Balmy Breezes

It must be spring! The temperatures in the east are warm, the sun is shining and this morning I heard my first mourning doves of the season. We have had a mild winter compared to last so it is no wonder I have travel on the brain.

Last blog I wrote about meals in the Mediterranian and one of the staples is garlic. I use it in most main meals so I did a bit more reading on it. Obviously you want to peel off the skin, then chop or mince it before using.

Here's the most important thing to remember. Always let the chopped or minced garlic sit 5-10 minutes before cooking, then cook no more than 15 minutes to maintain the healthy compounds that help fight disease and cancer that are released upon chopping.

I'm off to chop garlic for my soup tonight!

I was doing some winter cleaning. Actually I was looking for all the papers I need for taxes but as that is not a favorite thing to do, I found myself going through so many other things. I came across quite a few photos I have taken over my years of travel and began a progression down memory lane.

There were picture of snowy mountains, ranches, canyons, New England fall splendors, Hawaii and so many more. But it was Hawaii that really got me thinking. Most likely because it is winter. Beaches, sun, relaxation and unique foods.

Yearnings for cruises filtered into my head or travel to other warm places like Crete! Imagine sitting at your open air table at lunch with the soft sea breezes wafting across your table. The birds are chirping the air is fresh. My stomach is growling with the aromas of a true Mediterranian meal coming my way. Pure olive oil is on the table to dip bread into or to ever so slightly drizzle over the salad of spinach with radishes and walnuts. Soon a main meal of lime-marinated chicken with salsa, sugar snap peas and a roasted sweet potato appear before me and I treasure each bite. Dessert is a dark chocolate mousse in a small amount, just enough to satisfy the sweet craving. MMMMMM

OK, now I need to go fix dinner. I made myself hungry!

But such a healthy dinner I had in the Crete of my mind.

Snow Can Be Fun

It is January for sure although it seemed to take quite awhile before it felt like it. We have been enjoying almost springlike weather on the east coast. But, when the weather changed it did it with a vengeance to make up for lost time.

We got a few inches of snow last night and into today, topped with freezing rain, then frigid air. Now that I live in a house, snow shoveling comes with it. I went to the gym first, then home to the task at hand.

There is a large amount of area that has to be shoveled and could be daunting. Many would complain, grouse and make this a chore.

I started thinking about it as added exercise, then, when I saw it was going to take longer than planned, I started making up shoveling games and singing songs. Before I knew it, I was done, and it looked great.

Next time you get hit with a chore that might not be fun, decide what you can do to make it a game!

Broken or Kept?

Did you make New Year's resolutions? Are you still sticking with them? Are you eating more healthy? Going to the gym?

I don't make resolutions once a year. I'd rather begin a better eating and exercise regime and stick with it all the time with occasional lapses than to begin a program I know I'll stick with until that first gym class makes me so sore I never want to return!

Gradually begin to shift your focus and slowly work your way into something that will eventually become your unconscious habit.

And soon you will see a fun program aimed at helping you begin your journey to better health!

Happy New Year!

Christmas All Year

It is December 25th and I feel the joy and happiness that is is born from all the preparations, indulging in a few decadent treats, and friends and family gathered.

I went to the Bronx yesterday to see the most beautiful holiday train show, wandering the gardens, then to the gorgeous St. John of the Divine for and early holiday service. My mother flew in to have Christmas here and my sister and her family arrives tonight. We will also be having Christmas dinner with the family of a dear friend.

I choose to extend this holiday feeling throughout the year. By always laughing, smiling and looking at the fun in everything bouncing through the day is not a chore.

With a HUGE smile and a big belly laugh, I wish you a Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas throughout most of the city. The decorations are up and I was entertained at Union Square today. Three women were singing Christmas carols with the most astounding voices. They wore holiday attire and platinum blonde wigs. What was the name of their group? I love this.."Three Women Singing". It struck my sense of humor and provided a grand smile for me.

The one place where Christmas is NOT is the two Staten island ferry terminals where it seems to have been declared illegal for any holiday displays. How Scrooge like can they get? It was said that the lack was patterned after Grand Central Station not putting up decorations. But, if you stroll through Grand Central, the holiday is abundantly displayed in the main concourse with decorations. Hmmm.

Enjoy the songs, decorations, your faith, and keep a portion of this happiness with you all year. It has been said that "Christmas is not just an event but also a state of mind".

Merry Christmas!

Are you expecting a holiday?

It is Christmas time. At least that is what the chilly weather and the calendar say. It does come around once a year so we should be expecting it. This is a time to purchase presents and spend time with loved ones.

I was following the tradition of present purchasing today. I went into Filene's which is going out of business so all is marked way down. With a store that is trying to relieve itself of inventory, with a major shopping holiday here, one would think they would be prepared. I was surprised to see a massive line to purchase my gifts. As I rounded the bend, after 20 minutes standing in a long line, I saw that there was only one cashier for the horde of people. I had to absolutely stand there and chuckle. It certainly made the time go by faster and I watched this cashier who obviously did not care how long the line was. She looked bored, not frazzled.

After my purchasing was done, I went to the next level and saw a massive line with again, one cashier. I'm not too sure of the logic behind this, but Hey, it's Christmas! We all need to laugh like we have a bowl full of jelly in our tummies! (Or lots of fun holiday treats!

Merry Christmas!