Posted on: Monday, September 20, 2004

ISLAND LIFE SHORTS
Turn desk into sanctuary

Advertiser Staff

Your work space at the office can be transformed into a more relaxing place. Consider these tips from "Quiet Places" by Vinny Lee:

• Add personal touches to your work area. These may include pots of cuttings from a plant at home, photographs of friends or family, collectibles, candies or memorabilia.

• Change these items regularly, perhaps using a seasonal theme or following anniversaries, to ensure that you continue to notice and appreciate them.

Organic suds praised

When planning your next barbecue, think green and serve organic beer. Master beer-taster Richard Scholz, from Bierkraft gourmet grocery in Brooklyn, dubbed Samuel Smith's Organically Produced Lager Beer the "best with hot dogs" in Organic Style magazine's July/August issue.

Available at The Liquor Collection in Ward Warehouse for about $4 per 18.7 ounces, the beer received high marks in the mag: "Smooth and mild with a round deep flavor, it's certified vegan but excellent at a cookout."

In the midst of the day-to-day chaos we call life, it's easy to forget about the things that should really matter to us: taking time to nurture ourselves, our families, our homes and our environment.

Every Monday, look here in Island Life for a weekly feature that offers quick tips, fun facts and resources to help make life less complicated and the planet greener.

If you have something to share — from meditation tips to energy-saving tricks — contact Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8174.