Dear EarthTalk: A friend with many minor health problems recently switched to a diet of only raw plant foods and reports feeling much better. She also insists her new eating habits are better for the environment. Does this make sense or is the strange diet making her crazy? – Phil C., Reno, NV

A raw foods diet typically consists of unprocessed foods that are not heated above 115 degrees Fahrenheit so as to preserve nutrients otherwise lost during cooking. Proponents claim that besides losing weight and feeling more energetic, they are also avoiding the carcinogens introduced into foods by cooking and protecting the environment from drug- and chemical-dependent, water-wasting big-business agriculture.

Some people do short spurts on the raw diet to cleanse their system of toxins, while others maintain a majority raw diet but do eat some cooked or processed foods. Diabetics can especially benefit from a raw foods diet, as shown in the film Simply Raw, which documents the trials and tribulations of six diabetes sufferers who go on a raw foods diet for one month and effectively cure themselves of their disease.

While humans have been eating raw foods since they first began foraging for their sustenance, the diet really began to catch on in recent years when some high-profile celebrities began touting its health and weight maintenance benefits. Carol Alt, Woody Harrelson, Uma Thurman, Sting and Demi Moore are just a few of the big names who swear by the raw foods diet—and now upwards of 100 raw foods restaurants are in operation across the U.S. For a list of raw food eateries by state, check out the SoyStache website.

Most raw food devotees are vegans, that is, no animal products whatsoever but all the vegetables, sprouts and grains they can muster. Some do eat raw dairy, eggs and even meat—being careful to choose only the freshest stuff so as to avoid getting sick from bacterial contamination.

One shouldn’t embark on a raw foods diet without researching how to make a smooth transition and maintain a proper nutrient balance. Some people hire raw food coaches or consult with nutritionists to walk them through the transition or help them through a cleansing, while others do it themselves with help from friends, natural food store employees, and websites. The Best of Raw Food website, for example, has a plethora of information on how to make the transition. It lists replacement foods for first transitioning to and then maintaining a raw food diet, and provides a tutorial on how to gauge the safety of raw foods.

Those serious about going raw will need a good quality juicer, a blender or food processor, large glass containers to soak and sprout seeds, grains and beans, and mason jars for storing sprouts and other food. Dehydrators that blow air through food at less than 115 degrees Fahrenheit are also popular accessories.

There are some cautions to keep in mind. Cathy Wong of About.com warns that some people experience a detox reaction when transitioning, especially if their old diet was rich in meat, sugar and caffeine—but the negative effects (headaches, nausea, cravings) usually only last a few days. Also, she says, going raw is not advised for children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with anemia or at risk for osteoporosis.

CONTACTS: Simply Raw, www.rawfor30days.com; SoyStache, www.SoyStache.com; The Best of Raw Food, www.thebestofrawfood.com; About.com, www.altmedicine.about.com/od/popularhealthdiets/a/Raw_Food.htm.

Dear EarthTalk: I know that purchasing organic crib sheets, mattresses and baby clothes is better for the environment—but do they make any difference in terms of the baby’s health?
– B.B., Fairfield, CT

It’s true that conventional baby clothing and bedding—conventional referring to that made with cotton grown using synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and bleached and dyed with yet more harsh chemicals—hasn’t seemed to present a problem thus far for generations and generations of babies. But more awareness of chemical sensitivities has many environmentalists and public health advocates wondering if the clothes and bedding children are exposed to could be impacting their health negatively.

Some 25 percent of the world’s pesticides and 10 percent of insecticides go to cotton crops every year. In addition, petroleum scouring agents, softeners, brighteners, heavy metals, flame and soil retardants, ammonia and formaldehyde are used in the processing of cotton once it is harvested. Beyond the environmental impacts of this onslaught in the vicinity of production facilities, there is increasing concern that residues of some of these chemicals might rub off on baby. According to Rachel Birchler of Mooi, a Pittsburgh-based organic children’s clothing boutique, a baby’s skin is more porous and thinner than that of an adult, and as such absorbs stuff more easily. "This means that children are at greater risk for pesticide-related health problems than adults," she says.

Johnson & Johnson, one of the world’s leading purveyors of baby products, states on its website that "a baby’s skin is thinner, more fragile and less oily than an adult’s" and is "less resistant to bacteria and harmful substances in the environment." Lotus Organics, which makes organic clothing for both babies and adults, reports that "millions of children in the U.S. receive up to 35 percent of their estimated lifetime dose of some carcinogenic pesticides by age five through food, contaminated drinking water, household use, and pesticide drift."

So if organic cotton is so much better all around, why aren’t we all swaddling our babies in it and wearing it ourselves? It’s all about cost. Clothing and bedding made from organic cotton is typically more expensive than similar products made with conventional cotton. Consumers watching their spending are often unwilling to pay more for a t-shirt or pants that are just going to get spilled on and beaten up.

But boosters for organic cotton say that paying less for conventional cotton items is penny wise and pound foolish. "Conventionally produced cotton material lasts 10-20 washes before it starts to break down," reports Mooi’s Birchler. "An organic cotton material lasts for 100 washes or more before it begins to wear down." How could that be? "Conventionally produced cotton take so much abuse in production because it goes through scouring, bleaching, dying, softeners, formaldehyde spray, and flame and soil retardants before it is even shipped to be cut for patterns," she explains.

Also, with more and more organic cotton products becoming available every day, from specialty shops to major retailers like Wal-Mart and Target, the price premium for going organic is starting to shrink.

CONTACTS: Mooi, www.mooishop.com; Johnson & Johnson, www.jnj.com; Lotus Organics, www.lotusorganics.com.

SEND YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS TO: EarthTalk®, c/o E — The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; earthtalk@emagazine.com. E is a nonprofit publication. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe; Request a Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.

Three young Boston women, ages 18, 21, and 17, face charges of receiving stolen property after they were found carrying merchandise stolen from several stores in the Braintree South Shore Plaza, police said.

A mall cop told police on Thursday that he watched the women, a fourth women, and a man, stealing from Hollister. Police caught up to the group in Macy’s after security told them they entered Hollister with empty bags and left with full ones.

Several security sensor tags were later discovered discarded on the floor inside the store.

Three of the women had shopping bags that were searched and found to contain stolen merchandise. One woman had $247 worth of merchandise from American Eagle and Hollister. A second woman had $218 worth of merchandise from Hot Topic, Hollister, Abercrombie and American Eagle and the third had $231 worth of merchandise from Hot Topic and Hollister.

They will be summonsed to court on multiple charges of receiving stolen property under $250.

No word on fashion police charges stemming from the blatant clashing of fashion styles.

The fourth woman wasn’t charged. The man, identified as Kalieshe A. Brown, 28, of Dorchester was arrested on an outstanding traffic warrant. When he was being booked he was discovered to be wearing two pairs of jeans — one of them was stolen from American Eagle.

OK, so you have endless gifts to buy for everyone from your best friend to your parents to your boyfriend. It can be a lot of work finding the perfect gift. Lucky for you, we here at Blast have compiled a list of only the best stores in Boston. From the unique to the cheap to the luxurious, this guide will point you to the shop you need. Don’t settle for a gift card, pair of boxers or a bottle of wine. Boston has way more to offer!

Black Ink (Beacon Hill: 101 Charles St. and Harvard Square: 5 Brattle St, Cambridge)

If you’re looking for something truly unique for that impossible-to-buy-for person, Black Ink should be your first stop. Hawking everything from a koi chopstick rest set to a space-agey magazine rack to a charcoal essence infused body towel, you can pick up cool kitchen utensils and old-school toys in the same fun to wander through store.

J. Press (Harvard Square: 82 Mt. Auburn St, Cambridge)

For the boyfriend, brother or even dad who is always dressed to the nines, J. Press in Harvard Square will outfit him perfectly (and, P.S., we’re jealous). They carry a wide range of ties for under $60, as well as classy cufflinks, sweaters, belts and other accessories. Consider it the new J. Crew for guys only.

Looney Tunes Records (1106 Boylston St.)

Those uber-hip Berklee kids duck into Looney Tunes for old LPs and every CD you could wish for. A little bit chaotic, but a music junkie’s dream, Looney Tunes is perfect for that friend who never takes off his headphones. Bonus: a lot of cheap finds are to be had.

Poor Little Rich Girl (Davis Square: 255 Elm St, Somerville and 166 Newbury St.)

This vintage and consignment store is where to go for your best girl friend, your girlfriend, or your eternally cool grandmother. Stocking designer dresses, vintage clothes and accessories from the 1940s-80s, classic apartment furnishings, contemporary stores’ clothing and more, there is no girl who won’t find a treasure here.

Oak (245 Newbury St.)

Consider this your one-stop shop for pretty much everyone on your list. Oak is an eclectic store with goods ranging from classy to crazy. We love the sterling silver scrabble letter necklace and the gin and tonic soap as well as the mix tape pillow and the Apple command key ring. Shop here for your techie boyfriend, glamorous girlfriend, parents, siblings, you name it. You can also find one-of-a-kind gifts for the kiddos in your life, like crocheted hand puppets and make-your-own plush monster kits. Plus, if you somehow don’t find what you need at Oak, you’ve still got the rest of Newbury at your disposal.

Formaggio Kitchen (244 Huron Ave, Cambridge)

If you haven’t been to Formaggio Kitchen yet, you’re so not our friend. Nationally known as a distinctive and delicious gourmet cheese shop, Formaggio is the perfect place to spend afternoon hours or to pick up the perfect gift for your favorite foodie or holiday party hostess. Here you’ll find hundreds of imported cheeses from around the world, as well as local favorites. They sell freshly made (and astoundingly delicious) baked goods as well as crackers, wine, jams, chocolate, produce and more. The shop is small, so try to duck in on a weekday afternoon to avoid the shoulder to shoulder crowds.

Blue Cloud Gallery (Ball Square: 713 Broadway, Somerville)

Looking for something artsy and unique? Blue Cloud has it. Carrying works by over 90 artisans, many local, this shop is perfect for someone like mom, who really deserves something special (especially if you still do your laundry at home). They stock beautiful pieces of pottery and glass blown decorations. Pick up some stunning photo tiles to give as coasters or a piece of handmade jewelry. Either way, pick something up here.

Know of any other great places to find holiday gifts? Comment below with your favorites and help other Blasties navigate the holiday minefield!

QUINCY, Mass. — Last Sunday night marked the kickoff to Quincy Fashion Week. And by week we mean day. And by day we mean half hour.

The clear highlight of Quincy Fashion Half Hour was the Betsey Johnson fashion show, held at the Marina Bay Beach Club. The models strutted a beachside runway wearing playful styles currently available at Johnson’s Newbury Street store, including summery dresses, swimsuits and handbags.

Stylists from Salon Marc Harris primped the models for the event, turning out spunky up-dos and making frizzy pigtails a worthy fashion trend. The show started off with the stylists presenting a birthday cake and singing “Happy Birthday” to Harris, who attended the event and blew out his candles on the runway.

While Johnson and her trademark cartwheel were absent from the event, the show stayed true to the designer’s high energy. Models danced along the runway to upbeat music from The Ting Tings, Alien Ant Farm, Lady GaGa and Kevin Rudolf.

The Connecticut-born designer recently unveiled her Fall 2009 collection in New York, entitled
“Betsey’s Crocker’s Recipes for Dressings.” All of the outfits in the collection are named after comfort food recipes, including Sex Pot Pie and Triple Cheeseburger Deluxe.

Sunday’s show, however, was more about celebrating what’s left of summer. The sand-strewn runway and whimsical party dresses made us wish there’s a whole lot left.

Easter really is the holiday that welcomes spring. Whether you are religious or not, Easter gives everyone a chance to celebrate with family and friends. What’s not to love?

Especially after a winter where the National Weather Service reported average temperatures of 30 degrees or lower across the states for about three months, anything that insinuates warmth is welcome. In the spirit of welcoming spring we dedicated our April cover and Culture section to the beautiful fashions of spring and the trends for Summer 2009.

Thanks to fashion connoisseurs like Sara Campbell, whose flowy and feminine dresses are perfect additions to any woman’s wardrobe, Nicole Deponte, with avant-garde statement cravats, Storey Hieronymus Hauck, owner of the eclectic Turtle Boston, and shoe additions from Missoni to Modern Vintage our photo shoot outfits were set.

The last detail that made the shoot a success was the setting. Bobby from Boston, a unique vintage store and a true jewel in the South End of Boston, provided the best background. There, we could mix the fresh styles that you will see everywhere these coming months with the richness and history of retro fashion.

So, what to look for as you prepare your own warm weather outfits? As you browse through our galleries notice one common aspect, color. Color, color, color. In the details of accessories, the shade of a clothing item or even the hue of a shoe. At every store from Nordstrom to H&M warm weather fashions include colorful additions.

Not only that, there is also a resurgence of tribal print and ethnic themes. Best seen, for example, in shoes like Jimmy Choo’s Cora Fringe Sandals. Granted, these are the extreme option and one of the most expensive, but the idea is the same. Target, Nine West and even Payless Shoes are including ethnic inspired styles that are easier on the wallet.‚  Swing by Old Navy or Banana Republic to find tops, skirts or dresses with this design as well. Statement bangles and earrings will complete the look, or look through your jewelry and find chunky, jewel infused, necklaces to add.

Aside from the tribal an ethnic prints, flowers and block prints are also making an appearance in different places. Whether you choose a shift, empire or belted dress to show off those legs, consider print accents for it with a cardigan, scarf or shawl. If flowers aren’t your thing metallic shades are all the rave too.

Try to find a large metallic bag that could become your everyday tote.‚  And for evenings, definitely look into clutches. The prints and colors in style are so bold; you don’t need an overhaul bag that makes a look cluttered. Structured bottoms, that look clean but have pockets, rolled up hems, zippers and buttons provide that “Bam!” needed for the office or the after party so you don’t have to rely only on dresses.

Also consider sheer fabrics and 80s inspired tops. Either option paired with boot cut, wide leg jeans or mid thigh length pants will look good. And, if you really want to follow the trends, get yourself a pantsuit. They are popping up everywhere in silk or cotton and work wonders with heels, add accessories and you have the summer “it” outfit.

We can try to wrap up with shoes, although this topic could easily make for another 600 word Op-Ed. What women should consider for the coming warm weather months is at least one pair of sky-high heels with a cool design. A bold pattern, a detailed heel or a mixture of fabrics will ensure that your shoes get noticed and that the outfit you wear them with is easy to assemble. Essentially the shoes will be the focal point. For the rest of summer days, flats are still popular.‚ 

Try to search for bargains, not because you have to get that one hot pair of heels for the season does it mean you need to spend $200 plus. A brand new website launched by Kim Kardashian is a good solution to getting great shoes every month at affordable prices. Nationwide shoe dealers like DSW and Off Broadway Shoes are starting summer their sales shortly after the Easter bunny visits.

And guys, please don’t feel left out. Blast reporter Kristin Lambert has taken the task of telling you how to look good for the warm weather months too. In general, everyone please go to your closets and see what you have that may fit into a trend mentioned. After seeing what you have, and getting those coats in storage, prepare to bargain hunt and find accent pieces that will refresh your wardrobe.

Who said looking fashionable had to continue being expensive? We are still in a recession so don’t be afraid to ask for the sale section in a store or invest in one great piece. Like the Boston Globe‚ reported, more and more shoppers are asking for discounts and getting them so join the revolution! Just remember to pray to the higher beings for the warmth to stay as log as possible.

I know that every January, all the articles on fashion are always about getting fit and ready for the new year or what to expect from the spring fashions. That is just not what is on my mind this year.

Yes I will go over it, but I find that what is on everyone’s minds, from elementary school children to grandparents, have been the effects that the war is having on our daily lives. Everything from gas to fashion is affected and we just are ready for the end to arrive.

No one likes to have war, but too many people enjoy the spoils of war at the expense of other peoples’ lives on many levels, from the ultimate casualty to the slow draining death of the citizens of each country that is involved. Then there is the factor that we are all connected in some way or another so that makes the entire world part of a war that only some people are benefiting from in the first place.

You can see in fashion, more in 2008 than in 2007, the exasperation that is occurring with the fatigue of a 5-6 year war (depending on when "war" has been acknowledged) that is eating away at the fabric of the world or at the very least my world.

The holidays were not as bright this year because so many of us know young people that are not with us anymore due to the war. Some are more fortunate in the sense that they have to struggle to find a new life, be they wounded physically or mentally, but they are still here. Some of us have loved ones that are just still out fighting or training to fight and we just wanted them home so that we could hold them close.

So many children are saying things like, I don’t want anything for Christmas or Hanukkah, I just want my mommy and/or daddy or uncle or auntie to come home to be with me. That was just so heartfelt to me. So I have pondered over and over how not to include the gray in my commentary of the fashion scene for this article but it just came off fake.

Once you get a chance to review the fashion for 2008 you will see the directional change that I spoke of previously with the hip hop bling bling fading away. All that flash and opulence can’t continue when we are paying over $3 a gallon for gas.

The spring for 2008 is all about a re-emerging of the 1960s. The flower child influence is definitely there. The bright colors and beautiful fabric crafted in patchwork styling is channeling a message of antidisestablishmentarianism.

The overall movement in fashion is about modesty and classic elegance. The classic 1940′s through 1950′s house dress has come back in an amazing way. They are fitted in the bodice area but flow in a slight A-line that gives the body of a woman its greatest appeal. A very come hither look that is not scandalous.

Knits are hot for the entire year. In the spring they start off small and tight and as we move into fall they get bigger and chunkier. This year the styles are all about comfort and finding a swaddling delight in what you wear.

The name of the game for fall 2008 is secretary chic. That means that some button down shirts and classic sweaters can be added to the wardrobe that you already have to create the lines that will define the season.

This year, the fashion gods have created the proverbial chicken soup, the ultimate comfort food in clothes. So get out your favorite pieces and add a little new and make a statement that sticks it to the man and you will be ready to take on the fashion world and be groovy-hip-fly-phat-chic all of 2008.

Keep your heads up and stay fashionable!

Rare Vintage and Arnold Brant cued us in on some of their upcoming designs, and they range from chic to just plain sexy.

Brant has a $6,000 sport jacket coming out. You can’t afford it. I can’t afford it. We can barely afford to show you a picture of it. But God-damn it would look good on any of us. Apparently Matt Damon and Forest Whitaker wear something like it from the Brant collection.

Our friends at DLL Rainwear let us look at some Chooka boots this month.

They’re hot, shiny and they keep your feet dry.