Queen’s got comfort

Today’s a shout-out to the Astoria Blog Carnival!!! This edition is all about food in our hood. Here’s my contribution:

My boyfriend used to have to work on Sundays so we only got to indulge in one of our cities’ greatest past times, brunch, once in a blue moon. Now that he can sit a spell and relax on Sundays we’ve taken to trying out the new breakfast options in the hood. Like desert, Brunch should be a meal of overindulgence and possible debauchery. Astoria’s newest restaurant, Queens Comfort has you covered.

Our beloved neighborhood, Astoria is happening now. Our status has been raised at least two notches in the last year. It seems like everyday there’s a new boutique, new restaurant, or bar opening it’s doors. The demand for space to house these hip new establishments is spilling over Steinway Blvd, where you can find Queens Comfort. Just above the Blvd on trendy 30th Ave sits this one roomed culinary find.

We arrived just before noon and there was already a line to sit. The space is inviting filled with communal tables, the decor rustic and unpretentious- like the food. Toe tapping classic tunes spill onto the street and I’m instantly aware of how many cool people have chosen Astoria for their home. The wait was quick, the service friendly, and we could bring our own champagne (which we happily did, and ordered OJ to mix mimosas at our table). The menu, which changes weekly, is inscribed on a giant chalkboard at the end of the room. We each ordered something different and our table instantly fell silent while we devoured what was on our plates. The R Kelly breakfast sandwich which consists of egg, ham AND bacon, seasonal ramps, garlic mayo on a brioche, seemed to be the table favorite. My boyfriend, Greg loved his ZMan- a brisket sandwich complete with onion rings and a Coca-Cola BBQ sauce. Come early because favorites go quickly. I wanted to try one of the Robicellis famous cupcakes but they had a big line through them on the menu board indicating that the early bird gets the cupcake.

I’ve already mentally committed myself to another meal here. With all day brunch on Sunday you just can’t lose. I’ve heard great things about dinner as well, but brunch is such a magical meal only showing up on weekends it’ll be hard for me to choose. If you make this borough your home you owe it to your taste buds to stop by. Here’s to a month worth of Sundays with fried food and do it yourself mimosas!

What I learned from Irene (the hurricane, not the person)

Living in NYC we are not accustomed to too many natural disasters. With the exception of the occasional blizzard or thunderstorm, we are most familiar with crowds, traffic, vermin, and trash (lots of it). So, when this week we are assaulted with not one, but two natural disasters, we were obviously at a loss on how to cope.

Things started off with a bang (literally) on Thursday with a rare earthquake. I’m a Californian, so I didn’t blink an eye at the small jolt that rocked Manhattan. Then, soon after, came reports that a hurricane pummeling islands off our coast was projected to blow our way. “We don’t have these problems in our big city”, we found ourselves mumbling under our breath. Now, there’s rumor that hurricanes can hit our area, but in reality it is a rarity. The last full blown papa hurricane (not downgraded to a tropical storm) was in 1938. The storm killed 10 people and caused millions of dollars in damages. Keep in mind that in the 19th century there weren’t any satellite pictures or overzealous T.V. news reporters to warn the unsuspecting population. So, as our storm threat grew, so did our modern day media frenzy. The press was having a field day. Fears fanned, I watched my friends hunker down- hoarding bottled water, canned food, and in typical NY fashion, booze. As the evacuation warnings turned into evacuation orders they found themselves glued to the news. The mayor was on T.V., and speaking Spanish for that matter. This was serious. Muy grave.

In the spirit of defiance, some New Yorkers took the laissez-faire approach to emergency preparedness. Scoffing off the predictions, sure that the local dive bar, nail salon, and diner would stay open during Armageddon. They carried on life as usual, almost until the end. Only did it truly sink in when they discovered the subway had been shut down and the corner store shelves were bare. They appeared impervious to the anxiety, but deep down were crossing their fingers and toes that they’d be all right.

My one and only experience with a hurricane was one summer trip to Mexico. A category 5 hurricane had it out for me and a few of my friends on our vacay to Playa del Carmen. When the broadcast that a hurricane was advancing, the calm cool, we’ve-been-here-before Mexicans found pleasure in scaring us gringos with hurricane horror. As I chuckled them off, inside my panic was growing, much like the hurricane itself. My first instinct was to get out. I mean, it’s one thing to experience an act of God and live to tell about it, but another thing to meet it while on foreign soil (especially someplace you can’t even drink the water!). Unwelcome thoughts turned me into the neurotic one of our bunch- traveling to the internet cafe twice a day to track it’s progress, calling home every chance I could get, and contemplating changing my flight to come home early. My housemates were more blase about the whole thing, and thought my reaction was ludicrous. I eventually swallowed it down and tried to deny the inevitable, but fate, as it’s prone to do, caught up with us. When it was certain that the hurricane was rolling in we began to bicker and plan a panicky escape.

I made it home, just by the hair on my chinny chin chin, but vowed to do things differently if there was ever a next time. Hurricanes like so many things in life, are beyond the reach of our control. It’s futile to obsess about the unknown, when the next day can bring a sunny sky, destruction, devastation, or flooding rain. On the b-side, feigning ignorance may lead to momentary bliss, but it could also leave you wishing you’d purchased that raft at the supermarket when you had the chance. Living means being sentient to the moment that surrounds you. It is possible to have your eyes wide open without being hypnotized by fear. If balance is key, how else can I be both prepared and yet detached, form obstacles and outcomes in my daily life?

“If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then there is also no need to worry.” The Dalai Lama

I’m famous (almost)…

Got a mention in my friend Emma’s blog, Glitter and Gold today. Check it out:

Random Things That Are Making Me Smile

thanks to my friend Lindsay, over at Pilates in the City I am now addicted to these.  They are awesome for the summer when your feet get all grimy from being in flipflops all day, every day!  I use mine almost every night and my feet and heels have never felt so soft, and the smell is awesome.

Braving Boroughs- Strala Yoga

It had been sometime since I’d practiced yoga (I got side tracked by opening my own studio), but one of the first stops I had to make was Strala Yoga owned by Tara Stiles.

While Tara is the personal yoga teacher to Jane Fonda and Deepak Chopra, she is just like you and me, and it shows at her gorgeous loft-like NoHo studio- Strala Yoga. You won’t find om-ing or a woo-woo vibe here. The classes at Strala are straight forward and unpretentious. Tara pads around in her baggy sweat pants, no make-up, leading the class in her carefree manner, making jokes, and reminding you that it’s just yoga- so breathe. The classes are simply identified by Strong, Relax, and Stralax (a combo of the two). I’ve practiced there several times now, mostly because it’s affordable (only $10 a class), but also because Tara and Heidi (who is uber-cheery and much more giggly than Tara- but will seriously kick your butt with a smile) are quickly becoming my favorite teachers. I don’t do yoga because it’ll make my butt smaller, or because I want to be closer to god, but because I always leave feeling better than when I walked in, and Strala always leaves me with a smile.

Braving Boroughs- Crazy, Sexy, Lecture

Kris Carr and Gabby Bernstein

Looking for adventure, my girl Jen Seracuse and I signed up for a seminar via VItal Juice, guided by wellness gurus, Gabrielle Bernstein and Kris Carr. The ticket price was right and we figured that at minimum we would create some good karma just by attending. So, last Wednesday we shimmied over to the Center in the West Village with open minds- but still with question marks hovering above our heads. We had quickly signed up and paid our $15, but had no idea what was in store. Does attending a health seminar make you healthier just by proximity?

We arrived to the event early to an already half filled multi-purpose room. The audience consisted mostly women our age, in our industry, with similar trendy attire, well coiffed hairdos, and manicured hands. There we were- in front of our mirror that was the crowd. We checked in and nestled in our seats. Glancing around we noticed the speakers, like mini-celebrities greeting admirers, snapping photos, and signing book copies. There were handouts left at our chairs, with information on the evenings topics, and when the event began to get underway, the filled to capacity room buzzed. Wellness warriors around me busted out their notebooks and pens, prepared to hang on every word.

The first speaker, Gabriel Bernstein, or Gabby as she invited us to call her, is coined as a next generation guru, motivational speaker, life coach, and author. Although in her past life she was a cut throat PR maven, she’s slowed her roll and now focuses her influence in more esoteric matters. Mentored by Marianne Williamson and steeped in teachings from A Course in Miracles, Gabby is the hip modern-day sage. I align myself right in the center of her intentions and substance. She’s bolstered my belief in the power of prayer, positive thinking, and meditation. She has reminded me that “I am entitled to miracles”. Clothed in a leather mini, twirling her long lustrous locks while delivering her message to her screaming ‘Spirit Junkie’ fans, she is able to bring spirituality to my generation.

Next up was Kris Carr, and the reason I paid to sit in an uncomfortable chair for two hours. I was introduced to Kris through Marie Forleo, another motivation orator that I think is hilarious and worthwhile. Marie had Kris on one of her vlogs one day, talking about her new book about health and wellness, Crazy Sexy Diet. Turns out Kris is more than just another diet educationist. Diagnosed with inoperable, incurable cancer at the ripe age of 31, the former struggling actress took matters into her own hands. She started with an inspirational documentary of her journey and then published two books many use as manuals for holistic healing and well-being. I have Crazy Sexy Diet right on my nightstand and am honestly into what this girl is saying. I was anxious to see what she was like in living color, and Kris didn’t disappoint. Her theatrical background made for a natural humorist, after all not many can make bodily waste and green juice sexy, but she does it. With a streak of pink hair flowing down her back, I witnessed Kris incite hope and spark where little was before.

I often find myself stradling a line between abhorring coffee while shunning flesh, and eating donut burgers while nursing a rum and diet coke. I suspect I’m not alone. Most of us waffle between this saint and sinner behavior, and have definite judgements about which side we ‘should’ stand on. Maybe we’re just where we need to be- right smack dab in the middle.

Method or madness?

I am a professional Pilates instructor which means I operate in world where exercise fads change as quickly as the clothes we take on and off our backs. Back in the day there was Jazzercise. Then came Tae-bo (I admit to being sucked into that one grunting and punching in a carpeted room that reeked like prespiration). Followed by the likes of 8 Minute Abs, Buns of Steel, and of course Suzanne Somers’ Thighmaster. Today we bow at the altar of Soul-Cycle, Physique 57, or Tracy Anderson. We fuel the fad like a flame by stoking it with our demand to have the perfect body- and right now! So when this ‘new’ thing (Pi-LOTTS?) enters the scene we roll our eyes back in our head with doubt. What can Pilates do for me that all the other fads could not?

Suzanne Somers and her Thigh Master

Although many uninformed self-proclaimed fitness buffs merge it with all the other flash in the pan exercise regimes, Pilates is not a fad. It is actually older than most of the originators of these so called “methods”. Pilates began in 1914, with Joseph Pilates who was born with various ailments such as Rickets and Asthma, but had a penchant for anatomy and health. He developed his system of body balancing called “Contrology” while in a WWI internment camp. When he immigrated to the states in 1926 he opened the first Pilates studio here in NYC. Joe’s philosophy was to stretch, strengthen, and balance the body. This creates a healthy body in and out with a supple spine, increased circulation and breathing capacity, as well as mental stamina and alertness. Pilates leaves it’s impression on all areas of the practitioners life.

Today, before my session with Bob Leikens, we got to talking about this fad foolishness (It was peaked by my interest in what he thought of Power Pilates’ new ‘Beyond Barre’ classes). “I just don’t understand why these kids are so crazy over this?”, he muttered in his thick accent. “If you want to do ballet, take a ballet class! People these days have the attention span of a fly. They get bored, so they try to create, create, create these watered down classes. If they’re bored it’s because they’re not focusing, distracted and just want the results without doing all the work.” I can certainly see his point. While I like to dabble in trendy calisthenics, I never stray long and always seem to make my way back to deeper techniques like Pilates or yoga. Does that mean that a true method has ancestry with deep roots that can lead you places you never thought you’d go?

What is a method anyway? According to Wikipedia a method can be defined as- ‘a systematic and orderly procedure or process for attaining some objective.’ Though there is much written about the man himself, there is hardly anything in writing about the challenges he must have faced constructing his method and what he was confronted with in it’s inception. What we do know is that he poured himself into anatomy and physiology books, watched the movement of animals for hours, and practiced various disciplines himself including yoga, boxing, and gymnastics. His commitment to well-being went farther then a 6-pack and a tight bum- it was complete healthiness. Trial and error lead way to a lifetime of practitioners and lives transformed.

So, as Seth Godin posted in his blog the other day, quoting Sarah Jones, “the market has become a swarm of fleas” or “Un essaim de puces” in french. ‘Short attention spans, flitting from place to place, a hit and run culture.’ When you practice a true method it’s results are cumulative not waning. The depth for progress is limitless with the road leading you there full of obstacles and surprises.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the makings of a method. Let’s start a dialogue, please leave your comments below.

Braving Boroughs

All the time I get, ‘You’re a Pilates instructor, you must be in great shape!’. While it’s true I do practice what I preach, it’s not always as often as I’d like and it’s NEVER when I’m instructing others. A teacher can’t teach if she’s doing- I need my eyes on their bodies so I can actually teach them something instead of just spewing out Pilates choreography.

So, in an effort to stay aligned with my 3 Words for 2011, I intend to try new fitness classes, visit parts of the world I rarely venture to (like Brooklyn) in search of new athletic adventures, and basically get out of my comfort zone and out of myself. I have a partner in crime to help hold me accountable, fellow Pilates instructor and bestie, Jenn Seracuse, that will join me in my journey and blog as well. In an effort not to break the bank in our little experiment we’re trying to limit it to budget friendly options. Check out our first trip to Equinox’s low-cost option in NoHo below. Make sure to ‘like’ it if you like it and forward it on to other free-thinking, penny pinching, fitness nuts like us!

As a former employee of Equinox, I was surprised when they announced they were offering an inexpensive version of this upscale empire, Blink Fitness On second thought, it was really genius. With the economy the way it is right now, members who used to pay $170 or more a month for the Equinox experience can stay with the family without having to resort to NYSC. Jenn and I both printed our free month pass and decided to give it a go and see what you get for $20 a month.

First of all, if you’re a gym class whore, this place is not for you. Blink has plenty of brand new cardio equipment, free weights, and weight machines, but not much else. They don’t offer the flashy Equinox classes like Intesanti or Nia. In fact, they don’t offer classes of any kind and don’t even have a group fitness room at all. This is a get in and get out kinda place. Do your business and move along, which was kind of refreshing.

The best thing about Blink is everything is immaculately clean. Just like their expensive big brother, things are constantly being wiped down and sanitized. The equipment is brand spanking new, and everything works perfectly including the giant flat screens hovering about your elliptical machine (but this could just be because they’re are still in their infant stage). Each piece of cardio apparatus has an awesome iphone dock, so you can charge and listen to your tunes without risking crashing it down to the floor beneath you. They do have proper locker rooms and showers- but NO towels. No lovely complimentary towel service like I was used to, and to my chagrin- not even a towel could be found the locker room (not even the paper sort, they have hand blowers), which left me dabbing myself dry with my sweat soaked Lululemons (at least they’re moisture wicking). There’s also no lovely Kheils products in lining the walls to moisturize and groom yourself. You’re on your own at Blink.

Bottom line: Blink is great for the price IF you live nearby, don’t care about taking classes at your gym, and don’t need to hire a professional butt kicker to get yourself to sweat. I suggest getting down there soon if you’re interested, try it out for free and take advantage of the grand opening pricing before it’s a thing of the past. Just make sure to bring provisions- your towel, a water bottle, and toiletries- and you’ll do just fine.

Blink Fitness, NoHo
4th St. @ Broadway
212.228.7000

Consolidate, Equilibrium, Bravery

This is the family I will actually be able to see once I restore more Equilibrium to my life!

In true New Years fashion, my inbox, Facebook page, and twitter feed suddenly became inundated with the particulars on how to set and keep a resolution. Most of it melded into the din of data I’m flooded with. A LOT of it ended up in my advice-happy spam folder, or in the trash- all but the exception of one. Chris Brogan, a media marketing and PR guru, has an interesting take on making good intentions stick. I was lead to his article and philosophy, My 3 Words for 2011, purely by proximity.

Chris shelves the tradition of making resolutions and instead swaps it for 3 valid words to use as a touchstone to get him where he wants to go. The belief behind focusing on words initially instead of goals, is to allow you to have something to mull over, get you thinking, and make objectives. He uses the SMART (Specific, Measureable, Acheiveable, Realistic, and Timely) to define the actual goals, sound familiar?

Here’s my 3 words that are the backbone of my goals:

Consolidate
In my therapy sessions (yes I go to therapy thank you very much), I have been exploring my yearning to feel safe and stable. My life often feels like it’s water running through a sieve and I can’t hold onto anything solid for any length of time. In trying to get to the bottom of my plight, I discovered actual evidence that I had the ability to nourish and support myself- plug up the holes, so to speak, and it was right in front of my eyes. I’d catch a glimpse of it, which would be eclipsed as quickly as it arrived by my nay-saying gray matter. Betsy, (my AWESOME therapist), suggested that every time I identified an instance where me, myself, and I did the “care taking” effectively, I should write it down and put it in a vase or bowl. This way I could have a tactile method of calculating my abilities. The word Consolidate means- to make something physically stronger and more solid. My first goal in my journey to become more solid, is to make my strengths materialize in a vessel on my desk. Finding a vase or bowl-no problem, I love to shop. Write down my good deeds, cake. I’m a writer.

Equilibrium
Ok- who doesn’t need more balance in their life? For me, my need for Equilibrium is specific to my career. I own my own business, which means I’m the head honcho, the big cheese, the boss lady. It also means that if something needs to get done, I’m the one who has to do it. I’m a one woman show, so I am responsible for answering the emails, phone calls, balancing the books, and scheduling the clients. It’s a full time job, and I find myself having difficulty turning off, tuning out, stopping the hamster wheel. Some days I book myself so tightly that I scarcely have a moment to pee, let alone stuff a hurried meal in my pie hole. The madness has to end. My journey to Equilibrium is initiated with two goals. First- I’m setting designated times of the day to check and answer my emails and calls. Otherwise it’s ignore, ignore, ignore, and make room for something else. Secondly, I’ve made up my mind to become a 9-5er. I will designate a quitting time for my day, after which I will be DONE with anything that resembles my “day” job, making room for other things like seeing friends and maybe even my a date night with my lovely boyfriend.

Bravery
This new year has big changes pending. Although I welcome them, they are still piggy backed by doubtful thinking and restless nights. The definition of being courageous is to not be deterred by danger or pain. Not knowing what’s in store for me makes it so hard for me to move boldly forward, (see my need for Equilibrium above), but, that’s what we ALL must do. No one can see what life has in store for them- we can only pay attention to what’s in the moment. This year I will move ahead with my plan to open my own Pilates studio without being dissuaded by my insecurities. I will write down the steps, and put one foot in front of the other without trepidation (or at least less of it). If my path seems to be going left instead of right I will follow it courageously, with confidence that it’s exactly where I need to go. Physically, I will dare to try new activities like rock climbing, boxing, and tennis. Emotionally I will continue to set free the remaining butterflies in my gut and courageously grow in my relationships with everyone I hold dear, despite my timid tendencies.

Even in re-reading this piece, I am flooded with inspiration instead of desperation. In the old days of resolution setting- I would unknowingly set myself up for failure and disappointment by creating unrealistic page-long expectations for myself. Having three key words to focus on creates hope and possibility. I’m thrilled to see where I’ll go.

I would love to hear your feedback and comments on this post as well as what your 3 Words for 2011are……

Pillow-lates!

If you live in NYC like me chances are your apartment is the size of a postage stamp! Recently a friend of mine on Twitter told me she hadn’t been doing Pilates because she had no room in her tiny abode. Nonsense!!!! You can easily do Pilates right where you lay your head with extra benefits! I’m calling it Pillow-lates!

The softness of your bed creates even more resistance and puts you deeper in your “powerhouse” or core. Any of the Pilates repertoire can be done above the covers but here’s a 5 minute routine you can do to get you started!

The Hundred:
Start lying on your back. Bend your knees into your chest. Curl your upper body off the pillow. Stretch your legs out 45 degrees and begin pumping your straight arms up and down, beating your wings like an angry bird. Inhale for 5 counts. Exhale for 5 counts. 10 sets of this make 100. Keep your eyes focused on your abdominals pulling your abs in and up the whole time.

The Half Roll-back:
Begin seated with your feet flat on the bed, legs together, knees bent at a 45 degree angle. Place your hands behind your knee creases and tilt your tailbone under, to the back of your knees. Start to round your lowest vertebras toward the mat behind you as you straighten your arms, without moving your hands. Keep your gaze on your abdominals and pull them in and up. Round back forward keeping your tailbone tucked under and your abdominals pulled in tightly. Repeat 5 times concentrating on leading with your lower back and not your shoulders.

Rolling like a ball:
After your last half roll-back, sit forward on the bed so you have plenty of room behind you. Begin just like the half-roll back, this time lifting your feet off the mat once you’ve rounded your lower spine. Dive your head between your knees and make sure you are behind your sit bones. Pulling back in your abdominals roll this ball shape back and then back up with minimum momentum. Make sure your feet don’t touch the sheets when you come back up. If you can’t roll with a rounded spine, practice just the balance.

Partial Ab Series:
After rolling like a ball, lie back down and bend your knees into your chest. Curl your upper body up off the mat and look into your abdominals.
Single leg Stretch: Place both hands on your right knee, pull it into your chest as you stretch your left leg out on a 45 degree angle. Switch. 6 sets.
Double leg Stretch: Pull both knees into your chest, head off the mat. Stretch both legs out 45 degrees as you reach your arms long by your side. Inhale, then as you exhale return to your beginning position by bending you knees back into your chest. 6 sets.
Scissors: Knees into your chest again, head off the mat- extend both legs up to the ceiling placing both hands behind your straight right leg. Lower your left leg to 45 degrees. With both legs straight, switch them or scissor them back and forth grabbing behind each leg and pulling gently. 6 sets

Cat and Cow: Finish this basic routine by coming up to your hands and knees. Place your hands directly under your shoulders and your knees directly under your hips. As you inhale, arch your back, lifting your chest forward and your tailbone back. Exhale and round your spine looking into your abs curling your tailbone under. 5 sets and finish the last one by sitting your sits bones back to your heels and rounding your spine like a yoga child’s pose.

Would love to hear how the Pillow-lates worked for you!

Resolve the Resolutions

“I’ve opened a gym called Resolutions. It has exercise equipment for the first 2 weeks of each year, then becomes a bar for the remaining 50” -twitter, @MrFornicator

Years ago, I started the tradition of making goals instead of resolutions. I seemed to find that “Most resolutions involve inspiration but no preparation”, . I would start off with the best intentions to drink less alcohol or become a rocket scientist, but would always find that come January 15th or so my visions of grandeur had fallen flat. So, in response to my unsuccessful years of good intentions but failed resolutions- I decided to try another way. Now, I sit down for an hour or two (with a cocktail in hand) and write out the goals for my personal, business, and relationship lives. A goal seemed much more practical and attainable than a resolution because it’s accompanied by a set of steps to lead me where I want to go. When I worked for Lululemon in NYC, goal setting was a regular part of our work load. This is what they taught me, I thought I would share it with you:

Make your goals in the present tense and use affirmative language
Lose the “I will” mentality and the “I don’t” negativity- you can be willing to do it but your mind knows the difference. Trick it into thinking you’re already in the process of completing your goals.

Make sure you can measure your goals and be specific!
Setting the bar too high can set you up for failure out of the gate. Make sure you make your goals into do-able steps or mini-goals. No more “I will be a better person” or “I will be thin”. Being vague will lead to disappointment.

Hold yourself accountable
The problem with most of us is that we tend to take the time to set the goal and then wait for it to magically manifest. Before we know summer has arrived, then fall and it’s almost time to create another set of goals. Make sure you give yourself a deadline for your goal which will help keep the goal manageable and successful.

This month I am experimenting with goal setting and resolving to do things differently and hopefully better. Stay with me for the next couple weeks while I investigate the best way to shape your life the way you want.

As always I welcome your comments and suggestions on how you resolve to make a revolution!