Trends and Innovations: Recycled Coffee Clothing

Clothing Made from Recycled Coffee

A mocha latte might warm you up on a cold day, but clothing made from coffee beans could keep you warm all winter.  The StayWarm line uses recycled and processed coffee grounds to form the clothing fiber.  According to the maker, Virus, the clothes increase surface temperature by 10 degrees Fahrenheit.  It says StayWarm is only meant as a first layer and to wear additional clothing.  The long-sleeve top is selling for $38 and the men’s compression pants are $54.50.  Information obtained from Investors.com Feb 2012.

Want Milk with Your Coffee?  Add Fabric Made from Milk

When German fashion designer (and former microbiology student) Anke Domaske found she could create a wearable, washable silky fabric out of casein, the milk protein, she achieved something ecologically significant – the first man-made fiber made entirely without chemicals.  It takes only about six liters of milk to make a dress.  It doesn’t smell, and the amino acids in it are antibacterial and anti-aging, Domaske says.  Information obtained from WorthWhile magazine Spring 2012.

Click here for more details www.milkotex.com

Keeping Track of Expiring and New Tax Provisions

Victoria Trigg reminds you that a number of significant federal income tax provisions expired at the end of 2011, a fact that might be easily overlooked with so much attention being focused on the "Bush tax cuts" that are still in effect, but scheduled to expire at the end of 2012. And new Medicare-related taxes, effective in 2013, have received surprisingly little coverage. Of course, new legislation could always extend some or all of these provisions, but here's a quick summary of how things stand.  


Click here for full article

20th Anniversary for Candy’s Securities Firm, fsic

It is hard to believe that it has been 20 years since we opened our door in the IBM Building in downtown Seattle.  We have experienced many interesting markets since that time.       

It was invigorating to review one of my clients who started with us in the beginning and find that they had contributed $1,251,000 million to their account over the years, had withdrawn $1,299,000 and still had $650,000 left.  They have taken out more than they invested and still have $650,000 of investment gain left in the account.  That is the beauty of being a strategic long-term equity investor.    

Medicare Changes in 2012

David Johnson reminds you to take note of some of the changes to Medicare in 2012.  Medicare’s health and drug insurance plans change every year, and whether you’re already enrolled or coming up on Medicare eligibility, you need to stay on top of the changes. 

Click here to view some of the important ones for 2012  

Candy and Her Husband, Rocke Koreis, Named to the Pacific Northwest Ballet Board of Trustees

We love the Ballet and have been going since we moved to Seattle from Yakima in 1985.  Since about 1989 we have been subscribers to the Pacific Northwest Ballet and have been Members of the Barre since about 1990.  I took Rocke to his first ballet in about 1988, and he has been in love with it ever since.  One of his most memorable ballets was when Dianne Schurr sang during Kurt Weill’s “The Seven Deadly Sins,” however, favorites are basically all of them.  We look forward to helping the ballet continue to grow and produce wonderful works of art.

Saigon Beef

I can’t believe we have not shared this recipe before.  It is spicy and fun to eat, especially if you like eating messy food with your fingers.   We will buy a whole tenderloin from Costco and cut it up for steaks, use the bigger leftover pieces for Palisades Teriyaki Tidbits (another recipe I need to share) and the final little pieces we use for Saigon Beef.  The leftover coconut milk in these recipes is saved for Shrimp in Coconut Milk Soup which I promise to post next time. 

Click here to view recipe for Saigon Beef

Asparagus Sautéed in Butter and Mustard

We were over in Yakima this weekend helping out Mom & Dad with their property and noticed the Asparagus signs starting to go up.  Asparagus is one of our favorite vegetables and when it is in season we like to eat it often.  The best way to keep it fresh is cut a small amount of the large end off, set them upright in about an inch or two of water, and place them in the refrigerator - they can last for weeks.

We live in little Scandinavia, more commonly known as Ballard, and found a recipe with a unique flavor twist.   You do have to be very attentive - a couple of seconds too long on the butter and the dish is toast, not asparagus.   

Click here to view recipe for Asparagus Sautéed in Butter and Mustard