WALKING THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE

I spent a lot of time this summer walking the Brooklyn Bridge.  For years I would say that I was going to walk that bridge but would never go through with it.  Last year I finally walked it and never stopped.  It's a continuous experience for me now and I can't figure out what took me so long.  The distance is great for a cardio speed walk, a romantic stroll, or a life embracing leisure walk. You can have a nice picnic on the bench as you gaze at the skyline or ride your bike across in the breeze.  Whatever you choose to do you have options and the best part is that it's free.  You may not have the Brooklyn Bridge where you live but you do have something.  Rather it's your city's river front, local park, or your neighbors backyard.  Make an experience happen before the warm weather REALLY changes.  If you're really not creative I'll give you one of mine.
1.  Look up the times for sunrise and sunset.  Choose which you want to see.
2.  If it's cool out make a great cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa.
3.  If it's warm out make iced coffee, iced tea, wine, or champagne. (Mimosa is a good choice)
4.  Grab a light comfy blanket/throw.
5.  Sit on the porch or backyard in a comfy chair or lounge chair.
6.  Go out at least 30 min. before time .  Stay as long as you like.
7. Visualize your destination  (St. Thomas, Ocho Rios, French Riviera, etc)
If I really can't relax I just stare at the sky and try and picture all of the people all over the world who is doing this very same thing at this very same time  No matter how rich or poor it's still the same sky.  Create an experience.

O.N.E. COCONUT WATER

I already told you how much I love coconut oil so now I have to tell you about my love affair with coconut water.  My favorite brand is O.N.E. (One Natural Experience).  O.N.E. is so light and clean with no after taste.  Whenever I drink coconut water cold it's always delicious whatever the brand, but drinking it warm is another story.  Summer will be here soon and I need a nice refreshing portable drink that can withstand the NYC transit experience.  Usually I carry pure water and I still will but sometimes I just want something else and coconut water will be that other option.  11.2 ounces of 100% coconut water has more potassium than a banana, 60 calories, naturally sweetened with no added sugar, and a great choice for replacing electrolytes after a workout, which is what I drink.  I order my O.N.E. from Amazon.com on an auto delivery service.  Signing up with auto delivery saves me 15% and has no shipping cost!  If you feel that you're not ready for a commitment so soon you can simply order the amount you would like to try initially. 

PILATES ANYONE?

OK you know how you see a piece of exercise equipment and you feel that you have to have it and when you get it home you only use it for two week before you use it as a clothes hanger?  Well that's not the Pilates Power Gym.  I can honestly say that this is a piece of equipment that I use.  I can remember using my pilates exercise tapes and dreaming about the day that I could own my very own reformer.  Well that day is here, in my mind at least.  I bought the Pilates Power Gym and began using it immediately.  I love the fact that it doesn't use electricity and is pretty quiet.  Once you have the moves down you can easily watch a movie while using it.  It doesn't take long at all to feel a difference and not much longer after that to see a difference.  For a few years now I had looked into taking lessons at a studio but the cost for a series of pilates sessions is nothing to sneeze at so for me the $350 cost for this is really worth the investment, as long as you use it.  Amazon.com has it with free shipping and free shipping is one of my best friends.

COCONUT OIL IS THE BEST! .... WHO KNEW

SAINT'S ALP TEAHOUSE - WANNA GO TO ASIA

I love boba tea also known as bubble tea.  Actually this tea drink goes by several other names however boba and bubble tea are most commonly used by anyone that I know.  From what I understand boba was originated in Taiwan in the early 1980's.  It's basically a tea (or fruit) based drink with tapioca balls on the bottom of the glass/cup.   My favorite is the taro tea (warm or cold) and my favorite place to go for it is Saint's Alp Teahouse on Bedford Avenue in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn (NY).  My favorite thing about Saint's Alp as opposed to some of the other boba tea places that I personally frequent are the small inexpensive dishes.  On this visit I had my usual toast with coconut butter, shrimp dumplings, and warm taro tea.

OLD HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR FOR $29.95

 I have decorated my living room in a black and white Old Hollywood Glamour style.  One of the key elements of my decor is mirrored items, and the item that I have had my eye on from the beginning is a mirrored tray.  I kept putting off this purchase because a mirrored tray can be costly and I wanted to wait for either the perfect tray or the perfect price.  Well guess what?  I found BOTH!  I found a gorgeous large mirrored tray at  TARGET for $29.95.   I just happened to be in TARGET for something completely different and happened upon it.  I loved it so much that I bought two.  I put one tray in my living room and the other one on my  bedroom dresser.  This will definitely go down as one of my best purchases ever.  Target.com is now out of these trays however you can still find them in your local stores, just check online first to make sure it's in stock near you.TARGET.COM

MY SMALL TOUCH OF ITALY IN MARVIS TOOTHPASTE

One of my favorite small luxuries is Marvis Toothpaste.  This Italian made toothpaste comes in several flavors.  I've used Jasmine Mint, Aquatic Mint, Ginger Mint, and Maris Whitening Mint.  The first few years after discovering this toothpaste I only used the Jasmine Mint.  Since that time I have used the other flavors and have discovered that I am a fan of them all!  My favorite thing about this toothpaste is that although it has a very substantial breath freshening taste, it also is subtle enough that you can eat right after using it.  With regular toothpaste I have to wait a while until the taste wears off a little.  This is a winner and I buy it often as a gift.  I usually pay between $13 and $15 dollars, however you can find it on Amazon.com for $10.50!Marvis Jasmin Mint Toothpaste