Be Light - Moving and Shaking in Manhattan

Jen and I recently moved to a new apartment not far from the area we’ve been living together for the past two years. The move was instigated by several little things, but mostly, we were just antsy for something new. This will be the third New York apartment we have shared. When I first moved to the city, we successfully shared a studio for a few months on the east side, then we moved into a converted one bedroom across town. Before that, Jen lived downtown for awhile when I was living back and forth between a couple of cities in Florida...and this is just the short list of post college residences! Needless to say, we have become accustomed to the standard operating procedures of moving. So, after navigating the summer rental market in Manhattan...again, we decided our next move would be to yet another neighborhood, and that this time, we were going to do it ourselves. It was no small job and despite the frequent fits of laughter, it wasn’t exactly fun either. Regardless, if our success can be measured on the basic level of getting all of our possessions from point A to point B (not without a little help) then we were wildly successful movers! Here are some things that we did right, which mostly derivied out of a need to be thrifty, and some other things we could do better next time... because there will be, of course, a next time.

1. Plan Ahead. We could have done a little better job of this. But as much as time permits, plan, pack, and organize.
2. Once you’ve started packing and organizing, separate things into categories: keepers, give aways/sell, recycling and trash.
3. Hopefully your trash is minimal after allocating things into the other categories, but keep in mind that a lot of things that you may want to dispose of can’t just be thrown out with yesterday’s milk. i.e. electronics, anything pressurized, chemical solutions like cleaners and paint. These all contain extremely hazardous toxins that can leech into and pollute our groundwater supply if left to the elements in a landfill. Contact your city to locate the specific resources you may need so that so don’t move anything that is unnecessary. Conserve energy, mainly yours!
4. Assess your give away pile and have a yard/garage/(in our case: stoop) sale (although, this was one of the things we didn’t do). Someone’s trash can always be another’s treasure and live a very happy second life. What doesn’t sell or if you skip this altogether, schedule a pick up with a local charity. We found out that pick up’s were booked weeks in advance, so if you can’t load up your car (like us because we don’t have one) then get to work on this ahead of time or at least think ahead and get the truck scheduled before moving day.
5. Your recycling may take a little thinking ahead as well in order to get everything able to be recycled to a place that will accept it. It’s worth the effort. It will give you loads of good moving Karma!
6. Now for the keepers. You are going to need some sort of receptacle and packing material to get everything you want to the new place in one piece. Become a “master packer” and utilize everything that already has handy compartments like luggage and even trash cans. For everything else, there is no need to buy boxes new. They are expensive, serve a single purpose and end up in the trash. Be on the look out around retailer loading docks for clean, reusable boxes, especially if they sell large hard goods like furniture. Liquor stores are the best for packing up a kitchen because they already have the separated compartments which are perfect for glasses. I’ve never had an experience where these locations weren’t happy to give them away (see, trash to treasure)! The boxes we used were from a friend who had recently moved and had saved them from a precious move. Re-used twice and then recycled - i’d say they served their purpose.
7. Bubbles are for popping not for packing. What a waste! Use your blankets, sheets, towels, pillows, old newspapers - anything but bubble wrap! And if you underestimate the amount of “stuff” you own, as we did, and you have to resort to the garbage bag packing method, as we did, save all the bags after unpacking for the future more appropriate uses.
8. Rent don’t buy. Yes, the opposite of what we are working towards in terms of equity and assets, but in this case, renting a moving truck to fit everything in one trip is much better than making several trips in your personal vehicles especially if it isn’t a relatively close move. We got a state-of-the-art smallish moving truck at a really cheap rate, rented (or as I like to call it, recycled) furniture blankets, other moving necessities like, Jen’s mattress bag (necessity is apparently subjective), and even though it wasn’t a hybrid (I inquired about one being available, they laughed. I guess that’s still a little too state-of-the-art for the do-it-yourself moving market) we did the move in two, short, fuel effiecient trips, under 8 total miles, and, you better believe, with style! (Picture the two of us in a moving van cruising around Manhattan: style can be subjective, too)!
9. Head ‘em up and ship ‘em out. Moving yourself has the added bonus of providing a pretty dynamic workout. Lift carefully and move quickly for entire body toning. You’ll especially tighten the upper arms and lower half (lift with the legs, right ladies!) and burn 100’s of calories by default. If it weren’t for all the hassle, you might want to make moving a part of your every day routine.

Whew! I’m exhausted just having to think about the moving process all over again! But this is a pretty good to do list for starters at moving all of your earthly belongings in a more earth conscious way. Jen and I, although ferociously confident, are able to admit that we are not the most experienced movers, but we’ve experienced a lot of moving together. Now that we are more or less unpacked, we are settling in and making another new place ours. Here’s hoping we won’t need to shake things up and out of another apartment for awhile.    

Be Creative - Tricks and Treats

Lately, It has been hard to deny all the signs that fall is officially here; cool, crisp air, warm, cozy sweaters, and a returning craving for apples and squashes. With Halloween being the first holiday of the season, less than two weeks away, I started thinking about how to create an inviting, festive doorstep that can be used for more than just decoration after the 31st.
The indicative Halloween pumpkin can still be the star of the show, but instead of carving a jack-o-lantern why not keep it whole so you can actually eat it later in all those great fall recipes using the ingredient (pumpkin soup, ravioli, bread pudding...yum)! You can still make them spooky by stenciling (or free-handing if you have the talent) all the creepy characters and scenes that make you think of
Halloween...spiders in a web, a black cat with a full moon, or even the same triangular shapes you'd use otherwise. You could make a cluster of all different types of squashes with different shapes, knots, and wrinkles to make a family of ghosts and goblins - use your imagination (and you'll have more to cook later since large squashes like these have a really long shelf life).
Craft stores have great stencils so anyone can get involved and it's a whole lot less dangerous for the kids than carving. It's less limiting too, you don't have to keep the design connected and you can introduce color with fast drying non-toxic paint or permanent markers (just be sure to peel the skin off before doing any cooking). Now the only thing missing is that spooky, flickering candlelight that let's all the trick-or-treaters know that you are open for business. I have an idea for that, too. Reuse those small paper lunch bags as tealight holders. You can light a path to your front door or use them around your pumpkin display. Just add sand or plain old dirt from the back yard to steady the candle and keep it from burning the paper. Now that your creative juices are flowing, why not cut shapes in the bags, too just like making paper snowflakes.
If it just isn't Halloween without carving a traditional pumpkin, you can still use the "guts" that are normally thrown out for some good eating. Roast the seeds for a delicious and nutritious snack. Here's a little secret, stencils are great tools for carvers, too!
Happy Halloween!

Be Steadfast: Angry New Yorkers in Tree Pose

No matter where we live, whether we are single or married, have kids or not, great jobs or hated ones, we all need an outlet for stress.  It is imperative, since studies show upwards of 90% of disease is directly linked to stress. Maybe it is running, sports, or great hobby that gives you a release.  Whatever it is for you, you can use the positive energy it brings to make you live better and be better. Mine is my yoga practice.

We all have those days when everything seems to go wrong, our usual ability to deal with adversity is absent, our sweet self is replaced by a crazy monster and feel like we’re bubbling with anxiety.  Some people may want a drink at the end of a day like that.  I want yoga.

Today was one of those days. A long New York Winter has transitioned into incessant rain: the windy, cold, miserable rain that renders an umbrella useless and pummels all in its path. Since we all are walking/training/busing it everywhere, there is no escape from a bad weather day.  To boot, we are surrounded by 7 million other cranky New Yorkers that desperately need a sunny vacation and a pina colata.

After I woke up late and rushed to get ready, I ran in the rain to the bus, desperately dug around in my black hole of a purse to discover my metro card expired today, and had to rely on a sweet little old lady who sympathized with me to change my two wet singles for quarters. The bus driver (one of the vacation deserving 7 mill, was certainly not taking any pity on me.) I arrived soaked and very late to work. It was an out-of-body experience and I thought “how in the world do we cope around here with days like these”? As I turned onto 1^st Avenue, I saw a little girl on the street screaming, stomping her feet, and pulling her hair out.  I thought to myself “I know exactly how you feel.” For adults who can’t have an outward tantrum, we have to find a way to woman-up and take control.  A healthy, positive outlet for stress and negative energy is key.

After work, there was an invisible force pulling me to class, telling me it would help. I knew an hour and a half of challenge and concentration would put me right again. In keeping with my day thus far, my class was at the Midtown studio, which is the most difficult to get to. After a cross town commute I was left 4 blocks away to claw my way through the Times Square tourists with several bags and my yoga mat strapped to my back. The studio is oddly juxtaposed with Midtown Manhattan, 4 floors up in building with a gritty storefront studded in neon lights, beside rowdy bars, less than sanitary looking delis, and an adult entertainment shop.  While the traffic and noise swirl around beneath, 50 focused, profusely sweating yogis try to meditate while contorting their bodies into poses. It seems fitting for NYC, there is always something above, next to, or behind you, a collage of culture and contradicting ideologies trying to coexist.  It’s just as funny that my most peaceful place in the city is perched in the middle of the most chaotic neighborhood. If I can find peace here, you can find it where you live too!

Those who are close to me are constantly perplexed by why, as over-programmed as my life is, I still make a regular yoga practice a priority.  When I have no spare time, I would rather give up most other things I would do for fun or relaxation to go sweat my booty off and struggle through a 90 minute class. Yes, I realize this makes me a bit of a freak. I give up other things to practice, make myself late to “fit it in” a class where it doesn’t fit, and the time commitment of practicing makes it certain that I don’t have much down time.

The truth is, Yoga is my serenity.  It is my battery recharge after a bad day. It is a natural high, and a stress reliever. It takes away aches and pains and makes my entire body function better. It gives me the tools to control my mind when the circumstances around me challenge me to break. It is my calm, rational friend that pushes me hard, but gives back more than it takes. She always delivers.  Even when the class is rough, it is usually a reminder that I haven’t been taking good enough care of my body.  Yoga always knows.  If I drink more than a little bit of alcohol, don’t sleep or drink enough water, overload on coffee, yoga knows. And with tough love she reminds me to make better choices.  Be better tomorrow, and you will feel better. Every day whether, good or bad, yoga gives me the tools I need to be a happier, healthier person, it brings perspective to my irrational thoughts or worries, and keeps my body healthy and strong. She is my port in a storm.

On the outside, hot Yoga might not seem like an appealing activity, but it is just like a New Yorker: dynamic, accepting, friendly and fun with an intimidating exterior and a big heart. You just have to get to know her.

Be Steadfast: The Right to Bear Snacks

After last Monday’s blog about pickiness, I had a funny experience that made me think about boundaries and challenges we are all presented with in our everyday decisions to eat better.

The other day, I was on my way to a baseball game with my boyfriend. That morning, In preparation for an entire day sans breakfast in the sun with no food options available, I reliably packed my usual survival smorgasbord of goodies: Zico (coconut water), almond butter packs, larabars, vegan muffin, banana, water. I was fully stocked and feeling great that I wouldn’t have to risk turning into a crabby, hungry witch once my metabolism started revving from my yoga class. When Brian asked me how I would make it all day with nothing available but hotdogs and beer, I proudly showed him my stash. When he mentioned the rule against outside food and drink in the stadium, I got fired up…Was this serious?? The possibility hadn’t even crossed my mind. They couldn’t really deny me access to a game over some little snacks, right?

It was bad enough that there wasn’t one thing in the entire stadium that could qualify as healthy and now they wanted my food. Unbelievable! It’s almost as if there is an unwritten code of entertainment establishments, ie: stadiums, movie theaters, and many bars, prohibiting anything that can’t give you a heart attack on the spot. It is interesting that these are the same places where it is “forbidden” to bring in outside food. Yes, I realize I am not their target audience but we have a hard enough time working to be healthier and the last thing we need are rules that almost force us to eat junk.

Just as a matter of principle, I decided to put up a fight. Since I was with a group of twenty people, I opted for the discreet approach instead of speaking my peace to the security guard while holding up a hundred-person line. And although I knew my little snacks were the least of their problems and they probably wouldn’t confiscate them, I decided to hide everything, just in case.

As I strolled up to the checkpoint with everything stuffed but my bra, I realized the lengths I go sometimes just to be healthy! By the 5th inning when my stomach started rumbling, my contraband Larabar saved the day.

Even when we attempt to have healthy food around, there are times when it is awkward, uncomfortable, and difficult to make it happen. Maybe you have a southern belle mother-in-law and a dinner at her house is filled with comfort food, or you work in an office that peer pressures you into daily mid-afternoon baked good gossip sessions. Certainly, there are times when it is not easy to go against the grain. It doesn’t have to be as hard as it seems. It just requires a little creativity and confidence in your better choices.

Aside from bringing out your inner rebel and taking food into entertainment locations, here are some ideas for tricky food situations:

**When attending anyone’s house for a social gathering, take the time to make and bring a dish. You would bring something anyway, so even though it takes more time and effort, bearing a delicious homemade item will also give you something to eat if you are hungry, and takes all pressure off of the cook, especially if they know you are discriminatory about your food. Just find out what is being served and make something to compliment it.

**Even when healthy choices are slim pickings at catered events, weddings, and restaurants, more times than not if you are really sweet about it--that part is key--it is sometimes possible to get something special made. Ask for dressing on the side, inquire about a vegetarian option, ask for steamed instead of sautéed, if you can’t control your portions, ask to have the remainder wrapped to go or just have the server take it away.

**Before going on a trip, spend 10 minutes on the internet and research food establishments in the area. Know where the closest health food store or better restaurant option is, it might be completely achievable to pick up some great food instead of eating whatever is available or just grabbing junk food from the hotel gift shop.