are...

I am FREAKING OUT!!! I am so, so, so excited that Mickey Rourke was nominated for the Wrestler!!! That Kate Winslet has her shot at best Actress for the Reader!!! That ROBERT DOWNEY JR. (!!!!!!!) YESSSS!!! Holy smokes is nominated for Tropic Thunder?!!?!!! THIS IS AMAZING! He did a phenomenal and HILARIOUS job with this role... I mean really the man has impressed the daylights out of me. GO ROBERT GO!!! And Heath Ledger.... WOW. What a testament to his gift as an actor. WOW. WOW. WOW. This is going to be one heck of an Oscars!!! ZOWIE KAPOW!!! I'm so torn between Heath and Robert Downey! I don't know which one I want to win more!

Click here for your downloadable ballot!




Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

- NOMINATIONS BY CATEGORY - 81ST AWARDS -

Performance by an actor in a leading role

  • Richard Jenkins in "The Visitor" (Overture Films)
  • Frank Langella in "Frost/Nixon" (Universal)
  • Sean Penn in "Milk" (Focus Features)
  • Brad Pitt in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
  • Mickey Rourke in "The Wrestler" (Fox Searchlight)

Performance by an actor in a supporting role

  • Josh Brolin in "Milk" (Focus Features)
  • Robert Downey Jr. in "Tropic Thunder" (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
  • Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Doubt" (Miramax)
  • Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight" (Warner Bros.)
  • Michael Shannon in "Revolutionary Road" (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)

Performance by an actress in a leading role

  • Anne Hathaway in "Rachel Getting Married" (Sony Pictures Classics)
  • Angelina Jolie in "Changeling" (Universal)
  • Melissa Leo in "Frozen River" (Sony Pictures Classics)
  • Meryl Streep in "Doubt" (Miramax)
  • Kate Winslet in "The Reader" (The Weinstein Company)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role

  • Amy Adams in "Doubt" (Miramax)
  • Penélope Cruz in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" (The Weinstein Company)
  • Viola Davis in "Doubt" (Miramax)
  • Taraji P. Henson in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
  • Marisa Tomei in "The Wrestler" (Fox Searchlight)

Best animated feature film of the year


  • "Bolt" (Walt Disney)
    		Chris Williams and Byron Howard

  • "Kung Fu Panda" (DreamWorks Animation, Distributed by Paramount)
    		John Stevenson and Mark Osborne
    "WALL-E" (Walt Disney)
    		Andrew Stanton

Achievement in art direction


  • "Changeling" (Universal)
    		Art Direction: James J. Murakami
    Set Decoration: Gary Fettis


  • "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
    		Art Direction: Donald Graham Burt
    Set Decoration: Victor J. Zolfo


  • "The Dark Knight" (Warner Bros.)
    		Art Direction: Nathan Crowley
    Set Decoration: Peter Lando


  • "The Duchess" (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films)
    		Art Direction: Michael Carlin
    Set Decoration: Rebecca Alleway


  • "Revolutionary Road" (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)
    		Art Direction: Kristi Zea
    Set Decoration: Debra Schutt

Achievement in cinematography


  • "Changeling" (Universal)
    		Tom Stern


  • "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
    		Claudio Miranda


  • "The Dark Knight" (Warner Bros.)
    		Wally Pfister


  • "The Reader" (The Weinstein Company)
    		Chris Menges and Roger Deakins


  • "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)
    		Anthony Dod Mantle

Achievement in costume design


  • "Australia" (20th Century Fox)
    		Catherine Martin


  • "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
    		Jacqueline West


  • "The Duchess" (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films)
    		Michael O'Connor


  • "Milk" (Focus Features)
    		Danny Glicker


  • "Revolutionary Road" (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)
    		Albert Wolsky

Achievement in directing


  • "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
    		David Fincher


  • "Frost/Nixon" (Universal)
    		Ron Howard


  • "Milk" (Focus Features)
    		Gus Van Sant


  • "The Reader" (The Weinstein Company)
    		Stephen Daldry


  • "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)
    		Danny Boyle

Best documentary feature


  • "The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)" (Cinema Guild)
    A Pandinlao Films Production
    		Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath


  • "Encounters at the End of the World" (THINKFilm and Image Entertainment)
    A Creative Differences Production
    		Werner Herzog and Henry Kaiser


  • "The Garden"
    A Black Valley Films Production
    		Scott Hamilton Kennedy


  • "Man on Wire" (Magnolia Pictures)
    A Wall to Wall Production
    		James Marsh and Simon Chinn


  • "Trouble the Water" (Zeitgeist Films)
    An Elsewhere Films Production
    		Tia Lessin and Carl Deal

Best documentary short subject


  • "The Conscience of Nhem En"
    A Farallon Films Production
    		Steven Okazaki


  • "The Final Inch"
    A Vermilion Films Production
    		Irene Taylor Brodsky and Tom Grant


  • "Smile Pinki"
    A Principe Production
    		Megan Mylan


  • "The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306"
    A Rock Paper Scissors Production
    		Adam Pertofsky and Margaret Hyde

Achievement in film editing


  • "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
    		Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall


  • "The Dark Knight" (Warner Bros.)
    		Lee Smith


  • "Frost/Nixon" (Universal)
    		Mike Hill and Dan Hanley


  • "Milk" (Focus Features)
    		Elliot Graham


  • "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)
    		Chris Dickens

Best foreign language film of the year

  • "The Baader Meinhof Complex" A Constantin Film Production - Germany
  • "The Class" (Sony Pictures Classics) A Haut et Court Production - France
  • "Departures" (Regent Releasing) A Departures Film Partners Production - Japan
  • "Revanche" (Janus Films) A Prisma Film/Fernseh Production - Austria
  • "Waltz with Bashir" (Sony Pictures Classics) A Bridgit Folman Film Gang Production - Israel

Achievement in makeup


  • "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
    		Greg Cannom


  • "The Dark Knight" (Warner Bros.)
    		John Caglione, Jr. and Conor O'Sullivan


  • "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" (Universal)
    		Mike Elizalde and Thom Floutz

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)


  • "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
    		Alexandre Desplat


  • "Defiance" (Paramount Vantage)
    		James Newton Howard


  • "Milk" (Focus Features)
    		Danny Elfman


  • "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)
    		A.R. Rahman


  • "WALL-E" (Walt Disney)
    		Thomas Newman

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)


  • "Down to Earth" from "WALL-E" (Walt Disney)
    		Music by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman
    Lyric by Peter Gabriel


  • "Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)
    		Music by A.R. Rahman
    Lyric by Gulzar


  • "O Saya" from "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)
    		Music and Lyric by A.R. Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam

Best motion picture of the year


  • "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
    A Kennedy/Marshall Production
    		Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Ceán Chaffin, Producers


  • "Frost/Nixon" (Universal)
    A Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment and Working Title Production
    		Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Eric Fellner, Producers


  • "Milk" (Focus Features)
    A Groundswell and Jinks/Cohen Company Production
    		Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, Producers


  • "The Reader" (The Weinstein Company)
    A Mirage Enterprises and Neunte Babelsberg Film GmbH Production
    		Nominees to be determined


  • "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)
    A Celador Films Production
    		Christian Colson, Producer

Best animated short film


  • "La Maison en Petits Cubes"
    A Robot Communications Production
    		Kunio Kato


  • "Lavatory - Lovestory"
    A Melnitsa Animation Studio and CTB Film Company Production
    		Konstantin Bronzit


  • "Oktapodi" (Talantis Films)
    A Gobelins, L'école de l'image Production
    		Emud Mokhberi and Thierry Marchand


  • "Presto" (Walt Disney)
    A Pixar Animation Studios Production
    		Doug Sweetland


  • "This Way Up"
    A Nexus Production
    		Alan Smith and Adam Foulkes

Best live action short film


  • "Auf der Strecke (On the Line)" (Hamburg Shortfilmagency)
    An Academy of Media Arts Cologne Production
    		Reto Caffi


  • "Manon on the Asphalt" (La Luna Productions)
    A La Luna Production
    		Elizabeth Marre and Olivier Pont


  • "New Boy" (Network Ireland Television)
    A Zanzibar Films Production
    		Steph Green and Tamara Anghie


  • "The Pig"
    An M & M Production
    		Tivi Magnusson and Dorte Høgh


  • "Spielzeugland (Toyland)"
    A Mephisto Film Production
    		Jochen Alexander Freydank

Achievement in sound editing


  • "The Dark Knight" (Warner Bros.)
    		Richard King


  • "Iron Man" (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment)
    		Frank Eulner and Christopher Boyes


  • "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)
    		Tom Sayers


  • "WALL-E" (Walt Disney)
    		Ben Burtt and Matthew Wood


  • "Wanted" (Universal)
    		Wylie Stateman

Achievement in sound mixing


  • "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
    		David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Mark Weingarten


  • "The Dark Knight" (Warner Bros.)
    		Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo and Ed Novick


  • "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)
    		Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty


  • "WALL-E" (Walt Disney)
    		Tom Myers, Michael Semanick and Ben Burtt


  • "Wanted" (Universal)
    		Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño and Petr Forejt

Achievement in visual effects


  • "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
    		Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton and Craig Barron


  • "The Dark Knight" (Warner Bros.)
    		Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber and Paul Franklin


  • "Iron Man" (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment)
    		John Nelson, Ben Snow, Dan Sudick and Shane Mahan

Adapted screenplay


  • "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
    		Screenplay by Eric Roth
    Screen story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord


  • "Doubt" (Miramax)
    		Written by John Patrick Shanley


  • "Frost/Nixon" (Universal)
    		Screenplay by Peter Morgan


  • "The Reader" (The Weinstein Company)
    		Screenplay by David Hare


  • "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)
    		Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy

Original screenplay


  • "Frozen River" (Sony Pictures Classics)
    		Written by Courtney Hunt


  • "Happy-Go-Lucky" (Miramax)
    		Written by Mike Leigh


  • "In Bruges" (Focus Features)
    		Written by Martin McDonagh


  • "Milk" (Focus Features)
    		Written by Dustin Lance Black


  • "WALL-E" (Walt Disney)
    		Screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon
    Original story by Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter




Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

- MOTION PICTURE NOMINATIONS - 81ST AWARDS

- NOMINATIONS BY PICTURE -

(This list does not include Short Films or Documentary Short Subjects)

"Australia," a 20th Century Fox/Bazmark Film 2 Pty Ltd Production (20th Century Fox) (1 nomination)

Costume design

"The Baader Meinhof Complex," a Constantin Film Production (1 nomination)

Best foreign language film (Germany)

"The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)," a Pandinlao Films Production (Cinema Guild) (1 nomination)

Documentary feature

"Bolt," a Walt Disney Pictures Production (Walt Disney) (1 nomination)

Best animated feature film

"Changeling," a Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment Production (Universal) (3 nominations)

Angelina Jolie - Performance by an actress in a leading role
Art direction
Cinematography

"The Class," a Haut et Court Production (Sony Pictures Classics) (1 nomination)

Best foreign language film (France)

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," a Kennedy/Marshall Production (Paramount and Warner Bros.) (13 nominations)

Brad Pitt - Performance by an actor in a leading role
Taraji P. Henson - Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Art direction
Cinematography
Costume design
Directing
Film editing
Makeup
Original score
Best picture
Sound mixing
Visual effects
Adapted screenplay

"The Dark Knight," a Cape Road Limited Production (Warner Bros.) (8 nominations)

Heath Ledger - Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Art direction
Cinematography
Film editing
Makeup
Sound editing
Sound mixing
Visual effects

"Defiance," a Grosvenor Park/Bedford Falls Production (Paramount Vantage) (1 nomination)

Original score

"Departures," a Departures Film Partners Production (Regent Releasing) (1 nomination)

Best foreign language film (Japan)

"Doubt," a Scott Rudin Production (Miramax) (5 nominations)

Philip Seymour Hoffman - Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Meryl Streep - Performance by an actress in a leading role
Amy Adams - Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Viola Davis - Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Adapted screenplay

"The Duchess," a Qwerty Films/Magnolia Mae Films in association with Pathé Renn and BIM Distribuzione Production (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films) (2 nominations)

Art direction
Costume design

"Encounters at the End of the World," a Creative Differences Production (THINKFilm and Image Entertainment) (1 nomination)

Documentary feature

"Frost/Nixon," a Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment and Working Title Production (Universal) (5 nominations)

Frank Langella - Performance by an actor in a leading role
Directing
Film editing
Best picture
Adapted screenplay

"Frozen River," a Harwood Hunt Production (Sony Pictures Classics) (2 nominations)

Melissa Leo - Performance by an actress in a leading role
Original screenplay

"The Garden," a Black Valley Films Production (1 nomination)

Documentary feature

"Happy-Go-Lucky," a Thin Man Films/Simon Channing Williams Production (Miramax) (1 nomination)

Original screenplay

"Hellboy II: The Golden Army," a Universal Pictures Production (Universal) (1 nomination)

Makeup

"In Bruges," a Blueprint Pictures Production (Focus Features) (1 nomination)

Original screenplay

"Iron Man," a Marvel Studios Production (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment) (2 nominations)

Sound editing
Visual effects

"Kung Fu Panda," a DreamWorks Animation LLC Production (DreamWorks Animation, Distributed by Paramount) (1 nomination)

Best animated feature film

"Man on Wire," a Wall to Wall Production (Magnolia Pictures) (1 nomination)

Documentary feature

"Milk," a Groundswell and Jinks/Cohen Company Production (Focus Features) (8 nominations)

Sean Penn - Performance by an actor in a leading role
Josh Brolin - Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Costume design
Directing
Film editing
Original score
Best picture
Original screenplay

"Rachel Getting Married," a Clinica Estetico Production (Sony Pictures Classics) (1 nomination)

Anne Hathaway - Performance by an actress in a leading role

"The Reader," a Mirage Enterprises and Neunte Babelsberg Film GmbH Production (The Weinstein Company) (5 nominations)

Kate Winslet - Performance by an actress in a leading role
Cinematography
Directing
Best picture
Adapted screenplay

"Revanche," a Prisma Film/Fernseh Production (Janus Films) (1 nomination)

Best foreign language film (Austria)

"Revolutionary Road," an Evamere Entertainment, BBC Films and Neal Street Production (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage) (3 nominations)

Michael Shannon - Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Art direction
Costume design

"Slumdog Millionaire," a Celador Films Production (Fox Searchlight) (10 nominations)

Cinematography
Directing
Film editing
Original score
Original song - "Jai Ho"
Original song - "O Saya"
Best picture
Sound editing
Sound mixing
Adapted screenplay

"Tropic Thunder," a Red Hour Production (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/ Paramount) (1 nomination)

Robert Downey Jr. - Performance by an actor in a supporting role

"Trouble the Water," an Elsewhere Films Production (Zeitgeist Films) (1 nomination)

Documentary feature

"Vicky Cristina Barcelona," a Weinstein Company Production (The Weinstein Company) (1 nomination)

Penélope Cruz - Performance by an actress in a supporting role

"The Visitor," a Groundswell, Participant, Next Wednesday Production (Overture Films) (1 nomination)

Richard Jenkins - Performance by an actor in a leading role

"WALL-E," a Pixar Animation Studios Production (Walt Disney) (6 nominations)

Best animated feature film
Original score
Original song - "Down to Earth"
Sound editing
Sound mixing
Original screenplay

"Waltz with Bashir," a Bridgit Folman Film Gang Production (Sony Pictures Classics) (1 nomination)

Best foreign language film (Israel)

"Wanted," a Universal Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment Production (Universal) (2 nominations)

Sound editing
Sound mixing

"The Wrestler," a Protozoa Pictures/Wild Bunch Production (Fox Searchlight) (2 nominations)

Mickey Rourke - Performance by an actor in a leading role
Marisa Tomei - Performance by an actress in a supporting role



Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

- MOTION PICTURE NOMINATIONS - 81ST AWARDS -

- FEATURE FILMS WITH TWO OR MORE NOMINATIONS -

(This list does not include Short Films or Documentary Short Subjects.)


Picture
Distribution Company
Nominations
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Paramount and Warner Bros.
13
"Slumdog Millionaire"
Fox Searchlight
10
"The Dark Knight"
Warner Bros.
8
"Milk"
Focus Features
8
"WALL-E"
Walt Disney
6
"Doubt"
Miramax
5
"Frost/Nixon"
Universal
5
"The Reader"
The Weinstein Company
5
"Changeling"
Universal
3
"Revolutionary Road"
DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage
3
"The Duchess"
Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films
2
"Frozen River"
Sony Pictures Classics
2
"Iron Man"
Paramount and Marvel Entertainment
2
"Wanted"
Universal
2
"The Wrestler"
Fox Searchlight
2



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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Eat ze frog...










































Or büy a mermaid... Wearing this delicoüs little pendant would help me to tackle any important task! Check out Vusova's whimsical designs on Etsy!


Five tips for resolution success

1. Eat the frog
"Mark Twain said if you eat a frog first thing in the morning that will probably be the worst thing you do all day. So, start your day by tackling an important task, especially if it is a task you aren't crazy about."

2. Concrastinate
"If procrastinating means putting things off, concrastinate should be doing things immediately. Work in 15 minute increments. If there is a task you don't like, set a timer and do it for 15 minutes. At the end of 15 minutes, you will be amazed at how much you've accomplished. At that point, either stop or if you have built up some momentum, keep going."

3. Nix the multi-tasking
"We pride ourselves on being able to do two, three or four things at once, and that is fine if the activities are fairly simple, like stuffing envelopes while on a conference call or eating lunch while reading e-mail. But if at least one of the tasks is more complicated, like putting together a PowerPoint or writing a report, then it deserves your full attention. Set aside a period of time that you can devote to that one tasks. You will make fewer mistakes and get more done in less time."

4. Buddy up
"If your resolution is to do something simple like eat lunch away from your desk or go for a walk on your break time or keep your desk clean, make a pact with a co-worker who has a similar goal. Support each other in keeping your resolutions."

5. Plan it
"A few minutes of planning can save you hours of time. Either first thing in the morning or at the end of the day, take a few minutes to plan. It doesn't have to be a long formal process, just jot down the things you want to do that day (or the next if you do this at the end of the day)."

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Sunday, January 18, 2009

Poültry ünd strawberry...












Dinner last night consisted of organic free-range chicken breasts dredged in flour and sauteed in olive oil with garlic, sea salt, and freshly ground black peppah with some fresh oregano from my windowsill herb garden. Served over cous cous with a side of spinach sauteed in olive oil and garlic. Dessert consisted of succulent organic strawberries dipped in organic free-trade milk chooclate. Yum pa rumpapumpum! 
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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Laughter too!

Hilarious! I just adore Kristin Wiig. She is the most bemüsing comedienne I have witnessed in quite some time. Here she does her Kathy Lee Gifford Today Show impression and it is SPOT ON!!! Laughter, like sleep- is vital to maintaining your Üdo Ümami... your vital spunk... your je ne sais pas! So the tasks this week are to SLEEP (quite a bit) and LAUGH (quite a bit more). Do those, and you'll be well on your way to a great day, a charged-up week, and a month of renewal!


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The importance of being ErnezzzzZZz...

Top 10 Health Benefits of a Good Night's Sleep

By Mark Stibich, Ph.D., About.com

Updated October 30, 2008

In the past, sleep was often ignored by doctors and surrounded by myths, but now we are beginning to understand the importance of sleep to overall health and well-being. In fact, when people get less than 6 or 7 hours of sleep each night, their risk for developing diseases begins to increase.

1. Keeps Your Heart Healthy

Heart attacks and strokes are more common during the early morning hours. This fact may be explained by the way sleep interacts with the blood vessels. Lack of sleep has been associated with worsening of blood pressure and cholesterol, all risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Your heart will be healthier if you get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night.

2. May Prevent Cancer

People working the late shift have a higher risk for breast and colon cancer. Researchers believe this link is caused by differing levels of melatonin in people who are exposed to light at night. Light exposure reduces the level of melatonin, a hormone that both makes us sleepy and is thought to protect against cancer. Melatonin appears to suppress the growth of tumors. Be sure that your bedroom is dark to help your body produce the melatonin it needs.

3. Reduces Stress

When your body is sleep deficient, it goes into a state of stress. The body's functions are put on high alert which causes an increase in blood pressure and a production of stress hormones. Higher blood pressure increases your risk for heart attacks and strokes. The stress hormones also, unfortunately, make it harder for you to sleep. Learn relaxation techniques to counter the effects of stress. There are also stress reduction techniques for sleep.

4. Reduces Inflammation

The increase in stress hormones raises the level of inflammation in your body, also creating more risk for heart-related conditions, as well as cancer and diabetes. Inflammation is thought to one of the causes of the deterioration of your body as you age.

5. Makes You More Alert

Of course, a good night's sleep makes you feel energized and alert the next day. Being engaged and active not only feels great, it increases your chances for another good night's sleep. When you wake up feeling refreshed, use that energy to get out into the daylight, do active things, and be engaged in your world. You'll sleep better the next night and increase your daily energy level.

6. Bolsters Your Memory

Researchers do not fully understand why we sleep and dream, but a process called memory consolidation occurs during sleep. While your body may be resting, your brain is busy processing your day, making connections between events, sensory input, feelings and memories. Your dreams and deep sleep are an important time for your brain to make memories and links. Getting more quality sleep will help you remember and process things better.

7. May Help You Lose Weight

Researchers have also found that people who sleep less than seven hours per night are more likely to be overweight or obese. It is thought that the lack of sleep impacts the balance of hormones in the body that affect appetite. The hormones ghrelin and leptin, important for the regulation of appetite, have been found to be disrupted by lack of sleep. So if you are interested in controlling or losing weight, don't forget to pay attention to getting a good night's sleep.

8. Naps Make You Smarter

Napping during the day is not only an effective and refreshing alternative to caffeine, it can also protect your health and make you more productive. A study of 24,000 Greek adults showed that people who napped several times a week had a lower risk for dying from heart disease. People who nap at work have much lower levels of stress. Napping also improves memory, cognitive function and mood.

9. Reduce Your Risk for Depression

Sleep impacts many of the chemicals in your body, including serotonin. People with a deficiency in serotonin are more likely to suffer from depression. You can help to prevent depression by making sure you are getting the right amount of sleep, between 7 and 9 hours each night.

10. Helps the Body Make Repairs

Sleep is a time for your body to repair damage caused by stress, ultraviolet rays and other harmful exposures. Your cells produce more protein while you are sleeping. These protein molecules form the building blocks for cells, allowing them to repair damage.
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Monday, January 12, 2009

Always choose the bolder of the two...
























Soooo... this weekend I did something "uncomfortable". I agreed to participate in a conservatory acting class. I don't know if most of you know or not, but I have a background as an actor in my previous life. I still keep up with acting here and there and continue to work in (independent) film and theatre on occasion.

At any rate, even though I have this background in acting- I still get some anxiety about performing in front of others... but mostly the anxiety comes when I am required to perform in a "class". Why? Because it can be insanely uncomfortable. Even for a touchy-feely, crazy lady like me. In class, you combine all aspects of acting- voice, movement, and performance.

This means you have to get down on the floor and roll around and stretch and move and bend and touch people and you have to make weird noises, and make yourself completely vulnerable to a group of strangers and pretty much make an arse of yourself.

Anyway, for as much as I went kicking and screaming to this class yesterday- I'm so glad I did!!!!! Was I uncomfortable? YOU BET. But so was everyone else so that made me feel better. What I came to realize is that change... growth... personal development and professional development for that matter.... is PAINFUL. It sucks. It hurts. It's uncomfortable. But it's ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. I know now, that I would have been more disappointed with myself if I had chickened out. Isn't it silly? My students at the üni are all impressed with my mad presentation skills... The young ladies I instruct have told me on more than one occasion how they wish to emulate yours truly regarding public speaking ünd vat not. They crack up laughing when I tell them I'm just as anxious and crazy inside as they are when it comes to presenting- you just have to learn to harness that energy and üse it for your purpose!

I'm proud of myself. And I hope you all continue to do things that are uncomfortable and nerve-wracking. Things that make you stretch and grow and develop and force you to evolve. Isn't that what it's all about? Creation is nasty. It's explosive. It's acidic. It's caustic. Parts that aren't used eventually fall away or are phased out of existence. So keep using your parts! Keep moving. Keep stretching. Keep challenging.

The more you do it- the easier it gets.... Remember- when faced with two decisions- always choose the bolder of the two. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it! <3>Üdo xoxooxo
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Sunday, January 11, 2009

Lünch Tyme!








When I was in 7th grade, we 7th graders had the most cürious of sayings. One of the phrases we'd mutter to the 5th and 6th graders was: Do you walk to school or carry a lünch? What the devil did that even mean?! Who knows... but we thought we were so cool for saying it and confusing the daylights out of those poor, unsuspecting underlings. At any rate, if you do happen to take your lünch to work (or school) wouldn't it be fab to take it in one of these little cutie patinskis? How about if you didn't even have to büy one? You can win one! Want to win one of these fabulous cüte lunch totes? Why not save a few bucks each week and take your goodies to work for a mid-afternoon munchie... Check out the giveaway details here! Best of lünch lück! <3> Üdo
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Saturday, January 10, 2009

In a word: Gorgeoüs




























Let them eat cake, eh? How about Let's Eat Cake! Check out this terrific fundraiser to help the kids of St. Jüde's Children's Hospital. What a lovely idea. It's ahhhh, how you say? Cake for the cüre!
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The one with the saüce

Tomorrow is Sünday and that means pasta in the Üdo home! I make my own saüce from a recipe my Gramma P. passed on to me... Will update with that tomorrow... In the meantime, here is my favorite lovely chef with a version of her own recipe:


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Bübble Tea Recipe

In my search for Chinese New Year treats and recipes I came across this short tutorial on how to make bubble tea! This is a fairly common drink overseas and you can find many a bubble tea boutique in NYC as well. Here's a great link to making bubble tea or you can also watch a different video below.

Mmmm bübbles.....

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Yeah! It's Big Trouble Friday!

Yeah it's Friday! It's Big Trouble in Little China Friday! So grab some friends, some pizza, and some Jack Bürton and have yourself a good time! This movie is such campy fun. Lo-Pan, Kurt Russell, and Kim Catrall before she got all city. In the meantime, don't forget Chinese New Year is quickly approaching (January 26th). I've been shopping around for a few weeks wanting to gear up for the best Chinese New Year party ever.... but it will have to wait until next year. In the meantime, check here for all of your CNY needs.
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Thursday, January 08, 2009

Vermont, you can do no wrong...

Holy smokes! I never knew (until today) that you can take free online baking "classes" right here on King Arthur Flour website! There's also an online store for all of your baking needs. Who knew?! Well, now you know! And knowing is half the battle! Yes, that King Arthur Flour website is quickly becoming one of my favorites. They have an amazing recipe collection, tutorials, all of the appliances, products, and ingredients you need to make your tasty treats right at your fingertips.

Oh, and did I mention that its headquarters are located in my most favorite united state (besides Maine, Pennsylvania, and Colorado)? Yeah- that's right. They're in Vermont. Home of maple syrup and Killington. Home of cheese, chocolate, and Ben & Jerry's. Yet, another reason to love Vermont! Makes sense though, yes? All that white flour... all that white snow...

Snowwwwwww!

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Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Stock, stocks, and stockings....


It's well past midnight and I'm still cookin! Hübby and I did loads of wash tonight. Shirts, pants, socks and stockings. Lucky us, there was a snow storm and the roads were iced over... thus making us the only launderers at the laundry spot. It made for a comical adventure to be sure. Clothes cleaned and folded and now it's time to cook! Right now, I've got the remnants of a rotisserie chicken swimming on the stove in a witchy brew of carrots, onions, celeries, garlics, parselies, bay leaves, salts- n- peps (and a little spinderella) - a splash of pinot grigio and I threw in a pear to boot. Here you see me swirling it up a bit and then pushing thru the bits of the inner pot to encourage the liquid through the strainer.  Oh yes, to make the stock, I commandeered the pasta pots. Genius. I know.  ::rolls eyes:: It was just too easy to lift out the inner (straining) pot full of the veggies and chicken bits- which left me with a gorgeous home made stock. I should git me arse to bed but alas, I'm actually over tired and therefore not able to drift off to la-la land jüst yet (much to the protests of my dearest I'm still connected to the internet). ::eep:: Well, tomorrow is another day! I shall update then with my stockety stockerton. Toodles! <3> Üdo

Updated: Stock is ready to be frozen for future use. Off it goes into containers and is now nestled into the freezer. You know I do love being economical. It really gives you quite the feeling of smugness when you can put every last bit and bobbin to good use. I'm finding ways to use everything. The bananas that are turning are being turned into banana bread.  This way, you see, you take that extra dough you would have spent on wasted items or would have spent on items to replace the wasted and you invest it... in stocks. See. That's how it's done. ::taps her left temple:: "Scientific."

In the meantime, tonight's feast shall consist of linguine with lemon, garlic, thyme, and mushroom.... lüscious! But don't strain your eyes listening to me blather on about it... 

Let Nigella show you... and eat with joy in your heart!
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Tuesday, January 06, 2009

A scarf in time saves nine!















































Yes, it's twue. A scarf in time, saves nine... Wish it could have saved Isadora Duncan... but alas, affectations can be dangerous! Well, I finally finished up the ends of my supah warm, supah looooong bridal scarf! And just in time for our Pocono snow. I call this one "The Bridal White" - I made it the same colors of my bridal gown (ecru and ivory). Tis a year late - still it's quite lovely and long.  You should see the gams on this thing! I used a mixture of 4 distinct strands of acrylic and wool yarn with a simple garter knit. Excellent for bundling up in the cold and for keeping the necks of newlywed love birds cozy and warm! ::snuggle:: Each scarf is hand-knitted and imbued with kismet karma... every loop is woven with a peaceful, joy-filled wish; every strand imbued with purposefulness, kindness, laughter, and love. Oh and of course, they are supah long,  and in the words of French and Saunders... It's my new blockbuster,  lucky stitches. <3>Üdo 

Many 'appy returns lüvs!

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Sunday, January 04, 2009

Brüsh your teeth and get to bread...

It's getting late, time for bed... so I sit and I wait for this butter and jam to go to my bread!

Ahhhhh!

Mmmmm! Yum. Yum!

Alas, since we mowed down that first loaf of bread yesterday I decided to make another this evening. It came out quite lovely, don't you think? This time the bread produced a nice english muffin toasting treat (as the recipe states it shall do). Yes, this'll do for the week's sandwiches. I had a slice this morning toasted with lashings of fresh cream butter and plump strawberry jam. A hot cup of tea, too! And don't forget to whistle... Why? Because that's what angels do. Off to dreamland with you then! xoxox - Üdo

And for all you Little Princess fans... yes it's a tad melancholy , but a lovely scene nonetheless and you surely can't hold a candle to that teeny, tiny tantrum! Too precious!!!

Because that's what angels do: 2:52 - 4:22

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Ze trüffles are trampling away!
































I took a jaünt to the craft store last night and discovered that Michael's has a deliriously gigantic cake decorating department... Fün!!!!! I süppose it's only a matter of time before my cake obsessions lead me down that path. Apparently they have weekly cake decorating classes.... In the meantime (what I went up there for originally), I found the most darling paper cupcake cups. I was looking for a miniature treat holder for these delightful truffles as Lord knows I'm not going to eat them all myself! Here I found lovely "homemade" stickers, curling ribbons in a rainbow assortment of colors, candy & treat boxes and tents with little windows to see the sweeties inside! While my türkey pot pie was baking away, I was curling and cutting and sticking and tucking all of those decadent little devils into their delivery devices. Güess I'll be making the rounds tonight or tomorrow. Hope the moms and such like them! xoxo <3>Üdo
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Türkey Pot Piepoli













Late into the evening last night, I also made a türkey pot pie. So yummy. A little sprinkle of sea salt and freshly ground black peppercorns on top. Recipe to follow. 

RECIPE: 
Dazzle a splash of olive oil in a pan. Saute (any amount you like of) diced onions, celery, garlic, carrots, fresh parsley, until soft. Simmer a splash of white wine for flavor (only you know how much you like!) Turn up the heat to steam the alki out of that baby and leave just the flavor. Grind sea salt and fresh black (or white, or multi-colored) peppercorns to taste. Sprinkle a party of garlic powder. Add enough water to cover half way. Cook awhile until it looks or tastes or feels tender. Reduce that white wine down with some knobs of country fresh cream buttah. Add small diced potatoes. A little more wine. Reduce. Simmer, sizzle, and sing a refrain from a favorite Broadway show tune. See end of post for my favorite... 

In a separate pan saute any amount of shredded or diced turkey (that has been dredged in flour and sprinkled with sea salt and freshly ground black peppercorns) in a shallow slip of extra virgin olive oil... adding a teeny knob of country fresh cream butter. Add a 1/2 cup or so of cream or half and half or milk to the turkey mixture. Careful not to burn. 

Add this to the other pan with the celery etc. in it... Thicken with a tablespoon or two of flour. Transfer mixture to a pie dish that has been lined with homemade (click here for Gramma P's Pie Crust recipe) or use store bought pie pastry if pressed for time (ie: if it's like 9:00pm and you innocently told your famished hubbüb that dinner would take only a half-hour (tops) to make and it's really already taking about 2 hours to "whip together"  ::grimmace::  

Top off with second crust and slice in steam vents in the form of a radiant, white-hot sun. Flute the sides. Grab the latest issue of Vanity Fair and indulge in some quiet reading time while the Piepoli bakes at 350 for 40 -50 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Serve with a cool simple salad and a glass of pinot grigio.... or chilled mango soda over ice. 


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Saturday, January 03, 2009

Dreama Üdo's Cookie 123...

Today was also a cookie making day. Here are the remains of the double chocolate chip discs we devoured after lünch. :D The secret is in the pudding. Shhhhh... Püdding is the secret ingredient that makes these cookies blüe ribbon award winners! Try them for yourself... you'll see. But you've got to promise not to give the secret away!

  • 5 cups King Arthur flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 cups country fresh buttah, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 2  packages instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 4 whole omega rich organic eggs
  • 2 teaspoons organic vanilla extract
  • 4 cups semisweet free-trade chocolate chips
  • 2 cups chopped organic omega rich walnuts
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour and baking soda, set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the buttah, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
  3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Edges should be golden brown.
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Tantrüm Trüffles!


These naughty little treats will quench your desire for lüsh chocolatey-ness. Ooo! I nearly threw a fit today for something decadent to dance on the tip of my tongue.

Sometimes you just need to throw a fit. Or have a fit. Though having a fit sounds more like you're having a seizure- whereas throwing a fit sounds diva-like. Divas throw things. Dishes. Glasses. Fits.

So I threw a fit and had meself a good ol' tantrum. Why? Eh, why not? The confectionery cüteness today consisted of these deliciously delightful homemade trüffle delights.

I made tantrum truffles. The recipe is based on Julia Child's bourbon-saoked chocolate truffles (pg. 130 from her Menu Cookbooo). These babies are dredged in dark cocoa and covered in hazelnut.

Recipe is simple and sublime.

A very tiny bit (or so) of organic heavy cream (hehee) , unsalted organic butter, a teensy swif of dark Jamaican rum, a bit of strong coffee, and a few snips of ginger snaps folded (stirred, mixed, blended) into free-trade, (good for the earth and good for you!), organic, kosher chocolate. For chocolates I used several (about 3 large flat bars) different kinds of cocoa.

I mixed milk chocolate (35%) with dark (60% chocolate with espresso nibs) and premium 70% cocoa. These truffles contain natural flavanol antioxidants- the same kind found in wine, blueberries, and green tea!

Melt the chocs in the microwave until smooth (or use a double-boiler if you have the patience for it) fold in the teensy bit o' cream with a wooden spoon. When finished lick spoon and toss it (yoss it) into warm soapy water. Cover the mixture and let sit in icebox for an hour or so.

When ready, use a teaspoon to scoop out some truffledge and begin to quickly form into small circles (balls is a bit crass, eh?) Work quickly. Roll the truffletytoos in any topping of choice.

Hard day at the office? Pair these little strumpets with a sip of Chianti or Pinot Noir and you've got it all down right. Mmmmm. Trüffle.


xoxox <3 Üdo



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Lünch tyme!





























Made delicious new bread recipe today! So pleased with the results and it's not only süper fast to make, it's practically foolproof! You can find the recipe here at the Baker's Banter. Incidentally, I made myself and darling hübby a tasty sandwich of with our freshly baked yümmy bread, a tear of fresh hydroponic basil leaves, slices of organic honey ham, fresh organic tommy-toes, crisp iceberg lettuce, a grind of sea salt and black peppercorns, and for me a spread of gourmet whole-grain seed mustard. Oh, and a side of sour-cream Pringles for hübstable. 
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Friday, January 02, 2009

What is it about cake?

Cake. Oh cake. Such delicate loveliness. Sugary secrets and lickable lanterns. Fantastic fairey lights. Oh cake. Especially pretty, pretty cake. I sit on my ever-expanding behind savoring every last glistening bit of my wedding cake as I gaze upon the grande creations from Just Scrumptious Cakes. Next time we hit the UK- I'm all over it!

Yes. It's no secret I love cake. You might even say it's an obsession. A 1980's obsession. (Hilarious) What is up with this hair anyway? And who the devil knew that Jim J. Bullock and Amber Frye headed up Animotion?!

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The bird king rüles...












What to give for a first year anniversary to your significant other? Paper or clocks. I went paper-happy in search of sensational stationery and countless creative clippings of sorts. One of the several paper items I proudly purchased was this little gem. Our little black bird... who is precariously perched upon another paper prince- a vintage map of St. Lucia. Check out Royal Buffet's gorgeous paper delights. This little winged king would sneak off with our french toasts and bacon strips from our honeymoon porch in St. Lucia. Here he guards our treasured memories...
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Thursday, January 01, 2009

New year. New you.

I had an acquaintance in college who would cut her hair very, very, short at the beginning of every new  year. At the time I thought this was bizarre. But she and her kooky mom were really into the whole cleanse thing at the start of a new year. New year. New you. Now, I'm not going to go clip my crowning glory (not after the lifetime it took to grow out this mop top - that day when I was 9 and was mistaken for a boy on the playground?! never again!!!) But I eventually did learn the benefits of cleansing and whole body cleanse systems. 

In recent days I've digested (or am still digesting) a delicious filet mingnon, créme bruleé, sweet potato gnocchi with brown butter sauce, champagne, wedding cake, drunken noodles, tadales, tadales. more tadales, kolachi, pierogi, lasagna, and about 7 different fishes swimming in my belly. As Grampa G. used to say, "Death begins in the colon." Girl, I need to CLEANSE. New year. New you! Helmet hair not required. 

So there are several different types of cleansing but I'll make this easy and break it into cleanse systems, and cleanse teas/drinks. A cleanse system is not as complex as it sounds but it does require a certain personality type and tenacity. 

The second best cleanse system that I have tried, and one that was super great for turbo-charging weight loss is the Zand Quick Cleanse. It mainly supports the digestive tract and the liver in detoxification until your body is able to efficiently self-cleanse. This particular cleanse does not require fasting and takes about a week to complete. The drawback? Pills, pills, more pills. (gag) Also too, it's not enough to take the pills, but to remember to take them as well (something I'm not so good at doing). And, it's best to stay away from all the standard anti-cleanse things like bread, pasta, meats, etc... and to consume a diet in fruits and veggies (raw or lightly steamed) and copious amounts of water. Not so easy or desirable to do this if you have to swallow pills too. Nevertheless, I was able to pull this one off several years ago and it worked like a charm. You just have to go in with the right mindset. I've also tried Colonix and Toxinout with much success. At any rate, here's a list of the top 20 cleansers on the market if you are so inclined. 

Another to try are the cleansing teas. Take a day or two and drink tea. Drink water. Drink tea. Drink water. Drink tea. Drink water. Just keep drinking tea and water. Not just any tea, mind you. A cleansing tea. Try any of the cleansing teas from Traditional Medicinals. 

There is also of course the "Master Cleanse" click here for a free pdf download to read all about it. And lastly, the best cleanse that I've tried with much success is the blessedherbs cleanse. Click here to find out more. Me? I might try that Master Cleanse this year afterall. Or not. Ha! 

The best basic way to cleanse your system, to me, will always be the natural way- lots of fresh fruit and lightly steamed veggies. That's it for food consumption. Combine that with a brisk 40 minute walk every day out doors in the crisp sunshine and the brilliant air- you'll be well on your way to a new year and a new you! Now please excuse me, while I tie my sneaker and head out the door!
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