the last of first days

Since I'm not going to graduate school any time soon (most likely), and am definitely not headed to any law or medical school, there's no more first day of school for moi. On the academic front it was the most low-key one ever -- I only have one class on Mondays :). So, I took advantage of my free time and met my forever roomie, K, for lunch at What the Crêpe and a graduated friend, Laura, for coffee tea. My new camera (yay) is in transit so I will be relying on my super cool Kodak Zi8 pocket video camera as my visual aid until it comes...

Laura insisted that I make an appearance on this lovely day ;). Now it's to shower and bed before my busy tomorrow: Latin American Literature, Magazine Editing, lunch (yum), Race Gender & the Media, and an Equal Time Magazine editorial meeting. I'm happy to say that this whole college student thing is going well, I've apparently gotten good at it in the past few years. ¡Hasta mañana!

and life is what we make It

Always has been, always will be. Hello my dears, please pardon my MIA-ness today! I'm back at school, yes my home university, for my fourth year as a college student. I'm actually a senior. I'm sure that you could have figured that out :) but I have to practice saying writing it for my own sake.

It just blows my mind. What happened to being a junior?! Oh yes, that's right. I was traveling the world (I suppose quite literally, although it sounds too elitist for my liking.) While I was packing I literally could not remember how I had done it in the past: which bags did I use? how were they organized? do I really need all of this... stuff? Afterwards we packed up my father's truck and my own car to the brim: is there any possibility that this will all fit into my room? has it ever?

Much to my surprise, it did. Every article of clothing, product, stationary, and the countless decorative I've collected over the years fit into my tiny corner of the Alpha Chi Omega (K, that's for you) sorority house. And I'm not going to lie, it fits pretty damn well :). My room became my new home in a matter of 6 hours of unpacking and reorganizing. Then my roommate, one very sweet best friend, brought me back a delicious slice of veggie pizza for dinner.

I don't remember what I was so afraid of. Because, oh my gosh, my dears, I was petrified yesterday. I've clearly been here twice in the past year, but it was just visiting, and I wasn't sure that I could handle being a full-time student in a non-exotic place while living in my sorority house without about half of my beloved friends that graduated last year. Not to mention the worry of "Is everyone still going to like me," which led to "Am I still going to like everyone else?" Both very dangerous.

It's all enough to drive a girl insane, and it did, for a while... until I was reminded about the fact that it was going to be my last year, the best one according to many, and I wouldn't be able to fully enjoy it if I was getting so worked up. So, a couple of deep breaths (and a glass of Merlot, or two) later I realized: This familiar campus may not be a foreign country, but it's challenging in it's own way and that's alright. It's yet another exciting adventure, and I hope you'll join.

I'll be back in a couple of days since back to school time is a busy one :). In the mean time I will be using all of those products pictures above quite frequently I'm sure. They were all a very generous gift from Fitness, plus an incredible pair of Patagonia sneakers of which I will be sure to debut on my first outdoorsy experience of the season ;). I think I'm ready now, are you?

quenched

This has been quite the summer, I've worked long interning days throughout many busy weeks... and I couldn't be happier. I just may graduate with a job (or two) next year. It feels so amazing to know that all my hard work and dedication was recognized by the wonderful people I had the opportunity to work for and with. And yet, I'm ready for the break that awaits, I don't have to be an adult quite yet :).

So, I made sure that my first Friday off (since I've gotten home from France) was sensational, and oh was it! First I met Leslie for a glorious Gorilla sized salad lunch at Bonobo's. I have so much in common with this girl it's scary, except not at all, it's great and so is she. I can't wait until we hang out again!

Afterwards I took a stroll around Gramercy park.

It was beautiful.

Then I met Gena for a refreshing Thai green juice at One Lucky Duck. I feel so fortunate to know such a brilliant and caring woman. I had an incredible time chatting until she was off to work as well.

And so I ended up in Union Square.

Their farmers market is just fantastic.

"We can't help being thirsty, moving toward the voice of water. Milk drinkers draw close to the mother. Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, shamans, everyone hears the intelligent sound and moves with thirst to meet it." Drink up and savor the beauty of summer, darlings :).

yoga me silly

Psst... I have a secret to share :)... I've been practicing Bikram Yoga every day since Sunday. The nearest studio has $25 one-week unlimited for newbies. For anyone who is unfamiliar with the hottest yoga in town (pun intended) Bikram is a 90-minute practice of physical and mental strength and endurance, 26 active postures in all, that takes place in a heated room at 105 degrees.

Once I adjusted myself to the hotness of it all, I've found that it has done wonders. My body is able to relax and stretch to the extreme. My mind becomes quiets and clarity takes over. I sweat more than I have ever sweat in my entire life and yet I feel purified; by the time I take a shower I feel absolutely rejuvenated. And each morning, upon awaking, I crave it again, and again, and again.

You are not advised to eat at least two hours beforehand so I've been waking up extra early to have a hummus & avocado breakfast sandwich. I cannot go without morning fuel! Still, I am quite the hungry yogini by the time I'm fresh and clean and home again. Yesterday, for an early lunch, I made a great big salad with spring greens, tons of raw vegetables and edamame.

I enjoyed some rice and beans on the side and the other half of my avocado. And on the side I drank about a gallon of water, replenishing is key :). Afterwards I also drank some green tea for a little extra energy. Then I was off to do one of those things I do best, shopping for back to school. I made stops at a few of my favorite clothing stores for cute new outfits (yes, I'm in elementary school),

and then I was off to my favorite supermarkets! I had a couple of things to buy for my last couple of days at home and some grocery goods for school. I'll be living in my sorority house and we do have a wonderful and accommodating cook, but still, I always need my own health food staples :). Oh and above? That's the warm fresh bread and olive oil sample while shopping.

Um, yum! I know. I won't be able to use the stove but I prefer overnight rolled oats to instant any day. Green tea will be morning drink of choice as usual. Walnuts, almond butter, spinach hummus, GREENSuperFood bars, G&B darkest of dark chocolate, and new raw bars... no explanation needed. And now I do not have to worry about being jealous on sundae nights ;).

There were quite a few powders and supplements available at Mrs. Greens but I'm "the real thing" kind of girl so I chose not to splurge. I was, however, very impressed to see Amazing Grass already taking up a shelf. I tried their mixes a few weeks back, and although they're a little chalky for my taste, I am all for the ingredient list. Way to go my green friends :).

As you may have assumed from the pictures of yesterday's insightful post, my final excursion was to the bookstore (since I just happened to have a $10 gift card.) Following much deliberation, I settled on Without Reservations by Alice Steinback, her very own 340-day travel memoir. (Okay, that may not have been the exact number... it was close though!) I think I'm funny ;) take care lovelies!

P.S. Check out Heather's interview on True/Slant. She's an almond butter doll.

food for thought

Once you choose hope, anything's possible.

There's no place like home.

Sometimes you need to travel into the unknown to find your true self.

Hard work eventually pays off.

Just because not everyone can see it doesn't mean that there isn’t beauty in everything.

Human perfection is a myth.

Loving is never a waste of time.

-size: x-large;">Even on the worst of days there is something to be thankful for... tomorrow.

pain perdu, morning fuel

Today, this morning, the boy began medical school. He will be so busy studying for the next half a decade or so, and I doubt he'll be having such an extravagant breakfast any time soon ;) so, this weekend, I treated him to a Blueberry French Toast feast. By the way, it was his idea to make a nice breakfast together. Love him.

Ingrédients

2 eggs

1/2 cup low-fat milk

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

Cinnamon to taste

4 slices of multi-grain bread

2 pats of butter

Maple syrup

Préparation

1. 1. In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, and salt until blended
2. 2. Place small skillet on stove over a low fire. Melt a teaspoon of butter.
3. 3. Dip bread slices, one at a time, into egg mixture, pressing lightly as you coat both sides well. 
4. 4. Place the bread into the skillet, press blueberries into it, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Cook 3 to 4 minutes until lightly browned then flip for the same amount of time.
5. 5. Transfer French toast to plate and serve with maple syrup.

Bon Appétit! As Julia Child would say. We actually just saw the film, Julie & Julia, as well and I very much enjoyed it. Meryl Streep (as Julia Child) was amazing as usual, and Julie's story, as a blogger and cook, is wonderful but I thought it was a bit long. I felt this way about the book too, I tried to read it two years ago and could never get through.

Above all, though, the intertwining of the two foodie's stories was done in such a way that I stayed interested and intrigued. I'm very glad that I went. Have you seen it yet? Thoughts? Opinions?

Despite the fact that the delightful smell of Blueberry French Toast filled the air I wanted oatmeal. Surprising. While the boy was mastering the art of his gourmet breakfast I made my steel-cut oats with almond milk, banana, and raspberries on the stove right next to him. Cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt went into it as well, in addition to a few blueberries :).

I hope you ate "the most important meal of the day." Good luck at your first day of school sweetheart. 

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."

it's not easy being green

Beam Green, the eco-educational community is now a thing of the past. Everyone was very much surprised and taken back by the news, and yet I couldn't help but think of how thankful I was for having made the final two social clubs. I already feel like I've learned so much.

Not only was I able to witness "the sharing of Green knowledge and wisdom in order to guide people towards superior health and wellness" but experienced it alongside some blogging friends: Gena, Diana, Vani, Leslie, Sarah, and Olga. Plus, there's always so much delicious food!

Juices from Liquiteria- I'm still jealous that Leslie won a $20 gift card there ;)

Crudités

Vegetarian Sushi

& BabyCakes Cookies

I helped myself to everything that the lovely vegan selection offered, while also generously taking...

another plate for the raw zucchini lasagna that tasted so beyond scrumptiously amazing :)The speakers that evening included David Philips, a spiritual counselor in Kabbalah, Gil Jacobs (featured above) a colon therapist and raw foodist, and Gene Stone, a ghost writer and co-founder of Stögo.

Oh my gosh, this icy treat is so good it's mind-blowing. At our break time we were treated to a tasting of Stögo's vanilla & chocolate coconut milk ice cream. The vanilla didn't stand a chance :) I enjoyed my bowl of creamy chocolate perfection with the slightest of coconut undertones. Yum.

I will miss this. As you can see, the Tavern on the Green event room was hardly ideal photo-op because with or without flash it was difficult to capture the beautiful faces of the bloggies. Oh well :) I hope to see them again and I will continue to do my best to live compassionately. I believe that each small act of kindness towards our bodies, our families, friends, and our world can make all the difference. Do you try to beam green each day? How?

twist & pour

Ah wine coolers in upstate New York...

Just kidding :) a few days ago the boy and I went to his former place of work, Twist, an American restaurant.

It was so tiny and sophisticated with a gourmand feel. I adored the colorful atmosphere.

Plus, we were treated like royalty. The kitchen staff made sure that his friend served us the best of the best.

There menu is not extensive, by any means, but utmost quality and care is put into every dish.

To start, I had a special, the strawberry basil mojito. As you may (or may not know) mojitos are my favorite cocktail and the only other time I had one with basil was in San Pedro. It was spectacular.

As an appetizer I ordered a salad made with local tomatoes, homemade croutons, basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. It was divine. The boy had a Caesar salad that was also beautifully presented but the picture came out blurry. I nearly cleaned my plate and was ready for my entrée.

Instead, or rather before it, I got this, a second, complimentary, appetizer. The special made with duck, and goat cheese over heirloom tomato. Yum but I only picked at it to reserve room --

for the amazing Seared Tuna, served alongside shiitake mushrooms, baby bok choy and pineapple-wasabi salsa. I enjoyed about a third since nobody likes a tummy-ache :).

Despite his preference for bright drinks with the occasional umbrella the boy ordered a "manly" plate of baby ribs with polenta and cole slaw. It literally fell off the bone, he loved it.

But alas we were both quite satisfied, on the verge of being full, so dessert was out of the question. Ha, as if. The wonderful staff at Twist would not have it. We were served a vanilla macaroon with goat cheese ice cream and a raspberry reduction sauce. Oh yes, the two bites I had were beyond delicious.

What fun. And it continued throughout this entire week. It's my last week interning so I've made sure to make it a memorable one. Most recently, my mom and I went to see Rock of Ages on Broadway. It was a blast. We were singing along the entire time, and we weren't the only ones ;).

I am going to miss frequenting the city as much as I have this summer... but that means that I get to start another adventure, my senior year of college. Woah. I fully intend on having as good of a time up in Syracuse :) Enjoy your weekend!