FOOD is ART!!!! The Geometry of Pasta ~ The Perfect Shape. The Perfect Sauce.

I came across this book while hearing NPR news this evening!and i thought i had to share it with you guys--just cause its different from a normal cookbook...the black and white graphics are different from the all alluring color food pictures...When i think of pasta i don;t tend to think of the graphic shapes that it has...but here in this book “The Geometry of Pasta" pairs over 100 authentic recipes from critically acclaimed chef, Jacob Kenedy, with award-winning designer Caz Hildebrand’s stunning black-and-white designs to reveal the science, history and philosophy behind spectacular pasta dishes from all over Italy.

 Geometric shapes ~ flat black and white graphics ~ And you get the history of various pasta shapes as well as sauce recipes that pair perfectly with its exquisite shape.  A stunning fusion of design and food, The Geometry of Pasta tells you everything you need to know about cooking and eating pasta like an Italian.”

I’ve never unwrapped a book and been so tempted to frame up the dust jacket, but this one is just stunning!For me just the graphics and the thought behind finding 300 odd varieties of pasta shapes is stunning!
and from what i hear.............
 “Plans are underway to launch a series of products inspired by The Geometry of Pasta featuring the distinctive graphic style used in the book, from an i- phone app to kitchenware and a range of pastas and sauces.”

So take a look at some of the pages in the book!As well as a giant chart of pasta shapes!Imagine....i knew only 5 shapes of pasta till now!!!!!You can also check out their video on http://www.geometryofpasta.com/

Guest blog : Recycled ideas : Single old socks

I have a pleasant surprise today! We have a guest blogger--Eisha Sarkar writing for us today! Eisha is a journalist by profession and an explorer by nature. when we were talking about our recycled ideas and recycled material products... she came up with a simple brilliant idea--of recycling old socks and using them in a variety of ways... I will let her do the talking now.Do check her blog out at  http://eishasarkar.blogspot.com/

Socks are a problem. You always buy them in pairs. You've got to get the colour right. And they've got to go with your shoes (and attitude). Misplace one of the pair, and the other gets cast aside, making way for a new pair in the drawer. Age doesn't matter. The twin does. But single old socks can be handy in various ways too. Here's how:

As gloves: Need to take the stuff out of the microwave, use a sock instead of a glove. It works the same way, unless it's your hand you intend to microwave.

As dusters: No, don't spend money on those rags. Use socks instead. Glove them and you can wipe the dirt off any surface you like. Socks are good for furniture, window sills, computer screens, floor spills, handles, and blinds.

As shoe-shiners: Old socks make great shoe polishers. You can also use them to shine the shoe after polishing.

As soap-holders: You don't want a bar of washing soap to just melt away in your hand. A sock will keep the blue off your hands.

As coin-purses: Don't know where to keep all those coins? Well, an old, clean ankle sock will hold them for you. You can also decorate it with sequins and acrylic colours to get your own coin-purse.

As packing material: You're moving and you've run out of bubble wrap for your ceramics and glassware. Fret not. Sock it. Stuff them into your glasses and they'll be just fine.

Wasn't that brilliant? Thanks for a great read and for even better tips Eisha! 

Art n Design Feature : Indian Kitsch by Aarohi Singh

Whoever said Kitsch was out, din't look at the latest trend meter. Chances are that you have already come across this artists work before, owing to her popularity in the kitsch art community. There are a few known artists in today's day and time who think and rightly so, that kitsch is 'cool' and are capable of presenting this art form in one of its most attractive ways. 
According to Wikipedia definition, Kitsch is a form of art that is considered an inferior, tasteless copy of an extant style of art or a worthless imitation of art of recognised value. Take a look at the following artist's work and judge for yourself, how true that still  is. 

Aarohi Singh is a self taught artist. She paints in Oil, Acrylics, Watercolor, Pastels and works on Paper, Canvas, Metal, Cardboard, Wood, Fabric. She  left her full time 'information architect' job and is now a full time product designer. Her products are drenched in loud colours and are inspired from everyday life in India. Many pieces of her work have a hint of irony and fun associated with them. Anybody familiar with the culture can easily identify and marvel at these things and relish the beauty of detailing in her work. Find more of Aarohi's work at http://www.artbyaarohi.com/blog/. 

Recycle Ideas : Table Linens

Table linens are a daily product. We  tend to get bored of  the same color and design after a while, both in clothes and home accessories.  We want change. So instead of going to crate and barrel or pier one each time, how about hand making these runners and table mats from old waste pieces of cloth, stoles, scarves. We could even make a fancy one by patching different colors together! It's looks very cool, saves money and makes best out of waste too! Share your tips! 

Two weekends to go before sending in your favorite ideas, articles and even pictures on how do you reuse and recycle!!! 

You know you can send your entries on mailthegreenelephant@gmail.com and if you get selected you win a prize?!

Holiday Gift Idea 1 : Handmade Paper Mache Coasters and Napkin Rings

There are many of ways to make Paper mache at home and there is nothing like one method is better than the other. It's all about what is convenient to you. The common ingredient in all the different methods obviously is paper. Again, although paper is biodegradable is it really eco-friendly? It comes from Trees, so guess not; unless it is reused. Reused paper... hmmph! Old newspapers is the first thing that'd come to our minds, but how many of us, not living in India still get newspapers delivered at home every morning? Not many i'd guess. The internet's to the rescue these days to take care of ignorance about any darn thing. So then what else is left for us aspirants... scrap wallpaper, dryer lint, all purpose dough, egg cartons, soda n beer n shoe boxes, any boxes, the grocery paper bags etc etc. Well, that is quite a handful of options huh! that's not too bad, all of these are easily procurable. Even if you go to any local grocery store and request them to give you waste stuffing paper or boxes they will be happy to reduce their own work of shredding those few pieces and get a few extra peaceful minutes of life and fresh air :)

Google for different ways to make paper mache, here's a start for yall : http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/papermache/a/blpmpastes.htm

The beautiful coasters and napkin rings in the images above are handmade by an organisation called Sasha. Don't they look really neat? You could make these at home yourselves using bright colors and different patterns. They could make as a wonderful holiday gifts which not only has useful value, are easy on pocket ofcorse but also contain one of the most important ingredients in it - love :)

Recycle Ideas : I took the Plastiki Pledge

No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.

In theory everything is recyclable. I could recycle a building, an airplane, a DVD, a camera…or even my tooth brush. For something recyclable to actually be recycled someone needs to take that something and want to turn it into something new. That is exactly where the problem lies with the recycling concept… Interesting article by Kathleen Boylan. 

So, in essence we need to take action, just wishful thinking does not help make any difference. Reuse all plastic bags, newspapers, old cloth pieces in innovative ways. 

Just a bunch of us out there cannot save the world! People who are already conscious and aware about the problems of plastic and waste, are going to minimize it's use in their daily lives anyway. The issue is with those who still think its anybody's BUT their own responsibility to save the planet. Take initiative and do not hesitate to politely point out to your mother in law if she is wasting water in the kitchen sink while chatting on the phone or to knock on the bathroom door while your husband started dreaming about the sexy lady under a running shower. Point out to a friend who just bought a carton of bottled water, when tap water is perfectly safe. If it isn't to boil it on the regular gas/stove is hundred times more pure and waste proof.  

We intend to put together some re-cycle/re-use ideas here in the coming weeks. It'd be great if you people out there would like to share some of your ideas with the rest of us too and do your bit! 

Visit : 

http://myplastiki.com/index.php to make your pledge!