The Daily Dose

NYC FASHION WEEK

2011-09-09T22:58:00.001-04:00

It's that time of year again in NYC - Fashion Week so get out your best outfit and check out what all the fashionistas were wearing today

http://www.mbfashionweek.com/schedule

Dinner For A Hot Summer Night

2010-09-02T09:29:00.000-04:00

Last night once again it was too hot to cook, but I had to because I had some yellow zucchini in my refrigerator that needed to be used or they would go bad. I thought a little flame from an oven burner would not cause that much heat so I went to work. I sprayed my pan with olive oil and let that heat up, I then added yellow zucchini, some corn that was sliced off the cob, some string beans and a bit of kale. I seasoned this with cumin, pepper and some red pepper flakes. I then took some tempeh strips and heat them in the microwave and wrapped them with some arugula in an eziekel wrap and topped the whole thing off with a cold Blue Mountain beer. All in all it was a great dinner for a warm summer night.

In Memory of Francis

2010-06-19T22:14:00.002-04:00

HUGO'S ADOPTION BIRTHDAY

2010-04-03T21:10:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is Hugo's adoption birthday - give or take a few days!! I adopted him two years ago from the ASPCA on Easter Sunday. I know Easter doesn't fall on the same day each year but it is symbolic. It is supposed to be 75 degrees tomorrow so my sister and I are taking him for a nice walk in Central Park - if you're in the area tomorrow - keep your eye out for him!!!

DEER STOP YOGA

2010-04-02T11:22:00.001-04:00

So I have been going to a new yoga studio that one of my yoga teachers started in her loft called Deer Stop Yoga in Williamsburgh Brooklyn. It is a warm inviting studio that always makes me feel happy to be there. Julia who runs this studio is a gentle soul who teaches a flowing yoga class that leaves you feeling so at ease. This is not to say that it is not tough - she does put you through the mill, but she is so graceful that you don't realize it at first. She has a mascot Oliver her hairless cat that sometimes has you laughing at his antics - he is a welcoming distraction to plank pose. If you are looking for a great Asana practice in a bright, airy, welcoming studio - check out Deer Stop at http://www.thisiswherethedeerstop.org/

Claire & Franklin

2010-02-22T21:45:00.003-05:00

I had to put two of my cats to sleep this year. First it was Claire who was older and ready to go then it was her son Franklin that wasn't that old and I wasn't ready to let him go, but he was ill. It is never easy letting a pet go, but as owners we have a responsibility to know that when their quality of life is faltering then we must make that decision - not that it is ever easy. I will always remember them and their special traits.

My Little Tomato Plant

2009-10-17T22:51:00.002-04:00

I had a tomato plant on my fire escape but I had to get rid of it because NYC law prohibits any thing to be on a fire escape - but here are three little guys that I saved before getting rid of the plant. By by my lovely little plant.

Fall is a comin'

2009-09-26T22:08:00.002-04:00

So it really wasn't much of a summer - it came in drips and drabs. Now I am one that loves the summer, the warmth, the mellow attitude, flip flops and all that goes with it, but I have to say I am ready for fall. Fall seems to be a time for reinvention and I would say right about now is a good time for me to reinvent my self. How would you reinvent yourself if you could?

Hugo and More Hugo

2009-09-10T15:45:00.006-04:00

I haven't written in a while because I have been busy moving back into my old apartment that caught fire this past Christmas. I am back home now and as happy as ever. This past sunday was a bright lazy one and it afforded me and Hugo some snuggle time and a few photo ops which I have posted for your viewing pleasure enjoy.

Dog Toys

2009-07-25T09:15:00.004-04:00

My dog Hugo loves his Cheekey Squeaky toys. Seems every other dog in the city and beyond does too, because they have been out of stock since last year. I was able to get one that is back for a limited time which I am happy about, and I think Hugo will be happy about too. Mr. Orange Rat will be arriving soon to hang out with Mr. Green Monster and Mr. Pink. Hopefully one day Mr. Big Red Rooster will be on sale for a limited time - until then we can only dream.............

Food Food and More Food

2009-07-24T21:46:00.004-04:00

I love food. I love to read about it - and try to abstain from it at the same time. Food, as much as I love it, does not agree with my thighs. That is why I try to eat as healthy as possible. My new favorite dish is garlic string beans with marinated portobello mushrooms. Actually the portobello mushrooms are a new addition to the beans. It is a light dish that doesn't require a lot of ingredients or time.

Garlic String Beans

1 teaspoon olive oil
2 cups beans - cut into inch long beans
2 cloves of garlic chopped (more garlic can be added if you are a fan of it like me)
1 cup of water
2 teaspoons vegetable broth
1 steam of rosemary
some pepper
2 pinches of salt
a squeeze of 1/4 lemon

in a pan take oil - beans - garlic and rosemary and saute beans and garlic for about 3 minutes
once they are sauted take remaining ingredients and cook until water is gone

For the Portabello Mushroom

1 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon of brown mustard

whip all ingredients together and marinate portobello mushroom for about 20 minutes
after it is marinated slice and cook until soft

add to stringbeans and viola - a simple tasty low fat meal

NOTHING SAYS SUMMER LIKE FRESH TOMATOES FROM THE FARMER'S MARKET

2009-07-21T07:07:00.001-04:00

Woodstock Farm Sanctuary

2009-07-20T08:32:00.003-04:00

This past Friday my sister and I went up to the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary in Willow, NY (right near Woodstock). If you are not familiar with the Farm it is a safe haven for rescued animals that were to be used for slaughter. They have a variety of goats, cows, pigs, hens, ducks, turkeys and the like. This farm and the people that work and run it are amazing!!! Having gone up in the past on a Saturday, my sister and I were not aware that the farm is only open to the public on the weekend. Well being the wonderful people that they are, we were invited to come and socialize with the goats and hang out as the staff went about doing their farm chores. Petting goats is great but my sister and I felt that we needed to help out and when asked we were told that they could use some extra hands cleaning out the barn. Working along side Julie and Amber the barn was cleaned in no time and I never saw such a happy group of goats! It really made us feel good knowing that we did something positive for the animals.

Make sure you check out the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary website - make a donation, take a trip one weekend - and remember - don't harm animals they have feelings and wouldn't harm you.

www.woodstockfas.org

Yoga Search .... The Finale

2009-07-20T08:12:00.002-04:00

So Sunday I went to Yoga Tonic here in Sunnyside Queens. Their website looked inviting enough and when I yelped them, I read nothing but great things, so I decided to give it a shot. I was greeted by my instructor Jin who was very warm and welcoming.

The class only consisted of me Jin and two other students, which worked out nicely even though in general I like to have a bit more students in a class. The asanas flowed smoothly and Jin was helpful in making sure our alignment was correct. While in corpse pose JIn came around and gave each student a wonderful head massage which just sealed the deal for me.

I plan on going back to Yoga Tonic to see what the other teachers have to offer and take another one of Jin's classes.

Yoga Tonic has a special new student deal - $45 for the month. Along with Yoga they also have a variety of other classes, so check out their website.

www.myyogatonic.com

Queens Treat

2009-07-20T06:50:00.002-04:00

Where else in the city can you get an over flowing Coconut ice for only a dollar?? Only in queens my friend.

Sailing Takes Me Away

2009-07-18T07:56:00.002-04:00

So it finally feels like summer is upon us after a month of rain and chilly weather and what better way to spend an afternoon or evening but going for a sail along the Hudson River. My good Friends Ed and Regina run a charter business right here at the 72nd Street Boat Basin. Check out their website www.abaconyachtcharter.com for rates and information. I don't know a nicer couple than Ed and Regina to go sailing with and if that doesn't grab your attention - their furry masscot Ollie will be on hand to make sure your trip is a fun one!!

Yoga Search

2009-07-14T22:17:00.000-04:00

So I am still looking for that happy medium when it comes to another yoga studio. Last week I tried World Yoga Center. I thought that I found my alternative yoga studio at last. That was not the case. Now while I do believe I like the vibe there - very organic - I felt the teacher was too much of a comedian. Now while I do think that yoga should not be so serious - I don't think that a joke has to be made at every other move. I didn't feel very challenged in this class. The class size was large - so large that I was literally face to face with my front neighbor as we did cobra pose - hello neighbor. Not a comfortable feeling for either one of us - but yoga is not about comfort all the time is it? Now as I was disappointed with this class it wasn't horrible, it just wasn't for me. Next stop is Yogatonic in Sunnyside Queens - once again I have high hopes - it's what keeps me going.

I want to give a special shot out to Big Spirit Yoga for reading my blog and directing me to perhaps a more challenging class - I am up to the challenge and haven't written you off yet. I think your studio has a lot to offer and I am interested in seeing where it goes.

www.worldyogacenter.com
www.goyoga.ws

Yoga

2009-07-01T23:00:00.000-04:00

I am searching for a new yoga studio to go to during the week. Right now I go to Go Yoga in brooklyn, but am only able to get there on Sunday. So far I have tried two yoga studios and each one of them was ok, but I would not go running back to them. The first was Fierce Club and while the class itself was a great workout - i didn't get a very organic feel to it. It seemed more of a gimmick class and I like my yoga to be simple yet a challenge. The next stop was Big Spirit Yoga in Sunnyside queens. This class was more organic, but yet a bit to slow for my taste and small as it was only me and another student. Now I wouldn't run to this class afterwork but I could see myself going to a class on a Saturday morning. If you want to check out either Fierce Club or Big Spirit Yoga their websites are posted below:

www.goyoga.com
www.bigspirityoga.com
www.fierceclub.com

NAMASATE

WELCOME

2009-06-27T08:25:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my first ever Blog. This Blog will be a space for people to read up on things happening around the city and the world. I will be posting my thoughts on random things without getting preachy or I dare say .... boring. I am hoping that I can get input from my readers and that this blog will be something that people will want to check out each day, and if this isn't enough to catch your attention, there will be daily pictures of my mascot Hugo for you to gaze your eyes upon. So with that said, here I go.........