Off Switch Magazine - Volume Two by Off Switch Magazine

interviews

photography

nutrition art inspiration essays

volume two / spring / 2012

ÂŠ 2012 Off Switch Magazine All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the editor. Inquiries can be sent to the editor at: info@offswitchmagazine.com www.offswitchmagazine.com Printed in the USA by MagCloud.com Cover photos: Heather Zweig Poem on back cover: Brittany Austin

volume two

off switch magazine

welcome Welcome to the second issue of Off Switch Magazine, everyone! The goal of this issue is to inspire all of you to embrace the changing of seasons from winter to spring. Whether you do this by exploring the outdoors, living a colorful life, planting a garden full of fruits and vegetables, or any other number of ways, doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really matter. What does matter is that we choose to be positive, to focus on the good, and share our love of life with others. Take a risk, push beyond your comfort zone, do whatever you need to grow and become more fully you. That is the theme of this issue. I hope it inspires you.

founder & executive editor

off switch magazine

contributors katie michels www.offswitchblog.com

anna klenke www.twitter.com/annaklenke

brittany austin www.brittanyaustin08.blogspot.com

ben blood www.benblood.com

ana cabaleiro www.anacabaleiro.com

elias and theresa carlson www.orangejuice-etc.com

Jocelyn Catterson www.jocelyncatterson.com

Marielle CHua www.mariellechua.com

caitlin connolly www.hueandhum.com

gerry cruz meg fee www.or-so-i-feel.blogspot.com

whitney johnson www.eatsleepcuddle.com

jamie klimes www.flickr.com/jamieklimes

Shanley Knox www.nakateproject.com/

off switch magazine

landon drean photography www.landondreanphotography.wordpress.com

ERICA LUCY www.ericalucy.4ormat.com

julia and yuriy manchik www.mrmrsglobetrot.blogspot.com

sarah mccammon www.wearingitonmysleeves.blogspot.com

Rosa nevarez www.rosanevarezart.com

caroline nitz www.twitter.com/Nitzcr

melissa tydell www.melrosestreetcustomcontent.com

Christian Villacillo www.christianvillacillo.com

dina weiss Interested in consulting with Dina? Feel free to send a note: dina.weiss69@gmail.com

faye west www.fayewest.com

yaro photo www.yarophoto.com

Heather Zweig www.wethreezweigs.blogspot.com

table of contents welcome

table of contents

contributors

through my lens

the bold year

his and hers

lower lights burning

the bounty

seasons of change

travel notes

put some color in your spring

asparagus soup

the girl with the whiteboard

meet jeff and lisa manning

one photo an hour

snack time

a piece of africa

spring wear

for the book lover

cracking the dust

the recipes

staying connected

off switch magazine

through my lens each issue a theme is chosen, photographers are gathered, and images are submitted...all for the love of photography. the following pages will transport you to places you likely have never traveled. sit back and enjoy the gorgeous ride.

{theme}

landscapes

Christian Villacillo Maligne Lake, Jasper, Alberta, Canada

elias carlson mazama, washington, usa

off switch magazine

ana cabaleiro mountains of La Rhune, between France and Spain (TOP) Basque Country, spain (BOTTOM) off switch magazine

Jocelyn Catterson elk meadow, colorado, usa (top) westward view of mountains from 1-70 in colorado, usa (bottom)

off switch magazine

julia and yuriy manchik Cappadocia, Turkey (top) Pamukkale, Turkey (bottom)

off switch magazine

Marielle CHua Valley of Fire, Nevada, USA

off switch magazine

ERICA LUCY edinburgh, united kingdom

off switch magazine

The Bold Year writer, blogger, and actor, meg fee, shares her own story of discovery, newfound passion for live music, and the impact a song has on the human heart.

text: meg fee illustration: faye west

I went to my first concert just over a year ago. On a whim, I had gotten tickets and with no boyfriend in sight, I gave them to my brother. I would take the bus to Boston and we’d go together. I remember that Saturday night: our late dinner ordered in, the cold air blanketing the city, the feeling that I had not a single thing to wear, what does one wear to concerts? I finally settled on a black shift dress and my Frye motorbike boots. We entered the small venue – standing room only – and found a spot close to the stage, but not too close. Connor got us drinks and then we waited, remarking mostly on how lucky we were to be tall (tall is good where no seats are concerned) and how we were not the usual hipster crowd (in a sea of beanies our heads were hatless). We were there to see The Head and the Heart. Now, I can just imagine readers all over, nodding their heads, of course, of course, The Head and the Heart. But just over a year ago they were virtually unknown. Just over a year ago they were the opening band for someone else. And when we saw them, just over a year ago, no one knew the words to sing along – almost no one had heard of them. But their music was heaven. And so Connor and I stood there, drinks in hand, bobbing and swaying, as the music moved through and up, as the air was charged with the sound and the guttural need of those voices. And that was it. I was sold. Hook line and sinker. The next day we went skiing and had dinner at Outback Steakhouse. That weekend was one of the best of my life. When I returned to New York I began buying up cheap tickets for fringe (I use that word loosely) bands playing smaller venues. The tickets would arrive in the mail and then sit in a little white box atop my dresser. Tickets, the promise of a concert, something to look forward to. I saw Noah and the Whale at the Bowery Ballroom. Beirut at the Wellmont. The Lumineers at the Mercury Lounge. Slowly but surely over the course of the year I refined my taste in music and

began to chart the city as I did so – venturing into downtown neighborhoods and once unfamiliar boroughs. Mapping city and self, unfurling New York and my place in it. At some point it became very clear: I became bold by a year of listening to live music. It was just about a week ago that I went out with some girlfriends I hadn’t seen in quite a while and I was explaining all of this and what bands I loved and why and what about their music made my weary heart thrum when my friend Vivienne took a deep breath, all of the music in my library was given to me by friends and ex-boyfriends – mostly ex-boyfriends. Ah, ex-boyfriends. I’ve come to realize that in every relationship I’ve ever had – first loves, half-loves, reluctant flirtations – music plays a part. I tell you, the passing of the mix-tape might as well be a relationship marker. Music and men. To this day I can’t listen to Nick Drake without feeling a sadness and longing for one Sunday in December many years ago in which I both lost and found the very best parts of myself on the couch of my first love. I’ll never forget sitting on the floor of my first boyfriend’s apartment. I was just out of high school, new to New York and terrified by nearly everything. I sat on his floor surrounded by record sleeves and pictures of him as a child and I was sure that I wasn’t actually that keen on him, but I had yet to really wake to that thought. He picked up an Ella Fitzgerald album: Ella, she’s the one, you know? She’s my one. She’s my music. She sings and it stirs something low in me. Something I hardly know how to place. Who’s your Ella? He looked right at me and asked. Who is your Ella? Who is my Ella? I hardly knew what he was talking about. I don’t know. I don’t think I have an Ella. Oh man, I can’t wait for the day you find yours. Finding it is the best part.

off switch magazine

Sometimes I wonder how often his question hung over me. A wet, pregnant cloud, eclipsing the landscape. It took six years, but I know now. I figured it out this last year in dark and crowded concert halls among nearly perfect strangers. I found my Ella in the sounds of the folk movement coming out of London and the Pacific Northwest. I found my Ella in the broken voices of Charlie Fink and Kristian Matsson. I found my Ella in the sublime dissonance – that perfect space between the Avett Brothers’ voices. In the ferocity and haunting vulnerability with which Laura Marling sings and Johnny Flynn plays the fiddle. I found my Ella in the lyrics which call upon Bukowski and Shakespeare and Hemmingway for their piercing (and humblingly simple) wisdom.

My music library is made up of those songs that I love. Those songs that stir that low, unknowable, unnamable part of myself. The songs that upon listening to I can’t help but move and laugh and sway my hips, putting socks to wood floor and shimmying this-a-way and that. Those songs that grant, when I least expect it, a perfect, quiet moment, in which I stand just as still as I possibly can and cry – because someone else has given voice and melody to my great triumphs and deep tragedies – because someone else has unwrapped what I thought singular and secret. And in those moments I am not alone. I am never lonely. I stand listening to the chant of the human experience. Music is tangible...don’t ever let anyone tell you different.

I found my Ella. And in finding my Ella I found myself.

It’s that knowing I’m not alone bit – that knowing that others have gone before and others will follow after – that vulnerability is what makes for this human experience – that’s what made me bold.

And I did it all without a man.

That and the music.

off switch magazine

whitney johnson and dave tuttle fell in love over a mutual passion for instant photography. combining that passion to create unique his & hers polaroid collages was only a natural result. see for yourself why this couple is one to know:

Word on the street is you two met through the photo-sharing website, Flickr. Share with us how and when that happened. Whitney Johnson: We did. To explain exactly how we met requires a bit of back history. All over Portland you can find iron “horse rings” that are embedded into the sidewalks. They were used to tie horses up prior to the use of cars in the 1800s. Over five years ago, an artist named Scott Wayne Indiana started zip tying tiny toy horses to these old rings as a conceptual art project. The idea was to get people to start noticing their surroundings. In March of 2008, Dave posted a Polaroid he had taken of one of these horses in NW Portland. While pursuing Flickr one day, I discovered the Polaroid. I recognized it immediately, as I had taken a Polaroid of the very same horse. I left a comment on the shot, a friendship developed and the rest, as they say, is history. Dave Tuttle: It’s true, she internet stalked me.

interview: katie michels

W: Yeah right! We didn’t even meet in real life until a year and a half later.

What do you love most about Polaroid instant cameras and the imperfect photos they create? W: I love the anticipation of waiting for a shot to develop. Each photo is unpredictable and unique. I love those wonderful distorted colors, the tiny imperfections that form and the fact that there is no deleting and retaking – every shot is one of a kind. It makes each photograph more meditated and important. D: I think it’s precisely that imperfection that I love so much. Sometimes a digital shot can be perfect. Often times it’s too perfect. A Polaroid (or Impossible Project) image can be rife with picky imperfections. That makes the image a one of a kind. An original. I find that refreshing. Your “Polaroid Wall” is amazing! How many pictures did you have to sort through to create it? I’m sure you have quite a collection by now. D: We literally dumped tens of thousands of Polas on our floor and sorted through them for days and days! W: Dave’s exaggerating a bit, but we definitely did sort through over a thousand shots. Our living room looked like a bomb had gone off; there were Polaroids everywhere! We’ve both been shooting instant film for over five years now, so it was fun finding Polaroids we forgot we had taken and telling each other the stories behind them. Polaroid stopped making film for their instant cameras a few years ago. How are you able to continue shooting with yours? D: The death of Polaroid and their decision to discontinue instant film is a sad commentary on corporate greed and malfeasance. But thanks to The Impossible Project and all of their hard work, we are shooting instant film again. And couldn’t be more excited to do so. W: When Polaroid announced they were discontinuing film, I literally went to every Costco, Walgreens and Rite-Aid in the area and bought all the film they had. We’re talk-

off switch magazine

ing 150+ packs. So luckily, I still have a bit of a stockpile of film in a mini fridge. For new film, The Impossible Project is amazing! They have made great strides in their film development over the last couple years and their film just keeps getting better and better. It’s clear you are a fun-loving and adventuresome couple! What is your favorite way to spend your free time? D: Food. We love food. W: We do love cooking. I think more than anything we like trying new things. Whether that be a new recipe, a new hiking spot, or a photography idea we have in our head. Whose idea was it to make these fantastic “His and Hers” Polaroid collages? Do any of them not work out the first time around? D: It was my idea. Totally all mine! W: It kind of was Dave’s idea. It took a few months to develop, as we couldn’t think of an appropriate name. D: We bounce ideas off one another all the time. The hardest thing is putting ideas to paper, or film that is.

www.hisampersandhers.com

W: There are definitely ideas we try that don’t work out. If you were left with only one camera and one destination to photograph, what would you choose? D: My Polaroid sx-70 camera with original Polaroid Time Zero film and Impossible Project px 70 film. Italy. And Croatia. I think Croatia would be great. Oh, and the Basque region. W: My Polaroid SLR 680 with Impossible Project px 600 UV+ film and original 600 film. I would also love to go to Croatia and Italy (can you say best honeymoon ever?!). Or maybe the Faroe Islands. D: Whitney loves to drop wedding hints. Hints like bombs. It’s kind of endearing.

off switch magazine

Lower Lights Burning Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll come back to their music, again and again interview: caroline nitz photography: ben blood illustration: faye west

Lower Lights Burning is a Washington-based trio consisting of brothers Graydon and Michael Holden and Amanda Winterhalter. This indie folk-rock ensemble released the album Coming Back in October 2011. Armed with a surprising variety of instruments, including guitar, ukulele, mandolin, drums, banjo, organ and, my personal favorite, the glockenspiel, their music inspires contemplation and reflection. Thoughtful lyrics and crafted harmonies bring to mind the melodies of n.Lannon or Iron & Wine, and it only takes a few measures to understand that these three musicians sincerely love what they do.

How did the group come together? Michael Holden: We formed Lower Lights Burning around 2002, after Graydon and I had led music at our church for a few years. I had the basic ability to keep time and had always been one of those kids that beats on the back of the pew during music at church.

M: Yanni. ‘Nuff said. A: Bands like Coldplay, The Swell Season, Sufjan Stevens, and Mumford & Sons have a lyrical quality that influences our music. Instrumentally, we take a lot of cues from Sigur Rós, Dave Matthews Band, Arcade Fire, and British folk.

Graydon Holden: For the first few years, we just got together to jam and write and horse around. We didn’t take it very seriously until about 2006 when [Michael and I] released a self-titled album and started working at booking shows.

G: Michael’s a punk. Amanda’s got a great list here. One of the first bands I got into was U2. That was mostly due to my friend and neighbor Cameron Nicklaus who we, much later, had the privilege of working with on Coming Back. [Nicklaus recorded, engineered and co-produced Coming Back.]

Amanda Winterhalter: I joined the band in March 2010. I grew up learning harmonies in church and taking piano lessons from the church organist. I started teaching myself guitar as a young teenager and led church bands until after college, when I started writing and performing my own music, and then I joined Lower Lights Burning. I love the name Lower Lights Burning. Where did it come from? G: The name came from a hymn. My grandfather was a Methodist minister and it was one of his favorite hymns. You describe your music as indie folk-rock (and, amusingly, “indie frock” or “fraggle rock”). What artists influence your music?

Something that has influenced me outside of popular music is a record I had when I was a boy: Peter and the Wolf. I haven’t heard it in years now, but my mother would talk me though the record and point things out. Things, as a boy, I wasn’t likely to notice or appreciate. Things like the composer’s use of different instruments for the voices of different types of characters; the bird as the flute, the duck, I think, was an oboe. Voices would give hints at the tendency or likeness of the character. Also, the use of the different movements in the piece to emote a certain response – dark, minor movements for scary or suspenseful points. Things like that. Maybe it was just the fact that my mother shared it with me or the fact that she was sharing some-

off switch magazine 20

thing that she obviously cared about and believed in and wanted to pass on. Whatever it was, it stuck with me. What was the recording process like for Coming Back? G: We started the recording process in the summer of 2010 with three long days in a big, beautiful studio outside of Seattle, Washington, and we released the finished album on October 15th, 2011. Doing things on a budget means you don’t always get to be first in the queue. This was the first time we worked with a producer of any sorts and that was a really big deal for us. The benefits and challenges for me were both pretty big. You hear stories, like how the Edge came unglued when U2 was working with Brian Eno. There were days when I could feel the same kind of things creeping up in me and it was tough to remind myself that no one I play music with or work with is out to mess up anything I’ve poured myself into. As artists I think it’s hugely important to have outside input and influence. To get the most out of that sometimes it means letting people tweak and test things that you might feel are too personal or important. You have to decide whether the possible growth and benefit is worth the initial emotional strain. I tend to get locked into things and without Michael and Amanda... well, the things I would write without their influence would not be as beautiful. I found the same advantage in listening to Cam[eron Nicklaus] on his ideas of melody shift or little arrangement changes – little things that make a big difference. M: The recording process was a lot of fun. At that time I actually had just started going back to school. I remember calling Amanda’s roommate for help on mathematics during [recording] sessions. That time, and Cameron Nicklaus, challenged me to focus more than ever on making great music. The most rewarding thing for me is hearing our talents together every time

off switch magazine

I listen to the CD. On the title track Coming Back there’s a low rumble that Cameron wanted me to experiment with. The first take, I was just feeling out that section of the song. We tried a few more times but it turned out the first take fit perfectly. When I hear that part of the song, I remember that it was me being in the song, and hearing and feeling what was going on that created that moment. That has helped me to trust myself and my creative gifts. A: The whole process took over a year, from starting out in a professional recording studio, to scattered weekends recording at our producer’s house, to finally having the shrink-wrapped album in our hands. Even though it was a long, drawn-out process, it was ideal because of the people we worked with. Our producer was an amazing advocate, and the chemistry we have as a band, being like family, made it such a fun and positive experience. Releasing the album was so rewarding because we had this tangible object to commemorate that year of time, effort, energy, and creativity that we invested in each other and in a body of art. We’re all really proud of it. This question is for Graydon, the Lower Lights Burning songwriter. How do you go about songwriting? Where does your inspiration come from? G: All of the songs on the album were mostly written on the guitar (or in the case of Coming Back, the mandolin) and built by Lower Lights Burning into an arranged piece. A songwriting method is not something I have pinned down. That’s part of what scares me about writing music as a job. I get pretty out of sorts if I put my mind to something and try to get it done and find I’m unhappy with the result. Something so emotionally derived as the songs I want to be writing and sharing – those are tough to sit down and “work out”. For the most part though, I tend to find a thought or phrase or a picture in my mind that is mostly the heart of what I want to write, and I start

off switch magazine 22

23 off switch magazine

filling it out from there. Something that helps me a lot is if I can find some of the song structure – a chord progression that is fitting and in the right time signature, and record a bit of that. I’ll listen to that and let my mind wander around in that music as I piece together what it is I’m trying to say.

frequently. At the same time, we want our shows to be something that you can’t just expect to wander into every weekend in Seattle. So from that standpoint, either you travel a lot or you don’t play a lot of shows. I would love to be playing shows at least twice a week somewhere but for now we’re playing maybe a show a month.

Outside of the moments of songwriting, I find that surrounding myself with the beauty and talent of other writers helps very much. It reminds me how to speak. The cadence and the rhythm. Filling your heart with beauty will never leave you with a bad result, whatever it is you want to do.

I love playing music in front of an audience. Getting to share something so personal but something that, hopefully, everyone else can relate to. Getting to be a voice that says what most of us think and hope everyone else feels as well. People are beautiful – sometimes a big mess, but still beautiful, and I love exploring what we are through writing music and the people we meet in playing music.

I was delighted to discover that you offer Coming Back for purchase on vinyl. What made you decide to release in this format, in addition to the more traditional digital download and CD formats? G: If vinyl wasn’t starting to sell again we wouldn’t have invested the time and money in that media. That said, I still remember having records as a kid. I would sit by the player, listening and look over the artwork in the jacket. Vinyl, being rather bulky and fragile, demands more of you as a listener. It tends to make listening to music an experience, rather than a soundtrack to other experiences. I completely agree. And one step further in the music listening experience is playing for a live audience – are you able to play live shows? M: [We play] as often as we can. We’d like to be playing weekly shows. With the holidays and winter we played a little less. I’m getting more comfortable with audiences. My problem comes when I get too comfortable...my wife will tell you I’m a weirdy. G: We used to play out quite a bit more than we do. I think, as a band, if you want to put on an enjoyable show you need to be comfortable in that environment. That takes quite a bit for me. I get pretty nervous before shows. I tend to think that it will only get better by playing more

A: I love sharing music with a live audience. I love the risk it involves, and the great opportunity to connect with people through songs. You never know what a song will mean to someone. What do you anticipate for the band’s future? Are you working on anything new right now? G: We’re mostly all in some sort of transition in our personal lives, but I would love to continue working with these two lovely and talented people. At the moment we’re looking at recording some material that we hadn’t quite finished writing when we recorded [Coming Back]. We hope to release those tracks later this year. We are working on some new material, but we really want to focus on supporting Coming Back in the next year. It’s the first thing we’ve done at that level and it’s a very good feeling to have that material out there. Coming Back is available for purchase on lowerlightsburning.bandcamp.com, and you can also listen to the entire album online. Favorite tracks include the hauntingly beautiful “Every Ship Goes Down” and the joyful title track “Coming Back,” but this album is best enjoyed in its entirety, from start to finish. Take Graydon’s advice and devote some time to this music listening experience. It’s worth it.

off switch magazine 24

The Bounty text and recipe: dina weiss photography: whitney johnson

Financial advisor by day and certified holistic nutritionist by night, Dina Weiss, shares her love for gardening and the family history that inspires her to pass along the age old tradition of growing what you eat.

As the weather has warmed unseasonably over these last few weeks, I have found myself outdoors on a daily basis, not only to breathe in the first hints at the sweet, damp air of spring, but also to check the raw earth that will be this year’s vegetable garden. In all honesty, I have been out there in the garden peeling back the dry tops of my asparagus plants, hoping to find the buds of the year’s earliest crop peeking purple-tinged heads out of the ground. Virtually the minute they rear those heads, which I am expecting any day now, I will take that as a sign from Mother Nature that it is time to plant my tomato and pepper seedlings and get those “cooking” in my new greenhouse. Now before you envision a masterpiece of artfully angled metal framing, fitted with all manner of beveled glass and built-in fans and radiant-heat flooring, please understand that my greenhouse is rather bare bones. It is smallish, at six feet wide, seven feet high and eight feet deep, and consists of a sturdy metal, powder-coated frame and translucent, weather-resistant fabric, but to me it is the Taj Mahal of all vegetable-growing encasements. For the first year in all my years of gardening, my little seedlings will no longer line the northern interior windows of my house – which means no more eating in the dining room while smelling the naturally fertilized cups of dirt…no more moving flat after flat of tiny green plants in order to simply let the dog out…and most importantly, no more worrying about my plantings sitting on or near the heating vents growing the very mold that often leads to the death of my young plants mere days before they were slated for planting. Indeed our household has seen many a sad beginning to the planting season – one that started with such high hopes and excitement, only to end in the death of so many promising tomatoes and peppers. This will not be that year! I may not have the most high tech equipment or be the most talented gardener around, but I am dedicated. Even with our unconventional methods a good number of our seedlings do, indeed, survive all the way up through Mother’s Day, which is typically when I like to get my plants into the ground. Mother’s Day is ideal for planting actually (at least in northern

Illinois), not only because the risk of a hard frost has generally passed, but also because it is a day of service dedicated to mom. For me, that means that my kids get to haul out the dungarees, don their work gloves, grab a shovel, and meet me in the back yard with a Happy Mother’s Day smile and attitude. Actually, my kids have always enjoyed digging in the dirt, so this is not as much forced labor as I might make it seem. I am just one generation off the farm and off of plank-over-dirt flooring, so I guess it is fair to say that gardening is still very much in my blood, and this is truly a legacy I want to pass onto my young daughters. I feel that no matter how urban and perhaps posh their lives may one day become, it is essential that they know and understand where good, healthy food comes from. I know I channel my mom’s mom when I work the soil (she was much more powerful a spitfire than I ever hope to be, despite her mere 4’11” stature) and I would love it if my girls one day channel my own energy in much the same way. Again, could Mother’s Day be a more fitting time for gardening – with each of us novice to expert gardeners outdoors, digging the earth, in homage to our foremothers? On our little plot of earth this year, we will be planting all heirloom varieties of tomatoes and peppers, as well as zucchini, summer squash, butternut and acorn squash, carrots, Asian radishes, beets, turnips, cucumbers, sweet peas, green beans, sweet and white potatoes, basil, and of course, the early-up asparagus, which is our trouble-free perennial. Our wonderful neighbors, a few years back, asked for advice on planting their own garden, and we were more than happy to help them plot out twelve-inch squares of planting paradise. At that time, we decided collectively that it might make sense to overlap as few plants as possible and to instead share each of our bounties throughout the season. They plant onions, garlic, various lettuces, broccoli, cauliflower, and of course tomatoes and peppers – because you can never have enough tomatoes and peppers! Gardening has not only brought our family closer to our heritage and closer to the earth

off switch magazine 26

Turn to page 71 for the recipe!

and the origins of our food, but it has also brought us closer to our neighbors, providing us with what seems to be the long-lost concept of a sharing community. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to work side-by-side with our neighbors and their young daughter, all of us talking about our lives and our plans and our work. At the end of a long weekend of planting, when the seedlings are all in, and the earth is tamped down and watered, we all get together for a refreshing drink and toast our earthly success, kicking off the growing season with a sense of camaraderie. We each pick our bounties as they ripen, taking in what our family will eat, and then we take the balance and hang it on the neighbor’s door for them to enjoy. When there is too much for both our families, we pass our veggies down the lane as gifts to our other neighbors. At the end of the season, which I cannot even contemplate right now with the birth of the

off switch magazine

season upon us, I like to pick up a few ingredients I do not grow in my garden and make a special End of Garden Gazpacho. In Spain, this cold, healthful beverage is enjoyed not as a soup, as it has come to be eaten here in the States, but as a refreshing drink, much like iced tea. There is no need to wait until the end of the veggie-growing season to enjoy it, however, as it is wonderful anytime. My suggestion is to whip up a batch and sit down to watch Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, which is a fantastic Almodóvar film (Spanish language with English subtitles) from 1988 that features Gazpacho throughout. My recipe does not call for the traditional bread crumbs, as I have modified this to be grain-free. The avocado definitely gives it a heartiness that would otherwise be lost without the bread crumbs. I hope the flavor makes you think of spring, summer, and the beginnings of fall, and that it brings your thoughts of food back to the earth.

Seasons of change text: melissa tydell painting: caitlin connolly

writer and entrepreneur, melissa tydell, shares her own story of risk and reward as she steps out of her comfort zone to realize her dreams.

In today’s world of technology, fame and overnight success, it can be easy to forget that the decision to follow your passion is only the first step on a long journey, a journey that cannot be measured in hours, days, or weeks. Creating a sense of fulfillment and cultivating inspiration is a process that involves dedication and patience. And it requires time — years of time, seasons full of growth, evolution, change.

Winter Stories about snow days, new babies, first kisses. Stories illustrated with crayons and colored pencils. I’ve been writing since I was four years old. But after college graduation and five years in the corporate world as a magazine advertising buyer, I yearn to pursue my passion. It’s the editorial and the content inside those publications that holds my true interest, that captivates and inspires me. I’m in the middle of a master’s program in writing and publishing, but I have no desire to move to New York and start as an unpaid intern at a big national magazine. On a wintery Wednesday evening in downtown Chicago, after a busy day at work, I head to an event hosted by Chicago Women in Publishing (CWIP), weighed down with my coat, purse, bag, and a million things to do. I listen to the keynote speaker and the panel discussion, scrawl notes and stuff handouts into my notebook. By the end of the evening, I feel as if my future is so clear — my own freelance writing business. Freelancing means flexibility: I can take on a range of projects from light and fun to in-depth and serious. I can work with clients at all types of businesses, publications and websites. I can manage my workload, stay challenged, and do what I love — write.

Spring Armed with the checklist I received at the CWIP event, I quickly put my plan into motion. I choose

29 off switch magazine

a name for my business — Melrose Street Custom Content — and register as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). I contact a woman I know from high school about designing a logo and business cards. I set up a simple website through Google Sites and establish a Facebook page. Of course I’m nervous. Here I am, setting up all these pieces, but there is no way to know what will happen. Will I be able to find assignments and clients? Every step is new to me and takes research. I keep moving forward, refusing to lose momentum. It feels right. I can hear it in my voice, feel it in my heart, when I talk about my plans and ideas with my husband, my parents, my sisters, my friends. Everything is new and fresh, the promise of growth and a bright future ahead. Once the basics are in place, I send out an email to friends and family. I post an announcement on my blog and on Facebook. I am in business.

Summer Life is busy. I want to focus on my writing, give my business a chance, reach out to potential clients and build up my portfolio. But each day presents new deadlines at work, meetings, and emergency client requests. Our social schedule is booked, and I don’t want to give anything up. And with fall approaching, grad school classes are about to start again. As the summer swelters on, I feel frustrated because I know what I want to do, but I can’t find time to do it. The part of my life that I am most willing to give up is my full-time job. But that, along with my husband’s paycheck, pays the bills and my tuition and our mortgage. It affords us the opportunity to go out to dinner, meet up for drinks with friends, buy lattes and new shoes, travel to see my family in Kansas. Beyond that, I have a feeling there may be some concern with conflict of interest. Sure, I assume

I can’t pitch stories to the same publications in which I purchase advertising for my clients, but what else? I meet with Human Resources. They advise me not to pursue freelancing while I work at the agency, to avoid any possible legal issues or conflicts. Nothing. I can’t be a freelance writer unless I quit.

Autumn After a good cry, a lot of questions and disbelief, I have to figure out my next steps. I talk to my husband and my family. We pull out the calculator, look at our savings and our expenses, think about options to supplement our income and ways to cut back, consider what’s possible. Right before Thanksgiving, I put in my notice. I can barely sleep the night before. After five and a half years at the same company, five and a half years of going to the same office every workday, gaining experience on numerous accounts, building relationships with my teams and clients and sales representatives, earning a promotion — after all of that, I am leaving. I have to leave, to shed a part of me, so I can move forward. Thankfully, my managers are supportive, though they are sad to see me go. It feels surreal. Even though we all have times when we want to say “I quit,” I am actually doing it. I’m not leaving for another job with a salary and benefits, with set hours and a specific job description. I’m letting go of security and taking a leap of faith. I’m going to be a freelance writer and a business owner. It’s scary. But when I am alone and back in my office after giving my notice, in that quiet moment, I know it is right. I count the days, wrap up my projects as much as possible, clean out my office. And it is over.

Winter During the holidays, I enjoy family time, gifts, food, and all the traditions. But then, I get or-

ganized and dive into marketing my writing. With the new year, I start living out my plan: nannying during the day, class two nights a week plus homework, and my business in every spare moment in between. I sleep five or six hours a night instead of my usual seven or eight. I find pockets of time to do work — during the baby’s naps, between nannying and class, before bed. Each night, I collapse into bed, kiss my husband goodnight, and know that no matter how hard it is, I am pursuing my dream. And when I receive my first paid project, I feel a sense of hope and the excitement of knowing this is what I’m meant to do. I don’t always know what to do next, but I keep working, pushing, trying. I figure if I take action, I can’t fall behind and I can’t become paralyzed with fear. Yes, the fear of rejection is strong, but I can’t succeed as a writer without confronting the occasional “no.” So I hold onto the mantra I am who I am. I can’t second-guess myself or take things personally; I can only be authentic and try my best. It’s been a year now since I was inspired to take a risk and start my own business. In the fast pace of life, with our growing to-do lists and expanding email inboxes, it’s easy to let each day come and go, ride the highs and lows, and simply take on the next-closest challenge. But it’s in looking back that we can see the real growth — and the amazing possibilities that lie ahead in the unknown. Some days, I feel powerful and strong. I feel inspired. Other days, I cry out of exhaustion and frustration. I want to do more, write more, grow my business. But I remember that every step I take will bring me closer to my goal. I’ve already come so far.

And spring is coming again.

off switch magazine 30

Travel Notes

after marrying in 2010, photographers julia and yuriy manchik (aka: “mr. and mrs. globetrot”) packed their bags and spent the first six months of married life exploring the world. now they’re sharing the nine items they couldn’t leave home without.

text and illustrations: julia manchik

Julia & Yuriy Manchik www.mrmrsglobetrot.blogspot.com

DRESSES - they take up little space and can be worn in warm or cool weather (with tights and a cardigan) 2. CAMERA - makes you explore more, walk beyond the tourist area, and meet locals 3. TEA - a cheap way to have the comfort of home (many hotels provide a hot water kettle) 4. WATCH - handy for catching trains and happy hour 5. BOOKS - for slow times while traveling (and when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re done, exchange for another one at a hostel) 6. NOTEPAD - to jot down names of places, directions, foreign words, foods you tried, interesting facts... 7. TIGER BALM - stops mosquito bite itch and soothes achy muscles after a long day of walking 8. CHOCOLATE - for emergencies 9. KHAKIS - more comfortable than jeans to travel and sleep in

put some color in your spring

text: brittany austin photography: yaro photo models: Amber Nordstrom, Danielle Shulke, Olive Shulke

off switch magazine 34

Live a colorful life. Wear bright pants or shoes or underwear. Paint your lips and nails with saturated hues. Plant vivid blooms wherever you can, or bring bouquets home from the market to fill the vase on your desk. Eat ripe tomatoes and sweet strawberries every day; keep bowls of apples and bunches of bananas on your counter. Become an artist â&#x20AC;&#x201D; pull the old markers, crayons, and watercolors from the top shelf and create your own anything. Everything is color â&#x20AC;&#x201D; your speech, your beliefs, your grocery list. Open your eyes and see.

35 off switch magazine

wondering what to make for dinner this spring?

Asparagus Soup try some...

Recipe: dina weiss photogaphy: whitney johnson

Turn to page 72 for the recipe!

off switch magazine 38

the girl with the

whiteboard

college senior, lauren lawson, felt inspired to make a difference in others lives. with that goal in mind she took to the streets with her whiteboard in hand, greeting passersby with simple messages of positivity. you see, the only thing the girl with the whiteboard protests is negativty.

interview: katie michels photography: gerry cruz

What is the “The Girl with the Whiteboard” project and how did it come about? Lauren Lawson: In the fall, I had decided to abandon my pursuit of medical school because I felt that I would have to deviate from a number of my values and desires. At the end of October, I had been pondering what career would suit me well. With graduation quickly approaching, I wanted to nail down a career that would involve my passion: helping others and making a difference. At one point, I stopped myself and thought, “Why wait until I have a career to make a difference? Why not do something now?” As a college student with little disposable income and few resources, I wondered how I could possibly do something that would go beyond the service I had been involved with in the past. My goal was to impact one life. I can now say that it has far exceeded that goal. The project essentially entails me standing silently and holding a whiteboard with an inspirational message in busy, metropolitan areas. If approached, I offer words of encouragement, engage in conversations on life perspectives, and listen to the stories of my visitors. So you never speak unless spoken to first. Is that correct? That is correct. The project is passive. If people want to stop, great. If not, then I know they at least read the message, and it will make them think. My most moving emails have come from people who never paused to speak with me. Have you been surprised by the overwhelming response to “The Girl with the Whiteboard?” Not particularly. You see, belief makes reality. My genuine desire to do good in this world is recognized and reciprocated. Optimism is met with optimism. I think what did surprise me was how quickly it has grown, especially how much the Chicago media took notice. In Washington D.C., everyone competes for exposure on their causes and politics are dominant. But Chicago news providers were so supportive and kind from the very first minutes of the project and have continued into my D.C. project. I believe that as long as you are a human being, you can appreciate my cause. We can only be independent to an extent; from time to

time, we enjoy others telling us that we matter and have the ability to achieve. What makes you “view the world with optimism” – who or what do you attribute that attitude to? In the past it has been my family, friends, or anyone who has supported me that has encouraged me to do the same. I have been through my struggles, like everyone else, and whenever I started to look around, I would see people there that wanted to see me succeed. At my lowest moments, the acts of other human beings made me regain a value for my own life. But, it is amazing that when you step back and view the world, you see strangers helping each other. I viewed it often in Chicago and D.C. In addition, the more people I talk to on the project, the more I find that humans are innately compassionate. Regardless of our nationality, religion, or beliefs, we all want a stable career and a happy life with balance. How much planning goes into each day’s message and what you might say to passersby? I keep a running list of ideas, concepts, and phrases that I feel would be particularly helpful. Keeping the messages to a few words makes them easy for even someone in a hurry to read, so I make sure they all stay under four words. I often consider exactly where I will be standing when choosing the message for the day; I do not want to be falsely viewed as a protester or as someone supporting a particular religion, political party, etc. I protest only negativity. This project is simply a genuine person acting on [her] morals. It takes a dedicated and secure person to stand for hours on a busy city street corner holding a sign for all to see. Not to mention traveling across the country and doing the same thing in an unfamiliar place. What motivates you to keep this project going and do what you do? I gained the self-assurance through practice, leadership, and the challenge of overcoming the thoughts of anyone that ever doubted me or made me feel worthless. Being able to triumph [over] a situation leaves resilience in your soul. Once I had found my light, I knew I had to share it with others. Thousands of smiles, hugs, and conversations alone would

off switch magazine 40

have been enough for me to continue. What exceeds that in meaning are the personal emails I receive. I learn that some of my viewers chose not to commit suicide, began a business, or restored their belief in humanity because they saw me in action. The fact that I, one person without power, money, or status, am able to incite change in people for the better has given me a feeling unmatched by anything I have ever done. Our world has become too focused on negativity, skeptical and apprehensive about the people around us and blind [to] seeing the beauty around us. I serve as a reminder that we are capable of experiencing a fulfilled, content, and driven life. Our outward attitude will determine what we get out of it. Our actions will determine how far we will go. At the end of each day spent holding your whiteboard, you turn to your website to blog about the experience and the people who made an impression on you that particular day. This self-reflection is good promotion, but it also feels deeper than that – like a journal entry sharing what you personally have learned. Tell readers about the words you write. I weave together my experiences, observations, and motivating stories by people from around the world in the blog so that readers can be empowered. You may have noticed that the site does not even include my name; that was done intentionally. My reflections and lessons are for my viewers, and I want nothing more than to be able to offer a perspective that shows what you can gain from your environment if you take the time to view it. By living to assist others, I have found that I gain as much, if not more, than I give. I view every single moment of every single day as an opportunity for me to constantly build myself into a better person. You’ve met so many people while holding your motivational messages. How have your conversations with them transformed the project? My conversations are always slightly varied, but I now find myself referring to other conversations I have had when meeting new people. Listening to stories and perspectives has taught me a lot, surpassing or delving into more topics

off switch magazine

than I had ever learned in school. The more I speak with people, the more I see that we are all quite similar. Ideas from different cultures and religions frequently follow the same logic or values. Even simple attitudes towards life are shared. I am not the only one possessing an optimistic outlook or performing good deeds; I have met thousands. Although my generation is often criticized for being entitled or lazy, my conversations with today’s youth have led me to a solid conclusion: The young people of the world not only believe they have the power to make an impact, but they are already acting on that belief. The future of this planet is in store for a wave of positive change. How are you looking to expand “The Girl with the Whiteboard” to cities across the country? Being open to meeting people has afforded me with a network of believers and people who want the project to continue. After I used my savings on the Chicago project, it was fantastic to see my own classmates and friends donate, along with some corporate sponsors, to get me to D.C. I will go wherever life takes me. The project itself is very fluid and could take a number of forms in the future. Having an open mind and support will allow this to continue to be something that has grown to mean a great deal to many, including myself. How can our readers get involved and share their own positive messages? I am always interested in hearing personal motivational stories and perspectives, as well as learning what positive messages people would share with the world. Therefore, emails and photographs are always welcome to thegirlwiththewhiteboard@yahoo.com. There is a tab on my website called “Share,” which is a place where followers are encouraged to pass on anything that inspires them. While I am always flattered by people spreading hopeful words through whiteboards, I like to challenge people to get as creative as possible. I may not even always use a whiteboard to get the messages across. After all, people respond the most to kindness when and where it is not anticipated. How do you share your light? I would be curious to know.

Meet Jeff and Lisa Manning:

a midwestern couple living the(ir) dream interview: katie michels photography: jamie klimes

A combination yoga studio and art center is not something you see everyday. But for owners Jeff and Lisa Manning, this joint business allows them to support their family while exploring and sharing their passions with others. Nido Art Studio and the Aurora Yoga Center are located in a quaint one-story brick building just off a main road in the second largest city in Illinois. Staff photographer, Jamie Klimes, and I had the pleasure of meeting up with the couple in their studio and peeking in during some current classes.

The couple met in 1993 while skiing in BreuilCervinia, Italy – home to the Matterhorn Mountain, which straddles the border between Italy and Switzerland. Lisa was studying abroad in Rome for a year, and Jeff was on his second year of a four-year tour of duty with the United States Army, Airborne. Once the couple married in 1998, they moved to Lisa’s hometown of Aurora, IL. Subsequent moves to Jeff’s home state of Idaho and Sonoma, California followed. Now, nineteen years after first meeting, Lisa and Jeff are once again residing in Aurora, working on their respective careers and raising their three young children. As someone who has always been passionate about art, Lisa’s path to her current home away from home – Nido – has been one filled with years of studying and practicing numerous art forms. After finding inspiration and guidance from a local art director, Lisa went on to earn her bachelors degree from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, in Indiana in 1996. While there she immersed herself in classes on everything from paper and printmaking to fibers, new media, and design. After graduation, Lisa moved to Chicago and took more classes in sewing and textile arts while waiting tables and working part time at a children’s summer camp. After marrying Jeff in May of 1998, Lisa worked at a screen-printing shop in a neighboring town while painting murals in people’s homes. After a year, the couple moved to Moscow, Idaho. There Jeff completed his degree in therapeutic recreation at the University of Idaho and Lisa earned her Masters in Fine Arts. While in Idaho the couple also welcomed their first daughter, Olivia. For her thesis Lisa focused on fiber arts and worked almost exclusively in embroidery. “I built 388 frames in the wood shop while I was pregnant. My thesis ended up being focused on women’s work, cycles, nature, and the moon.” Coincidentally, around the same time it was Lisa who introduced Jeff to yoga when she took him to his very first class in 1999. As Jeff said, “I knew twenty minutes into the yoga class that I needed to teach this, because it was a modality that anybody could do: kids, seniors, physical rehab. [Yoga] was a toolbox for everything.” During his studies at the University of Illinois, Jeff had yet to find a modality that encompassed people at all stages of life and physical

43 off switch magazine

ability – until he discovered yoga. That immediate love for yoga led him to become a teacher, because most of all he wanted to help people before they would need a hospital or the therapeutic recreation degree he was earning. A frustration with the health care system and new-found appreciation for an ancient tradition motivated Jeff to quit his job and pursue his new passion. But before Jeff was to become a self-employed yoga instructor, he and Lisa moved to Sonoma, California in 2002 where Jeff had gotten a job doing therapeutic recreation. While there Lisa and Jeff continued to learn and teach their respective passions. Jeff learned yoga from The Iyengar Institute of San Francisco and Lisa worked with local schools and art groups. The couple also welcomed their second daughter, Iris, in 2004. In 2006, a third child – Leo – was added to the brood. That same year Lisa and Jeff found themselves back where they had started, living in Aurora, though with many life lessons and experiences under their belts. Not to mention they were now a family of five! Immediately after settling back in the Midwest, Jeff began teaching as many yoga classes as possible – at the local university, athletic centers, and even the family’s basement. Lisa worked from home on her new clothing business called Nido Threads, which means “nest” in both Spanish and Italian. As Lisa explained, she chose the name because “it was what I was doing – working from my [own] nest with little scraps of fabric.” As time went on the Manning’s house was no longer a plausible location for yoga classes. Jeff began renting one half of what would become the Aurora Yoga Center in 2009. A year later, in 2010, Lisa realized her desire to once again teach children about art, and she converted the other half of the building into Nido Art Studio. Today they are happy to see how their class sizes and community have grown in the past few years. Many of the devoted students who started with Jeff in his home back in 2006 continue to attend weekly yoga classes at the AYC. If you ever have the opportunity to stop into this joint studio, you will find the same thesis project Lisa created nearly a decade ago hanging on the wall near the entrance. The Mannings truly are an inspiration to those of us aspiring to do the thing we love, whatever it may be.

off switch magazine 44

45 off switch magazine

off switch magazine 46

the interview: Many marriages end because one person or the other chose not to support their spouse’s dreams. It seems as if your relationship is the opposite of that. What are your thoughts on the subject? Lisa Manning: Jeff and I respect each other enough to honor each other’s dreams. I don’t want Jeff to sacrifice who he is or to squander his dreams. Likewise, he supports me wholeheartedly. It helps that we work well together on projects. We’ve always been able to shore up one another to mobilize our initiatives rather than merely talk about them. Jeff Manning: We support each other in whatever we do and are there for one another because it makes a person happy to be doing what they want to do. Also, it’s easier living with someone who enjoys what they do and are not stressed out by a boss or an unpleasant work environment. Although owning your own business comes with plenty of stress, the difference is that you are in control of that stress.

sun is what you want to do – your passion, or God – and the material or money is your shadow and it will always follow. If you turn and face the shadow you’ll never catch it, it will always move away from you, but if you face the sun and walk towards your passion, the material will always follow. Pick a direction and go with it, that is the dragon way [and this happens to be] the year of the dragon. L: As for my biggest fear...I wasn’t afraid, I sort of like taking risks and starting something new, plus we didn’t really have anything to lose. What advice would you give to others thinking about leaving their nine to five office job? L: I would advise people that you have to have utter faith in yourself and a positive outlook for the future. It never hurts to talk to everyone and anyone you know about your plans and initiatives. You’d be surprised who’d be willing to lend a helping hand, give advice, or be a customer.

I can only imagine that with three children, your businesses, and all your other commitments, life must get pretty hectic. What is a typical day like for your family? L: I couldn’t do what I do without the support of my family – especially my mom and dad who regularly feed and watch my kids when I have late night classes or weekend commitments. Life is crazy, but we manage to soak it all up along the way. Our life is really full, but in a good way. I usually look at each day as a puzzle, who is going where when, what classes do I have, does Jeff have, and how is it going to all work out. I don’t know if I’d prefer a “regular” nine to five schedule, sometimes it seems like it would be less stressful...but, maybe a little too boring for us!

J: My advice to others is to do it and don’t stop; don’t expect to have any vacations, it’s work. But it is good work and fulfilling as long as you are doing what you love.

Starting a business is not easy. What have you both learned about it through the years? What was your biggest fear when making the leap? J: For, me fear wasn’t in the equation. I knew if I did what I wanted to do and did it well, all would work out. I followed the advice of a Hindu Monk, Swamji, from an ashram in Aurora, “Walk towards the sun and the shadow will follow.” The

J: I want them to leave with a different relationship with themselves – to understand themselves differently. It could be physical, mental, emotional, and/or spiritual, but whatever they take [away], I can’t dictate, because everyone hears things differently and has their own experience.

47 off switch magazine

What do you want your legacy to be? When someone takes your art or yoga class, what do you want them to leave with? L: I want them to leave with inspiration and a realization of their own creativity. No matter what your age is, making art increases your own self-esteem and self-awareness. I want people to have a peaceful experience in my studio and to leave with a more open mind and heart, we need creative thinking and problem solving in our world more than ever.

Who do you look up to and admire personally and/or professionally?

off switch magazine 48

49 off switch magazine

L: When I lived in Sonoma there was a family of artists who I worked with at the local arts guild. They were fierce and creative and never cowered in the face of their creativity. Multitasking and that relentless creativity made for a family of terrific artists. The mother’s name was Cynthia Hipkiss; I hope to embody her spirit. I often think of Cynthia and how she raised four kids, when I’m struggling to balance being a mom of three and an artist. J: I look up to B.K.S. Iyengar for his perseverance and what he has done for yoga. I also look up to Jeri Hudak because she was my first yoga teacher and shared the gift of yoga with me. As well as my yoga teacher from San Francisco, Joe Naudzunas, and my yoga teacher from Chicago, Gabriel Halpburn. What are your thoughts on creativity, specifically as we age? Would you consider yourselves creative? L: I have witnessed younger kids’ total freedom while creating art and then once they reach middle school age or so, a fear steps in, and they want whatever they are making to be perfect. For their drawing to look just like the picture for instance...and when it doesn’t, I think that they just give up. [But] all art doesn’t have to be realistic! Yes, I would consider myself creative, sometimes it feels like more of a curse than a blessing because I can’t stop the ideas from coming, and then I get down on myself for not doing all these wonderful things I’ve dreamt up. I would credit my parents for always being positive about my artwork from a very young age as well as some wonderful art teachers I’ve encountered on my journey. J: I think everyone is creative, they just forget that they are. And it’s just easier [for people] to say that they aren’t creative than it is to sit down and make some music, physical art, a math equation, a speech, a dance, a yoga pose, whatever. Whatever you do is creative because you are creating something. Jeff, How have your yoga classes evolved? J: Every class, every student that I’ve worked with has taught me something, and I apply what I learn from each student to the next class. It just keeps building. At this point I have taught about 7,000 classes, and by using the knowledge that

I’ve gained from all those classes, my teaching is at a much higher level from when I began. What have you learned over the years about how to best share the health information and yoga poses you know? J: My advice to others is to never stop studying or researching, and to always be reading. Just because you went to a yoga training program doesn’t mean you know everything. Don’t just read about yoga, read about orthopedics, mental health, emotions and the body, energy, different layers of energy, chakras, astrology, Chinese medicine, and it will all apply back to yoga. The more you read the more you find out that it’s all the same thing. You never know what students are going to hear or attach themselves to. So taking classes, learning from other people, your own practice, listening to your own body – it all plays a significant role. The best thing I can do is have a wealth of information on different levels and different subjects and then apply it to my students. Lisa, you keep a steady hand in community art groups. How important is it to you to share the experience of making art with others, specifically kids? L: Art is a great way to build community. When we create together we become bonded in a way that cheering for a team may connect a group of people. I think it is vital in today’s time to provide the arts as a sports alternative in our communities. Especially if it is being cut from schools as is so often the case. When a person is passionate about what he or she is doing, the amount of time invested in that endeavor doesn’t feel like work. Does that statement hold true for you? L: I think it is safe to say that my business is my life right now. Of course, there is always more that I want to do and never enough time. If only dinner and the laundry would take care of themselves. I also have no sense of time, which is kind of crazy. On one hand, it doesn’t bother me to spend countless hours on a piece of artwork, but on the other hand, I don’t have a realistic grasp on how long tasks actually take to do, and as a result, I’m always late! J: Yes, I always tell everyone that I retired at thirty six and I look at it that way.

one photo an hour

7am

A day trip to Ebey’s Landing in Seattle, WA photos and text: elias and theresa carlson

Here in Seattle, a sunny day in February is often cause for celebration, and a welcome excuse to get out of the house. Theresa and I decided that for our Photo an Hour project we’d like to do what we enjoy most: hike around and take pictures. Here in the Northwest there are no shortage of beautiful hikes, but after some research we settled on Ebey’s Landing, a breezy hike along the bluffs overlooking the Puget Sound. We started the day out in true Seattle fashion, stopping at our favorite local bakery for cinnamon rolls and a cup of delicious coffee. Then we headed north to the Mukilteo ferry to catch the short ride to Whidbey Island. Once on the island we wound our way through picturesque

farmlands and ended up at the trailhead to Ebey’s Landing and the beginning of our hike. The trail began at one end of a large open field, and as we walked across it towards the cliffs the Olympic mountain range rose from across the blue water. A most beautiful sight. Theresa and I spent the better part of the day soaking in the view, and of course taking pictures. We packed a simple lunch and enjoyed it on a small strip of beach below the cliffs. We arrived back home happy, and a little tired, but unready to call the day quits. A quick shower, and a change of clothes later, and we were headed out for dinner with some friends. As we drove out of Seattle and into the night, the fading glow of the sunset bid us farewell across Greenlake.

8am

9am

11am

12pm

10AM

53 off switch magazine

1pm

6pm

5pm 2pm

4pm 3pm

4pm

5pm

6pm

7pm

off switch magazine 54

snack

Time

instead of eating that bag of potato chips or rummaging for those cookies, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s try something new this spring. consider using these four ideas as a launching pad into the world of baked snacks. it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hurt to try something new, right? text: katie michels photography: heather zweig

Turn to page 73 for the recipes!

off switch magazine 56

A Piece of

Africa interview: Caroline Nitz PHotography: Shanley Knox

One womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission to empower the women of Uganda, one necklace a time

Shanley Knox met seven-year-old Cossy Nakate in the village of Kakooge, Uganda in 2010. Knox supported the young orphan with food and money, but soon realized that she could do more, and on a larger scale. She launched the Nakate Project in 2010 to provide a platform for a network of local female artisans already present in Kakooge to sell their products, support themselves and their families, and feel a sense of dignity in the work that they do. According to Knox, “[Nakate is] helping people in the western world to see rural artisans for the talented, powerful women they are. Read on for a peek inside Knox’s busy and inspiring world.

When did you first travel to Uganda? Shanley Knox: I went the first time in 2008 to work at an orphanage and I returned in 2010 as a reporter for a nonprofit. I was moved by [the village of] Kakooge and the stories there and decided to try and work in that village in particular. The mission of the Nakate Project is all about empowering African women and bringing international attention to their specific challenges and needs. What prepared you to take on this somewhat daunting (to me, at least!) global issue? Everything about my background drove me here – my father’s influence as someone who traveled often; our family’s tendency to host everyone and anyone that needed a place. My father was always giving me things that stirred a desire to travel and experience the world – a military trunk from his dad’s time in the army, a Japanese stool, a bottle collection from all over the world, an antique atlas – the list goes on. I took my childhood interest and pursued it as an adult. He had always told me there was so much more out there – and I wanted it. So, I started traveling at eighteen, and I’ve never really looked back. What made you decide to use jewelry as the basis for the Nakate Project? I wanted to do something to help the women I was working with, and the jewelry was something they were already making that I could take and use to help make a profit. I started

by bringing a bag of necklaces home – that was my way of “taking a piece of Africa with me,” so to speak. “Taking a piece of Africa with you” – that’s a really beautiful way to think about it. I wanted to give other people a chance to be an active part of that. So many women care about Africa, but they want to feel like they can get closer – like they’re an active part of change there, instead of just a passive bystander or someone donating. I wanted to give them that active involvement through Nakate – that concept that they’re helping us do what we do, and they’re an integral part of the process of change. We have grown with the concept that each woman that works with us is taking a piece of the Africa we brought home, and she’s taking it into her world – into her office, her family, into cocktail lounges and malls, parties, and out to her next meeting. She’s not only telling our story. She’s part of our story. Your website showcases such beautiful necklaces. How often do you introduce new pieces? We launch new lines usually about four times a year. We introduce individual necklaces often – depending on occasions or sales. Do you have any favorite designs? I tend to have alternating favorites. I love certain pieces with certain outfits, or they stand out to me on certain days. I love individual pieces – not just a purple Sara, for instance,

off switch magazine 58

59 off switch magazine

but that purple Sara that has a white spot in its center, and the letter “S” on one of its beads. I love the details. Do you have plans to expand beyond jewelry? We are currently working to expand into other products. Our next ventures include shoes, bags and cow horn bangles and earrings. We’ll also be working with ebony and mahogany. Speaking of future plans, where do you see Nakate in five years? I see Nakate in other countries. I see more product lines, and I see a lot more involvement, both on the ground and here in the United States. We’re actually working on re-vamping our plan for the next five years because there have been so many recent developments. Every day brings new things I couldn’t have imagined. I can imagine you’re constantly dealing with the unexpected. What’s challenged you most since you launched the Nakate Project? There are cultural challenges on both sides of the equation. There are my own personal challenges as someone traveling to Uganda by myself on a regular basis. There are financial challenges. And, there’s the challenge of staying committed to something when it’s so much more than a start-up business. I’ve had to force myself not to give up, when all I wanted to do was go get a “normal” job and feel like a “normal” person.

And yet, at only twenty three, you’ve accomplished so much. What advice do you have for young, twenty-something entrepreneurs looking to make a difference in the world? I think if you’re an entrepreneur, you’re typically someone that pushes yourself pretty hard. As such, it’s really difficult to see your own victories, and not be constantly critical of yourself. You’re your own boss. You make your own hours. And sometimes, it’s hard to ever feel like you’ve actually done “enough.” My biggest lesson has been learning to shut out my inner critic that tells me I’m going to fail, and just go for it. The more I study the lives of entrepreneurs that have come before me, the more I see they all had long stretches of time where everyone else thought they were bat-shit crazy for believing they’d succeed. It seems as though it takes a substantial amount of bravery and perseverance to get through, and I think challenge often leads to amazing results. It’s been an unbelievable experience to fly back to Uganda and see that what has often felt like a lot of work for nothing is actually something that is making a difference for a group of women in East Africa. I’ve seen it change their view of themselves. I’ve seen it put money in their pocket. I’ve seen it build new homes and help purchase cattle. I’ve seen it send children to school. I’ve seen it restore dignity. It’s something that I hope will continue to change people’s lives.

the photos: page 57: Margaret Nakibuka puts a finish on one of her necklaces.

page 59 (clockwise from top left): 1) Grace Nsambu uses her income from Nakate to help stock her local shop. 2) Necklaces ready to be taken back to the States. 3) Shanley hangs out with Cossy Nakate, and her brothers. 4) Several of the woman working with Nakate (not all of the artisans are pictured).

off switch magazine 60

Spring Wear photography: landon drean photography stylist and model: sarah mccammon

Fashion blogger and occassional stylist, Sarah McCammon, shares four colorful outfits fit for spring. With a blend of thrifted and new pieces, these looks are sure to inspire.

1 2 3 4

Heart blouse: Ebay Belt: thrifted Pants: TrendyXChange Bag: Francescaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hat: booth in Hawaii Shoes: thrifted Blouse: thrifted Tie: DIY Jeans: Forever 21 Shoes: thrifted Bag: thrifted Blouse: thrifted Belt: thrifted Necklace: thrifted Skirt: Shabby Apple Bag: ASOS Shoes: Call it Spring Dress: thrifted Shoes: Target Necklace: thrifted Bag: thrifted Belt: thrifted

off switch magazine 62

For the Book Lover: text: anna klenke illustrations: rosa nevarez

Let’s talk about books: new, old, popular, obscure, fiction, non-fiction, whatever…just as long as they take us somewhere new.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog (2008) by Muriel Barbery A French novel in English translation, this beautiful little book has been extremely popular over the past couple years. I’m proud to say that I read and loved it before it hit the bestseller charts, and I am so glad that the rest of the United States reading public seems to agree with my original assessment: outstanding. Paloma Josse is a precocious twelve-year-old with a passion for classical philosophy and dramatic suicide plans. When she befriends Renee, the concierge in her apartment building, the two discover that they have a lot in common — and a beautiful friendship is born. Many have criticized Barbery for the long philosophical tangents and passages focused entirely on worshipping Japanese high culture, but those elements just reinforce the fact that this is not your typical American novel. The Elegance of the Hedgehog has a distinctly European feel, draws us into the cerebral lives of characters we have never met before, and makes a concentrated effort to draw the reader’s attention to beautiful things in unexpected places. A wonderful read if you’re looking for something new. Stone Butch Blues (2004) by Leslie Feinberg All Jess wants is acceptance — but acceptance isn’t easy to come by for a butch lesbian living in blue-collar Buffalo, NY in the gritty 1980s. This novel, based on author Leslie Feinberg’s own life, illustrates the shocking prejudice and violence leveled at people who dare to step outside society’s prescribed gender norms. We follow Jess as she seeks out people she can

63 off switch magazine

relate to in a butch-femme social group, finds love, undergoes breast reduction surgery and hormone therapy, and eventually comes to accept herself as she is — female, but with masculine qualities. Jess’s construction of her self-image costs her friendships and relationships and subjects her to police brutality on more than one occasion, but her determination to find a place for herself in the world allows her to overcome all these obstacles. Feinberg does a wonderful job of illustrating gender as a social construct that can be manipulated and controlled, allowing mainstream society a glimpse of life as transgender or gender-queer people experience it. Heartbreaking, enlightening, and hopeful, Stone Butch Blues is required reading for anyone interested in transgenderism, LGBT rights, or the resilience of the human spirit. The Green Mile (1996) by Stephen King Anyone who thinks that Stephen King only writes horror is kidding themselves — and missing out on a few incredible books. Even if you’re not into genre fiction or thrillers or stories about prisoners on death row, you need to read The Green Mile. The narrator, Paul Edgecomb, is a guard at Cold Mountain Penitentiary’s death row facility who has sent seventy-eight inmates to death in the electric chair. He thinks that he has seen it all, but the newest inmate, an enormous black man named John Coffey, doesn’t fit Edgecomb’s idea of a cold-blooded murderer. Coffey supposedly killed two young white girls, but Edgecomb discovers the truth about the crime and resolves to help Coffey. King portrays each character with an extraordinary level of nuance, sensitivity, and compassion and ensures that Paul Edgecomb and John Coffey, along with all the other finely drawn characters, will stick with you long after you close the pages of this novel, which was originally written in serial form. While The Green Mile is not a new book, nor is King a new author, the emotional impact of this novel continues to be staggering sixteen years after its first publication. Disobedience (2001) by Jane Hamilton Compared to the enormous popularity of Hamilton’s first two novels, The Book of Ruth and A Map of the World, Disobedience has been

completely overlooked by readers — but it is far and away my favorite novel by this talented writer. Told from the point of view of Henry Shaw, a seventeen-year-old high school senior, Disobedience takes a good hard look at the dynamics of a somewhat normal family — and finds that there is always more going on beneath the surface than you might expect. Henry’s sister, Elvira, is a dedicated Civil War buff who attends reenactions and dresses exclusively in period-era clothing. His mother, Beth, is having an affair, which Henry discovers when he accidentally logs on to her e-mail account one day. He follows the progression of Beth’s affair, and this secret knowledge of his mother’s life influences his own budding romance. Hamilton is one of my favorite authors, and Disobedience is a subtle, unexpected novel that leaves the reader wondering whether unknown family secrets have ever unwittingly colored his or her own life. The Lonely Polygamist (2011) by Brady Udall Most men would say that one wife is one too many. Golden Richards, a Mormon fundamentalist, has four. And twenty-eight children to go along with them. Don’t be turned off by the strange subject matter: The Lonely Polygamist is essentially a family comedy, and the humor expands to encompass the large boundaries of Golden’s brood. The man often feels overwhelmed by his enormous family, struggles to remember his childrens’ names, and often ducks into a tiny storage closet to hide from the chaos and get a few minutes to breathe. The story is told from the alternating point of views of Golden, his eleven-year-old son, Rusty, and his fourth wife, Trisha. The alternating perspectives give the reader a good idea of what it might be like to be one of dozens in a loud, competitive, Mormon fundamentalist family. Things go from hectic to absurd when Golden becomes involved in some shady dealings at work, finds himself a mistress (who will eventually become his fifth wife), and is forced to protect himself and his family from the woman’s husband, who sends a hit man after Golden. The Lonely Polygamist is definitely a book about a man — don’t expect the female players to wow you in terms of depth or characterization. But if you’re looking for a good story about someone who bit off more than he could chew, this novel fits the bill perfectly.

off switch magazine 64

Cracking the Dust

An ode to changing seasons and new beginings text: brittany austin photography: heather zweig model: justin zweig

It’s the first time that winter is almost not — you wake and the old snow recedes for bits of tawny grass, and rascal birds have returned to announce the end — the beginning, really — of something.

off switch magazine 66

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the restoration of warm and space. You shed knit things, like socks with holes in the heels, and oh, the soothing shrieks of people, blessed friends, their faces turned up to the wide blue.

67 off switch magazine

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the cardinal sunglow that rips between blinds and curtains and cold, cracking the dust of comfort that has gathered in all the corners, on each rib bone â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;round your quiet, caged muscle.

69 off switch magazine

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that life is just now new, and more than the weather is unsure. The wild earth churns and you determine to charge on â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Spring overhead, under foot, in your lungs, in your moving heart.

The Recipes:

gaz pacho 10 large tomatoes 2 small cucumbers 1 bell pepper 1 jalapeno or banana pepper, cored and seeded 1 small onion 1-2 toes of garlic, peeled and minced 2 avocadoes, diced 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 8 tbsp balsamic vinegar salt and pepper to taste celery stalks parsley celery salt

Peel and seed seven of the tomatoes and put these into a food processor. Add to this your garlic and one of the avocadoes. Whirl until this is nearly smooth and pour it into a large pitcher (the pitcher must be non-metallic). Seed and dice the remaining tomatoes and add those to the pitcher. Finely chop cucumbers, bell pepper, and onion and add those, along with all remaining ingredients, to the pitcher. Whisk and/or shake until everything is well-integrated. Lastly add diced avacodoes to the mixture. Chill this overnight in the fridge. When it is time to serve, it is traditional to do so in a tall glass, along the lines of an iced tea glass, rather than in a soup bowl. Garnish with a full celery stalk, a sprig of parsley and a shake of celery salt.

recipe: dina weiss photography: whitney johnson

off switch magazine

aspar agus soup 1 lb. fresh asparagus 1-2 toes of garlic 1 medium onion, chopped olive oil 1 quart of vegetable or chicken broth 1/4 cup coarsely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, reconstituted salt and pepper to taste

Wash asparagus and cut or snap off the woody ends. Chop off the tips (about the top 2 inches). Toss the tips in a drizzle of olive oil to coat and spread out in a small roasting pan. Place the toe(s) of garlic in the roasting pan with the asparagus and drizzle with olive oil. Roast the asparagus and garlic in a 350ÂşF oven for about twenty-five minutes or until the garlic is soft and can be squeezed out of the skins and the asparagus tips are beginning to brown. Remove from the oven and set aside. Meanwhile, steam the asparagus stalks until soft and tender but not absolute mush. Drain and set aside to cool. SautĂŠ the chopped onion until nicely caramelized. Remove from heat. Place the cooked asparagus stalks (not the tips) in the blender. Add the garlic, squeezed from the skins, the caramelized onion and about a cup of the broth (enough to facilitate pureeing). Process until smooth. Heat the remaining broth in a pan over medium heat. Add the pureed asparagus mixture. Finally, very coarsely chop the asparagus tips and add those and the sun-dried tomatoes to the soup. Add salt and pepper to taste. Makes either two large bowls of soup with a little left over, or four one-cup servings.

recipe: dina weiss photography: whitney johnson

off switch magazine 72

Garbanzo Beans:

baked snacks

Mix a can of garbanzo beans (or other favorite bean) with a couple teaspoons of cumin, salt and pepper to taste, and a tablespoon or two of olive oil. Bake at 350째F for ten to fifteen minutes or until crispy.

Kale: Chop fresh kale (removing ribs) and place in a clear plastic bag with olive oil, salt and pepper, and any additional seasonings you want, such as lemon pepper. Shake to coat all ingredients. Empty contents onto a foil covered pan and bake at 350째F for fifteen minutes or until crispy.

Pepperoni: Cover a baking sheet with foil and arrange pepperoni slices (preferably nitrate/nitrite free) on top. Bake at 350째F for about ten minutes, or until pepperoni chips are crispy but not burned.

Cheese: Cover a baking sheet with foil and arrange slices of the cheese of your choice (we used smokey cheddar and gouda) in small piles. Bake at 350째F oven until cheese piles are slightly golden.

recipe: katie michels photography: heather zweig

73 off switch magazine

stay connected! website EMAIL facebook

off switch magazine

tied He paced into the almost empty elevator, stood right there next to her and reached to press the twenty-first button. She shuffled the uncomfortable closeness away and murmured about the uncommon warmth of the day, about the new sunshine poking through March clouds. He nodded slowly three times, thought of last ski trips, of taking the Christmas lights down, of tax season, and of rain to water his dormant tulip bulbs. “Spring’s coming.” She pursed her polite lips into that half smile, thought of longer days with light, of visiting her grandmother in Virginia, of tax season, and of rain to water her dormant tulip blubs. “Yeah, such a beautiful day.” And they rode in that elevator to the top of the building, together. They rode the quietly hammering earth, together that day — tied by taxes and by the hope of likely flowers.