Day of ME aka "Resolutions and a Day Of Divine Solitude"

Happy Thursday Friends,

Yesterday was a big day because it was my Birthday!  I'm not ashamed to shout it from the rooftops that I love my birthday and look forward to it every year.  A birthday is a chance at a fresh start, a new year, a time to make personal resolutions.  To honor my 33rd year of life I came up with 33 resolutions for the year.  It was a fun exercise and a lot of interesting thoughts work their way through the ol' cooker when you force yourself to come up with 33 things. 

More importantly than my fantastic resolutions (stop 'wanting' and start living, build a terrarium, go to Niagra Falls, research Dutch design etc.) was how I spent my special day.  BY MYSELF!  Darlings, it was heaven on earth.  I love spending time by myself and I know that makes some people really twitchy; however, I find it energizing.  Granted I may be a little biased because my days are spent changing diapers, running to parks and today I picked out peanut butter from out of the mouth of my toddler because she couldn't get it off the roof of her mouth.  Fun.  Some folks are revitalized by crowds and some by quiet.  I fall in the later category for sure.  This post over at Crazy Sexy Life on solitude, which incidentally just happened to coincide with my Birthday, sums it up perfectly. 

Without further ado, here is how I spent my heavenly day!  It was a wonderful day to be in NYC and as I slowly bummeled from The Cloisters to Columbus Circle.  I took these pics on my phone so the quality is so-so and for some reason I didn't take any pics while actually inside The Cloisters.  Oh well.  I didn't want to spend the entire day taking pics because that wasn't the point of spending my day in solitude.  While this doesn't even begin to do justice to just how wonderful this day was, I hope it inspires you to consider taking an entire day to yourself doing something invigorating!  Happy solitude darlings!

Just outside of The Cloisters.  A perfect reminder of what "The Day of Gretchy" is all about! 

Fort Tryon is one of the most beautiful parks in the city.  It makes living in this cesspool tolerable. 

You can't tell by the photos but there were little, white butterflies swarming all over these purple plants.  It was beautiful!

A Wood Chuck!  Who says NY doesn't have wildlife??

Lunch was at Cafe Blossom.  Friends, this place is AHH-AHH-MAZING!  This is some of the best vegan dining I've experienced to date.  Super delicious and if you are a serious carnivore, don't let the fact that this restaurant is 100% vegan turn you off.  This is some serious, gourmet food.  I had to refrain myself from licking my plate and have been scheming how to get more. No joke, I saw God.  

Creamy, mushroom soup goodness. I should've ordered more to go.......

Root vegetables wrapped in phyllo dough in a lemony/wine sauce.  Holy moly.  

My eggplant trio consisted of fire roasted eggplant, breaded eggplant in a Marsala sauce and avocado/onion/watercress wrapped in grilled eggplant.  This is the plate I almost licked clean.  

Next stop was a yarn shop I've been wanting to check out because a good friend just loves the owners.  Excellent selection and lovely people.  Due to a recent and much needed stash busting I restrained myself and didn't buy anything but it was fun to snoop :)

Be still my heart!

It was just me and the blue hairs.  Cute movie.  Very Wes Anderson. 

A stop at Sephora to pickup more blue eyeliner (!!) and to try out the nail bar.  Really digging the glitter polish but alas, at $20/bottle, I said no thanks. 

Blue and purple glitter? Yes please. 

The end of a perfect day!

Personal Reflection and the One Dish Wonder

Happy Monday Darlings!

I've been enjoying some self imposed radio silence over here at S&S.  It has been very hectic, all for very good reasons and some of them will be explored in future posts, but in short...........
I'M BAAAACK! 

I have been taking some time for some serious self reflection and between deciding to make changes in my professional life, raising a toddler, expecting another 'bean' in 6 weeks or less plus just the general chaos of living in NYC I've been feeling very, very mentally disheveled.  Not to discount my many life blessings in any way but something has to change or I'm going to implode.  I'm really feeling the need to eliminate as much nonsense as possible and instead focus on calming the mind chatter, pursuing projects that are emotionally, spiritually, and professionally satisfying while striving to live a simple, authentic, compassionate life.  Naturally this will include a healthy dose of zest, good coffee, and colored eyeliner for good measure :)    

I've started making a list in my journal of "Things I Know For Sure" which includes things I like and dislike.  One thing I LOVE and I'm grateful for is food.  Eating good food makes me happy.  When my toddler eats well I feel like an "Amazonian Parenting Goddess".  If I create a meal from scratch and on a budget using things in my pantry I'm delighted.  In my cooking when given the chance  to include nutrient rich ingredients that are also vegetarian I pounce and feel like I've won the culinary lotto. 

Topics of health have always been on my radar but some statistics really hit home for me in the past 6 weeks.  It is no secret that we are facing an obesity epidemic.  However, scientists suggest that by 2020 84% of men will be overweight and/or obese and 73% of women will be overweight and/or obese.  1 in 3 kids born in 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes.  Of the top 5 cancers (lung, breast, colorectal, pancreatic and prostate cancer) reducing the risk of 4 of them is strongly linked to eating a healthy diet and exercising.  To further drive the point home, I received a letter last week from our health insurance company informing us that they are proposing to raise our rates 16.9% next year due in large part because of increasing medical needs taxing the system.  (I'm also no dummy and I know that insurance is big business and that this is a MAJOR factor contributing to our broken system of healthcare but we also need to acknowledge how poorly we take care of ourselves in a land of so many opportunities). 

As a parent and a concerned citizen I find this incredibly alarming, disheartening, frustrating, and frightening.  It is overwhelming to think of the problems facing us and the next generation and I worry about the lasting impact of very own choices.  How can I make the world a better place given that I'm a middle class peon living in Queens?  What can I do?  To quote Robert Frost, "The best way out is always through".  It's time to take personal responsibility, put one foot in front of the other, and walk right into the kitchen to create"One Dish Wonders". 

"One Dish Wonders" (ODW's) are going to be part of a new series on this blog showcasing simple, user-friendly, and cost effective dishes that I come up with in my own kitchen.  Like many folks in our time crunched world I have difficulty getting a decent meal on the table.  My biggest challenges include a pick toddler who is erratic in her food choices, I don't have a lot of distraction free time to purchase food and prepare complicated recipes, hubby has an insane work schedule and if he has time to eat at home it's either breakfast or he's eating way past our bedtime.  It's really no wonder all of the local restaurants already know my takeout order when I call!

ODW's use what you have on hand and substitutions/additions/subtractions can easily be made.  You start with the basic ingredients and alter based on the taste buds of your audience (das Toddler doesn't like a lot of extra flavors, I like lots of spice and extra raw veggies and hubby likes to add meat).  These dishes can be made quickly without having to measure out ingredients and you get a ton of food.  You can easily feed a crowd, have leftovers for a few days or just make the dish once and you are all set for the day.  Personally, I don't like to spend a lot of time each day in the kitchen, I prefer to eat more in the morning and during lunch, and I am happy to eat the same thing for lunch and dinner.  
Today's "One Dish Wonder" is a pasta salad that was made by using many staples I had on hand, which I'm sure are in your pantry too.  Almost always I have a box of whole wheat pasta, garbanzo beans, red onions, and frozen green peas at the ready.  Whole wheat pasta is a wonder-especially if you have picky eaters.  Garbanzo beans quickly add a shot of protein and a creamy, buttery taste to any dish.  Onions add a nice flavor punch and are super rich in phytonutrients that benefit your cardiovascular and immune systems.  They can be eaten raw or cooked (just make sure that you chop them as opposed to using them whole in order to release those good enzymes). 

Below you'll find my ODW from today.  This is super fast, makes a ton, and is delicious.  It's so good I ate three plates already.......

Just pretend this picture isn't sideways.  I can't figure out how to turn it and there are bigger problems in the world.......

One Dish Wonder:  Pasta Salad with Green Peas, Chickpeas, Onions and Dill Sauce

One Box Whole Wheat Pasta

Frozen peas (I used 1/2 a bag because that's what was left in my freezer but feel free to add more)

1/3 red Onion-finely chopped

1 can chickpeas

2 big spoonfuls of mayo 

a splash of vinegar (I used champagne vinegar)

a generous shake of dried dill

S&P to taste

Cook up the pasta and frozen peas together in boiling, salted water.  Drain and allow to cool.  In a large bowl mix the mayo with the vinegar, spices and onions.  Add the chickpeas, pasta, and peas.  Stir to combine ingredients and chill.  The longer this chills the more intense the flavor.  But, if you are super hungry give it 30 minutes and dig in.  Serve with a side of raw veggies-salad greens, veggie 'finger food' or with a piece of fruit...or all of the above.  Enjoy! 

Breathe Good Thoughts

I saw this sign while walking to the subway today.  Message from the universe???

Hello Lovelies!

So.....if you are what you eat then imagine what happens when you think?!  Thoughts have been on my mind lately because in my quest to 'Cut the Chaos' I feel like the I wheels in my mind are giving the race cars at the Daytona 500 a run for the money.  My life is great and there is nothing major on my plate to keep my brain so occupied.  However, I have spinny brain wheels! 

So I came up with a new idea between the hours of 12:30-1:45 am last night when I was up and couldn't power down again.  Breathe Good Thoughts.  It is going to sound a little earthy, nutty, crunchy but can I say that if the last 12 hours or so has been any indication this just might be the ticket.  So here's my formula: 
1)  Come up with 3 or 4 positive thoughts about YOU.  They can be positive ideals you want to work towards to things that you believe about yourself now.  "I am beautiful".  "I am a grace filled person".  "I am enough".  "I am a good friend".  "I am a freaking Goddess". 

2)  Now, whenever you find a few down moments in your day-it could be standing in the shower, a commercial break on TV, waiting for the light to change or for the train, or after you tripped and fell on the sidewalk at Park Ave and 52nd, skinned your knee and looked like an IDIOT (Yep.  That was me today)-take a deep breath in and say your little personal, positive thoughts.  Repeat as often as you need too for the next month.  I certainly feel better after this little exercise and I'll be curious to see what develops out of it during the next few weeks.  Remember, only positive thoughts and keep them in the present and active tense. 

Bussi, Bussi Darlings!

I'm baaaaack!

Simplicity is greatness in goodness.
A simple life has to face very few problems.
Because you are simple, you can embody God's powerful Hope in you.
Simplicity is a very glorious discovery.
Simplicity is the fruitful birth of peace.
Simplicity is God's beauty-friend.
Simplicity soulfully reaches the vast reaches of the world.

Sri Chinmoy (3) 

Dear Friends,
Happy Spring darlings!  It took a little longer to come back from my self imposed electronics hiatus (warm weather and taxes are to blame-ha!)  I missed researching and writing but I loved, loved, loved being unplugged.  It was so liberating and I highly recommend giving it a try.

I can't remember the exact quote, but I read recently that actress Emily Watson said that the reason she doesn't use facebook or twitter is because she has enough junk in her own head that she doesn't need to see the junk in other people's heads.  Oh so true.

While it is probably impossible to live in an 'unplugged' world I did make some serious modifications to my electronics diet.

1)  No more nonsense apps.  The celebrity gossip will still be there waiting for me.
2)  Get off of THE FACEBOOK.  Seriously.  All I do is comb through pages for nonsenses and feel like crap about myself.  I do a great job tearing myself down without any outside influences-thank you very much!
3)  The emails can wait.  Stop checking the phone/computer every 5 minutes.
4)  A phone call is so much nicer and a face-to-face meeting with a friend is even better.
5)  Just because it seems like a good idea/craft project/goal on one persons blog doesn't mean I need to jump on the bandwagon right away too.

My original goal/idea was to try and blog everyday except Sunday.  Realistically that probably won't be the case but you know what.....A-OK!  There was a great post yesterday over here that really hit home.  Take the easy road kiddo!  Not the blecha, cheap road but the quality over quantity road.  I have lots of new stunts planned to 'Calm the Chaos' and to savor each juicy moment of life and I can't wait to share them with YOU!

Unplugging during Lent

"The Fight between Carnival and Lent" Pieter Bruegel

Dear Lovely Readers,

For the next 40 days of Lent I will be unplugging which translates to no Facebook, no email, no blogging, no reading of blogs and no surfing the internet.  Thank you for reading my daily posts and I look forward to continuing our Alphabet Challenge in 40 days. 

Buon Lent, Happy Passover, Happy Easter and more stunts soon.  

Bussi Bussi! 

Alphabet Challenge-Letter D

Happy Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday Darlings!

Sorry for the radio silence.  I haven't shut the computer off for Lent just yet......emphasis on yet..... :) 
The above picture was taken at DAYBREAK on Saturday.  It was a particularly tough morning because not only did I not have nearly enough sleep (thank you to das Toddler) but I was heading in to play a funeral.  The blinding sun in the morning always cheers me up and this picture makes me smile.  Besides, I'm much more of a morning person than a night person. However, I have been staying up late to catch up on DOWNTON ABBEY.  When this fantastic show first came out I just couldn't get into it at first.  I tried multiple times and after about 20 or so minutes I switched it off.  I'm here today to tell you that you just need to make it through the first 50 minutes of episode one and then you'll suddenly be hooked.  Bring out the tax papers that need sorting, start a new knitting project or sort your socks for the first part and then I promise you'll see the light.  Amazing.  DACHSUNDS are my favorite dog, especially the wired haired little beauties.  Who doesn't love a dog with a beard?  DAUGHTERS and DADDY are pretty important D words.  DELIGHTFUL, DANDY, DARLING, DELICIOUS and DELIRIOUS leave nothing to the imagination.  DUMPLINGS are great treat on a Friday night. 
Wishing you a wonderful Mardi Gras.  Hope you gets lots of beads without showing too many of your bits.......

Bussi Bussi! 

Alphabet Challenge-Letter C

Happy Friday Friends! 

I had lots of "C" words on the brain today! 

Crochet
Crafting
Craptastic
Cardigans
Coffee
Cotton Candy
Color
Clogs
Canning
Cheese
Congratulations
Communion
Cats
Cantankerous
Chocolate

And last but not least-Computer Challenge.  You all know how much I love me a good challenge.  I love writing on this blog but between high speed internet and my glorious iPhone I find myself spending way, way, way too much time plugged into nonsense.  I'm moving at lightening speed towards a crazy idea of unplugging for the 40 days of Lent.  No blogging, no reading of blogs, no email, no online shopping, no Facebook.  Shriek!  Can I do it?!  

Buon weekend & Bussi Bussi!

Alphabet Challenge-Letter B

Hello Friends!
It's Day Two of our Alphabet List Challenge.  (Remember, the goal is to come up with at least 10 words starting with the letter of the day.  Fun and nonsensical on an overcast day).

Today is brought to you by the letter B. 

1.  Buttons.  I just love the idea of buttons and they are so much fun. I have jars of antique buttons displayed in my home and they make me smile.  Of course, I'm still cooking up the perfect button craft but in the meantime I'll just enjoy the different colors and shapes. 
2.  Baubles.  What a fun word.  It is very descriptive and full of whimsy. 
3.  Baba.  This is the name for "Daddy" in our house and our Baba rocks. 
4.  Bread.  Fresh bread is the greatest thing on the planet.  Full stop.   
5.  "Blaze of Glory".  Not only is this is a Bon Jovi song and I secretly heart him but the phrase just cracks me up.  The image is very clear and we think of it as the final, glorious, full strength moment before the fire goes out.  However, this is a recent phenomenon.  In the past it was used to describe sunsets and the first recorded use of the phrase possibly comes from the poem The Hind and The Panther (1686) by Dryden.  "They throne is darkness in the abyss of light/ A blaze of glory that forbids the sight."
6.  Bright.  I like bright and bold colors.  Pastel schmastel!
7.  Bach.  Sigh.  Nothing makes me happier than plunking through Bach Preludes and Fugues on the organ.  The man was incredible and there are little mystery harmonies in his music that tickle the ears. 
8.  Bowtie.  A man in a bowtie is quite something.  It gets my blood racing.  Hubby, take note.
9.  Braids.  Maybe it's my swiss roots but braids are fantatsic.  Frieda Kahlo had some rockin braids too. 
10.  Beer.  If I do ever decide to imbibe, which is rarely, I prefer beer or port. 

Happy Day Darlings!

Bussi Bussi.

Letters of the Alphabet Game-A

 

Happy Mittwoch Lovelies!

As my Mother says, "If you're bored you're boring" and I'm fighting a case of the B's in a big, big way.  Maybe it's the time of year, maybe I need a shot of inspiration in the arm or maybe I'm just coming to terms with the face that I'm incredibly dull.  Regardless, when you start to think Goldfish crackers are really a hilarious invention and you are watching Woody Allen movies over and over again it's time for a shake-up to hopefully welcome that next big, fun, and engaging idea.  Over at Matchbook Magazine they've had running photo lists of items beginning with the same letter and this got the brain-machine cogs running.  I like lists.  I like list challenges.  I can get behind Sesame Street's Letter of the Day!  What about an Alphabet List Challenge????

The mission is to come up with 10 things off the top of your head that begin with the letter of the day.  It can be words you find funny, things that annoy you, things that you love, things you loathe.....it's all up for grabs.  The only rule, and this applies forever and ever to any of my lists, is to just write whatever comes to you off the top of your head.  And......GO!

1.  Alligators.  I could care less about them but it's the first word that popped into my head.
2.  Ayla,  The greatest name on the planet.  Serious.
3.  Arthur.I loved these books when I was younger and first heard about them on Reading Rainbow.  The show is adorable and the books are terrific.  
4.  Annie Hall.  Hey, I love me some Woody Allen.
5.  Acorn.  It's just a funny word.
6.  Abhor.  Great word too.  Gets the point across, yes?
7.  The Artist.  Go see it!
8.  Abercrombie and Fitch.  Absolutely ridiculous clothing that I would NEVER wear.
9.  Artichokes.  Really yummy and many fond memories from my childhood sitting around the table eating them in the summer.
10.  Alaska.  I'd really love to visit the state sometime.  It's at the top of my list (not quite as high as Paris, but still in the top 5).

See?!  Easy and gets the brain juices flowing.  Buon day darlings!

Bussi, Bussi!