8.31.2012

Blue Moon

Tonight there is a blue moon which is quite rare. Blue moons are the second full moon occurring within the same month. Full moons are known for being an emotionally charged time, so with two in one month people may be feeling extra intense energy. This is a good time to take that energy and look within for a little self reflection. 

Lately, I have been feeling an increase in emotion. On this full moon I can't stop thinking about my grandpa who has been struggling with cancer. He has always been fascinated by blue moons. The Frank Sinatra song "Blue Moon" was a favorite of my grandparents. Growing up I vividly remember them dancing so happily and in love to this song together - “Blue moon, you saw me standing alone, without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own.” They had such a special love. My grandma was a telephone operator and my grandpa fell madly in love with the sound of her voice. This song symbolized their love and he named his prized sail boat The Blue Moon. 

When seeing him last he kept encouraging Eric and I to sit down and write out our bucket list of things we hope to experience in our lives. He said how quickly life passes you by. This stuck with me and makes me realize the importance of enjoying all the small moments and not rushing from one thing to the next (which I tend to do). I have lived such a full life already but just like setting goals every year it's important to think about the things you hope to see, experience and accomplish during your lifetime. Tonight Eric and I are going to sit down and start our bucket list. 

8.29.2012

Fabulous Housewarming Finds

Today was a gorgeous day. The cooler weather reminded me that fall is here. I get so excited during this time of year. I love replacing my summer dresses with layers and light sweaters. The changing air, colors and surroundings can inspire people to make changes in their lives. Every year a handful of our friends search for new apartments during this time. This year Eric and I are also on the hunt (fingers crossed we find something fabulous). While doing a little housewarming gift googling I came across some amazing ideas that I had to share.
Glass jar filled with green home products
Source & Photo Credit: Julieblanner.com

What is more thoughtful than a custom return address stamp?
Photo Credit: Giverslog.com

Potted lavender plant (orchids are also a fav gift of mine to
give because they last so long)
Source & Photo Credit: Julieblanner.com


Crystal bottle stoppers
Rablabs.com, $55 each

A happy home is filled with LOVE
ABC Home, $95

Oh Anthropologie! My favorite gift store always has so many choices
Monogrammed mugs: $8 each

Custom chalk canisters
Anthropologie, $10-12 each

Succulent centerpiece
Succulents Galore on Etsy, $28
Or make one yourself at Jamali Garden in the Flower District
 

8.28.2012

State of Mind


The best time to set the tone for my day is in the morning when I walk to work. Walking makes me feel energized and provides me with some alone time to focus on starting my day on the right track. I believe in order to have a great day you have to attract it and that starts from the moment you wake up. When I wake up focusing on the good and feeling positive my entire day continues to unfold that way. 

During my walk I listen to my favorite meditation, take deep breaths and set my intentions for the day. My go-to morning meditation iPhone app is Getting into the Vortex Guided Meditations by Esther and Jerry Hicks. This iPhone app offers a variety of meditations with different focuses all created to help you get into the right state of mind so you can achieve and attract what you desire. The different meditations include: general well-being, financial abundance, physical well-being, relationships and a music track. All of the meditations are 15 minutes. 

In the morning I typically listen to general well-being and in the evening when falling asleep my husband and I listen to any of the above, relationships is a great one. They make you mindful of your breathing and help center through words of gratitude and positive affirmations. The final 5 minutes is purely music. After listening to the meditation I feel amazing (depending on the time of day) either relaxed or rejuvenated. It gives me a clear perspective so I can focus on my intentions for the day whether it is setting personal/professional goals, feeling a certain way or how I aim to treat myself and others. 

Photo Credit: Sacredvibrations.net

8.21.2012

Good to Eat - Raspberry Buttermilk Cake

Photo Credit: Brittany Zwickl
My BFF posted this picture of raspberry buttermilk cake and immediately my taste buds were intrigued. You can make this with any type of berry. 

INGREDIENTS 

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, divided
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest 
1 large egg
1/2 cup well-shaken buttermilk
1 cup fresh raspberries


DIRECTIONS
*From Gourmet magazine 

Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle. Butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and set aside.

In a larger bowl, beat butter and 2/3 cup sugar with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, then beat in vanilla and zest. Add egg and beat well. 
At low speed, mix in flour mixture in three batches, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour, and mixing until just combined. Spoon batter into cake pan, smoothing top.

Scatter raspberries evenly over top and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar. Bake until cake is golden for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and cool to warm, 10 to 15 minutes more. Invert onto a plate.

7.19.2012

Chia Craze

Photo Credit: Fit Sugar
Where I work Chia seeds have taken over! It's the norm to see Smart Water bottles filled to the rim with Chia Seeds (which look more like dirt when in water). In water their appearance may not be appetizing but the nutritional benefits make them very desirable. They are a tiny seed packed with big nutritional benefits. If you aren't on the Chia Seed bandwagon NOW is the time to start.

They are loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids, help balance blood sugar, increase energy, are high in fiber and protein, have age defying antioxidants and diminish food cravings. When I consume Chia seeds I find myself making healthier food choices and they keep me from over eating. They deliver the maximum amount of nutrients with minimum calories. 

I purchased my first seeds through Mila http://home.lifemax.net/mila-index.php but you can also purchase at Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. I prefer to mix the seeds in Vitamin Water and drink throughout the day but you can also mix the seeds into yogurt, salads, smoothies, cereal, etc. I hope you join the craze!!!

7.15.2012

Lovely Lemon Water

During my last session with Aspen-based healer Rob I asked him if he could share any advice on how to start your day feeling great. In addition to starting and ending your day thinking about what you are grateful for, he also recommends drinking water with lemon juice first thing in the morning. I know most of you start your day with coffee so please keep an open mind with this post.

He says that lemon water sends soothing energetic signals through your body that you are awake and ready for the day. It also stimulates liver function which is vital to your overall health. 
Drinking coffee first thing shocks your body into waking up. Send a love letter to your liver by starting the day with hot or cold water and fresh squeezed lemon (then add coffee once you are awake). This sets your body up to be in a good place for the day. The liver tells your other organs what to do so why not wake up by sending them some love. For the next week I am going to switch my morning Chai with a big glass of lemon water and see how I feel.

Photo Credit: classicglamblog.blogspot.com

7.11.2012

Flower Power

After being in Colorado surrounded by such beautiful wildflowers I was inspired to finally fill the lonely pots on our terrace. Something so simple can bring so much happiness and it's good for the soul to get your hands dirty every once in a while. Looking out and seeing our pretty flowers helps me start my day in a great mood. If you have an outdoor space get inspired and add some flowers. 

7.08.2012

Mountain Air

While visiting my family in Colorado I took the opportunity to spend as much time as possible soaking in the fresh mountain air. Being outside surrounded by the beauty of the mountains, sunshine and crisp air was such a glorious break from city living. I love that on any given day in Aspen literally everyone is doing something active whether hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding on the river, mountain biking, paragliding and the list goes on and on. During the summer the Aspen hikes are busy with tourists so my mom and her hubby Bob took us up a more low key hike without all the people. Located up Independence Pass the hike called Difficult was through the Aspen trees.


Do you see the heart?

7.06.2012

Fab Five - Aspen, Colorado

Pretty stores and pink flowers

Paradise Bakery ice cream cone

Only in Aspen do you find mopeds
next to private planes

At Kemo Sabe where Western flare still remains

Johnny Maguire's: the Emma and Buddha sandwiches are my fav

7.05.2012

Help from a Healer

Whenever we are in Aspen, Eric and I visit spiritual healer Rob Wergin http://www.robwergin.com/. A healer is someone who is born with the ability to connect with your individual "light source" or "higher sense of self" to remove any negativity helping you feel your best. Every time I visit him I leave feeling rejuvenated, energized, calm and just happy - all for the price of a massage. During the session a sense of lightheadedness comes over me and a "tickle" like sensation in my fingers. It is a pretty magical and wild experience. Rob was born with this special gift and has clients who travel from all over the world to see him. He has so many success stories of healing clients suffering from cancer, sickness, depression, etc. His mentor is the famed healer, John of God, who is based in Brazil. 

The idea of visiting a healer may feel very foreign or out there to many of you. To help you understand a bit more of what Rob practices, here is his explanation: "The human body is like a tall building filled with energetic plumbing. At the top of the building is a water tower which provides fluid to all of the pipes. If there is a blockage the water becomes stagnant building up toxicity over time. Like the water tower, over the top of everyone’s head is a ball of light – this is your higher self, soul, divine light. Each person’s light is unique to them and is like their fingerprint. This is what connects each person to the energy of the universe. In an ideal world each person's light source would have a direct path to freely come through the body passageway. If this was happening a person would experience perfect health and achieve everything they desire. Like the building when a part of you is clogged (from sickness, stress, internalized emotion, etc.) everything gets toxic and energetic blocking occurs." 

Rob has the gift of being able to connect and read people's light source. This guides him to where our body needs help or removal of blockages. He works to remove/reduce the biggest energetic blockages allowing our body to accept light from above and flow freely through the body. While a healer works on you, it is normal to feel lightheaded, peaceful, calm and relaxed because the light is flowing through you. The purest form of healing is done by your own light because your higher intelligence knows your destiny.

One healing tool that he recommends everyone should do is to visualize yourself breathing in light, light flowing freely throughout your whole body and then exhaling any sufferings such as discomfort, pain, stress, etc. When you breathe in imagine a pure light stream going through your nose, down your spine, filling your kidneys, liver and then breathing out all the negativity. Breathe in beautiful light and breathe out toxic energy. 

Seeing him just feels right. My husband (who by nature isn't as into all of this) now looks forward to seeing Rob. Rob helped relieve back pain he was suffering from and just makes him feel good. Healers are based everywhere but Rob is really special. If you are ever in Aspen I highly recommend seeing him.

7.01.2012

Wedding in Keystone, Colorado

Eric and I flew to Colorado for a beautiful wedding in Keystone, Colorado. The wedding took place on top of Keystone mountain reachable by 2 gondola rides. The setting was picturesque and absolutely perfect. It embodied everything you hope a mountain wedding would with rustic elegance and breathtaking views. It was wonderful being surrounded by so much love. Today we drove up to Aspen to spend a few days with my fam. 












































Eric's Wearing - Suit: Michael Andrews BeSpoke, Handkerchief: Brunello Cucinelli, Shoes: To Boot, Glasses: Oliver Peoples
I am wearing - Dress: Ted Baker, Shoes: B. Brian Atwood

6.28.2012

InspireNow with Tamy - The Give-Away

One of the most significant Native American teachings is called The Give-Away Ceremony. This very powerful ritual is about releasing possessions and letting go of the attachment to those belongings. Giving without any strings attached becomes a scared action - pure giving without expectations, obligations or a means to control the recipient of the gift. I think we can all gain from this powerful teaching in our lives. Each time we share or give to another from a pure space without strings attached or any feelings of regret, we learn so much about our true selves. In turn we are given a gift of inner release. Try to release what no longer serves you - ideas, habits, limited thinking or belongings.

See what  you can share this week with others. Give away something that can help another or just let go of something that is weighing you down. When we hang on so tight and resist the natural flow of life we become blocked and feel heavy - release and feel your spirit soar!

6.26.2012

Good to Eat - Lavender and Lemon Verbena Cake

I have been succeeding in making delicious dinners so for my next Good to Eat posting wanted to give baking a shot. I emailed my friend Shanti who is a baker at the foodie spot Saltie http://www.saltieny.com/ in Williamsburg. She invited me over for a Friday afternoon of baking, wine and sweets. It was a rainy day and after picking up fresh lavender from the Union Square Farmer's market I headed over to Fort Greene. I never realized how technical baking is and now have such an appreciation for this type of cooking. We made a delicious herb infused cake - a lavender, lemon verbena cake with lemon balm filling and lavender buttercream frosting. Mmmm mmmm it was delicious! You all know I love sweets but there is nothing better than biting into piece of cake made from scratch. It was so rewarding. Everything from the cake to the cream filling and frosting we infused with lavender and lemon. The ingredients were all organic and my tastebuds were doing a happy dance. The recipe is on Shanti's blog, Shantilly Picnic http://www.shantillypicnic.com/


Shanti - the baking pro






6.24.2012

Morning on the Water

When I attended the hippie high school outside of Aspen, Colorado we didn't have traditional sports like football, track, etc. Our sports consisted of white water kayaking, rock climbing, hiking and snowboarding (during the winter we got out of school early to hit the mountains). Living in NYC you don't really think kayaking is an activity easily accessible but boy was I wrong. The nonprofit organization, Downtown Boathouse, makes it so easy to get on the water. Today I met my friend Elle at Pier 40 and we kayaked for over an hour. Being on the water was so refreshing and just pure fun. If you've never kayaked I highly recommend it and this is a great location for learning. From Pier 96 they offer three hour guided trips for more experienced kayakers. The organization is run by volunteers and it doesn't cost anything to kayak. Visit Downtown Boathouse for more details http://www.downtownboathouse.org/volunteer.html

THINGS TO KNOW 

- Locations that offer kayaking: Pier 40, Pier 96, Pier 72
- First come, first serve
There is no cost (donations are accepted)
- No kayaking experience needed
- They provide a life jacket, kayak, paddle and tips on paddling 
- At Pier 40 you must stay inside a protected area. At Pier 96 they offer a longer, guided tour every Sunday (check the calender first)
- Bring a bathing suit, or shorts and a T-Shirt
- They have changing rooms