Back atcha!

Here is a pix of my new home away from home… a “brickstone” rowhouse that will soon be known as “Support Central”.

It is on a quiet-ish street in a predominately Polish neighborhood. A couple of blocks away is a major thoroughfare with every storefront imaginable and it is fun walking there after dark. There are TONS of lights…my goodness, every holiday decoration ever made ever is displayed and the streets are swathed in lights, too. Beautiful swags going all the way across. Really reminds me of the hometown Main Street where I grew up in Ohio. Sweet. Really sweet.

I did manage to find a store with some beautiful Christmas ornaments and pottery from Poland. I love the pottery, seen at right in pix. The patterns are fun, playful and all handmade. There are scads of Polish restaurants, too and I am dying for a pierogi. Wonder which place to go to?? I will have to do a little asking around. There is so much creativity here. One restaurant makes not only all its food from scratch (totally farm to table) but also makes its own hand-thrown dishes!

Only drawback is that it is somewhat far from the two places I go every day. A little farther that I expected, hence Project Posture is an absolute must. Here is the exercise I do…and I swear, doing it and loads more water got rid of a minor backache and major headache, too. Sweet!

Back Bliss Exercise

Stand straight with hands clasped behind back and feet planted about 2 feet apart. Roll shoulders down and back, straighten neck and squeeze shoulder blades together for 2-3 minutes. Breathe slowly and at end, release shoulders. Repeat 2-3 more times or do once a hour if in a "back stressed" situation. (You can also sit in a chair and drape your arms over back of chair, clasp hands together, squeeze, etc.)

Really helped me...felt the pain melting as I squeezed! Yay! Happy Women and Wednesdays!

Energizing the Projects!

Yea, that’s what I am talking about. Even the buildings are shouting a welcome!! Isn’t that great?! And, notice, too, the green light…awesome! That graffiti is a keeper.

Another keeper was this “sandwich” I had…oh my. I did not want it to end. So yummy…fresh and flavorful. And, I am not even crazy about sandwiches, but this one I am going to have to take on as a project and reconstruct.

Speaking of projects and construction, over the weekend, I assessed my “energy” and how to build it up. I am doing a LOT more walking than ever before. I mean, a LOT. And, as you sensed from Friday’s post, some of it is in the wrong direction. Surely, I have broken a weekly record in just one day!

What I have broken in is my back. It’s a little “ouchy”. I am using a backpack for the first time ever instead of a purse and it is a smidge weird feeling, a little odd. Last time I had something on my back, it was my beloved children…in their little papoose packs. That’ll date me.

And so, what has come to my attention now is my posture. Posture is huge. And, I am amazed that when I project my body, especially my shoulders and neck, in the proper position…bingo…no backache! I have to be very intentional about standing up straight and that includes holding up my head. I am a little tall for a gal and hadn’t realized how I had begun to slouch and throw my head and long neck forward. That is until Mile #12 when my back started hurting. Project Posture…added to the list! I will share an exercise I have been doing in Wednesday’s post.

‘Til then, here is an energizing little beverage that I have sipped on to start off my days. After 5 .pm., I suppose you can add a dash of “spirits”. I suspect, with or without spirits, this brew will also come in handy for the occasional “ouchy” winter throat as well.

Lemon and Ginger Morning Brew (adapted from Eat, Drink, Live)

Zest and juice of 3 lemons
2 inches fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
A bunch of mint leaves (I know…weird timing on the mint, but it is so good in all kinds of beverages! Love it in my shakes.)

Put lemon zest and juice, ginger and mint in heatproof pitcher. Pour in 3 cups boiling water and let steep 6 minutes. Serve warm or iced with extra slices of lemon and ginger. Sweeten (if you must) with honey or agave nectar. Serves 2-3

'Round the corner

The sun is back out after a storm that got my attention. Phew...rattled the cages for sure. I don't think I have ever been in wind like that!

I am settling in and finding "goods in the hood" so to speak. People have been so nice...helping me find my way or my way back...ha! God knows I have no sense of direction!!! For real. "Go north. Go south"...forgetaboutit. Hard for me to remember which way is right or left even! But, despite my directional challenges, I am getting better and finding some landmarks.

Getting a little lost has had its advantages. I have discovered nearby bodegas, fun little shops...a little different magic behind every door. Every corner also tells a story and last night I was on the four corners that officially started the game of baseball in 1846. http://www.hobokenbaseball.com/

I have found other delightful corners with coffee, fresh juices and the best kale salad on the planet. Several more delight my senses with fragrant greens, gorgeous "deli" flowers and smells and languages of every kind. Love it. 

Also love the 4:30 veil of darkness. Settles the day down. Cocooning. Because it is getting a little nippy, I have soup on my mind and found this yummy sounding one...love that it came complete with "green" serving suggestions!!! The addition of warming spices, too, like cumin, curry and black pepper is nice. With long winter nights and major chilliness right 'round the corner, this soup makes a toasty, comforting meal. Now, I just have to remember which corner winter's coming 'round... Happy Weekend!

Curried Lentil Soup (recipe from Dr. Neal Barnard)

Serve this soup with braised collards, kale, cabbage, or a green salad and whole-grain bread or chapattis.

1 cup dry lentils, rinsed
1 onion, chopped
2 organic celery stalks, sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon cumin seeds, or 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
8 cups water or vegetable broth
1/2 cup dry couscous
1 cup crushed tomatoes
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste

Combine lentils, onion, celery, garlic, cumin, and water or broth in a large pot. Bring to a simmer, then cover loosely and cook until lentils are tender, about 50 minutes. Stir in couscous, tomatoes, curry powder, and black pepper. Continue cooking until couscous is tender, about 10 minutes. Add salt to taste. Serves 8.

Green and Gorgeous Gifts

Over the last two years, I have discovered quite a treasure trove of beautiful, safe and healthy resources. Many others may be available to you locally, too. However, if your wishlist takes you online, join me now as it's time to turn those resources into...

Green and Gorgeous Gifts

For the Home
Give beautiful, natural candlelight like this...

and add some lovely linen dish towels, napkins and placemats, snuggly linen wraps and more by checking out this link...http://www.brookfarmgeneralstore.com/

For the Healthier Cooking
Wrap up cast iron, porcelain enamel, glass or stainless steel cookware. Check out your local hardware store!

Anyone have a fabulous cookbook on the list? Oh, I have got a whole list of favorites...just email me!

For Little Ones
While browsing at The Brook Farm General Store, look at what's in stock there for all the little ones on your list. There are all sorts of soft, organic cotton toys and for olders kiddoes, great playing cards, fun real wood pencils and other simple delights.

Pthalate-free bath buddies, painted with toxin-free paints! Sweet!

And, for safe and snuggly Winter Babies, go here organic cotton onesies

For Bathtime for any body, newborn to 100, male or female

Make it relaxing, rejuvenating and healthy, go to non-toxic bath and body delights here. The new Lemon Sugar Scrub is divine!

Still not done? Check out this link and let your gift give double the joy http://ewg.org/amazon. A portion of all purchase proceeds will go to The Environmental Working Group and help it continue its safety monitoring of the toxins in our food, water and personal care...truly green and clean!

Remember, too, that the gift of giving your time to others is priceless and lasts forever, truly green and gold. xoxoxo

For Starters...

It doesn't feel quite like I would imagine jumping off a cliff does, but comes pretty close.

I am on an adventure that started with a leap of faith, Craigslist and a simple hope to rent a furnished apartment. I got two replies from the ad...one totally weird. "Yes, we have the perfect place! Wire funds here...we don't have a U.S. bank account! You will love our place!" I am sure that apartment has an ocean view, right?! 

Number Two said to call her and "chat"...which I did. Bingo. Home run. I moved in three days ago and so the adventure (much more on the specifics coming soon!!!) has begun. The first night it did feel a little strange walking around, showering, sleeping in someone else's space until I saw the bookcase....nothing in it but cookbooks!!! Seriously, a goldmine.

I learned from our conversations that my "landlady" had attended a dreamy cooking school...one I would drool to go to and her apartment (at least the bookcase and gas range...phew!) reflects her love of great food and healthy cooking. I read cookbooks like novels and so this will be deliciously fun! And, with no television, if I run out, there is a library near. Card me up!

For starters, here is an adventurous snack from one cookbook I have devoured. I will be sharing lots of new recipes with you...all fun, healthy and green...just the way I like 'em!

Zucchini Cheddar Toast (adapted form Eat, Drink, Live) 

2 zucchini, grated
1/1/2 cups freshly grated Cheddar (no dye!) or Monterey Jack cheese
1 shallot, finely diced
1 small egg
dash of Worcestershire sauce
4 slices whole grain bread, toasted
sea salt and fresh black pepper

Put the grated zucchini in a dry dish cloth and twist tightly, squeezing out excess liquid. Transfer to a mixing bowl and add the cheese, shallot, egg, Worcestershire sauce, sea salt and black pepper. Stir thoroughly. Put toasted bread on a baking tray, pile on zucchini-cheese mixture and cook under preheated broiler until golden brown. Serve hot. Yummy treat for snacking.

Oh, and another special treat for today...I took a commuter ferry to "work"!  Loved it...leaving in the luscious sunlight and coming home at night with all the gorgeous lights. Just maginificent.

And coming Wednesday, a "green gift" guide, just in case your Santa needs some fresh ideas .